If you are running ASL3 on your Pi 4B or Pi 5B based ClearNode – we are now generating an upgrade warning in the ClearNode Mobile Apps. Your asterisk version needs to change from “Asterisk 20.9.1+asl3-3.0.4-1.deb12” to “Asterisk 20.9.3+asl3-3.0.6-1.deb12”.

When warned, and convenient, accept the update. This update takes around 5-10 minutes to complete on a fast internet connection, before your node reboots. If you have a slow internet connection, it could take considerably longer. The reboot may also takes a long time. You can continue as normal once your node re-appears in the mobile app.

If the node hangs in the reboot for more than 10 minutes, with the top Green LED on solid where it normally continually flashes, you can power cycle the node.

73 … Gerry.

ASL3 is available immediately as an option on new purchases of our Pi 4B and 5B versions of the classic ClearNode. (HamVoIP is not available for the Pi 5B ClearNode since HamVoIP have not released an updated image that supports the device.)

For those of you who wish to upgrade your existing Pi 4B ClearNode devices, we now have an automated installation progam. Contact us at support@node-ventures.com to get details.

This is update is OPTIONAL. If you’re happy to continue with your HamVoIP installation as it is – that’s just fine.

This is not available yet for the Pi 3B+ or other legacy version of ClearNode.

73 … Gerry.

We made the decision to refactor the internals of the Voice Announcements feature. Previously the audio’s file name on the node was derived from the text of the announcement, that worked well enough but induced some usability issues coordinating the announcement with its corresponding Timed Event.

We are now naming the audio file using a random string that stays the same no matter how you change the text of the announcement. Announcements created under release 123 are not compatible with the new method and will need to be recreated.

You will need to manually delete and then re-create any Announcement Timed Events created under version 123.

There was also a bug in the iOS app for the iPad which would fail if you long pressed an announcement to manage it – that has now been fixed.

The Voice Announcements feature will not appear in the Apple iOS nor Android app V 1.55 until you upgrade the target ClearNode to API 124.

(Many thanks to those who sent in detailed reports on the software features – it really helps !)

73 … Gerry.

Node software API 123 and ClearNode mobile app version 1.54 brings a new feature to the ClearNode product line – Voice Announcements !

Some other fixes included:

• UI fixes for both iOS and Android
• Red LED flash for each volume change on ClearRLS
• Blocking concurrent Audio Analysis and Audio Streaming in ASL3
• Displaying WiFi frequency with the SSID
• Reorganized the networking parameters display on the Node Details screen.
  

73 … Gerry.

We have just added the latest version of the ClearNode featuring the Raspberry Pi 5B single board computer to the store. This node comes with AllStarLink V3 by default – HamVoIP have yet to release an image that supports the Pi 5B. The price reflects the higher cost of the new Raspberry Pi board, the need for a more powerful 27 Watt power supply and the new clear case.

73 … Gerry.

Background: Last month Google revamped the process for releasing Android apps to the Play Store, including a “crawler” that is intended to spot issues before the app is reviewed proper before release. It makes some assumptions about navigation that meant we had to re-organize the hierarchy of screens. The upshot was that some users were navigating “back” to the call sign registration screen and were re-registering repeatedly.

This most recent release mitigates that issue by blocking the hardware back button on the “Your Nodes” screen. You shouldn’t see the Registration screen unless this is a new installation or a re-installation of the app from the Play Store.

73 … Gerry.

We now have the 10 Pin Yaesu TNC Mini-DIN cable available in the store.

We combined ClearRPT and a Yaesu FTM-6000 Dual Band mobile radio with this cable to create a very effective high powered simplex node. (We are very pleased with the FTM-6000 !)

The Alinco DR-x35 and DR-x38 radios have become more or less unavailable and the various “clones” are very poor quality.

73 … Gerry.

Here’s what’s new:

• More support and bug fixes for ASL3
• Better reporting of update/upgrade failures
• Automatically clearing out failed update lock file (HamVoIP)
• Fixed UI for updating DNS servers
• Priority added to WiFi credentials (HamVoIP only)
  • 0 (zero) is the default
  • Higher numbers = higher priority (e.g. 10 > 5)
• Fixed broken SkyControl DTMF commands (*83[n]) were failing
• Improved UI presentation of long connection tags

73 … Gerry.

We are currently offering AllStarLink V3 (including the DVSwitch digital modes) as an option when purchasing the Raspberry Pi 4B based ClearNode.

We are aware of a handful of inconsistencies in it’s behavior versus our long running HamVoIP version, likely we’ll get on top of them in due course.

73 … Gerry.

Recommended for all users …

Here’s what’s new:

• More support and bug fixes for ASL3
• Added back “dot” to IP address announcement
• Fixed CPU temp sensing for Pi Zero hardware
• Added “maxstns” to EchoLink config
• Node Details > Connections now indicates Transceive or Monitor
• Voice telemetry and Alt voice telemetry are now mutually exclusive
• Sort your Notifications in the iOS app by time ASC or DESC

73 … Gerry.