The Challenge

The Challenge that is on everyone’s mind tends to end up dealing with financial requirements to maintain focus on the ideas and goals that a group and individual needs to accomplish. We are in that same situation as well, we need to have financial support in order to maintain the web site as well as necessary broadband connectivity.

Through the years there have been many that have asked how to hook up Asterisk PBX and RF Gateway servers and then tie these resources in with DARPA and DSTAR along with other technology resources. We are happy that we are able to assist in getting resources online and operational. Yet the cost to do the research and provide fixed infrastructure has a price tag to it that a single individual or just a couple of people shouldn’t have to cover the cost for everyone else. Yes, funds are indeed tight and they may end up being tighter from the way things are going in the “halls of leadership.”

When many come together and share the cost the overall burden is lighten, as it has been proven in the past when many work together for a common good (via cooperative efforts) the cost do indeed go down for everyone. And quality of service can improve to the point that technology development and training can progress too.

So the challenge that I present to you is to consider donating to ALERTradio ERC and Asterisk Radio Networks. Your help is greatly appreciated.

Mars – N0PCO

2011

In development news we picked up five more nodes for connectivity to the Allstar Link Network.   These five nodes will be used in the Communications Transportable Systems (CoTS).  Also they are beneficial in understanding the proper procedures for setting up multiple node servers both for the Asterisk Radio Network – ARN and Asterisk Amateur Radio Network – AARN.

Already have CoTS-1 configured and interfaced into the PBX, still need to configure up some HSMM wireless links that can be used for point-to-point and point-to-multiple point applications.

Gumstix Computer-On-Module

Check out the Overo Fire, it has Bluetooth and 802.11(g) on-board, a perfect solution for Asterisk HSMM package. Did someone mention a video phone? How about a mobile rig with Bluetooth access and hands-free connectivity. Good job Gumstix …

Remote Base

Remote Base:

What is the function?

What will it be used for?

How will it connect to other stations?

What is the function:

A Remote Base provides a method in which locations outside the normal range of a Base Station or Repeater can be accessed. Thus providing additional communications coverage area.

What will it be used for:

Provide additional communications coverage area; also can be used to augment communications resources in emergency situations and special events.

How will it connect to other stations:

Depending on the complexity of the Remote Base (and the amount of funds available) the ideal situation would be to have a combination of RF and Internet backhaul capabilities. If Internet access is available this would be the ideal method for connectivity. Once again if funds are available use of Satellite Internet services would provide some additional remote accessibility.

When using RF backhaul capabilities there are number of methods that can prove to be beneficial. When possible consider VHF Links and for full-duplex A VHF / UHF combination. We cannot forget about the flexibility of HSMM on 2.4, 3.3, 5.8 GHz and even 902 MHz has some promising potential.

Can HF be considered a viable extension of the Remote Base Link? Depends on the mission objective. Looking back to some of the applications in the past couple of years where HF Remote Base Links have been used as a method to receive emergency traffic from distant locations out of normal range of EOC there may be some practical usage for HF.

The way the Amateur Radio licensing is set up it is rather tough to test a station in a non-emergency setting. Especially for those holding a Technician Class license. There are some that have taken the test for the General and Extra class license and passed the test yet don’t have a clue about the technology that they were tested on. It appears that some don’t really care about the technology just the fact that they can now “talk voice on HF.” In some instances voice on HF will not be the best approach for getting the necessary information from those that have it to those that need it.

Okay back to the Remote Base chatter …

So what do we need to create a Remote Base?

What do we need to create a Remote Base:

Determine the type of terrain in which the Remote Base will operate;

is it urban, rural, forested, hilly, mountains, etc.

What resources are available;

• Internet; Dial-up, Broadband, HSMM, Satellite;
• RF Equipment – HF, VHF, UHF, Microwave;
• Power – Grid, Solar, Wind, Battery, Generator
• Antenna Structure – Building, Tower, Mast;

What is the distance that needs to be covered between the Remote Base and Base / Repeater Site:

Will the distance require additional enhancements via extenders, cross-band repeaters, etc:

Once the above information is available we can start working on creating the actual Remote Base

Forward-Thinking

Forward-Thinking Digital Imagining

1) HSMM capabilities at least in the 70cm band and even in 1.25m band.

