We have an MTR2000 repeater and want to add Allstar on an Rpi to serve as the repeater controller and an Allstar node. If you've done this, can you provide advice on the physical details of how to connect the MTR2000 to the Rpi? For example, did you wire directly to the 96-pin connector, or did you use some interface? What type of cabling and connectors worked for you? What sound card did you use?
Any help or references would be appreciated.
Bill Baron
K7WFB
Other than that horrible EUROCARD connector, there's nothing particularly novel about connecting an MTR2000 to AllStarLink. The biggest issue is how to inject tone back into the MTR. The easiest way is to use the USBRadio module if you're content with CTCSS/PL being your only option. An alternative, if you have it, is to use the 4-wire "phone" board. Then the MTR will still inject its own transmit tone over the audio.
NorthComm technologies makes nice cables for MTRs. I've used them before. They have one that's purpose-made for a DMK URIx:
Same predicament.... getting ready to do that here. Here is a link to what we are planning to use...
That's a cool adapter. I've never seen that before. Definitaly a "must have" for the MTR-2000 operator.
@ N8EI: My understanding was Allstar could take care of all decoding and control functions, so we could bypass the MTR2000's software entirely, using it simply as two radios. Is that incorrect?
@Forking_Pork: Yes, that adapter is in our plans also. Any thoughts on what device you put between the MTR and the Rpi -- that is, which sound card can handle the necessary signals and connect conveniently to the DB9 on the adapter?
Yes, that is incorrect. You cannot bypass the MTR-2000 internal controller. Setting up ASL as the controller requires you to configure the MTR has having an "external" controller but you still have to do all of the configuration of the channels and the options on the MTR itself.
Also, I highly suggest the Masters Communications RA-series audio adapters.
[quote="N8EI, post:2, topic:23332"]
The biggest issue is how to inject tone back into the MTR.
[/quote]: Is this still an issue if the MTR is set up as having an external controller?
Which of the RA series would you recommend for our purposes?
I highly recommend using the Northcomm Cable and the URIx They will give you paperwork on Setup of Motorola Software for Encode and Decode using MTR2000 and all other settings.
Our has been in use and No issues.
Phil N7GZT
Yes. The MTR-2000's "external" PTT source just transmits the audio provided on the TX audio in line. It will not process, add tone, etc. to the audio.
Don't know yet! I have 3 that I am going to try to see the best one- from Masters Communications and the ClearRPT. I am leaning towards the RIM lite...
The RA-42M is my current RA of choice for repeaters.
The ICS board and a DMK URI or Masters RA-25 is a great, neat, inexpensive combination. We're running an Scom 7330 with Allstar on port 2 but the All-star does a great job stand alone. KD2UQK has considerable expertise wrangling MTRs, Allstar and also optional SCOMs
After reading these responses, I realize that my post should have been more specific: We want to use Allstar as the controller for our MTR2000 and have Allstar take over all CTCSS/DCS decoding and encoding. (@N8EI I'm guessing this is not the approach you've taken? @w2pw Is this the approach you're using?)
If anyone else is using this approach, can you comment on what interface/sound card you used and anything unusual about making this work on an MTR2000.
If you've commented previously and this new information changes anything, please let me know. Any help or references would be appreciated.
Bill Baron
K7WFB
This is what people usually do actually. You can do it in two ways. One is to use ASL exclusively with chan_usbradio to do the decode and encode. If you're happy with using the all-software solution then that'll "just work". The other is to use external hardware to decode and encode the CTCSS and capture the squelch (e.g. a combination of a Masters Communications of SC-75DW on receive and a CT-30DW on the transmit). Mostly it comes down to preference and which method "sounds best to you". Some people get very religious about their squelch settings.
In this case, you configure the MTR-2000 with external PTT as the priority and do everything outside of the MTR.
Why use external hardware when COS and CTCSS are available on the 96-pin and the station will encode?
The ICS-2000 board is inexpensive and brings filtered or flat audio in and out.
You don't have to use the same method in and out! You can take filtered (de-emphasized) audio from the station and put flat (can carry PL also) into the transmitter.
The latest configuration is:
Filtered audio, COS and PL to the 7330
7330 audio to the flat input of the MTR
This results in amazing audio, no PL passthrough, and PL encode controlled by the 7330.
For only Allstar, the same ICS board connects to the DMK URI, again great audio, but Allstar does not encode because I prefer SimpleUSB and let the radio do the work it's already doing.
Only thing to remember is, put a mild pulldown resistor from the MTR's PL valid line to ground.