This Ham Radio Interface works on Everything! | AIOB - All in One Board

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Today we're taking the first look at the AIOB!
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73 DE W1BTR

[@w1btr]

Important Update! The AIOC's original data output is already adjusted to 3.3v, not 5V as I previously thought (and state in this video). THE AIOC IS 100% SAFE TO USE WITH YOUR RADIO. The confusion for this came from misunderstanding a blurb in a Github issue. The actual release of the AIOB will have the voltage divider removed, through holes added to every pad, and some other changes still in the works! This does mean that the test runs run at too low a voltage to program / control most radios. Unfortunately the serial data interface I tested the AIOB with is very sensitive and still picked up the voltage, so I missed the original issue. Luckily there is a super easy fix for those with the test units, which Ill be releasing a video on shortly!

[@kl1nk0r]

This is Simon, nice design! Thanks for attributing me on the silkscreen 😁 Regarding the 5V UART levels: the RX signal at the STM32 is on a 5V tolerant pin at the STM32 so in theory there is no additional circuitry necessary to protect the STM32 from over voltage. But it can't hurt either 😉

[@w1btr]

@kl1nk0r Thanks, Simon! That is correct, I left the chip's serial Rx Untouched (labeled RTX as it's what the radio transmits), and the voltage divider is applied only to the STM32's output into the radio, which runs at 5V by default. Many radios seem to be fine with 5V, especially for a quick program, but for something like CAT control, it can fry it and is very difficult to repair.

[@jbammi]

Great improvements Lucas, congratulations, on my wish list: Bluetooth, both sound and cat (cat over HID?), Stereo Sound to transfer I/Q signals from radio to computer (for SDRs and radios like KX3, TX500, many SDRs), 1:1 audio isolation transformers on sound channels to break ground loops, eliminate noise and/or transform impedance, isolation on PTT (reed switch or opti coupler), I realize the time and cost of doing all of these, just throwing out all the ideas in my head for you to choose from for what would fit in your product mix - perhaps different models. 73 de ws1m, bammi (new call sign)

[@KA4UPW]

Order placed. Put a small switch or at least jumpers to switch between vox and ptt.

[@w1btr]

@KA4UPW This would definitely be useful. I havent figured out a way to get that to work yet without working with Simon a lot to get the firmware to allow such a change, perhaps with another pin dedicated to this function to tell the STM chip what to do.

[@KA4UPW]

@@w1btr Thats what i was thinking. Just a control interrupt line to enable the vox routine

[@pen25]

Awesome. But I just soldered my plugs to some wires and soldered those wires on the board. Then I removed those and soldered female jacks to some wires and then those wires onto the board. And then bought 2 cables with the right jacks and bobs your auntie. And like someone else said. Through holes with strain relief or better yet. A 8 pin standard jst header. That way Amazon has a 10 pack for 10 bucks.

[@w1btr]

Jst headers arent possible with the fabrication process we currently use, but through holes will be added in the final version!

[@dadsrcworkbench1322]

The board looks great! I would love to design a case for it. I have an AIOC board I use with my UVk5 for APRS and FT8. I’m looking to have a mobile board for APRS for my base rig and FT8 for my mobile HF right. Great job.

[@kf5hcr176]

Very reasonably priced at $35. Better to by this than the time to DIY, which is great too.

[@orhuk]

it would be nice to have bigger mounting holes so I can mount this on a spacer, and then the spacer to a plastic board, that I can then attach to the clip mounting points.

[@jonmaronge4566]

got mine ordered!

[@w1btr]

Wohoo! Shipping in the next couple of days!

[@mikecone5355]

Ordering site not working. PayPal checkout not enabled just has a spinner.

[@w1btr]

Thanks for giving me a heads up! Looks like a Paypal Outage, not sure what's going on there. Ive temporarily enabled direct card processing (still through Paypal). Can you confirm if that works?

[@mikearmstrong9899]

Awaiting the next batch. ETA?

[@W4TRI]

Through holes please? The pads are not a favorite of mine.

[@w1btr]

I think it'd be possible to add small through-holes on the pads! Anything non-surface mount becomes very costly

[@VK4MPB]

Through hole would work way better than pads - or even better if the pins are broken out to a standard connector. Otherwise, good job!

[@w1btr]

Standard connector would be hard to do since it's not surfsce mount, would likely make it sognificantly more expensive. If there's enough interest, maybe!

[@smokintoaster]

Ordered mine, Have you shipped any yet? 73, NF4J

[@w1btr]

Cant wait to hear what you think! All of them are "shipped" as of today, but they're just flashed, packaged, and have a shipping label on them. I expect to get them to USPS in a few days (they're closed today and I have to get off work early to get to USPS before they close)

[@LB0FI]

Nice board! Am I correct to assume that this board is open source as well?

[@w1btr]

@LB0FI Thank you! Im keeping the code private at first to drive sellers to the shop. However, I will be open sourcing it after a bit of time, and I'll be keeping the price competitive.

[@LB0FI]

@@w1btr I sent you an email earlier today, I'd appreciate it if you got back to me on that one. Thanks!

[@Auxrad39]

you need to put an easier way to an easier way to bring the COB out for Allstarlink ?

[@w1btr]

I havent messed with allstarlink. Is this like a COR signal, where when receiving audio a 5v output drops to 0v, or something like that? If so, do you mean input from the radio? I know the AIOC already sends a virtual "COR / COS" signal when it is receiving audio from the radio, however this is virtual over the CM108 line, not a physical pin. What would a physical pin accomplish?

[@41SouthNZ]

Will this run the 1.3 firmware for Allstar compatibility? And unfortunately the international shipping price is very high off your website

[@w1btr]

Unfortunately the cost is high since I dont have any distribution points, typically around $20 for New Zeland

[@w1btr]

This will be compatible with all future AIOC firmware updates that also support the original AIOC.

[@rsedaker]

Just came across this. What are the uses for this board?

[@w1btr]

Lots of things with ham radios like APRS, FT8, repeaters, and more!

[@daveborchard2019]

What does an AIOC actually do and why do you need It? You're making the assumption that everyone knows the reason why an AIOC is needed and what it's function.

[@w1btr]

Thanks for the feedback, I tried to explain it a bit in the video but may have glossed over it too much. It acts as an interface between your radio and your pc or smartphone, allowing digital modes like aprs, ft8, js8call, psk, rtty, and much more! It could also be used to schedule transmissions or something like that.

[@ragheadand420roll]

The world needs good ditch diggers too

[@KS0JD]

Blu Tooth?

[@w1btr]

Implementing a bluetooth chip like an ESP32 is definitely onnthe wishlist. We'll see if chip availability goes up!

[@GH0ST369]

You did not recap what the board did...

[@w1btr]

Sorry, I tried to explain it well but might have glossed over it a bit. It works as an interface between your radio and your computer allowing you to send and receive audio from the radio through the computer. This is mostly used for digital modes, like APRS and Js8call, which are super fun to look into!

[@glenb1356]

I am not clear on what this board does. You need to spend a minute at the front of the video telling us who are ignorant of what kind of things this interface can help us with. I have designed hundreds of boards, but could not figure out how this thing would help me. 73 Glen K4KV

[@w1btr]

Hi Glen! A few other people had this issue as well. I recommend taking a look at my AIOC video introducing the concept. Basically, it acts as a soundcard interface as well as a serial and ptt interface. This lets you make a simple connector to interface with a standard HF, VHF, or UHF radio to work any digital mode you want, as well as allowing you to control your radio (if it supports it) and program it (again, if it supports it, which most do). Take for example APRS / AX.25. This digital mode usually requires a "TNC" a piece of hardware that encodes packets and sends them to the radio. Those are usually $100+. This little board lets you run a software TNC like direwolf (which actually performs better than a hardware TNC) and have the same functionality at a fraction of a cost.

[@ragheadand420roll]

I accidentally ordered the AOC board. All it did was give me bartending tips