Building an AllStarLink Node

In this post I will briefly describe my build of an AllStarLink node. For this, I used the following parts:

• Baofeng 888s
• CM108 USB soundcard
• Raspberry Pi 4 + case
• two buck converters, configured 5V and 3,7V output voltage
• metal enclosure
• power poles + mounting plates
• ethernet jack
• Waveshare LCD1602 RGB Module

I will not go into great detail here since all modifications are described in other places. Please consult the following links:

• Idiot’s guide to building an Allstar Node on YouTube
• https://allstarsetup.com/how-to-modify-a-cm108-for-allstar/
• https://allstarsetup.com/modify-the-baofeng-888s-for-allstar/

The beginning:

Please ignore the two audio transformers. I planned to install them but went with a transformerless build in the end.

Here is the modified sound fob as described in the above link:

A first test with the RPi and the buck converters built in:

Detailed view of the back plate (antenna connector was still missing at this point in time):

The finished build: