New Allstar Node Software

Objective:  Upgrade Allstar from hamvoip 1.02/1.7 to latest 1.5 version.  This is not a cookbook.  It is a narrative.

Issue: No Wired Internet, tether or Router/Switch by which to get an IP to be able to Putty into the PI

What I have:  Smartphone w hotspot for internet but the Pi is not natively activated for wireless.

Before we digress too far a few prerequisites could be in order if you have an existing node. The listed below will help considerably.

• Read out your existing simpleusb.conf file and cutnpaste to whatever computer you are using.  Then save the file: I did and was glad.
• Know that you will be asked whether you want to Install Asterisk or Not. I said Yes
• Have your existing node number and password from Allstar.org.

My Solution: I borrowed an old Linksys router with a 4 port switch. Activate the Router and plug your computer into the LAN switch side and make sure you can get into the admin of the router.  Enter the Admin of the router (usually, 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1) enter the user name and password.  Look for something like LAN Clients that shows the currently attached LAN devices.

Now, attach the Pi 3 to Router LAN switch and power on the Pi 3 with the Allstar 1.5 version image installed on the microSD.  Refresh the display monitoring the Router admin LAN client section.  You should see the Pi 3 IP Address that may look like 192.168.1.xxx.

Next Putty into 192.168.1.xxx:222 using root and password root. When you do this you will be presented with a screen asking if this is the First Time run.  If it is then answer yes. This will result in a series of questions you must answer and for which the above prerequisites will com in handy.  At some point the questions will end with a reboot request.  ( I use Bitvise which is a very nice free integrated SSH/SFTP client).

When the reboot occurs and the putty is reconnected. a “new menu” will be presented.  Of the whole list the most important will be the wireless activation (remember the router is still connected).  Go to the Wireless section and go to it.  This will result in a search for  wireless networks nearby so you will need to chose one and connect to it with the necessary credentials(usually a wpa2 password).  After this is successful you will need to reboot the Pi.  As soon as you start the reboot, disconnect the wired cable from the router (this is important to do this quickly).

When the router has rebooted it will announce the IP and if everything was done correctly the wireless IP will be announced.  Now you can putty in with the new IP and modify whatever is desired.  In my case I went to /etc/asterisk and copied simpleusb.conf to simpleusb.conf.xxx.  Then I edited by using nano simpleusb.conf.  I did this because I entered the incorrect configuration data from the menu. I was not ready with config data on usb or usbinvert.  If you do change anything be sure to cntl-O and then cntl-X out of the edit node.

After this I entered the “new menu” and selected simpleusb tune menu and set the Rx & Tx levels.  When done I put out a test call and all levels were good.  All in all, it was a reasonably seamless upgrade.  It is nice to be able to enter the CLI from the menu.

Flat Tire et. al.

The car is sitting in the driveway with three big screws stuck through the rear passenger tire.  Well, at least that forced me to look at the rear tires that I always thought were better than they really are.  So, tomorrow I willneed to bite the bullet and buy 4 new tires.  I don’t know but the OEM tires I have been buying only last of 20 – 25K miles front and 40K rear.  I am leaning towards Michelin but could be persuaded away from this thought.  I’ll spend the night doing comparative reviews.

SAM went north to Largo to some garage sales while I stayed at home and repaired the back fence plus copying the old Allstar node software and recopying to a new microSD card. This seems like duck soup but it actually became complicated.  I also tried the bridged mode to try and install the new 1.5 Crompton software but no joy.  So the day aent out on a sort of sour note.

NOTE: Today, 4 February, we took the car to the tire place to get the Michelin tires.  Sorry Charlie, they won’t be in until Monday.  The tire man gave me a temporary tire to use while we wait and even put the spare doughnut back in the trunk, in place and tied down.  We re going in Monday at 1100 hrs to get them.  Yea, no more hydroplaning down the road.  The two back tires were in pretty bad shape and almost bald.  The fronts are OK but will be replaced.

Another Amateur Lunch

We had lunch with Don KG4LMP and his wife today at the American Legion.  What a beautiful spot right on the intercoastal across from Maderia Beach.  Again the hours stretched out effortlessly.  The place was packed and the music had just started when we left.  I was told this is the biggest AL Post in the USA and I believe it.