Newbe allstar link Aursinc Shari pi hat install

AllStarLink
1

Hi Group,

I am new to allstar link. Just got an Aursinc Shari PiHat.

Created the SD image for my Pi 3. did the configurations.

my node appears in the active node list but seems to not be working with my radio.

I looked at the alsamixer and only a playback setting is there no capture device controls shown.

Are there specific drivers for the Shari Pi hat that needs to be configured to recognize it?

when keying radio no cos led light. and no comm led or tx ptt either.

Also Is there an easy step by step instruction for this installation?

The included paper is not helpful

Thanks

Larry WA3KOK

2

Did you set it up this way via Allstar link ASL3 Appliance Installation - AllStarLink Manual ? If you follow these directions it will work. I have setup several of them myself not just for me. Worked every time. Use ASL menu like it says to setup the node. I never had to mess with the alsamixer one bit

3

Did you configure the radio module? The link posted to the Appliance Installation doesn't include anything about configuring the sa818 on the Shari. If you're not getting COS...it's possible the module is not configured.

You need to log in to SSH terminal and run sudo sa818-menu.

sa818-menu
sa818-menu954×431 26 KB

Make sure these are set for what you want. Serial Port should be /dev/ttyAMA0. The Exit option should change to "Update/Exit". Hopefully the commands work:

# /usr/bin/sa818 --port /dev/ttyAMA0 radio --bw 1 --frequency 439.8000 --squelch 6 --ctcss 100.0,100.0 --tail close
SA818: INFO: +DMOSETGROUP:0, BW: Wide, Frequency (RX: 439.8000 / TX: 439.8000), CTCSS (TX: 100.0 / RX: 100.0), squelch: 6, OK
SA818: INFO: +DMOSETTAIL:0 tail: close

# /usr/bin/sa818 --port /dev/ttyAMA0 volume --level 8
SA818: INFO: +DMOSETVOLUME:0 Volume level: 8, OK

# /usr/bin/sa818 --port /dev/ttyAMA0 filters --emphasis disable --highpass disable --lowpass disable
SA818: INFO: +DMOSETFILTER:0 filters [Pre/De]emphasis: disabled, high-pass: disabled, low-pass: disabled

SA818 update complete

Other than that...the SHARI is supported, just pick SimpleUSB in asl-menu's node setup. But lack of COS makes me think the radio module on the Shari isn't setup properly. The radio module is quite literally it's own thing and doesn't even really rely on the node configuration, it's purely sa818-menu.

4

Thought the problem was in the sa818 menu. tried to put in the /dev/ttyAMA0 and it gave an error.

I looked in the /dev folder and no ttyAMAO in there.

Larry WA3KOK

5

Problem solved

Went thru the procedure looked OK. Found that this unit which has USB c connection and adapter cable I thought did not need and further connection as the radio and control would be on same line.

Well When I disconnected that usb c and plugged in to the 2 USB connections and voila we have lift off

I was able to do the completed setup and tuning. So I am now functional.

Thanks to the group responses they were very helpful.

Regards

Larry WA3KOK

6

This is the confusing thing about the USB-C port on these. It is not a proper USB-C implementation. It uses a USB-C port; but it's splitting it. One side is wired to the serial adapter to program the sa818; the other side is wired to the audio interface. You flip the USB-C on the SHARI depending on what you want to do. So you flip it to whichever way is required to talk to the sa818, program it, then flip it back over for audio.

You only need the data connection to program the sa818; after that it's not needed. The flipping thing makes some sense in this application; but I think it's very poorly explained.

7

Not to mention the Aursack is a ripoff of the real SHARI PiHat by kitsforhams.com and all his R&D...

8

Indeed this.

The knock-offs don't have an in-line low pass filter, so they are extremely unclean transmitters with very loud harmonics up to at least the third on UHF, or fifth on VHF. They are certainly not part 97 compliant. Plus, the Kits4Hams SHARI has a few firmware-level fixes on their version of the sa818 that generics and knock-offs don't, they don't cost that much more, and they're better constructed. On top of all that, Steve, N8AR, is a great guy. If you need support, you'll get it from someone who actually uses their own stuff.

9

i don't know which version you are writing about, but the AURSINC USB dongle (purchased from Amazon) i have with the latest SA818 module in it shows 2nd harmonic about 45 dB down and no measurable third harmonic (more than about 70 dB down)

i also have a DINAH interface from Kits4Hams and when used with a USB isolator Just Works Right

10

Still theft of IP... even if they improved it...

11

interesting

My unit shows no second harmonic or spurs not visible. Maybe I got a good one

Larry