Hamshack Hotline: The “Bat Phone” for Ham Radio Operators!

[@PhillHills]

Thanks for adding this video, I wasn't aware of the service and will be looking into it further.

[@G0GCQ]

Same 👍🏻

[@brentjohnson6654]

I am a new Ham (licensed in January 2020). I love the learning part of this hobby. I am very interested in how hamshack hotline is architected. I was a Cisco VoIP person also used asterisk for hard and soft phones for a variety of applications in the past. Thanks for the video

[@SteelWolf13]

We use them for our aid stations during races. We have a button tagged for net control. So if there is an issue the site captain can use a phone and they don't have to worry about a learning curve. Otherwise there is a ham operator on site using normal HTs. It's a 100 mile race that starts on Friday afternoon till Sat midnight. Also Net control can call an aid station if the ham is not answering the radio.

[@JohnCrawfordSchoolOfMusic]

kw4qj here. Of course I enjoy my HF radio and talking to my friends on the local repeaters. I even still do Morse code even if I am slow at it but I think it’s great the way amateur radio operators have always experimented with technology and come up with new ways to communicate. This kind of technology is not a departure from the point of what we do but is embracing the spirit of what amateur radio was founded for. We are pioneers

[@davidbodman4456]

The 94000 extension connects to Brandmeister TG 31688. There are about 38 other RF connections to various AllStar, D-Star, Echolink, YSF, CFM networks as well.

[@ILSofista]

Is there a list of the TG's connected to the HH Network?

[@davidbodman4456]

@@ILSofista Yes there is. On the website, under Documents > Links > Radio Services

[@ltvg]

That's really interesting even to someone who is not fully interested into Ham Radio. Thanks for the vid!

[@K0LWC]

It’s fun to learn and use with friends.

[@AdamWarrix]

I have Hamshack Hotline running off RF. The phone is connected to a Broadband Hamnet router, which shares a connection with an AREDN node. Those transmit through 2.4 GHZ to my other mesh nodes plugged into my internet router. It still uses the internet but transmit to the internet using RF.

[@K0LWC]

Very cool, Adam! Just experimentation, or do you use it for something specific?

[@AdamWarrix]

@@K0LWC Experimentation. No one else nearby uses mesh nodes, which is a shame. Given the possibilities, it should be utilized more. For example, my house is solar. So long as I have internet, anyone with a mesh node could connect into my nodes and have internet so long as they have a way to power their node. Hamshack Hotline should work through this.

[@glenclayton3617]

Thanks great info and starter information.

[@LB2234]

Great video! Just set up my old Grandstream GXP1625 on the HHX network. Never knew this existed. - KF0BFJ

[@K0LWC]

Welcome to the network!

[@n8lbv]

This is a lot of fun and is really cool. That's actually a 'lower end' Cisco phone 🙂 I also have sidecars (most of them are Polycom phones with sidecars) here and can see when different extensions/groups/bridges are in use. I'm not on Hamshack hotline. I have a private server/system with a bunch of friends and family on it. Pretty much the same system and with a couple of radio links/bridges to my own stuff. I put it in back in 2004 and have kept it running and up to date since then.

[@davidbodman4456]

You can add use quite easily as an additional trunk connection..

[@n8lbv]

@@davidbodman4456 Yep I'd be willing to IAX trunk to you guys if interested :) Are you picky about dialplan routing? I have 4NNN locally. I used to have a lot more and IAX trunks to other systems that have dropped off and went away over the years. Also if you do not support my dialplan and insist on yours I can do a translation table where a block of yours map to a block of mine and nobody here or there would know the difference. And you probably know all of this already :)

[@K0LWC]

Well, it's the fanciest one supported on HH! :)

[@camp5150]

Good job Matt

[@SupposedlyFree]

Any leads on the sidecar? I bought a 504g for $10 and everybody wants $50+ for the sidecar. If that's the case, I can deal with 5 slots...

[@coziii.1829]

I grandpa just called us through his ham radio . You can still do that and call cell phones

[@brucekempf4648]

Very cool! Is there a way to connect the phone to wifi rather that ethernet wiring? My router is not close

[@K0LWC]

Yes, you can use WiFi if you'd like.

[@mosinmarine5487]

Thanks for the video made my first contact last night. KD9LOA 73

[@user-fp3mn3dw7x]

If it's sip protocol, you should be able to use a software phone such as Linphone on your desktop and you don't need a physical phone at all

[@K0LWC]

It's SIP, and you indeed can use a softphone.

[@geekverve]

Free bridge lines over the internet. What does this have to do with amateur radio, again?

