How to Build a Pi-Star Hotspot on Raspberry Pi 3 - TheSmokinApe

[@lovethe4077th]

Great video - looked at loads and this takes you through the whole process really well. Great delivery - thank you

[@TheSmokinApe]

Thanks Richard, glad you liked it!

[@maniactinker2930]

Thanks for such a great video. Just getting into DMR and this was very helpful.

[@TheSmokinApe]

Awesome man, glad it helped 👍

[@HoraceCafe]

Thank you very much. The space between the lid and the case is essential for the airing of raspberry Pi

[@TheSmokinApe]

For sure, I don’t want to cook my board! Thanks man.

[@microc2238]

Thanks for the instructions. I have a Raspberry Pi 3. What is a good modern choice of MMDVM BOARD ?

[@Dave-zb9dq]

Hey thanks for the post 📯 this has been a big help!

[@TheSmokinApe]

Awesome! Thanks for watching 👍

[@justawfulgamer7738]

Can you link the actual dmr board?

[@TheSmokinApe]

I don’t think this older board is still available, a search for MMDVM so get you some results.

[@daveborchard2019]

How do you power on the hotspot Raspberry Pi device? Is there a power switch on the Raspberry Pi? Would it be better to upgrade to a Pi4 instead of a Pi3B? What kind of a short UHF antenna was on that HT portable transceiver? That antenna is much more compact than an ordinary antenna. You probably don’t need much of an antenna for close in hotspot range. Dave KY0L

[@TheSmokinApe]

The antenna is a Diamond RH3. If I was making this device now, I’d use the Pi4. My USB power cable has an on off switch 👍

[@KHaydenUSFL18]

Can you add more than one wi fi AP to a single hotspot so you can automatically connect to different networks while Mobile...Like while I am in my car it connects to my cell phone hotspot, but when I arrive at home I can shut my phone down and it connects to my home network automatically?

[@TheSmokinApe]

Yes, you can do that.

[@nickgoldman805]

Where can I get a case for a pi 3 with a .96 screen?

[@stevebarber7100]

Assembled one just like you showed had it up and running in less than an hour put out to Brandmeister and had folks hitting it over the past couple of days. The only issue I have had with it is the OLED screen shows close and start but nothing scrolling or flashing on it. Most others I have seen show the listening and call signs of those coming in. My pi load was the most recent and set the video up for OLED 3. Have you experienced this issue?

[@TheSmokinApe]

Sorry Steve, I haven't seen or heard about that.

[@n7ekg]

You will only see anything on the display when you are actually receiving or sending a signal. If you're not seeing anything at those times, make sure your MMDVM Display Type is set correctly - mine is set to OLED Type 3, Port is /dev/ttyAMA0, and Nextion Layout is set to G4KLX. As Christopher Rust posted: "For those who want to turn on the OLED screen saver you can do it by going to Configuration -> Expert -> OLED -> set Scroll to '1' and LogoScreensaver to '1'." Hope this helps!

[@charliedewoeps3367]

Is there a way to build a hot spot with a raspberry Pi 2 model b or is it too old/ you can't get a MMDVM board for it? Any help appreciated

[@TheSmokinApe]

3B is the oldest I would use.

[@Atari.Geezer]

At time index 9:45, it shows you running the pi-start setup on the Raspbian OS. How??

[@TheSmokinApe]

It’s the pi star image 👍

[@Atari.Geezer]

P-Star has a GUI? @@TheSmokinApe

[@TheSmokinApe]

@@Atari.Geezer at 9:45 I am connecting to the hot spot from a second pi running Raspbian

[@Atari.Geezer]

@@TheSmokinApe Ah!, okay. I was wondering about that, thanks for the info :)

[@smoejith9283]

Great video! Hey where did you find that SD card holder? I looked for it on Amazon with no luck! thanks, 73!

[@TheSmokinApe]

Howdy Smoe: sdcardholder.com/

[@a_ham_like_me]

Thanks Ape! I was thinking about an "assembly" like this to use as a hotspot for my car. It's finicky having to take the hotspot, battery, cable, cell phone, with me every time I leave the house. Having a second hotspot will make things more convenient.

