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svxlink

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svxlink [2025/08/10 20:24] – g4nabsvxlink [2025/09/24 15:11] (current) – g4nab
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 The current role of //Svxlink//, is as a single and complete package of softwares providing connectivity between amateur radio users and nodes in the following ways: The current role of //Svxlink//, is as a single and complete package of softwares providing connectivity between amateur radio users and nodes in the following ways:
  
-1. A duplex and simplex repeater controller, based upon the small size factor computers such as the raspberry pi, using as few external components as possible. A Raspberry Pi and 16 Gb SDCard and a CM108 USB Sound card are the only three components required to which to attach an FM Transceiver.+1. A duplex and simplex repeater controller, based upon the small size factor computers such as the raspberry pi, using as few external components as possible. A Raspberry Pi and 16 Gb SDCard and a CM108 USB Sound card or Modified USB dongle are the only three components required to which to attach an FM Transceiver.
  
 2. A reflector controller providing a server for a group of duplex or simplex repeater nodes to link passively with the server and dynamically with other nodes similarly linked. As an example a link is provided below.  2. A reflector controller providing a server for a group of duplex or simplex repeater nodes to link passively with the server and dynamically with other nodes similarly linked. As an example a link is provided below. 
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 With a passive connection to a server, users on a connected node can dynamically connect, using a stream of DTMF tones, to another node or nodes equally passively connected, on a system of Talk Groups, that each node can monitor within their configuration. With a passive connection to a server, users on a connected node can dynamically connect, using a stream of DTMF tones, to another node or nodes equally passively connected, on a system of Talk Groups, that each node can monitor within their configuration.
 +
 +The current UK reflector [[https://portal.svxlink.uk:8443]] together link with its partner hub [[https://Yorkshire.svxlink.network]] is effectively a super repeater, linking nodes and repeaters across the world, with local talkgroups and several distant fixed talkgroups formed of Allstar Links, such as Ham Radio 2.0 (YouTube channel), The US EastCoast Reflector, and more locally the North West Allstar Group, and naturally the OARC group. Here the OARC talkgroup links to the OARC Allstar Nodes which in turn cross-modes to the DMR talkgroup 2348479. So every user of that talk group is emerging into the svxlink network. It then remains for each Sysop to manage his available talkgroup list, to permit talkgroup 47920 (OARC) to broadcast on his/her repeater.
  
 The current system provides that in a passive state, a node has talkgroup 0 or ‘off’ selected. By calling by DTMF 91235#, on a node… 91 meaning ‘standby, a talk group follows’ 235 ‘ talk group’s # ‘activate’, the node makes the reflector server open a dynamic path to all nodes that have 235 in their monitoring list. Thus a user can now be heard on all nodes that have 235 included.  The current system provides that in a passive state, a node has talkgroup 0 or ‘off’ selected. By calling by DTMF 91235#, on a node… 91 meaning ‘standby, a talk group follows’ 235 ‘ talk group’s # ‘activate’, the node makes the reflector server open a dynamic path to all nodes that have 235 in their monitoring list. Thus a user can now be heard on all nodes that have 235 included. 
  
-Materially each node has a built-in fail safe that times out a module after a period of disuse, returning it to default passive state.  +Materially each node has a built-in fail safe that times out a module after a period of disuse, returning it to default passive state. Likewise EchoLink can be on or off network if required. 
-Each repeater is independent and can be used locally, with the addition of regional or national capability as required, dependant on the prevailing talkgroups. More than one connection at a time by different talkgroups can be achieved on the reflector.+Each repeater is independent and can be used locally, with the addition of regional or national capability as required, dependant on the prevailing talkgroups. More than one connection at a time by different talkgroups can be achieved on the reflector. But only one at a time on the individually nodes.
  
-There is a proviso that if any of the independent EchoLink or Metar services are in use, the passive reflector link is for the time being suspended, returning to default when those other services are terminated.+(There is a proviso that if any of the independent EchoLink or Metar services are in use, the passive reflector link should be for the time being suspended, returning to default when those other services are terminated. This is under review.)
  
 The obvious questions are: What do I need? How’s much does it cost? How do I do it? I already have all-star, why do I need this? The obvious questions are: What do I need? How’s much does it cost? How do I do it? I already have all-star, why do I need this?
  
-First of all, SvxLink is designed by Tobias Bloomberg SM0SVX, firstly around 2006/7, as a means to access EchoLink via a Linux platform, but linking analog modes. AllStar is built around 2013 from Asterisk a PABX package for telephones. (Linking the two systems together while possible is inadvisable.)+First of all, SvxLink is designed by Tobias Bloomberg SM0SVX, firstly around 2006/7, as a means to access EchoLink via a Linux platform, but linking analog modes. AllStar is built around 2013 from Asterisk a PABX package for telephones. As it happens I have made multiple Allstar Link nodes available as Talkgroups within the svxlink reflector as described above.
  
 In Svxlink, no node numbers are required, just the natural callsign, and password provided to the reflector keeper by the node builder for the passive connectivity. The reflector maintains the callsign information in a dataset that is displayed by another software package called SvxPortal that can be viewed publicly here [[http://svxportal-uk.ddns.net:81]], so users can view the available stations and the talkgroups available.  In Svxlink, no node numbers are required, just the natural callsign, and password provided to the reflector keeper by the node builder for the passive connectivity. The reflector maintains the callsign information in a dataset that is displayed by another software package called SvxPortal that can be viewed publicly here [[http://svxportal-uk.ddns.net:81]], so users can view the available stations and the talkgroups available. 
  
-Each node user can update an entry on the svxportal to describe his station for public view, to further enhance his/her presence. HubNet is already available on the UK portal svxportal-uk.ddns.net.+Each node user can update an entry on the svxportal to describe his station for public view, to further enhance his/her presence. A number of All-star Links as Talk Groups are already available on the UK portal svxportal-uk.ddns.net. One such device is produced from one of our own members here. [[https://www.tindie.com/products/tomwardill/cm108-radio-widget/]].
  
-To build a node, all that is required is almost any spare transceiver, a raspberry pi and its power pack, a 16 Gb SD card, a CM108 USB sound card, a 10K 1/4 watt resistor, and a 2N2222 transistor. A full tutorial is shown here in this link [[https://www.marrold.co.uk/2018/04/converting-cm108-usb-fob-for-amateur.html]]. However there are no some ready-made USB dongle that are quite inexpensive. Check my web-site g4nab.co.uk.+To build a node, all that is required is almost any spare transceiver, a raspberry pi and its power pack, a 16 Gb SD card, a CM108 USB sound card, a 10K 1/4 watt resistor, and a 2N2222 transistor, or CM108 Dongle, A full tutorial is shown here in this link [[https://www.marrold.co.uk/2018/04/converting-cm108-usb-fob-for-amateur.html]].
  
 You will need access to a Mac/PC, with a card slot to write the operating system with RaspberryPi Imager in the first instance, and an internet connection. Only a little knowledge of bash scripting may be required. You will need access to a Mac/PC, with a card slot to write the operating system with RaspberryPi Imager in the first instance, and an internet connection. Only a little knowledge of bash scripting may be required.
  
-Because there are so many different systems, it is not possible to provide a “one size-fits all” image, that is capable of being updated, so some technical knowledge is required. That said if you go to the following page and slect downloads, you will find an image for raspberry pi. Follow the instructions carefully.+Because there are so many different systems, it is not possible to provide a “one size-fits all Operating Systems” image, that is capable of being updated, so some technical knowledge is required.  
 +That said if you go to the following page and select downloads, you will find an image for raspberry pi. Follow the instructions carefully. https://portal.svxlink.uk:8443/downloads .  
 +A DTMF Help sheet is also downloadable.
  
-There are so many sources of the software that have been adulterated by others to fit particular devices, that I would recommend sticking with the main source of svxlink that of SM0SVX. Within my web-pages I refer to scripts of my own making that can help a user build this system.+{{:screenshot_2025-08-10_at_21.28.01.png?400|}} 
 +{{:screenshot_2025-08-10_at_21.31.59.png?400|}}
  
-**Full instructions** are found on [[https://github.com/f5vmr/svxlinkbuilder]] of which the new version 24-02.1 making the build even simpler is now available.+There are so many sources of the software that have been adulterated by others to fit particular devices, that I would recommend sticking with the main source of svxlink that of SM0SVX. Within my web-pages I refer to scripts of my own making that can help a user build this system. If you want to do it yourself and not use the image, then read on. 
 + 
 +**Full instructions** are found on [[https://github.com/f5vmr/svxlinkbuilder]] of which the new version 25.5.17 making the build even simpler is now available.
  
  Firstly always follow the instructions, NEVER use root to run the software, and always follow the instructions…….. Yes I did say that twice because you ignored it the first time and wondered why it didn’t work.  Firstly always follow the instructions, NEVER use root to run the software, and always follow the instructions…….. Yes I did say that twice because you ignored it the first time and wondered why it didn’t work.
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-((The current version of the SVXLink package is Version 24-02.1 and is available as I suggested above as an image. If you do find a dpkg on the current version of Bookworm, it is an old version 19 and has several features absent, such as the gpiod functionality, and full connection to the svxreflector.+The current version of the SVXLink package is Version 25.5.17 and is available as I suggested above as an image. If you do find a dpkg on the current version of Bookworm, it is an old version 19 and has several features absent, such as the gpiod functionality, and full connection to the svxreflector. 
 + 
 +(Other versions of SVXLink have existed including one from the OpenRepeaterProject in the US, but again this version is also out of date at Version 17, although that group is working on the next version.)
  
-Other versions of SVXLink have existed including one from the OpenRepeaterProject in the US, but again this version is also out of date, although that group is working on the next version.))+I mentioned in the chat that the OARC Radio channel is now available on the svxlink reflector. As a reminder the SVXLink system is FM, but relies on the OARC Digital ASL Reflector to connect. Tests have proved that this has been highly successful method of interfacing..
  
-Stop Press: +Connections to several nets in the USA and UK are part of the fascination of this software.
-While the image for version 24 is still very much valid, a new version 25 is available either from the author SM0SVX that requires full compilation, or as a script package at the latest post on my web-site g4nab.co.uk. However this is very touchy, and will require some babying into a working condition. Stick with the Image Version 24 for ease of use.+
svxlink.1754857467.txt.gz · Last modified: by g4nab