AllStarLink Node and a Private Node setup

App_rpt-users
1

I’ve setup an asl node for a friend. It works great with no issues.
We then got greedy and are also trying to setup a private connection between his node and mine over the internet.

I believe i have both sides setup correctly as far as the network goes. when running a link command, the connection is received from either location, but asterisk is giving this error:

Accepting UNAUTHENTICATED call from (public ip here:4569:)
– > requested format = ulaw,
– > requested prefs = (ulaw|adpcm|gsm),
– > actual format = ulaw,
– > host prefs = (ulaw|adpcm|gsm),
– > priority = mine
[2024-12-10 21:29:56.849] WARNING[1582][C-00000014]: pbx.c:2928 pbx_extension_he lper: No application ‘rpt,1020’ for extension (radio-secure, 1020, 1)

the calling side generally shows this; *CLI> rpt cmd 1025 ilink 3 1020
– Call accepted by public ip here:4569 (format ulaw)
– Format for call is (ulaw)
– Hungup ‘IAX2/1020-15100’
– Hungup ‘DAHDI/pseudo-886147891’

Opposite errors when trying to connect from other side

I believe my radio secure stanza is correct.

Where would you suggest for me to start troubleshooting?

Both stations work perfectly on the ASL network

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

2

Do you have a routing in the dialplan ?

The 5 most popular reasons for connection failure

3

Thanks Much Mike. I will go over this carefully!

4

Ok Mike, I have gone over all of my settings carefully. I’m starting to think what i’m trying to do with one node is just not possible to do with one simple usb interface. (in my case it’s a uri 120 radioless unit)

This is what does work:

I can connect to either node at my buddy’s location from my location and vice versa. I can run rpt show node and i can verify both nodes have connected to each other

These nodes are on the same device. His ALS3 node number and then a private node number configured into the same device (1025)

My buddy on the remote node with his als3 node number configured can connect to any node on the als3 network and tx and rx with no issues.

Same on my side but I don’t Tx (purposely) I’m only configuring this second one that will be for him also when testing is complete.

He can disconnect from the asl3 network by just a disconnect command. We can then connect directly to each other via the private node network and verify via the rpt show node command. And no errors present.

When either of us try to tx from our locations allmon3 is not indicating TX and nothing is heard and there are no errors with debug. usb tunning doesn’t show the ptt indication.

One side is using iax port 4570 and his side is using default port 4569. firewall is configured properly and so this doesn’t seem to be any type of a connection issue as we are connecting.

I have checked the dial plan but not sure if its correct. I’ve tried the defaults and after much searching this is what where I’m at right now:

exten => 1020,1,rpt,1020 ;Private node my side
exten => 1025,1,rpt,1025 ;Remote private node

Because they can connect with no errors i’m assuming this is good.

both sides have an als3 node assigned to each station and there are no issues tx and rx using that node number.

It just appears to me that my configs do not allow the private node numbers on each side to use the simple usb device as its assigned to the asl3 node number. Is this by design?

Am i just trying to do something that isn’t supposed to work? And i guess last question is would there just be a requirement for each node number in each station to have its own dedicated simple usb interface.

Possibly some scripting in asterisks to make this work properly?

just in case this is needed:
rpt.conf

ASL_Node #
statpost_url = http://stats.allstarlink.org/uhandler
idrecording = |iCallsign
duplex = 1
rxchannel = SimpleUSB/ASL_Node #

1020
idrecording = |iNODE1020
duplex = 1
rxchannel = SimpleUSB/1020

simpleusb.conf:

ASL_NODE#

;;;;; Tune settings ;;;;;
devstr =
rxmixerset = 600
txmixbset = 999
txmixaset = 999

1020

;;;;; Tune settings ;;;;;
devstr =
rxmixerset = 500
txmixbset = 500
txmixaset = 500

I’ve removed personal information as its not mine to give out. fyi.

Any guidance would be greatly appreciated.

5

You cannot “share” a SimpleUSB interface between two different nodes if that’s what you’re asking. Each node in app_rpt needs a dedicated channel.

6

Understood and Thank You much for clarifying!

Have you heard of anyone doing some backend scripting to possibly do this? just curious if its even possible.

Ai is suggesting trying this but Ai is wrong a lot :slight_smile:

Maybe something like this:

  1. Create a new script file:
    sudo nano /etc/asterisk/scripts/switch_usb.sh
  2. Add the following content to the script file:
    #!/bin/bash

Switch SimpleUSB device for node 1020

asterisk -rx “rpt cmd 1020 cop 3 1” # Enable TX
asterisk -rx “rpt cmd 1020 cop 4 1” # Enable RX

Switch SimpleUSB device for node 1025

asterisk -rx “rpt cmd 1025 cop 3 1” # Enable TX
asterisk -rx “rpt cmd 1025 cop 4 1” # Enable RX

  1. Save and exit the editor
  2. Make the Script Executable
    You need to make the script executable so that it can be run by the system.
7

cop 3 is system disable, and cop 4 is toggle 1khz TX test tone… So that AI generated stuff is definitely not something you should use.

https://wiki.allstarlink.org/wiki/Rpt.conf#COP_Commands

8

yes.for sure… i knew that part… I guess i just threw that on here to ask if some sort of script could be used to allow the simpleUSB device to be shared between nodes. Or if its just not possible at all.

9

Given the context, what would be the practical purpose of sharing a single channel driver between nodes, anyway? If you want to do that, then just connect two nodes together via IAX2. If you only need one physical device, one node gets that, the other gets pseudo, or maybe USRP, depending on what you’re doing. Then, as long as both nodes are connected in transceive mode, you get a shared resource… for the most part, anyway. There will be differences in telemetry between the two nodes that you may or may not care about for your purposes.