[@TheSmokinApe]

Thanks why I wanted a second, for the car or office. Also, I was getting nervous that I should have a backup! Thanks for watching and for the comment.

[@africantwin173]

What is the best hotspot you can buy on the market. I only know the DVMega and SharktRF. But China also has many mmdvm boards on AlieXpress. PI-star and YSF would be used. Im handy with ARM and soldering.

[@TheSmokinApe]

The ZumSpot is pretty good. The SharkRF is the best though 👍

[@liudas5377]

Thanks for your efforts - great video

[@TheSmokinApe]

Gald you liked it 👍

[@ryanwakebradtelle8682]

Sense when did MacBooks have an SD card slot?

[@TheSmokinApe]

Not sure, but my last two did

[@ryanwakebradtelle8682]

@@TheSmokinApe I was joking I know old MacBooks had them, thanks for taking my comment seriously.

[@TheSmokinApe]

Lol! Thanks for watching! 😂🍻

[@SteelWolf13]

Most of the links are broken.

[@johnswisher1420]

In the video, you bring up the Dashboard page from a RPi device in Chromium Browser. Is this from the hotspot device or a separate device?

[@TheSmokinApe]

Separate device 👍

[@trapadvisor]

I’m new to raspberry I would you recommend this as a first time project? I have experience working with pc’s and am way more interested in the hardware side of computers.

[@TheSmokinApe]

Are you a ham radio operator? If so this would be a great project 👍

[@waynemorrow6578]

OK just got the raspberry pi going on my 3b+ and the part where you put the SD card in the raspberry and it brought up the raspberry operating system. Now did you plug a hdmi cable into the raspberry and it brought it up or is there something I missing? Please help....... I want to be able to run pistar and android on it at the same time.

[@TheSmokinApe]

Hey Wayne, with Pi-Star you typically run the Pi headless and you access the environment via a web browser. I am not sure if there is a version that will run on Android.

[@waynemorrow6578]

@@TheSmokinApe OK thank you so much

[@danamiller9084]

can you do multiple modes? like DMR and YSF at the same time?

[@TheSmokinApe]

As far as I know you can’t with this type.

[@Andre-xu3pq]

in PI-star 4.2.0 you can select OLED 3 of OLED 6 , the OLED 3 - 0.96 but with the same setup like you i cant get the display working ? Do you got some ideas maybe what i forgot o did wrong? Kind regard, PD3AB

[@TheSmokinApe]

Did you build or buy? Make sure the oled pins are not shorted.

[@Andre-xu3pq]

@@TheSmokinApe Its own build and the pins are not connected i can put a card between them.

[@TheSmokinApe]

Is this how you set it up? www.hamradio.com/images_managed/misc/H0-016491_OLED_Configuration.pdf

[@Andre-xu3pq]

@@TheSmokinApe In the new version 4.2.0 you can select oled3 or oled 6 and then this settings are added automatically

[@TheSmokinApe]

Gotcha, I haven’t tried the version yet

[@kevinthompson9430]

Love the video man it really helped me with my build one question where did you get the antenna that you have on your radio That you show in the video

[@TheSmokinApe]

I believe it was randl.com

[@nighthawk2u]

I followed all of these steps very closely. When I finished, everything worked perfectly except for one minor detail. The MMDVM screen saver the use to appear in my OLED display, now says "close". The screen saver is working but the MMDVM Logo has now been replaced with the word "close". Any ideas? Thanks for the wonderful videos.

[@kit121]

I think "close" means the mmdvm is shut down. Somehow you need to restart it again. If it is up and running it should show the screen saver.

[@xjfo]

For those who want to turn on the OLED screen saver you can do it by going to Configuration -> Expert -> OLED -> set Scroll to '1' and LogoScreensaver to '1'.

[@TheRanger53]

More of a question than a comment. I see when I look at the MMDVM on various sites that they are not compatible with 5.8Ghz, only 2.4Ghz. Is there any way around that?

