Connecting your Allstar Nodes (Commonly Called RF link)

If you would like to be able to dial into your Allstar nodes AmateurWire offers you that feature. We used to do this as a trunk however we have moved this to another method. A big thanks to WH6AV of Hams Over IP for explaining this method to me and showing me how to make it work.

To accomplish this link you will need to configure your allstar node by editing two files. We will be editing iax.conf and extensions.conf found in /etc/asterisk on your node. You can do this either through winscp or through a terminal window in putty using the command nano /etc/asterisk/iax.conf and nano /etc/asterisk/extensions.conf

I recommend you use the option to put another iax.conf and extensions.conf in /etc/asterisk/custom

To do this you would type nano /etc/asterisk/custom/iax.conf and nano /etc/asterisk/custom/extensions.conf or with winscp you will need to create these files and edit them.

This will enable you to edit your custom configurations more easily and not jumble up your current iax.conf and extensions.conf and in the long run makes it easier to trouble shoot issues you may have with your custom configuration.

For the iax.conf you will need to add the following lines…. Keep in mind you must edit some things to be specific to your node.

[stanza]
username=<must-match-stanza> 
type=user
context=awirephone
host=208.180.48.42
auth=md5
secret=<choose a password> 
disallow=all
allow=ulaw
allow=g726aal2
allow=gsm
codecpriority=host
transfer=no 
requirecalltoken=no

You must match the Stanza name and user name fields to say the same thing.  For example

[amateurwire]
username=amateurwire 
type=user
context=awirephone
host=dynamic
auth=md5
secret=<choose a password> 
disallow=all
allow=ulaw
allow=g726aal2
allow=gsm
codecpriority=host
transfer=no 
requirecalltoken=no

Note that the text typed in bold letters are the same.  This is how you have to enter the information.  Please do not use amateurwire as your stanza and username.  Choose something that is going to be unique to you and your node.  

Next we will edit the extensions.conf file
This is the text you need to add to the file.  Again remember to edit the information to be specific for your node such as the node numbers.  

[awirephone]
exten => 50853,1,answer()
exten => 50853,n,Playback(rpt/node) 
exten => 50853,n,Playback(digits/5)
exten => 50853,n,Playback(digits/0)
exten => 50853,n,Playback(digits/8)
exten => 50853,n,Playback(digits/5)
exten => 50853,n,Playback(digits/3)
exten => 50853,n,Playback(rpt/connected)
exten => 50853,n,Set(CALLSIGN=AWIRE-${CALLERID(name)})
exten => 50853,n,rpt(50853|P|${CALLSIGN}) 
exten => 50853,n,rpt,50853|P

If your node number is an extended number because you have more than one node then add another line like exten => 50853,n,Playback(digits/3) and change the number to the last number of your node. Again make sure to configure this specific to your node.  The numbers 50853 should be changed to YOUR NODE NUMBER and at the end where it says digits/5 etc... those should each be changed to your node number as well.  This is the numbers your node will announce to the caller when they connect.

Now you need to make an IAX string to send in a support ticket or email in order to make this work.
An IAX string will look like this

IAX2/username:password@domain:port/node-number

For example IAX2/awire:mysecretpassword@nodehost.com:4569/50853

That is just an example....  It would be preferred if your node does not have a static IP that you use a service such as dyndns to update a hostname to your ip address as it changes.  Pick any service you like but not doing this can cause delays in services working if your ip address ever changes.

Once you have made that string you will submit it in a support ticket to request an RF link.  I have not done so as of the writing of this document but I will go and add a section to the support ticket system specific to requesting an RF link.  Once you submit your ticket and it has been processed you will receive a response giving you your extension number.  

Be sure that your node is configured to use *99 to transmit and # to end transmission.  Most nodes are set like this by default but you may have changed it.  It is good to keep some uniformity so that users know how to use the nodes they connect to.  It is also recommended by many that you use a second private node such as node 1999 which can be configured in your rpt.conf on the same pi or virtual machine you are running your node on.  This enables you to delink the nodes from each other in case you do not want traffic from the PBX to reach a repeater or other link you are connected to with ease.  This is ultimately your decision.

You can also submit your request for an RF link via email to ke8lcm@amateurwire.org  
Just send the email with the topic "RF Link Request" and send me your IAX string you have generated.  Once I receive the email and process your request I will email you back with your RF link extension number.  Right now I am configuring the extensions for RF links to be in the line of 90001, 90002, 90003 etc.....  Your nodes will appear in the AmateurWire phone book and can be easily found by choosing the category RF links.

If you have any questions about this or experience any issues please email me or submit a support ticket and as soon as I can I will attempt to assist you in getting your RF link set up.