Hardware

ClearNode SA818 Transceiver

Your ClearNode transceiver was pre-configured with Tx and Rx frequency 433.500 and CTCSS 107.2 for the UHF version or 146.500 for the VHF transceiver. This frequency and code is configurable via the ClearNode mobile app.

If you receive interference on this frequency (Blue LED intermittently flashing) – you should reconfigure these settings to a frequency in the appropriate simplex band that is free of interference.

You should always use an Rx CTCSS code – this prevents your node propagating interference on to the AllStar, EchoLink or other networks.

Understanding the LED Indicators

On the top RedNode PCB

Green LED – Indicates the status of the integrated USB sound circuit. When it is flashing it indicates that the USB circuit has been recognized and initialized by the sound software driver. During boot, reboot and power down it will cycle through off, solid and flashing. During normal operation is should be continuously flashing.

Red LED

  • During power-up and software startup it should flash 6 times to indicate a successful connection to the Internet
  • When it is solid red it indicates that there is no active internet connection – in this condition it is waiting for you to plug in the Ethernet network cable and reboot, or configure a WiFi connection. Once the LED comes on solid red, it will wait for 2 minutes for you to take action, after that it will reboot and try again … and again, and again …
  • Continuous flashing on and off on a 2 second cycle – this indicates that the node has tried several times to get an internet connection and has been unsuccessful. It is now in a dormant state waiting for you to take action – if the node has an ethernet port, try plugging it into your WiFi/Router with an ethernet cable and cycling power. If available, you could plug in an HDMI monitor and a keyboard and log in interactively to the Raspberry Pi’s CLI.
  • Flashes 3 times, typically during configuration operations – this is the indication during normal control operations that a process has completed successfully. For example, at the end of a successful WiFiByLight session it will flash 3 time to indicate proper completion. If you initiate a reboot from the mobile app, it will flash 3 times and then reboot, etc …
  • Continuous fast flashing, typically after a reboot. (Since API 106) This indicates that the node has detected that an automatic software upgrade is needed and it’s in the process of updating. This flashing will also happen if you explicitly command a software upgrade. DO NOT INTERRUPT POWER during the upgrade – let it complete. Sometimes this process may take several minutes, depending on what new packages need to be installed. The length of the upgrade process is also dependent on your internet access speed, at lower speeds larger packages take longer to download. In general the node will reboot after the upgrade.

Yellow LED – When this LED is illuminated solid yellow (during normal operations after boot/startup is complete) – ClearNode is receiving traffic from the AllStar, EchoLink or Digital systems and is transmitting that traffic over the embedded radio. Listen for the traffic on your properly tuned HT.

Blue LED – When this LED is illuminated solid blue ClearNode is receiving traffic from the embedded radio. Pressing the PTT on your properly tuned HT will illuminate this LED. If you have connected your AllStar, EchoLink or Digital Mode to another node or hub – this traffic will be sent to that node or hub. In other words, when this LED is illuminated your voice is being sent from your HT to any connected system.

If you observe occasional short or longer blue flashes at times when you are not actively using the ClearNode, this is an indication that the embedded radio is receiving UHF interference from some source. This can happen for a lot of reasons, especially since Amateur Radio is a secondary user of the UHF frequencies – in certain geographic locations this interference might be being generated by Military and Defense installations. This is why it is critical that the radio is ALWAYS configured with a CTCSS sub-audio code – this will prevent the interference being propagated onto any connected system.

LEDs close to the SD Card on the Raspberry Pi board

Red LED – When ClearNode is powered it should be on continuously. If you see this LED flashing from time to time it is an indication that the Raspberry Pi board is experiencing and under-volt condition. This is abnormal and should be resolved. Using the plug-in power supply provided with your ClearNode, you should not see this condition, unless you have plugged in USB accessories that are drawing significant current from the power rail.

Green LED – This is the SD Card activity light – it is normal for it to flash at any time the ClearNode is powered (wait for this light to go out and stay out to indicate power down is complete, ready for power to be unplugged).