[@TheSmokinApe]

It’s going to depend on the pi and the WiFi interface

[@TheRanger53]

I have now made my 2.4ghz available for use so now I can go ahead and order the MMDVM to put onto 9ne of my raspberrys

[@TheRanger53]

I also see on Ebay that they are selling the duplex hotspot for the RPI. Is there any advantage to dual connections or should I just keep it simple.

[@TheSmokinApe]

I just use the simplex nodes.

[@Ron_C]

You definitely have a passion for these things. I'd love to get all the toys that you share on here, but....man...I just don't have the time to play with the ones I have. Thanks for sharing, bro!

[@TheSmokinApe]

Yeah, generating more time is a tuff task. I actually started to make this video back in November. Finally got it done...

[@Ron_C]

@@TheSmokinApe at least you got it finished!

[@TheSmokinApe]

I still have a few from the summer I need to finish up! #slacker

[@aravindmv908]

can i use this only using the pi without the device u used

[@TheSmokinApe]

No

[@JimNicholsMotorManiaGarage]

Can this set up be used conventional (ie not digital) with all-star?

[@TheSmokinApe]

Not that I am aware of...

[@seanalicea4546]

What is the the big differnece between the 0 and the 4?

[@TheSmokinApe]

The Pi 0 and Pi 4? Processor speed and RAM.

[@seanalicea4546]

So is a 4 better? Getting ready to pull the trigger on 0. Lemme know your thoughts. Thanks in advance.

[@TheSmokinApe]

The 4 is more powerful but the 0w is fine for a hotspot.

[@gordsec]

Thanks for an amazing video. Can you let me know where you got the case from, and does it suffer with any heat related issues?

[@TheSmokinApe]

No problem with heat, the case is from C4Labz.

[@gordsec]

Thank you

[@LoveJT8D]

Really excellent tutorial you made here getting me through the steps to get my first hotspot up and running. One item I'm not clear on... do I first need to install the Raspbian or Noobs operating system on my raspberry pi 3 B+ before I can install the Pi-star image?

[@TheSmokinApe]

Glad it’s helpful. Just install the Pi-Star image 👍

[@w4mkh]

I'm confused between DMR-MARC and Bandmeister. Can a DMR radio be programed to talk to repeaters in either groups? Can it be programed for both groups at once? I assume a hotspot can only be on one network. Is that correct?

[@TheSmokinApe]

The hotspot can connect to either network as well as a number of others, that said you can only connect to one network at a time. Thanks for checking out the video WNC!

[@bobvandigriff1425]

Great video. A quick question. I will be building mine with a raspberry pi 3 B+ I have laying around. Right now I have a fan on the chip to keep it cool which; I know will have to come off to install the mmdvm hat. Any suggestions on an alternative way to keep it cool or, is it even necessary? Thanks for any advice or opinion on this that you can impart!

[@TheSmokinApe]

I’ve just used a heat sync and have been fine. The case is from C4Labz.

[@RobertDodge]

Do you know if you can build a dmr hotspot with a Raspberry Pi A+ ok as that board has dual wifi 2.4/5Ghz

[@TheSmokinApe]

I’ve never seen it done but I don’t see why not

[@cryptochicago9152]

Can you make it , so it could mine helium ?

[@PMR446.Radio-Network]

Can you use this with Zello, for a radio gateway setup. ? Has anyone tried using this with Zello as a gateway setup. ?

[@TheSmokinApe]

Sorry man, I am not familiar with Zello

[@bhmusic2433]

Would this work sitting in a car as a hotspot?

[@TheSmokinApe]

It would need to be connected to the internet, I connect mine to my phone when I use it in the car 👍

[@BikerBytes]

Great video, very clear and easy to understand. I have one question, is the hotspot for use by only you own ID and no one else can use it?

[@TheSmokinApe]

Other folks can use them.

