Full hotspot automation

[KR4ZZY]

I like my stuff to work without a lot of steps to get everything up and running. Here is my solution to getting my hot-spot to work when I start my truck without any human input.

I started with a Raspberry Pi4 that I got from Pepe W4TAB. Once I got it working, I hard wired it into a switched fuse in the interior fuse box. It starts and runs when the vehicle is running only. When I shut it off, the pi4 shuts off on it's own and doesn't drain my battery. Next problem was remembering to turn my hot spot on my phone on every time I got in the truck. I found a GL.iNet Puli 4G LTE wireless router. I put in a data only SIM card from my carrier at no cost that uses data from my cell phone plan. (Unlimited Data) The Puli has a built in battery that charges when the vehicle is running and continues to power the device after the vehicle is off. The battery so far has carried it through the night so there is minimal delay waiting for the system to start up. Just have to wait on the pi4 which only takes a minute or so. Usually connects a couple of driveways down from my house. Here are a couple of pictures.

73s de KR4ZZY

 

[W4LOU]

Great stuff! I love the custom approach.

Although there is one caveat.

When you hard stop a Pi, there is the potential to damage the operating system, particularly if there is a read or write operation going on when power is lost. Did you account for that?

Pi os should be shut down gently and then power removed. You can add a gpio button to send the -shutdown command but you have to remember to push it before turning it off.

If you add a battery backup, i believe you can issue a shutdown and soft stop. You'll have to listen for voltage drop on the primary rail to use as detection. Its a solved problem however. Ill see if I can find a link for you.

 

[W4LOU]

Poor Man's Pi Safe Backup Supply (UPS) - Raspberry Pi Forums

forums.raspberrypi.com

 

[W4TAB]

Configuration on WPSD :

1. Access Expert Settings: Log in to your WPSD dashboard via a web browser and go to the "Admin" menu.
   
   
2. Enable Remote: Select the "Advanced" option, then find and click on "Full Editors" and the option "RF Remote Commands".
   
3. Enable the Feature: Change the value of the "Enable" option from "false" to "true".
   
   
4. Add Your Call Sign: Enter your ham radio call sign in the "Keeper" or "Call Sign" field to authorize the command.
   
   
5. Uncomment the Command: Scroll to the D-Star section and remove the hash symbol (#) from the beginning of the "shutdown=SHUTDOWN" line.
6. Apply Changes: Click the "Apply" or "Apply Changes" button at the bottom of the page to save the settings.
   

Sending the Shutdown Command from Your Radio:

1. Enter DR Mode: On your D-Star radio, enter DR mode.
   
   
2. Select Remote: Set your radio's "To" Scroll down to "DIRECT INPUT (UR) and enter "SHUTDOWN".
   
   
3. Key the Mic: Press your push-to-talk (PTT) button to send the command.
   
   
4. Confirmation: The WPSD system will receive the command, shut down, and the dashboard will become unreachable, confirming the shutdown.

If you are using DMR make sure you send the code in the document under the DMR heading as a PRIVATE CALL, not a Talk Group

This is what it looks like in action:
https://youtube.com/shorts/adQBrkj8pSU?si=vzd8Skv-Y0olHkjv

 

[W4TAB]

@KR4ZZY You are going to like my current project... I am in the concept stage here is what I am working on:

- MMDVM hat with ceramic antennas so nothing is sticking out of the case (RF range will be compromised but very usable inside your car.
- Built in battery to run the hotspot (5,000 mAh battery).

 

[W4TAB]

Here is the first prototype: duplex hotspot with ceramic antennas. It still reaches around the house. It has a 5,000mah battery underneath (PiSugar 3) so it can go cordless and wireless.

 

[KR4ZZY]

Hmm. Very interesting. We might have to get together for lunch one day and discuss.

 

[W4TAB]

Hmm. Very interesting. We might have to get together for lunch one day and discuss.

Built-in power supply comes with it's own server/interface and programmable buttons.