Quote from ka1mxl on February 26, 2026, 1:49 pm

You hear about it but maybe you are hesitant to dive into Allstar. Well good news, here is a quick, easy, inexpensive way to give it a try. You will need a raspberry Pi and these

( https://www.xmpow.com/products/mpow-t071-talking-headset?srsltid=AfmBOoorubvG9iu_VoMrS5QUuva3frfxYqLxrSs6nZD9nPZATA_jeWFQ) or something similiar.

You will need an Allstar node number so if you do not already have one, surf on over to Allstarlink.org and signup for one, they are FREE! This should not take long to get assigned a number. Once you have your number write that down and the password assigned to it (Node Password).

 

1. Hardware you need

• Raspberry Pi 3 (with 5V power, microSD, network).

• Mpow 071 headset (USB sound card + attached headset) or similiar.

2. Install hamvoip on the Pi

1. Download the latest hamvoip RPi image from the hamvoip site.

2. Use Rufus, balenaEtcher, or dd to write the image to the microSD.

3. Put the card in the Pi, connect Ethernet (or configure Wi‑Fi later), then power it up.

4. From another machine, SSH into the Pi (hamvoip docs show the default user/host).

Run the initial hamvoip setup script and configure:

• Node number, password, callsign, location, etc.

• Networking (DHCP or static) and time zone.

3. Plug in the Mpow 071 and identify it

1. Plug the Mpow 071 into a USB port on the Pi. It enumerates as a USB audio device with its own sound card.​

2. On the Pi, run:

       aplay -l
arecord -l


Look for a device like “USB Audio Device” or similar and note its card number (e.g., card 1).

4. Set hamvoip to use the USB headset audio

In hamvoip, you’ll use the simpleusb (or usb‑audio) channel driver.

1. Run the hamvoip configuration menu:

bash

sudo hamvoip-config


2. Go to the SimpleUSB/USB audio section and:

• Select the USB audio card corresponding to the Mpow device (the card number you saw with aplay -l).

• Set RX device and TX device to that card.

• Set PTT to “VOX/Audio‑driven” for now if you’re just doing a headset node (no external PTT).

This will update simpleusb.conf for you.

5. Adjust audio levels

You want clean audio in both directions:

1. Run alsamixer:

bash

alsamixer


• Press F6 to select the Mpow USB device.

• Adjust Playback (speaker) level so received audio is comfortable in the headset.

• Adjust Capture (mic) level so your voice drives AllStar without clipping.

2. Use the hamvoip menu or edit simpleusb.conf to fine‑tune:

• rxboost (usually off for USB headsets).

• rxmixerset/txmixaset values for receive/transmit gain.

Key idea: key another node into yours, listen, then transmit from your headset and monitor how you sound on the far side.

6. Basic AllStar configuration

In /etc/asterisk:

• iax.conf – make sure your node’s AllStar registration is correctly configured (node number, password, server).

• rpt.conf – set your node stanza ([xxxxx]), ID strings, courtesy tones, etc.

• extensions.conf – hamvoip generally pre‑configures this; just confirm the node context is wired correctly.

Use hamvoip’s config menu as much as possible instead of hand‑editing until everything works.

7. Test the node

1. Restart Asterisk to apply changes:

bash

sudo service asterisk restart


2. On the Pi console:

bash

asterisk -rvvvvv
rpt stats <your_node_number>


Confirm node is registered and idle.

3. From your headset:

• Press PTT (if mapped) or use Vox if configured.

• Talk and confirm audio goes out on a test link to a known good AllStar test node (e.g., an echo test or a friend’s node).

• Listen to incoming audio from that node in the Mpow headset.

8. Hardening and polish

Once the basics work:

• Disable VOX and wire proper PTT logic if you turn this into an RF node.

• Lock down SSH, set strong passwords, and configure your router port‑forwarding for IAX if needed.

• Document your audio levels and config files so you can clone this setup to another Pi easily.

 

That should get you on the air in no time. I strongly suggest LISTENING first, get acclimated with Allstar link.

 

NEVER EVER Link multiple networks together, that is a sure fast way to get banned on that system.

 

Stuck? Questions?  drop a comment and one of the Admins will assist.