[@JnJTrueOutdoorAdventures]

Thanks for sharing this video. Per a friends recommendation I just ordered a AnyTone 868 DMR HT and I already have a Raspberry Pi3 Plus, but thinking of getting another since my friend convinced me to get the DMR radio. My current Pi is loaded with Jason KM4ACK Build - A - Pi script to do FT8, JS8Call and other digital modes. I know nothing of DMR, but my friend told me that if I got one and then got this MMDVM Hotspot Pi-star Support P-25 DMR YSF & Antenna Fit For Raspberry Pi that I could do the DMR, D-Star, Fusion and I think there is another. I am not familiar with all these new modes. I have been a ham since 1996, but dropped out in 2006 and just got back into it in 2017 (didn't let my license expire), but all this knew modes (DMR, D-Star, etc) are all new to me. Any suggestions or help would be appreciated. Juddie WD8WV

[@TheSmokinApe]

Yeah, with the MMDVM board you can do; dmr, Dstar or ysf. I ordered my board off EBay. You will need to istall PiStar on your raspberry pi 👍

[@joerogers4227]

can a mmdvmm hotspot be built to a pi 4b 4gb board

[@TheSmokinApe]

Yep

[@texasstealthcamper8139]

Excellent!

[@TheSmokinApe]

Glad you liked it!

[@tvbox6955]

Why build this if prebuilt ones are available for a lower or similar price? Is this significantly better? 🤔

[@TheSmokinApe]

A few reasons; it’s cheaper to build yourself, I had a spare pi that I could use, I like Linux and Raspberry Pi projects and I wanted to know exactly how it works. That said, there nothing wrong with buying a prebuilt 👍

[@tvbox6955]

@@TheSmokinApe What do you think of the cheap $100 ones for sale on Amazon?

[@TheSmokinApe]

@@tvbox6955 they seem to work fine

[@jjmar56]

A few months ago I purchased a ZUMspot-RPi v0.4. I love it! I set it up for DStar and it works great. Just wish I could find my IC-92AD that I've misplaced since.. It is somewhere here in the house. At least I still have my 91AD. I haven’t set the ZUMspot up for DMR yet. I have a couple of DMR radios. The Alinco DJ-MD5 with GPS and a Connect Systems 800D Dual Band mobile and a CS VHF hand held. Getting back to the ZUMspot…today I purchased the Raspberry Pi OLED Kit. Can’t figure out how to install it with the current case for the ZUMspot. Guess I need the plastic case that appears a little taller and is not so square…rectangular that is. Any ideas? TIA & 73, Jim, W1KQ

[@TheSmokinApe]

You might need to get an after market case to fit the oled, check c4labs. How do like that Ainco? It looks like a nice radio.

[@jjmar56]

I really like the Alinco...finding a code plug here in New England is a bit difficult. A friend purchased an Alinco today and is going to convert a code plug from another radio. I tried and failed.

[@jjmar56]

Shouldn't I be able to get the latest case from HRO and use it?

[@TheSmokinApe]

You will get the hang of code plugs it just takes some practice, having a sample to work from really helps. I’m not familiar with the HRO case, give them a call and ask... they are friendly and helpful.

[@jjmar56]

LOL I know I used to work at HRO in Salem, NH. Thanks. I found that it might take some contact with C4Labs. They may have a case for a ZUMspot with add on Pi OLED Kit. I’ve learned that none of the cases HRO sells will fit the OLED add on kit.

[@TheRanger53]

I have followed the tutorial and tried to install the program into a RPI 3B+. It fails to load a large string of the script and I never get to the home page to put in the password or access a web browser. Any suggestions would be appreciated

[@StAnBu84-KM3AGN]

@TheRanger53 i am running into this as well. did you ever figure it out?

[@aa5az423]

Are there any "plug and play" type Nextion 2.5" or 3.5" with modems that are already soldered as yours was already setup? Where would I search that out?

[@TheSmokinApe]

Not that I am aware of, sorry man.

[@mikewolfen]

I would like to use the hotspot with Ethernet instead of WiFi in order to reduce packet loss due to overcrowded 2.4 GHz radio environment. Please could you tell me if Raspberry PI 3 B+ is compatible with MMDVM board and pi-star software? Actually I'm using a Raspberry PI Zero board. Thank you in advance.

