Little update on ROIP
work progression on new Radio Interface Card coming on well as we update improved features to schematics.
tests done on CB work,but showed up vunarbilities or roip in demo testing system
one being loss on internet connection-abackup extra router maybe required to improved realiability
and brown out or loss of Ac power onsite-EXtra backup AC\DC sources need to added into gateway system
Use of CTCSS is vital when "meshworklinking" base gateways on a cb or pmr UHF system
Abackup system should ALL fail to connect,this has been addressed and being worked on toensure,the gateway part still can function on a local traffic basis(non roip mode)
Voice encryption is another feature for "secure private systems"ie paying groups to sub costs of system or for some users requiring a little privacy than open system network
these are being addressed one by one
biggest crux is lack of support from CB manufacteurs to push ROIP projects-like a dedicated base CB base module unit built specifc with hardware interfacing in mind,higher duty cycles,CTCSS etc
Getting a suiatable robust CB mobile unit that meets my specifications in roipgateway use and interfacing
Yes I could hack old cb to do the job,but i require new uptodate cb radios with interfacing,CTCSS simplex and CTCSS semi duplex operation (most cb will one dosingle TX\RX tone not split tones)
and yes type approved with having to hack them isthe real problem herefor 27mhz,im currentlylooking at possible solutions.
Meshed base gateway testing proved it can work very well both 27mhz for long range Line of sight and UHF usedfor short local comms
Cost is also another issue
running it and system redundancy and reliability are key to getting 100% rugged realibability 24/7 yearly usage ,anyone can build a roip gateway,BUT get realiability and robustness is another thing and that can cost is something we found on demo tests.
Each base gateway must have a certain level of redundancy built into unit,NOT just he radio,ariel systems,power systems,routers inc back up routers,low cosumption PC ,sim cards,etc etc, thats all got to be paid for by some one to get a good success rate.
Technically there is NO real issue of getting ROIP that cannot be fixed and it works,my concern is for CBbeing a open system
abuse of the system (from test demo conducted)were a problem sometimes,most CB users respected the gateway roip demo,but as usual some wanted to abuse it,why i feel amore locked down system maybe better approach with a paying group to help towards maitaining the system and gateways to ensure a good standard of site installations and equipment installed meets good engineering practise levels,instead of lashed up roip systems of varing standards levels.
Then only keen users who really want roip with maintain better radio prodcedure and not abuse it,compare if its free for all roip system
we have found other methods of controlling abuser on ROIP system
lack of CTCSS control access was another issue on 27mhz which can be addressed for gateway mode,but some radios do not support split CTCSS tones for the Gateway "Fallback Mode" unfortually which from testing I feel vital to have .
neor two cb mfrs I have approached (NOT Giving names outs)have got it and understand it and will hopefully suport it in next gen CB radios 2020+
WE looked at dtmf ID accessing ,1750hztone burst etc etc but after trail testing ,CTCSS made best sense on FM and hands down best method.
Optimised ariel installations are also key in tests conducted on 27mhz for "Line of sight" gateway testing.
Being that most sights for base roip gateways will be in most cases not ideal places like Urban,Low sea level,surrounded by hills and most gateway roip users could not affored a hilltop site location fees,ariel type,height and feeder quality systems become more relevent,as ROIP gateways are specifically NOT designed for DXing!
DX ARIELS and low level mounted ariels are NOT the way to get best results,as this really is line of sight
So you must design your roip system based on optimising LOS working and terrain surroundings we have that data now
to get best performance ( in tests a 1/4GP and 1/2 GPwave peformed best when mounted 50ft asl from ground in enclosed urban\hills (use high angle radiation pattern)surrounding and a 5/8 GP when located at very high ASL having a lower angle radiation pattern),this is also where mesh linking the base gateways come together as each site will generally not be in ideal conditions.
And as stated a hilltop site logistics\cost very high on a private site,I think this is one of the main issues logistics
most wont or could not afford the high fees of maitaining this type of system in most cases.
