# Help Needed: Best Way to Set Up a Simple AllStar Node for Personal Use!

**URL:** <https://community.allstarlink.org/t/help-needed-best-way-to-set-up-a-simple-allstar-node-for-personal-use/23416>\
**Category:** AllStarLink\
**Created:** [June 25, 2025, 10:36am UTC](https://community.allstarlink.org/t/help-needed-best-way-to-set-up-a-simple-allstar-node-for-personal-use/23416 "2025-06-25T10:36:31Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![dereektheler](https://community.allstarlink.org/user_avatar/community.allstarlink.org/dereektheler/32/3797_2.png) [@dereektheler](https://community.allstarlink.org/u/dereektheler)\
**Post date:** [June 25, 2025, 10:36am UTC](https://community.allstarlink.org/t/help-needed-best-way-to-set-up-a-simple-allstar-node-for-personal-use/23416/1 "2025-06-25T10:36:31Z")

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Hi everyone,

I am new to AllStarLink and recently got interested in setting up a personal node primarily for local linking and testing. I have gone through some documentation but would really appreciate some guidance from experienced users here.

My goal is to build a low-power node using a Raspberry Pi and possibly a USB radio interface. I am not looking to connect to any big hubs yet — just want to experiment and get comfortable with the system.

Can someone recommend a solid starting point (hardware/software) for this setup: ?? Also, any security best practices I should follow from the start: ??

I would love to hear what’s worked for you and what pitfalls to avoid. Your advice would mean a lot as I begin my journey with AllStar. I have also read this thread [https://community.allstarlink.org/t/allstarlink-node-and-a-private-node-setup-](https://community.allstarlink.org/t/allstarlink-node-and-a-private-node-setup/22468)[cyber security training in chennai](https://www.igmguru.com/cyber-security/cyber-security-course-in-chennai) but still looking for more help.

Thanks in advance !!

Derek

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**Author:** ![Mike](https://community.allstarlink.org/user_avatar/community.allstarlink.org/mike/32/1569_2.png) [@Mike](https://community.allstarlink.org/u/Mike)\
**Post date:** [June 25, 2025, 11:31am UTC](https://community.allstarlink.org/t/help-needed-best-way-to-set-up-a-simple-allstar-node-for-personal-use/23416/2 "2025-06-25T11:31:45Z")

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Dereek, welcome aboard.

I'm sure you will get many opinions on this.

I always use to tell everyone to make a dahdi channel driven node to work with IAXrpt software or a sip phone before you set-up a radio.  
Make it work that way and get comfortable with operating and command in it..

It kinda separates the learning curve a bit .  
While you have some idea what you want to do, you may change your mind when you see what it is all capable of.

While some of what I said may be over the top yet for you being new, just take it one step accomplishment at a time in whatever path you choose.  
Plenty of pre-reading material in the manual and the wiki.  
The board here is also an asset.