Normal view
QRP POTA: Pairing N3CZβs Homebrew Transceiver with the TennTennas 49:1 EFHW!
Bob talks ergonomics and radio buttonsβ¦
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AllStarLink Control Dashboard
Ever since I built my RaspberryPi/SHARI AllStarLink node Iβve had to manage connecting/disconnecting to/from other nodes using the Allmon2 or Supermon web admin interfaces. These work fairly well albeit, a bit clunky and buggy. Itβs impossible to use from a mobile device though and so I have to get my Macbook out each time I want to connect/disconnect nodes.
Being a Node-RED fanatic I decided that I should put something together that was more portable, mobile friendly and much easier to use. A simple user interface is all that is required and can be achieved very easily using the standard Node-RED dashboard nodes.
Initially I started investigating the Linux command-line interface for Asterisk, the VOIP system that underpins AllStarLink (ASL). I very quickly discovered that the ASL node can be very easily controlled directly from the command-line and that this would be an ideal interface to use to enable node management via a Node-RED dashboard.
In very little time at all I had an experimental control dashboard working with the ASL node and was able to connect/disconnect to/from a single node. All that was required now was to extend this so that I could connect to a number of nodes with nothing more than a push of a button.
The resultant flow consists of 3 sections, Connect/Disconnect Main Flow, Manage Node Subflow and /var/log/asterisk/connectlog Subflow.
The Connect/Disconnect Main Flow handles all the input from the buttons on the dashboard and the communication to the underlying Asterisk VOIP system.
The button status is denoted by 3 colours, green (Ready to connect), orange (Transitioning to/from connect) and red (Connected). Each button is updated automatically by the button refresh function that is triggered every 2 seconds.
The Manage Node Subflow provides a simple interface to restart the Asterisk VOIP system, reboot the RaspberryPi and shutdown the RaspberryPi. The node status is automatically updated every 45 seconds and will show when the Asterisk subsystem is being restarted or the node is being rebooted or shutdown.
Finally the var/log/asterisk/connectlog Subflow monitors the Asterisk connectlog looking for connect/disconnect messages so that it can signal to update each button status.
Each section of the dashboard can be collapsed/opened by touching/clicking the little blue arrows on the right of the dashboard. The dashboard works fine on Android, iOS, Windows, MacOS and Linux.
If youβre not familiar with Node-RED and havenβt yet installed it to your PC, take a look at the Node-RED Getting Started Page. The information takes you through installing Node-RED onto a multitude of devices including PC and RaspberryPi devices.
Once you have Node-RED installed all you need to do is download the AllStarLink Control Dashboard Flow and import it to your Node-RED flow editor.
Once downloaded, select Import from the burger menu icon on the right-hand side of the flow editor as shown below and import the flow file.
Once imported you will find that some of the nodes in the flow are not available. This is because you need to add them to the flow editor palette before being able to deploy the flow.
Drop down the same menu as shown above but, this time select Manage Palette. This will open another window where you will need to select the Install tab as shown below.
You need to install two node sets to complete the flow, node-red-contrib-bigssh and node-red-dashboard. Type in the name of each package one at a time in the search bar and then click the Install button.
Once the two packages are installed you then need to configure the credentials for logging into your RaspberryPi. This is simply done by double clicking the blue Send Command to ASL node at the top of the main flow and then clicking the Pencil button at the end of the Credentials field. This will open another window where you will need to type in the IP Address of your ASL RaspberryPi into the Host field, then enter 22 into the port field, add repeater into the Username field (repeater is the default username, if you have changed this then you will need to add the new username name in instead) and then the password associated with the repeater login into the Password field. (Normally allstarlink)
Once this is done, do the same on the other blue nodes, namely βGet Node Uptimeβ, βCommand =>> RaspberryPiβ and βTail ConnectLogβ.
The final thing to setup is the dashboard size. Click on the downward pointing triangle at the top right of the menu bar (under the burger menu) and select dashboard. Check that the sizes are set the same as in the image below. For some reason, these settings arenβt always imported (Possible bug?) so, if your dashboard layout isnβt like shown above it will be because these settings failed to import.
You are now ready to deploy your AllStarLink Control Dashboard!
Press the red Deploy button at the top of the flow editor window.
