ALLSTAR LINK: 10 reasons FOR and 5 objections AGAINST - Amateur Radio HAM VOIP connects to EchoLink
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 2 ม.ค. 2021
- In this video I look at the advantages to using the AllStar Link Network for Amateur Radio communications. And for some balance, I also explore the 5 main objections that I hear against using AllStar Link.
Many thanks for watching
73
Ben de 2E0BMT
![Setup an AllstarLink Node from SCRATCH [for Beginners]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/iCZsMFrVJlM/mqdefault.jpg)
Brilliant presentation. Really well put together. I couldn't agree more on all the points raised. One thing I'd like to add. The proper digital modes like DMR, Dstar etc you need to have special equipment. Great thing with an allstar linked FM repeater is you don;t need any expensive kit. Everyone can get involved.
Ah yes, great point Peter. A DMR repeater needs a DMR radio, whereas an AllStar Linked Repeater can be easily accessed. Thanks Peter, and a Happy New Year to you.
Hi Ben, excellent and intelligent presentation and I agree especially with the x5 negative points you discussed. My daughter (15) was looking to do her foundation license but got a bit put off with the activity in the uk being mainly crusty old men moaning and talking about broken radios and antenna. However since building my AllStar node (based on your instructions) she has found a load of really cool networks in the US/Canada who are much more friendly and speak on a whole host of topics and are much more female inclusive - often hosted by female hams. As a result her interested has peaked again and she's going for the foundation. So I would agree that AllStar is an excellent way to get into radio not leave radio ! Keep up the good work - Dave G7IYK
To add another reason why to have it. Since the software can be used as a repeater controller (courtesy tones, timeout timers, DTMF commands, etc) and the default settings include these.
It is great practice for communicating on the radio and provides the operator with easier access to other operators that provides additional practice. When the operators get on "real radio" they have a easier time since the ability to communicate is already established. This allows them to focus on antenna construction, band conditions, equipment config, etc.
I have a node for DMR, but I burn up a lot of hours on EchoLink. Both were like "bonus benefits" for getting your amateur radio license. Been browsing various Allstar and EchoLink nodes though for sure.
Fifteen brilliant points - deserves 15,000 thumbs up! Of benefit to all radio amateurs from novice to old-timer. Essential wisdom, amiably marshalled. Thank you.
Well put together video
Another great and informative video. Thanks Ben.
Thanks Dave!
You did a great job with this video!
Well done mate, a very considered and sensible vew point, makes a refreshing change 👍
I am a HUGE fan of standard analog radio. AllStar has been an amazing day to day use for licensed operators. We have a local group of guys in the Tulsa area (approx 15-20) and we use AllStar with a node connection that we all use. We have built nodes, helped others to build nodes, and are giving some “build classes” for those that want to build one. We have one guy good at hardware, one at software, and one at layout and organization of the boxes etc. We use both mic’d versions and wireless versions. We hope to see AllStar have a good presence in Tulsa. Very active operators in the area, and as you mentioned, we dont want to tie up repeaters (or linked repeater systems) for roundtable chats between these 15 plus operators for hours on end.
Good stuff for day to day use. I turn my wireless node on and head out on the property with my little HT in hand 😁
Claremore repeater?
@@shawnb.9989 ....the Claremore repeater, used by the RCWA (Rogers County Wireless Assoc) is connected to AllStar. We sometimes connect to it, but we also have another operator in the group that has a repeater, as well as some other options in using AllStar.
Claremore is a nice repeater, with a good club as well. There is a daily net from 12:00 CST to 3:00 CST every day, 7 days a week called the Boredom Breakers Net. Started earlier this year when covid began, and has now had some 14,000 checkins. For the first hour they are connected to other AllStar repeater system, which in turn connect to still others. Also can connect via Echolink.
@@jay-rus4437 yep, I'm a regular checkeriner (is that a word?) to that net from Alabama.