2 ) Long range HSMM networks with data/video/voice capabilities. (With products like the Ubiquiti Networks Bullet [ubnt.com] should be able to get some decent range)

3) Low-cost Digital Interface that can plug into any radio with a data port (most new radios have a data port present, plus by regulation {at least for Part 90 equipment} they have to be able to handle at least 4k8 baud data – definitely not high speed, but it lets messaging take place).

4) Compact Rapid Deployment Links (cRaDL) based on Asterisk that can be quickly delivered to any location thus providing phone and radio connectivity. ** Come up with a way to do it with the Gumstix Overo boards everything could fit in a radio. Add a Ethernet pigtail on the back of the radio one would have access to local SIP/IAX2 phone capabilities plus the radio could provide long-haul capabilities for at least one call to the outside world. Instant dispatch capabilities with the package too, along with intertie to other radio systems.**

The radio itself would work as a link/remote base anyone in the local network could connect through the LAN/wLAN to the RF side to transmit/receive via the radio itself. Plus they would still have local network capabilities. Since the original gumstix/Asterisk package was able to handle 10 to 15 calls, the new package should be able to increase that by at least to 15 to 20 calls.  Attach another wLAN to the cRaDL would create another sub-network as well as capability for a second RF Gateway channel.

DARN is near

The Digital Analog Radio Network is near.

DARN defined as “to mend by weaving thread across a gap” that is what is being done. Those that want to see flexibility will go with the DARN approach, as a improvement while there will be others that find it to be just annoyance. DARN definitely fits the new Digital Analog Radio Networks.

Sometimes logic can indeed be simple (send in most potentially linkable exchange).

The Digital Analog Radio Network web site is located at http://darnsimple.net

Dual Repeater Package

Dual Repeater Package – The Maxon SM6000 Series have a built-in single channel repeater controller, here is a drawing that illustrates how two repeaters can be configured along with some of the options. (Click image to expand)

Dual Band Repeater

Elastix Server eMail Problem

If you use Elastix as your Asterisk toolkit and have a problem with inbound email be sure to check Postfix – General Options.   You may need to set the “What domain to use in outbound mail” to <your domain name>.

High Speed Multi Media (HSMM)

High Speed Multi Media (HSMM) is often referred to as being the Hinternet (Ham Internet), as it is primarily used under FCC Rules & Regulations Part 97. Under Part 97 commercial off-the-shelf equipment can be used at higher power and higher gain than the more common Part 15 802.11a/b/g operations.

The primary purpose for HSMM and Hinternet is to augment emergency communications via long range high speed wireless data networks that can handle voice, data and video communications. HSMM can also be used in the day-to-day aspects of Amateur Radio Communications.

The Fit:

With the rapid expansion of Asterisk PBX into the relm of radio communications the added flexibility of having a wireless linking system has also expanded.

It is now possible to have a network of repeaters and link stations that never touch a standard public switched telephone network, yet at the same time this network of repeaters and link stations has all the standard features one will expect to find with any telephone system.

By integrating HSMM along with Asterisk PBX a truly transportable network can be delivered to any location where communications is needed, with voice, data and video all being available to the agencies and organizations being supported.

Learn more about High Speed Multi Media (HSMM)

Asterisk Capabilities Expand

Asterisk Capabilities Expand via RtpDir bridge software(Real Time Protocol Director) software package for VoIP/RF Gateways.

RtpDir bridge software(Real Time Protocol Director). RtpDir is a VoIP software for Amateur(ham) operators. It can also be used on other bands, Government, commercial and private nets, or direct user to user without any radios connected. If a band requires an FCC license, it is the responsibility of the end-user to obtain one. rtpDir runs on Linux or Windows platforms. NEW FEATURE: *Asterisk* app_rpt PBX interface.

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