[@TheSmokinApe]

Pretty sure you can use a B+, I used a B in this video.

[@RobertDodge]

The Raspberry Pi A+ has dual wifi 2.4/5Ghz

[@ralph9987]

Do you have a link to a video for the next step of setting up a radio to work with the newly setup hotspot please?

[@TheSmokinApe]

It depends on the type of radio, you would program it like a repeater

[@Ocrepair]

Can you put a specific link regarding the case that you used

[@TheSmokinApe]

www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B07BHMJ2XZ/ref=ppx_yo_mob_b_old_o0_img?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[@TheSmokinApe]

Keep in mind the spacing issue and the need to dremel the case

[@Ocrepair]

@@TheSmokinApe what part of the case did you need to Dremel out

[@davidgee2460]

What is the exact mmDVM board? Couldn't find it in your associates page

[@TheSmokinApe]

It's a Multi Mode Digital Voice Modem, it should be under "Ham Radio"

[@theinnerwaffle5887]

What's with the distorted background noise?

[@007richardc]

I Gave a pi 4 is there different setup form pi 3

[@TheSmokinApe]

I haven't built one on a 4 yet, thanks for the info!

[@scotthill6807]

Great video. Thank you.

[@radioxdeath]

I must have received a DOA MMDVM from China. It won't even show its own wifi "pi-star" before you configure it. It's been plugged in for a day now. I've tried power cycling it. I've reflashed with the latest .img from pi-star. No joy. Any suggestions?

[@TheSmokinApe]

That’s exactly how I would troubleshoot it, maybe get a replacement.

[@HotMannaMinute]

Wow that's awesome do you sell these all put together???

[@TheSmokinApe]

Sorry man, I don’t. 👍

[@R1D9M8B4]

Ummm... That Micro SD Card holder.... You got a link for that?

[@TheSmokinApe]

amz.run/3mau

[@R1D9M8B4]

@@TheSmokinApe thank you!

[@gilbertcarrascojr558]

Can I do the same with the rpi3b+

[@TheSmokinApe]

I would think so, the only issue may be the pins for power over Ethernet or PoE may need to be trimmed. I haven’t done a 3b+ build.

[@gilbertcarrascojr558]

@@TheSmokinApe also do you think I could connect with my Yaesu VX 5 handheld

[@TheSmokinApe]

If it’s has ysf compatibly

[@gilbertcarrascojr558]

@@TheSmokinApe it's funny how we get into projects out of nowhere and just run with it like i with me I don't have a digital radio but for some reason when I bought the radio it already had some mods on it. Hopefully I can learn from what the earlier owner had built, I would really like to walk through those steps instead of buying a new radio as money for me is an issue, when I should work with what equipment I have here at the house. Thanks man

[@davidbreed8642]

hi did the pi3 work out of the box (once you installed the sd card) or did you need to set it up with the hdmi with a keybourd and mouse first. all i seem to be getting is flashing red lights on both the pi and the mmdvm board

[@TheSmokinApe]

It worked out of the box, check to see if you have an AP you can connect to coming from the pi

[@mw7gwr580]

Which case is that?

[@TheSmokinApe]

It is a C4 Labs case, the have them on Amazon.

[@Kevin-77]

I’m still confused as to what this thing actually does but I already want to make one

[@TheSmokinApe]

Hey Kevin. It's for using digital voice modes on VHF and UHF ham frequencies.

[@Kevin-77]

@@TheSmokinApe Interesting, thanks! I’m very new to radios and such but your videos are super helpful and I can’t wait to build one of these!

[@michaelraney9812]

so dose this use a sim card?

[@TheSmokinApe]

Micro SD card

[@michaelraney9812]

@@TheSmokinApe so this isn't a mobile wifi hot spot?

[@TheSmokinApe]

No, you can connected it to one or to an Ethernet plug

[@michaelraney9812]

@@TheSmokinApe is there a way to make a pi a mobile hotspot using like 4 g lte ?

