PI-REPEATER FAMILY OF CONTROLLERS

All of the PI-REPEATER-X family of controllers are designed around the Raspberry Pi computer system. The PI-REPEATER-X controllers utilize the 40 pin GPIO expansion header on the Raspberry Pi< Zero/2/3/4/5> as the interface to the computer.  This leaves the USB ports, HDMI interface, etc. all still available for your own expansion ideas.  Additionally, by using stackable headers, the header pins that are left over, and the expansion buses like I2C and SPI<1> are still available for your own custom expansion projects.

We offer a number of options around the interface boards along with the number of analog full duplex ports to fit your needs.  Currently we are offering 1/2/4 ports as active products and we have designs for an 8 port that are prototyped, but may or may not be commercialized depending on customer demand.

PI-REPEATER-2X, Dual Full Duplex Interface

The PI-REPEATER-X family accepts radio level signals for COS/CTCSS and provides a 2A rated MOSFET driven PTT signal so you can control either modern radios with digital logic level controls, or radios with relays that require more drive capability with ease.

In addition to interfacing with the radios, there is also a GPIO expander that provides an additional 8 digital logic pins. For analog sensors, there is also 8 channels of analog sensing, very useful for measuring things like temperature sensors, wind sensors, voltage sensors, whatever you need that provides an analog output can be fitted (custom code may be required to handle the data).

Since the PI-REPEATER-X family of controllers only uses the GPIO and standard logic buses (I2C, SPI, I2S), the hardware is compatible with any operating system you want to use, and any controller software that can interface with the logic buses and GPIO pins.

PI-REPEATER-1X, Single Full Duplex Interface

We have chosen SVXlink as our operating controller software, so we know the most about this platform, but certainly others will work with some configuration. For the audio, the Raspberry PI is known to have less than desirable audio, so included is an on-board stereo codec to keep the sound input and output sounding great.

GPS support has also been built into the PI-REPEATER-4X/8x designs so you can have a precise time source if needed in remote installations.

 

PI-Repeater-4x
PI-Repeater-4x

The PI-Repeater-4x is the best option for most installations, offering 4 full duplex capable analog ports in a controller.  This box is a ~1/3rd wide x 2 Rack Unit high enclosure.   With the 4 full ports, you have enough flexibility to support multiple repeaters, voters, linked ports, etc.  

Since the Raspberry PI doesn’t support more than 2 audio ports (Via I2S interface), we have searched high and wide and found a reliable digital sound card that gives us the ability to get the extra needed sound ports.  This is all enclosed in a protective case, and has been integrated directly into the adapter hardware to make it work seamlessly.  

While the audio is digital, and svxlink software is fairly light on the processor, we gave the unit the Raspberry Pi 4 (multiple memory options are available) just to get the extra processing power to ensure the unit will not encounter processor overload even when working full time on all 4 ports.

Due to the level of integrations with multiple  circuit boards, and some trade-offs incurred on mounting the option switches and audio adjustment potentiometers on the outside face of the unit, we will only be offering the PI-Repeater-4x as a completed unit, no DIY will be offered for this product

 

PI-Repeater-8x, 8 port full duplex controller

PLEASE NOTE, THE Pi-Repeater-8x is still an engineering prototype.  We are uncertain if it will be commercialized due to the limited commercial market and high manufacturing costs involved for low volume production quantities.  We recommend to consider the PI-Repeater-4x as your go to option at this time.

The PI-Repeater-8x is the biggest work-horse you could ask for in a controller.  This box is a full 1 Rack Unit enclosure, and features 8 ports of fully configurable radio interfaces that can be mixed and matched as you desire.  8 single repeaters, yep, 1 repeater with 8 voting receivers, yep, how about 4 cross-band repeaters, yep.  It can and will do whatever mix you need.

Since this is a work-horse machine, we gave it the Raspberry Pi 4 with 4GB of memory, a 32 GB SD card, GPS-build in, access to the USB ports (X3), access to the HDMI display port (x1), an 4 channel relay card, 8 channels of Analog input, 8 channels of GPIO, and a user programmable LCD for displaying repeater status.

On top of this comes the great SVXLINK software platform that also allows you to use SVXREFLECTOR for VOIP style linking your repeaters together, and updates are always free since this is an open source software package.  Due to the high feature set of this device, you will need to use the console for configuration initially, the Open Repeater software just isn’t ready to support this design.  This is a work in progress, and we expect the support to be built in eventually, but the entire OR platform needs retooled to bring in the flexibility of this design.

Designed for serviceability was a key consideration. The key circuitry including GPIO interfacing and audio conversion are field replaceable with inexpensive replacement boards so you can keep a set on the side for a quick swap should anything ever fail.

With the GPS built in, you can get yourself a stratum 1 time server to keep all your equipment time synchronized with GPS level accuracy; no more counting on variable network delays and good enough time sources.

INCLUDED with the PI-Repeater-8x, single port controller

  • QTY 1 – Controller system

REQUIRED ACCESSORIES:

  • QTY 8 – Cable to interface your radios (This is DIY)
  • 12V power source, we provide the connect, you provide the voltage
  • Ethernet Cable

OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES:

  • HDMI monitor
  • Keyboard
  • GPS antenna

INCLUDED with the PI-Repeater-1x, single port controller

REQUIRED ACCESSORIES:

  • QTY 1 –  Raspberry Pi Zero/2/3 computer
  • QTY 1 – 2.5+A MicroUSB power source
  • QTY 1 – Cable to interface your radios (This is DIY)

OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES:

INCLUDED with the PI-Repeater-2x, dual port controller

REQUIRED ACCESSORIES:

  • QTY 1 – Raspberry Pi 2/3 computer
  • QTY 1 –  Ethernet Cable (for setup)
  • QTY 1 – 2.5+A MicroUSB power source
  • QTY 2 – Cables to interface your radios (these are DIY)

OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES:

OPTIONAL CONFIGURATIONS

Raspberry Pi Software

We encourage users of the PI-REPEATER Family to visit our friends over at OpenRepeater.com, who build a Raspberry Pi image preconfigured with a web interface that goes over SVXlink, that has built in support for our controllers with a quick setup option in the settings wizard.

https://openrepeater.com/

Direct Radio Integrations

We have developed a few boards, and work will work on more as the requests and development time allows, that allow you to directly mate the PI-REPEATER directly to your radio without cables.  These are very compact solutions that are designed to mate directly to you radio where possible, utilizing the existing infrastructure for power, audio access, and etc where available.

Daniels/Codan MT3 Chassis

Currently there are 2 versions of the PI-REPEATER that will mate directly to your Daniels MT3 chassis.  We have the PI-REPEATER-1X-MT3 and the PI-REPEATER-2X-MT3, which offer single port integration and dual port integration respectively.  To learn more about these, hop over to the Daniels page, https://ics-ctrl.com/daniels-codan/.

Pi-Repeater-2x-MT3 installed
PI-Repeater-1x-MT3

MTR2000

We are currently prototyping a design that mates to the MTR2000 natively.  This design is still in early prototyping, and will be available as soon as we can work out the details to get it all up and running and secure sourcing for the Raspberry Pi Zero computer boards. To learn more about these, hop over to the MTR2000 page, https://ics-ctrl.com/mtr2000/

We offer a number of useful accessories and replacement parts for the PI-REPEATER family of products, visit the PI-REPEATER ACCESSORIES page to pick up things like USB POWER Adapters, replacement cables, predesigned cables, made to order cables, and etc. based on availability.  If you have a specific need and don’t see what you need listed, contact us and we will be happy to help get you what you need.