10

I really just want to be able to isolate or have 2 separate channels pers say at each station to be able to connect and disconnect at will and be able to use the one simpleUSB interface connected to the one radio and to be able to roam around each location using the HT connected to either the als node network or our private node network.

I guess this is what I would consider my practical use.

Because i haven’t been able to figure out how to hangup from an allstarlink node connection and then reconnect to the private network (between our 2 stations) and allow for TX and RX between our HT’s as it works with the ASL network. (Without file reconfigurations)

So, if I’m understanding correctly, this just isn’t designed to do this by using one Node setup with 2 separate node numbers in the one node and one simpleUSB device connected to 1 radio at each station.

I can accomplish what i want by using backup files and switching between backup files but that to me isn’t very practical for someone (like my buddy) that has no technical experience. lol Hès only pressing the tx button at this point and just trying to make it easy.

It all just comes down to the SimpleUSB issue of it not being able to be shared from what i understand so I’m just looking into possibilities. I’m pretty new to this and just getting started for the most part.

11

I think you’re missing a foundational element to how app_rpt/ASL works. Your Linux/Asterisk system is the “Server” and the “node” is one or more running instances of an app_rpt-created repeater object within Asterisk. Each repeater object in Asterisk has an associated set of resources exclusively assigned to it. One of them is a “channel” which is commonly SimpleUSB or Pseudo (radio-less). The channel is initialized at startup for the repeater within Asterisk. It’s a fundamental component of the app_rpt repeater structure and isn’t “swappable”. You would need to reconfigure the node configuration in rpt.conf and simpleusb.conf to move the USB device around and then restart Asterisk.

What you are describing as your use case is really the use case for a specific connection to the system such as an IAX-based client like RepeaterPhone, DVSwitch mobile, or IaxRpt similar to how another node connects to your node on-demand. You could even connect a normal SIP-based phone to it as well.

But moving around “channels” is really an issue of node connection management. What you should be able to do is have three nodes - one node that is whatever your “public” use case is, your private node, and then another private node. The last private node is configured for your hardware device channel. Then use the HT’s DTMF codes to connect to the public node or the private node as desired.

1 Like
12

Very good information. “Missing the foundational element” is spot on! lol

I am learning though and that’s why I’m here, so your response helps greatly and clarifies some things, so I greatly appreciate that.

I am positive I am over complicating things with my idea’s but sooner or later I’ll get it!

I have been playing around with some IAX stuff with Zoiper on the phone and iaxrpt on the laptop and have had some cool testing going on with my son being able to call into my node from the west coast and tx and rx to my radios which is pretty cool.

Do you have any iphone compatible IAX apps you can recommend on trying. Zoiper is very buggy and i really want a push to talk app. I just haven’t been able to find a good iphone app yet.

I have a handle on adding Sip phones also, but I’m more interested in the radio aspect of this.
Sounds like if I want this all to work the way envisioned early on, I just need to use separate nodes to handle the specific connections which really isn’t a problem other than more money :slight_smile:

Since the HT’s I’m playing with have dual TX i could easily set those up to TX and RX between the 2 networks nodes and basically accomplish what I’m wanting to do. At least for 2 separate and isolated networks. (nodes)

Next big step is trying to figure out how to run my private network starlink to starlink. I have it running nicely fiber connection with static ip on my node network to the parents starlink service but once I attempt starlink to starlink its going to be an issue i’m guessing because of the cgnat and the particular vpn im using.

It might be as simple as getting the commercial starlink service with the “public” ip and i’m sure it will work when you’re not mobile because even though starlink “public” ip is not static i have notice that it stays pretty static.

But when mobile and on the move, it changes quite frequently. (i mange several starlink systems on ships floating around the world)

My first test will be to put the commercial service at the parents’ house since they are static and my mobile side as the remote and I’m pretty sure this will work. I just have to test it. My speed fusion vpn is dependent on one side of the link to keep a static ip so the port forwarding can take place through the layer 2 sub tunnel.

Thanks again.

13

I use the RepeaterPhone app (works great on both iPhone and iPad).

1 Like
14

I’m curious about your “other than more money” comment. If you’re thinking about the “What you should be able to do is have three nodes” suggestion then you should know that you can run all 3 of those nodes on the same device.

15

. I have been able to do that…thats pretty basic adding more nodes to the server i guess we are calling it… is what i haven’t been able to do is successfully connect to each of my node networks (2 being other private networks) and be able to TX and RX to the other side. The only network I’ve been able to do this to is the first allstarlink node number created.

From what i understand this is by design as that rpt instance for that first node number configured takes over the one SimpleUSB device i have attached. My hopes for example was to be able to disconnect from the asl network from the allmon3 interface…then drop down to one of my configured private node networks and connect up to a private node within that network.

For me this isn’t working as the simpleUSB device is controlled by the asl node number. N8EI explained perfectly why this is and i understand it now. my more money comment was directed at maybe i need one simpleUSB device for each node number in the server to do what i’m trying to do but now after reading his info again about node connection management i’m just confused again.

My current understanding is only 1 node apt_rpt object has full control over the channel (the one simpleUSB i have connected to the server) which would be the configured ASL node number.

Then the second or third could use IAX type connection but can not use the first channel that the asl node channel uses without rpt.conf and simpleusb.conf reconfigurations. This i am able to do and understand but not what i was hoping for because my other “private” node networks would need the simpleUSB device channel to tx and rx from with what i was trying to do.

I understood to do what i’m wanting to do would require a simpleUSB and another radio for each private network to be easly switch to via DTMF codes or using the Almon3 interface.

For me reconfigurations of rpt.conf and simpleUSB.conf files is no big deal and i have done this but it wouldn’t be practical for the others i’m setting these boxes up for. They have been lucky enough to turn it on :slight_smile: