I’m trying to figure out a way to build a good but cheap! Allstar node that I could help the group with if anyone is interested. I still don’t have any of these working %100 correctly….. but I feel like I’m close and it’s been an aggravating but fun learning experience.
This is the final working configuration.
Above, is a BaoFeng BF-888 radio ($10.48 ea), a CM-108 sound fob ($8.99 ea), Raspberry Pi3B ($48.00 ea) based Allstar node. I’m feeding power from a single 12v source through a buck-converter to get the 5v for the Pi and step down to 4.5v to power the radio. The rest is wire, diodes, resistors, LEDs, and a switch.
This is the CM-108. The jacks have been removed to get to the solder pads. A couple of other components have been removed and/or added per some instructions I found. A tap has been made in two of the IC’s to get status for some front panel LED’s
The Baofeng BF-888’s have been modified to access the COS line, +voltage, ground, speaker, and mic, etc.
I want to 3d print the case to keep the cost down…. but at 22 hours of printing… It’s likely finding a plastic case will be cheaper.
I happen to have a DMK URI interface that makes this ALL a lot simpler… However, the URI is about $120
The buck-converter is still a good way to power it all as it’s only one connection and gets rid of the wall-wart for the Pi by feeding pin 2 and 3 on the header of the Pi and able to step down further with a diode to get 4.5 for the radio. Plus still having 12v available if needed.
More to come………………….
Todd,
very nice project, I see you are making a repeater out of this one
that will be nice for portable ops etc
I drilled a hole in the top of my 888s and ran some shielded wire into it
I am not sure this can be done frugally
73
mike
If I can get the CM108 sound fob wired and working correctly, You won’t need a URI. Which takes the interface cost to about $10 instead of the $120 for a DMK or repeater-builder URI. I was also able to get status lights from taping the fob signals and they seem to work well.