Big
Heavy
Rocks
@@shawnb.9989 ....LOL. Yep, hear you most days. Im K5JRX. I ran heavy equipment years back (trackhoe, dozer, and other smaller equipment). We are self employed for the past 7 years. Primarily home renovations. I dont jump in during the first hour much unless its slow, but check in most days. 6 times a week or so. We have a good crew of HAMs around here. Ray, Ron, Johnny, Alex....NCOs.....and a bunch of others. I havent picked up as net control yet. They have asked a couple times, but it seems Ive always got something going on, so hate to lock down on the schedule...LOL. Just spoke to Johnny over the phone an hour ago. My wife and son both have their Tech license also, so we are members of the RCWA club. Mainly just to help give back to the ham community. There is an organized group for ham rescue to help those in need to get equipment up and running....mainly antennas. Good to come across you on here. 73....and hope to keep hearing you on the net
Very informative and interesting
M7TUD
a local repeater in Southern Illinois has a morning net 07:30am CST it has echolink and allstar nodes. Lately a ham from Seattle, WA checks in with the local net, and he is using allstar and comes in clear as a bell.. I will be putting together an allstar node in the coming month as time premits
Have brought myself some components for Christmas to build a node. I agree with your sentiments as a recent M7 and will be following your series on building a node 👍. M7WLH
Congratulations on passing your foundation. Happy building.
interesting video and Ithink you covered all sides well. I use the digital voice modes with a hotspot and yes
its easy and convienient but for me it lacks the maigc of a radio to radio hf or even vhf/uhf contact. That said I think it very useful for anyone who is unable to put up antennas etc as a medium for keeping p with the hobby.
Thanks for watching. I agree re the magic... but the Internet has it's own magic. 73
Thanks Ben. I infrequently go on EchoLink nowadays (I used to use it a lot via GB3HH when it was internet-linked) however I have used it from my iPhone when in Saudi Arabia and Cape of Good Hope. Kept the hobby alive. Remind me of your Node Name/Callsign
53222 on allstar, 2E0BMT.
Agree with everything you said. Currently only on DMR and Echolink and do sometimes monitor Hubnet from the USA.
Thing that most annoyed me abouy your video? Go get your spectacles adjusted so they sit level on your face.
@@nigelgunn322 🤣 will do!
What I like Allstar is that it is presumably a decentralized network, where all other digital networks depend on a gateway server.
RE Objection 1. Kinda depends. I use Allstar and only use internet as a backup. In my area we are building a mesh network (TCP/IP networking over amateur radio). We are using this mesh network as the "internet" connection to interconnect local allstar nodes and allstar based repeaters.
I don't remember which objection number it was, but I got into allstar to further my knowledge in ham radio... I wanted to build a repeater (and love working with computers/servers) so I built an allstar based repeater which utilizes multiple frequencies. Actually, it's like a couple repeaters in one package with a couple simplex frequencies as well. Allstar greatly helped further my ham radio experience.
Thanks for watching. Really helpful comment too. 73
I would add that AllStar, and EchoLink as well, do not require Internet for operation. It requires internet technology but it does not have to be public network or Internet. It may be as well local network infrastructure, like one or more wireless access points connected in local network.
That actually can greatly contribute to local infrastructure for emergencies. You can have few local repeaters linked together or several simplex nodes connected together all on local isolated network to establish better coverage. WiFi can also be established on ham radio frequencies so not depending on anything out of ham radio. It may be even easier to maintain than common repeaters.
The main advantage on this infrastructure is that end "users", hams do not have to own any special equipment. And common analog ham radio station will do the job. There is no requirement for special protocols or modes or modulations on radio side of such infrastructure. That is way batter and more practical than any digital model.
