Installing and setting up Pi-Star on a Raspberry Pi

Here’s a step-by-step guide on installing and setting up Pi-Star on a Raspberry Pi for digital voice modes like DMR, D-Star, and YSF.

1. What is Pi-Star?

Pi-Star is a software package designed for digital voice mode hotspots and repeaters, supporting DMR, D-Star, YSF, P25, NXDN, and M17. It runs on a Raspberry Pi and supports MMDVM-based hardware.

2. What You’ll Need

• Raspberry Pi (Pi 3B, 3B+, 4, or Zero 2W recommended)
• MMDVM Hotspot Board (JumboSpot, ZumSpot, etc.)
• MicroSD Card (8GB or larger)
• Power Supply for Raspberry Pi
• Computer with SD Card Reader
• Internet Connection (Wi-Fi or Ethernet)

3. Download and Install Pi-Star

Step 1: Download Pi-Star Image

1. Go to the official Pi-Star website:
   https://www.pistar.uk/downloads/
2. Download the latest Pi-Star image (.zip file).
   • Raspberry Pi 3 & 4: Pi-Star_RPi_Vx.xx.zip
   • Raspberry Pi Zero W: Pi-Star_NanoPi_Vx.xx.zip

Step 2: Flash Pi-Star to the MicroSD Card

1. Insert your MicroSD card into your computer.
2. Use Raspberry Pi Imager (or Balena Etcher) to write the Pi-Star image:
   • Open Raspberry Pi Imager
   • Click Choose OS → Use Custom → Select the downloaded Pi-Star .zip file
   • Click Choose Storage → Select your MicroSD card
   • Click Write and wait for completion

Step 3: Enable Wi-Fi (Headless Setup)

1. Once flashing is complete, remove and reinsert the SD card into your computer.
2. Open the boot partition of the SD card.
3. Create a file called wpa_supplicant.conf and add the following: country=GB ctrl_interface=DIR=/var/run/wpa_supplicant GROUP=netdev update_config=1 network={ ssid="YourWiFiSSID" psk="YourWiFiPassword" scan_ssid=1 }
4. Save the file and eject the SD card.

4. First Boot and Web Interface Access

1. Insert the MicroSD card into the Raspberry Pi and power it on.
2. Wait 2-3 minutes for it to boot and connect to Wi-Fi.
3. Open a web browser and go to http://pi-star/ or use the IP address (check your router).
4. Log in with:
   • Username: pi-star
   • Password: raspberry

5. Basic Pi-Star Configuration

Step 1: Run the Setup Wizard

1. Click “Configuration” at the top.
2. Set your callsign, DMR ID (if using DMR), location, and frequency.
3. Select the mode(s) you want to use (DMR, D-Star, YSF, etc.) and click Apply Changes.

Step 2: Configure MMDVMHost

1. Choose the correct Radio/Modem Type for your hotspot (e.g., “ZumSpot – USB Stick”).
2. Set the correct frequency (check your hotspot documentation).

Step 3: Configure Network Settings

• Set a static IP if needed.
• Configure Wi-Fi or Ethernet.

6. Configuring DMR on Pi-Star

Step 1: Enter Your DMR Details

1. Go to the DMR Configuration section.
2. Enter:
   • DMR ID (Get one at https://www.radioid.net/)
   • Radio Frequency (Match your hotspot)
   • DMR Master (Choose a BrandMeister or TGIF server near you)

Step 2: Select the DMR Network

• BrandMeister: Best for most users (requires self-care account).
• TGIF Network: Alternative DMR network.

7. Testing Your Hotspot

1. Use a digital radio (DMR, D-Star, YSF) tuned to your hotspot frequency.
2. Try talking on a test talkgroup or reflector.
3. Check the Pi-Star Dashboard to confirm it’s working.

8. Final Tweaks and Backup

• Update Pi-Star: Click “Update” in the web UI.
• Backup Configuration: Use the “Backup/Restore” tab.
• Remote Access: Set up SSH or VPN if needed.

That’s it! You now have Pi-Star running on your hotspot.

Need help? Let me know!