Hey fellow hams! Have you heard about AllStar Link? It's a game-changer in the world of amateur radio. Imagine merging the old-school charm of radio with the cutting-edge tech of the internet. That’s AllStar Link in a nutshell! It's an open-source network that connects radio systems, repeaters, and nodes globally through VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol).
AllStar Link is like a magical bridge. With it, you can key up your local repeater and instantly chat with someone halfway across the world. It’s like having an endless QSO party without the constraints of propagation or band conditions. Perfect for those times when the HF bands are dead, but you still want to enjoy a ragchew.
Setting up an AllStar node might sound daunting, but it’s quite user-friendly. All you need is a Raspberry Pi, a radio interface board, and a bit of patience. There’s a fantastic community ready to help, with plenty of online resources and forums. Once you're set up, you can connect to thousands of other nodes worldwide. The possibilities are endless!
AllStar Link also integrates seamlessly with other VoIP systems like EchoLink and IRLP. This means you can bridge different networks, expanding your reach even further. It’s a great way to bring together different communities and promote more global communication.
For clubs, AllStar Link is a fantastic tool. You can connect your repeater to others, providing broader coverage for club members and fostering more interaction. It’s also a great way to introduce new hams to the hobby, showcasing the blend of traditional radio and modern technology.
So, if you haven't already, give AllStar Link a try. It’s a fun, modern twist on our beloved hobby, bringing the world a little closer together, one QSO at a time. 73!
I am currently in the process of putting together an AllStar Link node. My first node will come from Kits4Hams. It is a Shari PiHat based on the Raspberry Pi. This unit is not too expensive, and it does not look too difficult to set up. I will post information about the setup and operation here just in case you are interested. I want to investigate way to improve upon the EchoLink operations, which seem to be a bit shakey recently. Much more to follow.