Thanks for that, great input. 73
Happy new year. Great video. I say YES all the way. I can not have an antenna up and I like the idea of not being tethered via a wire. I went the DMR route and think it's great. It's comes out of my radio if RF so it real out and it comes back to me RF what's in the middle I don't care. I can work the world. If there is an emergency I can still use my radio out and about with RF. Might build one but need a job to buy the bits. 😁 Great work Ben. Motters M7TRS 73's
Great. Happy New Year to you too. You can win one by entering my competition (if you haven't already). To buy all the bits it will cost you £60-70 bit for a no hassle kit, I have a full kit for sale on ebay for £99. 73
@@RadioRevG5REV don't think I have entered but will have a look. Will also have a look at the bits. Thank you for the advice 👍🏻👊🏽 Motters M7TRS 73's
The competition is here: th-cam.com/video/7L5FZrcyw7M/w-d-xo.html Good luck!
I have spent many years between radio as an avid pc gamer and have used voip in the forms of teamspeak, ventrillo and now discord. So for me it's not real radio. I prefer hubnet to the full on digital modes, dstar etc but i still prefer listening to and having qso's on analogue that being ssb, cw, fm. I wont knock digital or voip because its a way to communicate in these troubling times and for amateurs to interact. 73's
Thanks for watching Steve. I'm also an avid pc gamer! 73
Hi Ben, I have watched most of your videos since getting licenced last November and think your content is great. I noticed you haven't posted for a while. Hope all is OK with you and if so, do you intend to pick it up again at some point? Thanks, 2E0HPP
Praise da Lord for the RF burn
Good video, the only point I would like to challenge is AllstarLink being a digital mode, it is FM and beautiful audio quality at that too. Like IRLP and EchoLink they are FM rather than digital.
You may use standard FM radios to connect to a node but the internet link is all digital.
Its ROIP, even professional analogue systems use it to connect remote repeaters. ICOM have recently released a new vocality box to connect analogue radio networks together. So even if more radio systems go over to digital there is still the need for analogue for backwards compatibility. The current trend is to use radio gateway devices so that networks of different types and formats can all be connected eg: DMR, Cell, Tetra, Iridium PTT, P25, Analogue - HF, VHF, UHF, SHF. In my profession, I can turn-up anywhere in the world to react to an emergency and put in a comms system that can connect on whatever system or frequency is permitted.
Irlp and Allstar....Is a Tool in a Real Hams box of tools.....radio started with cw... am radio fm radio.... And also a Repeater. Is a Mechanical means of a exstenstion of radio....
That's what we are Amateur Radio operators.
Hey Ben great video! I finished modifying the cm108 usb card according to your tutorial, its working, but I get a very annoying hissing sound mixed in the ouput audio. I appreciate any clue you can give me to solve it.
What is the CM108 plugged into? Is there a radio in the mix? Without knowing much, my guess would be that you have a ground loop issue, are the ground wires too long???
@@RadioRevG5REV Thanks for answering, I'm going to check.
i got my M3 20 odd years ago and like many due to work family connection it sort of drifted away i now an retired ish so i dig out the old cb rigs and the 817 qrp and listen a lot this internet radio sort of intregues me i live in an appartment so antennas are restricted indeed frowned upon so im off to have a look at whats required i have a proper grown up internet connection and 5g in the flat this sounds like a solution to a few of my problems by the way im partially sighted and to read i need a 40 in monitor but i likes a challenge i love radio as its all noise
Don't forget you can win a node on my competition!
Modifying a usb fob is my only blockegde from having one :*
I can help you with one. I have them ready made on ebay...
@@RadioRevG5REV THanks man i will purchase one asap M6MRG - 73 :)
RADIO IS COMMUNICATION IN ANY FORM ....
I thought the whole point of Allstar Link was to us it like Echolink, talk through your cmptr. In other words, no node needed.
you do not need a radio if you have your own micro node. you could julst as easily do it with a sip phone or even a microphone pluugged into the sound card
We did an AllStar/all mode net on NYE. 6 hours and a special event callsign later we brought light into peoples lives that may have been otherwise dark. Checkout the logbook at www.qrz.com/lookup/gb1nye
Well done Mike. I saw the publicity but couldn't be there myself. Happy New Year. 73
allstar is good but not as much fun as packet was.