Here is another update on the DMR Bridge "building" in the Garden Route Area and other regions of South Africa:
- Improper shutdown of the DMR Bridge killed the ZS1I DMR Bridge
- I found an easier way to install firmware for a DMR - AllStar Bridge
- Testing the new installation of the DMR Bridge on TG91
- How to make a backup copy on an SD Card of the DMR Bridge Firmware
- Weekly ZA DMR Net now relayed on the GRHub Network
- Future plans for the ZS1I DMR Bridge Network
- Thanks and Appreciation
Improper shutdown of the DMR Bridge killed the ZS1I DMR Bridge
Those of you who play around with Raspberry Pi's will know that they do not like to be shut down by just switching of the power or by "hot-plug and unplugging". I have been playing around with Pi's since their release several years ago and never experience issues as described above. However it is my fault as several evenings I did not follow the shutdown procedure as I normally do and on Wednesday morning the DMR Bridge refuses to work as it should. I tried to fix several issues but in the end decided to re-install the firmware on a new SD Card. I search for an "easier" way to install DVSwitch and AllStar to revive the ZS1I DMR Bridge. More on this in the next topic.
I found an easier way to install a DMR - AllStar Bridge
In my opinion I found a far easier way to install firmware for a DMR - AllStar Bridge. There are several options available on how to install firmware for a DMR Bridge. I decided to look around and found a pre-installed DVSwitch Server and a AllStar node image in the DVSwitch Group Pages thanks to Steve N4IRS. This is a great image and saves a lot of time by using it to get the bridge up and running. Just download the image, read the DVSwitch-Server-AllStar-lite, readme file, burn it to an SD Card and away you go. I would advise that you also read my ZS1I DMR Bridge Updates 1-5 on this Blog for further information.
The image can be downloaded by clicking HERE.
Testing the new installation of the DMR Bridge on TG91
I am very satisfied with the workings of the "new" ZS1I Allstar to DMR Bridge Network. Thus far I only received excellent reports. Analog- and Digital Radios works great via the ZS1I DMR Bridge Network and ZS1I Hotspot. The ZS1I DMR Bridge is currently under test using TG91. No errors/warnings/advisories were received to date an I can confirm that this installation runs far better than the previous version. Audio quality is great on analog and digital radios.
How to make a backup copy on an SD Card of the DMR Bridge Firmware
Backup, backup and backup!! I hear this all a time but this is not really a priority. After the crashing of the ZS1I DMR Bridge I now know better. Backing up the complete SD Card will save you valuable time and possible head-aches. Never ever except that SD Cards cannot fail or go corrupt. There are several ways to backup your SD Cards and Google is your friend. However I recommend that you use the Raspberry Pi SD Card Copier application already installed on Jessie and Buster firmware. Go to main menu ->Accessories -> SD card copier and make a clone of your working SD Card. Check that the copied firmware works as it should. I made a copy of the SD Card and tested it. Both cards are working and all I need to do if one goes corrupt is insert the other backup card and away you go.
Weekly ZA DMR Net now relayed on the GRHub Network
I have tested the ZS1I DMR Bridge this past Tuesday evening linking the GRHub Network to the South Africa DMR TG 655 for the weekly ZA DMR Net. Linking the GRHub Network to DMR TG655 resulted in the Net being broadcast on DMR, Allstar, Echolink and on 145.550 Mhz Analog Simplex. Although the Internet was not great as a result of two overseas cables damaged the linking worked flawlessly and traffic was relayed to and from all the systems. This shows that the DMR Bridge has found a rightful place in linking and bridging analog and digital radios/systems to enhance amateur radio communications further.
Future plans for the ZS1I DMR Bridge Network
The ZS1I DMR Bridge has found a rightful place on the GRHub Network. I will from time to time link the DMR Bridge to the GRHub Network. Radio amateur are welcome to use the GRHub Network to work stations on DMR and visa versa. More information on how to use the network and when the systems will be connected can be find on the GRHub News Bulletins, Nets, Link Connections etc. page available HERE. Please note that I will personally monitor the GRHub Network once linking has been established as to observe that the system functions optimally.
Thanks and Appreciation
I would like to thank each and every person who contributed to this "project".
Many thanks to all the local radio amateurs who use the ZS1I DMR Bridge- and GRHub Network. Your support and comments are highly appreciated. Without leaving anybody out in the cold I would like to thank the following radio amateurs who is always available to assist:
- Steve N4IRS
- Russel KV4S
- DVSwitch Community
- AllStar Link Community
- Hamvoip Community
- All other roll players not mentioned here that played a roll to develop and establish all the different Networks/Servers etc.
A big thank you to all those who assisted in this regard!!
