Build a high power AllStar node from a $20 radio! This how-to shows exactly how to do it using the TOADs Digital Interface—cheap, simple, and effective.
Today’s Station:
👉 TOADs Digital Interface: https://temporarilyoffline.com/products/toads-digital-interface?variant=42091745378438
👉 TOADs DI6 Adapter: https://temporarilyoffline.com/products/toads-di6-daughterboard?variant=42293443690630
👉 Icom ID-880h (ebay): https://geni.us/V3nci9
👉 6 Pin Data Cable: https://geni.us/mKzF
👉 100w Dummy Load: https://geni.us/eTZ18Uh
👉 Right Angle Coax Adapter: https://geni.us/k3Jg0A
👉 Raspberry Pi 4: https://geni.us/5nlUN
👉 Raspberry Pi 5: https://geni.us/l0w2hPy
👉 High Endurance SD Card: https://geni.us/FVdk
👉 SD Card Holder: https://geni.us/utg9f
👉 5% off TOADs Shell: https://hamradiolife.shop/KM9G
👉 Baofeng UV-5R Mini: https://geni.us/C0FRgFe
Links:
👉 Get a Node Number: https://www.allstarlink.org/
👉 Official Install Guide: https://allstarlink.github.io/install/pi-appliance/pi-detailed/
👉 Raspberry Pi Imager (Must Use): https://www.raspberrypi.com/software/
Step 1: Signup
https://www.allstarlink.org/
Click Login/Sign Up at the top
Click Sign Up
Read, Then Click "Begin Registration"
Fill Out Form
Click Submit
Wait Confirmation Email and Do the Confirmation
Step 2: Radio Settings
1200BPS
Step 3: TOADs DI Settings
MUTE: Low
Speed: 1200
Audio:Left
Step 3: Install OS
Build off APRS Raspberry Pi Image
https://rpi.allstarlink.org/latest.json
username: asl
password: powernode
Boot and WAIT – like 30 minutes – if your radio is hooked up during the install, your final boot will transmit.
Step 4: Configure
Visit https://toadstar:9090
Accept Security notice, its because we don’t have an SSL cert… and we trust ourselves.
Go into admin page
Enable Admin Mode
Enter Terminal
sudo asl-menu
Node Settings
Allstar Node Setup
Enter node number you were given
Grab your node password from Portal/Node Settings
Default/Manual Config
Node Callsign: Your Callsign
Radio Interface "SimpleUSB" (default)
Duplex Type 1
Interface Tune CLI (restarts asterisk) – "W" is your friend!
Restart Asterisk
i=3
j=1
2=800
3=999
turn RX audio pot CCW until happy
e = enable echo
PTT from 2nd radio and listen to yourself
turn TX audio pot CCW until happy
e = disable echo
PTT from 2nd radio and DTMF *355553
unkey, rekey and talk
unkey and listen for parrot node to report audio
turn TX audio pot CCW until happy
PTT from 2nd radio and DTMF *155553
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0:00 Intro
0:20 Quick Notes
3:01 Parts Needed
8:02 Note About Mobile Radios
8:46 Danger Glasses On!
8:51 Sign Up For An Allstar Node Number
11:47 Make the SD Card with Raspberry Pi Imager
17:37 No, Seriously: WAIT
18:56 Allstar Link Config
25:49 Configure Audio Levels
29:40 Connect to a Node Via RF DTMF
31:20 Connect to a Node Via Asterisk CLI DTMF
34:12 Outro