[@oldladyme]

Thank you for the video do you have the hookup hardware needed to use the system thanks.

[@K0LWC]

Join the ham shack hotline Facebook group - couple guys in there do! eBay is another popular choice to find cheap surplus phones.

[@rlmartin58]

where do I learn how to program the buttons and set up voicemail

[@AI5HV]

Thanks for creating this video. Can you provide the model # of the sidecar ?

[@K0LWC]

SPA500S

[@AI5HV]

@@K0LWC Thank you

[@gregorysmith3097]

Thanks for this video. Had no idea this existed. Questions about that specific phone. What's the specific model? You mention that it's a 500, but 525, 519, etc I already use VOIP. Would I be able to make use of my voip service in addition to Hamshack Hotline?

[@K0LWC]

It's a 525G. Check the link in my description for more information! I did a pretty detailed write-up.

[@PaulZito-g6t]

I can't seem to locate the URL to configure the phone. Can you please repost Thanks

[@GUIDEDCENTRAL]

What particular model of CISCO IP PHONE?

[@K0LWC]

525G

[@Chasing_The_Dream]

Learned something new today. Thanks for posting. Off to eBay to find a phone. 😆 73.

[@K0LWC]

Yeahhhhhhhh!

[@mattalexander8925]

Can you use any VOIP phone on this, I see them dirt cheep on ebay.

[@K0LWC]

Must be a certain model. See link to article in the description.

[@barcodenut]

I am pretty sure my phone is active...has a dial tone. How come it doesn't show up on the map on the website?

[@BadHorsie2]

I have access to a SA525G phone. Will definitely check this out. Very interesting.

[@K0LWC]

That’s awesome, Stan! More videos on setup coming soon!

[@BadHorsie2]

@@K0LWC Will be looking out for the videos.

[@Andrew9Pilot]

Does the sidecar need to be provisioned by HH? Or is programming/updating the sidecar something you can do on your own after the phone is provisioned?

[@K0LWC]

You program it yourself after your phone is provisioned and can update it at any time.

[@Andrew9Pilot]

@@K0LWC Thanks!

[@lovedfriend2020]

Cool something I didn't know about :) Why were some lite up orange?

[@K0LWC]

Just means that line is unavailable. I need to re-program a few lines as extension numbers recently changed.

[@davidbodman4456]

The Hotline consists of five network servers that are interlinked. The status lights unfortunately do not work cross-network. They still work to dial.

[@va7dgp]

I guess this could be hooked up a Ham Network if a bunch of local guys uses the Ubitiqui routers in the ham band

[@K0LWC]

Yes, I've heard of guys doing mesh networks with these. Totally possible.

[@n1kkri]

SPA112, Does this also have to require an UNLOCK and factory default. Are there any links talking about unlocking cisco phones? What is required to do this? I'm somewhat interested in hotline but need to find an unlocked phone.

[@brentdoncliff2845]

Just tried the link in the description and got a 404. Has it been removed?

[@vincentcimino1963]

Hi, I know I should be asking HS Hotline but I’ve read the set up pages and I understand they set you up after you send them your phone information. My question is, are you doing the final set up on the phone using it’s IP address? or is that being done on a computer? My tech skills are awful, I expect to be getting a phone soon. Thanks for any help clarifying this. Great video too.

[@K0LWC]

You just need to get the phones IP address -- very simple. After that, you send it to them and they'll set it up. Technical skill is minimal. I'll be doing a video on this process.

[@vincentcimino1963]

@@K0LWC ok good I’ll be looking for it, thanks

[@edk6hp111]

What exactly does it mean to have the IP phone unlocked? I found one that the seller understood the term, but another seller didn't understand either factory reset or unlocked.

[@billmcentire9923]

I have always wanted to get into DMR but I do not want to buy another radio, and a hotspot. Are you telling me I can talk on DMR Brandmeister groups using this? If so how do you key up to talk? Thanks for any help on this you can give me. KC5ECB

[@K0LWC]

You can talk on certain talkgroups, not any talkgroups. They need to be interfaced with the hotline.

[@lobbiedove5014]

Is there no video chat functionality? Kidding but really? Maybe messaging and sending photos as with other digital modes?

[@cmritchie04]

What is the difference between this and allstar? Could you do a video on IAX_RPT....how to set it up ect

[@K0LWC]

Someone else may have a better technical answer, but it’s the same technology (VOIP), just a different implementation.

[@iz1uqg]

hi how much power live phone via poe ????

[@K0LWC]

It’s 48V.

[@rkaag99]

What's the advantage over Skype or Zoom, etc.? (real question, not sarcasm)

[@tittiger]

Do these phones depend at all on DNS? (I hope not) As DNS take downs are coming!!!