Unless deep pockets or leave on a large hill!
most dont,so tookthe view worst case locations and get around it be linking bases together to get a meshed system to get te coverage area needed.
typical foot print of around 20-30+ miles on average depending on surroundings or more was the average based on min usable signal strengths of S4,pointless just staic background noise coming through on FM transmissions.
Some sites in tests provided much longer ranges 50miles+
this why "mesh linking" the base roip gateways proved a better way to fill the empty gaps your local gateway cannot cover
Tests have been conducted and it works very well and not to hard to do once you know the basics.
Like most of the projects takes time and money to do them right
If I can get more funding options I can speedup the process quicker,we only a little R&D team at the moment but are making progression and ironing out a lot of system bugs\hardware issues
A univeral radio interface card I am also working one to help ease connection of radios for base gateway uses.
Im unsure at this point if this willbe released or part of a package setup as a whole yet,too early to say and also depends on responses from cb radio mfrs too in support CTCSS and CTCSS semi duplex and addingthe additional function pins to access radios busy and fixed Audio levels and GPIO TTL channel change control of memory channels (with alpha text)stored in radio for Fallback mode option
I have retro fitted UK cb radios as a test units to see if can be done and yes it can as a very basic roip gateway,BUT its not for non electronic people to attempt or just a plug and play thing,its pretty specifc,plus test gear required and right tools.
The current hobby gateways Ive seen so far I feel are not upto good standards for robustness,realiability,system redundancy for a 24/7 service as a whole ,not all but most are best lash ups or homebrew,Not knocking it but commercially we need to step up the standard levels to make the service reliable and practical.
The other issue of CB ROIP meshed gateways systems is demand by CB\PMR users?
the demo tests over christmas did show a promising demands\responses ,but how much would you pay or donate to a CB roip system to keep it running 24/7 yearly ?
OR would CB users prefer to buy a complete roip base system and installation done?
oH we also tests phones,ipads and kindle fire tablets linked into the roip system and they worked a treat with radios!
That i thought was partly the missing link (very cool),including the base linking from city to city area.
CTCSS also help in prevent the dreaded QRM issues when driving around Noisey RFI shops,helping keeping that squelch muted!
Another advantage using a ROIP CB gateway shows modern CB handhelds became a lot more practical as well in tests conducted.
unfort at the moment CTCSS is not used until new units like the GPE Randy III become available to do further CTCSS CBHT trails.
Unsure how CB users would respond to getting CTCSS activated CB radios either ,took a while for PMR446 users to catch onto benifits of CTCSS use.
Something maybe TM1 users like to discuss a standard CTCSS CB Tone codes like PMR446
ie CB UK CH19-19 or ch9-9 tones
gateways tones
Voice security on "closed system roip cb"??
Open ROIP systems Good Idea or Bad idea (i have my own personal views on this)for CB user?
DIY or packaged ROIP systems?
Tech Support?
System costs of a base gateway system including all the trimmings and ariel systems?
I would be interested in any sensible responses from TM users interested in CB\PMR446 gateways and meshed gateway systems and User features for the mobile and handportable kit for ROIP use
to help get some feedback.
Icannot release videos or detailed techincal info on public release for certain reasons,so please dont ask,some within my contact circles have seen parts,concepts and demo vids done and are in the know,currently this is all R&D at the moment,I can answer certain generally techinical questions if CB ROIP is your thing or way see Personal radio move in this direction and adds another additional tool in the box for Users.
ROIP systems wont replace ssb,dxing,direct simplex normal cb (non ctcss),so lets not go there,the idea is to give Users additional functionality on top of what you have way already,a wayto link IT kit like phones,tablets,pc into radio adding flexability,plus a way to extend the range coverage reliable day to day communications uses by interlinking base gateways like a web radio network
is the way I see CB ROIP used for personal communications assuming there is enough demand,it may change the way cb is used as well openning up other possibilties you could not do before?
work is still ongoing but moving forward and will post from time to time progression,currently for a cb mobile ROIP unit Ive hit a issue im working on for a base unit but until it can meet my specifics delays are a problem,but other solutions to test system are being used ,modified to help keep things moving forward in testings system side of things.
keep you posted
Kind regards
Rob