Node-Ventures

We’ve had a very fruitful discussion with the folks over at EchoLink, they have been helping us understand the requirements of the EchoLink servers and ancillary systems. The upshot is that we’ve identified a number of things in our default configuration that needed adjustment. By and large these are being taken care of in the templates.

However – we have been occasionally configuring ClearNodes with the “Non-Sysop” versions of your call sign. (The Sysop version has either a “-L” or “-R” on the end of the call sign, the Non-Sysop version does not.)

EchoLink have requested that we do not use the “Non-Sysop” version on ClearNode – this version should be reserved for devices that do not have a radio transceiver attached – e.g. mobile phones and other computers.

So going forward, we will be requiring users to validate and use the “Sysop” call signs on their ClearNodes – this will be implemented in the configuration validation routines in the ClearNode mobile apps starting with the next releases.

Not sure ? Need help with this ? Get in touch – generally the changes can be taken care of remotely.

73 … Gerry,

We’ve been alerted that the ClearNode Android App is not available in the Google Play Store for some Tablet models. This is generally because we use the “Flash LED” for the WiFiByLight process – if your tablet doesn’t have this LED Google deems your device “unsupported”.

We’re exploring work arounds but for now – before you buy a tablet make sure it has this Flash LED.

Edit: with release 1.21 the WiFiByLight feature is no longer flagged as required – if you can live without that feature – likely your tablet will be supported.

73 … Gerry.

We put out a point release for the Android ClearNode mobile app today. Big thank you to all you ClearNode Android users for providing feedback – keep it coming ! (And to you Apple iOS users, you will be getting a minor release as well – hopefully soon !)

73 … Gerry.

This brings the Android ClearNode Mobile App up to par with Apple iOS – particularly support for the Digital Modes … which I know many of you have been eagerly waiting.

We’ve been getting occassional reports of issues with the Gboard keyboard manager – so far we have not been able to reproduce on our test phones. This may be because we try to keep the “Miniumum API” support as low as possible for the widest compatibility.

With the next Android release we will moving the internal library support up to AndroidX.

73 … Gerry.

This fixes a handful of bugs in the new Digital Bridge support. Recommended for all users, particularly if you are using the DMR support.

73 … Gerry.

We completed the migration to a new Live AllStar Node data source and set the search to only return AllStar nodes that have been online within the past 2 hours.

Enjoy !

73 … Gerry.

As you’re probably aware the folks at http://allstarlink.org have been making some sweeping infrastructure changes to better support the future needs of the AllStar system.

One of those changes has affected collection of the source data for the “ADD CONNECTION” screen’s search function for AllStar. For now we’ve got a static copy of nodes as of today and that’s what the search will answer from.

We are working with the excellent folks over at AllStarLink to refocus that search to return updated info on nodes recently online.

Bear with us a little – we’ve got some work to do …

73 … Gerry.

This release brings MMDVM_Bridge and Analog_Bridge to ClearNode. Initially we are releasing support for DMR, with other modes coming soon.

See the “Digital Modes” page for information on configuring and operating on the DMR networks. You do not need a Digital Radio – use your standard analog FM HT to interact with your ClearNode which will transcode the audio to and from the Digital DMR networks.

Have fun !!

73 … Gerry.

This release brings the Android ClearNode implementation up to par with the Applie iOS version.

A new WiFi Management system, new Pi Operating System Setup screen, various bug fixes and performance enhancements.

73 … Gerry.

The main new feature in this release is much enhanced WiFi Network Management, allowing much more definitive control of which WiFi Network Name is enabled, at the same time storing all your alternates in your Mobile App for future use.

• Command your ClearNode to scan for visible WiFi Networks
• Select from available networks and enter the WiFi Password, then activate the network.
• Manually enter Name (SSID) and Password
• Store a list of networks in your ClearNode Mobile App
• Disable WiFi networking on ClearNode so you can use Ethernet without having both networks active at the same time.

A handful of bugs fixed, including one affecting searching for available Echolink stations.

73 … Gerry.