[@SkylerF]

Thank You for showing this service, really interesting. The only problem is I don't see much experimentation, mostly plug in and play. I would be interested in setting up your own hamshack hotline server, could you build one using asterisk in linux?

[@davidbodman4456]

Plenty of experimentation in MESH networks, IPX Trunks..

[@K0LWC]

I'll be adding more videos' on the programming side of the phones in the coming weeks. Plenty of opportunities' for more experimentation.

[@gbaker816]

What's the Model # of your expansion module? Please and Thanks..

[@K0LWC]

It's the Cisco SPA500S.

[@MyAeroMove]

Really interesting topic! This phone models have only one downside: wall mounting bracket costs around a half of the phone. I'm also contributing to Rosetta calculations 😜

[@53e142]

3D print one-Thingiverse has Thing files for a number of Cisco phones.

[@K0LWC]

Yeah, but I bet you could 3D print one or find a way to do it without the actual bracket. Mine will stay put on the desk. ☺️

[@jacquesredmond]

Why is this better than AREDN which can do the same thing?

[@vonbayernDE]

I am thinking interfacing ham with voip-raspberry pi.

[@K0LWC]

Sounds like an interesting project!

[@vonbayernDE]

@@K0LWC In Malaysia CB are not allowed to have repeater. So this will kinda act as one. Or I put in on the top floor of my apartment for better coverage n connect via internet.

[@dwgelle]

I set mine up and can bluetooth to your Cell phone and make external calls.

[@K0LWC]

Is that why you’re orange in my phone? 😊

[@dwgelle]

@@K0LWC Ummm, dunno, I haven't done that in a while. I was doing some updating to the phone that day probly and it was rebooting a few times.

[@jmr]

I love VOIP and I've been into it for years but this is awfully similar to the Allstar network.

[@K0LWC]

Same backbone technology, just a different implementation.

[@jmr]

@@K0LWC Doesn't appear to have many additional features either. I plan to investigate this more thoroughly.

[@tonycantrell9547]

Could these work over mesh network like an ardon system?

[@K0LWC]

Yes!

[@paulct]

You should add an actual phone call, since this video was all about...wait for it.....phones LOL!! Nice video, but please a better discussion of other uses. Could a club create a "room" and then you hit the button and all club members are called?

[@K0LWC]

Yes, I think the server can do that. Check out 'Hamshack Hotline' Facebook group and ask the admins in there -- or submit a ticket.

[@benrothacker6420]

Excellent video. Since I saw it yesterday, I've set up an ATA with an old telephone through my Free PBX. Looking forward to using this great idea. VK3FXBR

[@K0LWC]

That's awesome! Can't wait to see you on the network.

[@yay4this]

OMG.. it's GOLF.. not George

[@DavidVenturaFuji]

Hey Matt, nice video series on HH. MNDMR bridge access code is 3127 (same as MN state DMR TG) weekly conference 9 pm Sunday night, my extension changed to 11523 - 73, Dave, KE0NA

[@mylesl2890]

i mighta missed it but what is hamshack hotline exactly is it part of pstn or a pvt ip 'group'? what network is it on exacly? brandmeister?

[@K0LWC]

HH is its own VOIP network, but it is bridged and interfaced with other digital networks--- including RF systems.

[@AliReza-zx8km]

Nice...........

[@K0LWC]

It is!

[@Robert-th8ud]

Am I the only sane one here. I can't stop thinking how stupid that thing is. I'm calling CQ now as I sit on the toilet with my cellphone ham radio app. Now that's technology!

[@K0LWC]

Did anyone come back to your CQ? 😆

[@Robert-th8ud]

@@K0LWC Yes, out of band pirate cb radio operaters.

[@USMCDAD47]

I'm trying to win free hockey tickets, can this phone be setup to continuously dial until I am caller number 9?

[@K0LWC]

Only if you're trying to win a free HF radio -- otherwise it's unable.

[@davidbodman4456]

Who You Gonna Call??? ;-)

[@xavierperez3263]

It’s cool but internet is the first thing that goes down here when we get hit with tropical storms.

[@charlieoscar09]

Rather than the Ugly BatPhone is there not a piece of software that can the same job.

[@K0LWC]

Sure, an app on your phone.

[@53e142]

Properly pronounced "voyp".

[@K0LWC]

Acronyms should be spelled out. 😁

[@53e142]

@@K0LWC As a 30-year IT guy, I'm just letting you know how us pros pronounce it. ;)

[@ifpo238]

Softphone or it didn't happen.