To access the dashboard from any device, open your favourite web browser and enter the following URL: http://IP-Address-of-Node-RED-Computer:1880/ui
Finally, if you want to change the nodes that each button connects/disconnects you will need to edit the set flow varβs function at the top of the main flow. All you will need to do is replace the existing node numbers taking care not to alter the rest of the code in any way otherwise, it could stop the flow from working.
Once youβve edited the node numbers, double click on the associated button node and change its Label to show the new node name.
Once your changes are complete, Deploy the flow again and your changes will be live.
This is version 1 of the ASL Dashboard, I already have ideas for version 2 that will also have the ability to enter a node number into a field and connect to it without the need to program it into a button.
More soon β¦
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- Q R P e r
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New Product Spotlight: Eton Odyssey Multiband Bluetooth Emergency Radio
Also Check Out a Handy Beacon for Home and Road Emergencies
Back in 2022, DX Engineering was excited to add a varied selection of highly respected Eton devices to its lineup of more than 175 manufacturers whose products are available at DXEngineering.com.
As fans of DX Engineering already know, the company carries many items that have applications that stretch outside of amateur radio, including coaxial cable prep tools, soldering equipment, coaxial cable assemblies, equipment cases, and even the DX Engineering ISO-PLUS Ethernet Filter, which has found a legion of enthusiasts in the audiophile community.
While Etonβs high-quality Elite Series shortwave radios certainly fall under the amateur radio umbrella, the Palo Alto, California-based company also makes gear with a broader appeal to families who want to be ready for unexpected emergencies, or hams who want to be fully equipped at home or during their portable ops. Choose from:
- Hand-crank and solar-powered AM/FM emergency weather alert radios
- Solar-powered lanterns
- Emergency flashlights
One of our favorite devices is the Eton Road Torq Self-Powered Spotlight and Emergency Beacon (below)βa great companion for your home or vehicle.
The 7.125-inch-tall unit features durable aluminum construction, foldable reflective tripod legs, a bright one-watt LED spotlight, and three LED flashing beacons that can be easily activated during emergencies by turning its hand crank. Two minutes of cranking typically produces 15 minutes of usable power. With both input and output USB charging, you can even charge your smartphone to make an emergency call or text your family to let them know you are safe. It comes with a rechargeable lithium-ion battery, carrying pouch, and car power adapter.
Eton Odyssey Multiband Bluetooth Emergency Radio
The latest addition to the Eton lineup, the Odyssey Multiband Bluetooth Emergency Radio makes a useful companion for outdoor adventures and emergency preparedness needs. It provides AM/FM/Shortwave/Weather band coverage, allowing you to stay connected to broadcasts from around the world and ensuring that youβre never out of touch with the latest news and weather updates. You receive NOAA Weather Alerts to keep you abreast of severe weather conditions in your area.
Multiple power options are available, including its 2000mAh rechargeable lithium-ion battery and high-efficiency solar panel charging that keeps the radio ready when you need it most. You can also use 3 AAA alkaline batteries as a backup power source (not included).
The Eton Odyssey offers versatility with a 5V 1.0A USB output for charging smartphones and other devices. Hand-crank charging yields 10 to 15 minutes of music, weather updates and news, along with one minute of talk time.
The radio features a digital tuner and display for precise station selection and tuning. It also includes Bluetooth connectivity, making it an all-in-one entertainment and communication device. The IPX4 weather-resistant design ensures durability in various conditions, while the bright LED flashlight, LED beacon, and siren provide essential visibility and signaling in emergencies.
Additional features include a DC power input via the included USB-C cable, an AUX-IN jack, headphone jack, alarm clock, and digital clock. The included carabiner allows you to conveniently clip it to your belt or go-bag. For added security, its SOS emergency beacon and siren are invaluable tools for getting help when needed.
Reception
- FM: 76 β 108 MHz
- AM: 520 β 1710 kHZ
- SW: 3.2 β 22 MHz
- WB: 162.40 β 162.55 MHz
More Eton Emergency Radios at DX Engineering:
- FRX3+ AM/FM/NOAA Weather Radio
- Tabletop or wall-mount ZoneGuard AM/FM/NOAA Weather Radio
- Scorpion II Multipurpose AM/FM/NOAA RadioΒ Β
- Sidekick AM/FM/NOAA Portable Weather Radio (below)
The post New Product Spotlight: Eton Odyssey Multiband Bluetooth Emergency Radio appeared first on OnAllBands.