[@TheSmokinApe]

Not that I am aware of

[@lahbabikhalid4953]

Thanks a lot for this video. 2 questions: (i) did you try to connect the MMDVM to a Raspberry Pi4 ? (ii) i cant access anymore to my hotspot. it seems that the device didnt recognize my password anymore (I tried a lot including the "raspberry") So, how to bypass the password in that case? thanks and 734

[@TheSmokinApe]

You can run a mmdvm on a pi0, O wouldn’t waste a 4 on a hotspot, I’ve never tried it. Someone else just told me they had a problem logging in as well, I do not know how to bypass. Are you using a 4?

[@lahbabikhalid4953]

@@TheSmokinApe Thanks for your answer. For the moment, i'm Running (rather trying to run) the MMDVM on Pi0.

[@n1kkri]

could you give me a link to the specific radio board. Do they sell a case that does not require modifiy?

[@TheSmokinApe]

The eBay seller was “youdealshops”. It’s my understanding the c4labs now sells both the zumspot and jumbo spot versions of the case, I have the jumbo spot.

[@n1kkri]

I'm new to raspberry pi and the radio board. I don't want to order the wrong item.

[@TheSmokinApe]

Have you looked at any of the prebuilt spots? My first was a prebuilt.

[@n1kkri]

This looks pretty easy. I just haven't found a DIY video with correct links. I am comfortable with the Raspberry Pi 3 I found on Amazon. I just need a link to a known radio board for this project preferable from the U.S. I also have read some of the radio boards have poor quality oscillators. I am reading the better oscillator are the ECS one. Ken

[@TheSmokinApe]

The seller I got the board from doesn’t appear to have any listed, granted I am not an eBay expert. I got the jumbo spot mmdvm with sma adapter and oled display. Hope this helps...

[@RESlusher]

WooHoo!! Another reason to buy another RPi!! :) I've already got one as a movie server and another as a video game emulator. I did think of a question though. Instead of having it connected to the home WiFi would there be any advantage to patching it in directly to my router?

[@TheSmokinApe]

Can never have too many Pis! There is no reason you can’t use an Ethernet connection.

[@unclecow]

man interesting stuff

[@TheSmokinApe]

Thanks UC, I appreciate the comment!

[@CharlesMartel676]

HELLLLLP!!!! Imaged the card, fine. Powered up the Pi, fine. My computer refuses to see the Pi when I hook it up via LAN. What am I doing wrong!!! Running Windows 10 (yeah, yeah, I know).

[@TheSmokinApe]

Charles The Hammer Martel can you ping the IP address?

[@williamcrowell2920]

Followed your instructions to a tee...…..over & over again.....(definition of insanity ) I'm getting code. when it stopped and asked for log in and password I logged in and a red rectangle with PI-STAR inside along with more code. I cant seem to get back to the desktop to log into the pi-star interface. Can't move forward ;(

[@TheSmokinApe]

When are you getting that? The username is pi-star and the password is raspberry

[@williamcrowell2920]

@@TheSmokinApe when I turn on RP wish I could send photo

[@TheSmokinApe]

Are you using an hdmi? DM the pic to me on Instagram, TheSmokinApe

[@dvscotlandphoenixnetwork]

How to Configure your MMDVM Pi-Star HotSpot for DV Scotland DMR Network IPSC2-DVScotland. Configure your radio with HotSpot Frequency and Time Slot 2. List of DV Scotland DMR Network Talk Groups: www.dvscotland.net/talkgroups.xhtml How to configure static Talk Groups. DMR Configuration DMR Master: DMR+_IPSC2-DVScotland DMR+ Options: Options= TS2_1=23555;TS2_2=23556; kzbin.info/www/bejne/rnOvenZvqLKjbsU

[@jmr]

I hear ya when you say PI cases sometimes need a little creativity!

[@TheSmokinApe]

Yeah, they almost always need some work 👍

[@mclovin9151]

your mic is fine, but i think you would be better with a new one better one

[@TheSmokinApe]

Thanks for the feedback. Some of this video was shot over the course of a few months and with different camera and mics. I did end up getting a new one so hopefully future videos sounds better. I do appreciate the feedback.