The project inventory
Proven systems, reusable installation methods, Windows software, and experiments whose limitations are worth preserving.
Click for the easy download guideFor W3ICQ nodes, we only use AllScan.info radioless interfaces (UCI series) or HotSpotRadios.com radio interfaces. Our installer scripts generate settings only for the interface used in each documented build; adapting those settings for a different interface is the builder's responsibility. We recommend using one of these proven interfaces when reproducing our builds. This is not a paid endorsement—we tested many devices and chose the interfaces we trust and use ourselves.
A ready-to-write Debian 13 appliance image that turns the inexpensive KickPi K2B V2 into a radioless ASL3 node with three dashboards, optional spoken weather alerts, and optional DMR through DVSwitch Mobile.
A completed Orange Pi Zero2W node built around its USB-A and Ethernet expansion HAT, with ASL3, three working dashboards, a UCI80 interface, and a resumable guided installer.
A certified-complete Radxa Cubie A7S build with Debian 13, ASL3, AllScan, Allmon3, Supermon 8+, and a guided installer—all verified from microSD storage.
A clean, tested path from a blank microSD card to a working AllStarLink node using 64-bit Armbian Debian 12, SimpleUSB, and an AllScan UCI80.
What began as a proof of concept is now a complete radioless AllStarLink appliance: visual status and timers, three practical ways to connect, spoken confirmation, automatic recovery, and a repeatable guided installation.
Add an immediate red, yellow, and green view of node activity with separate installers for Orange Pi Zero3, Raspberry Pi ASL3, and Raspberry Pi HamVOIP systems.
An inexpensive, feature-rich printer-controller board repurposed as a proven AllStarLink node using the CB1 module, an AllScan UCI80 interface, and a checkpointed guided installer.
A tiny nano-router repurposed as a complete ASL3 appliance with Allmon3, AllScan, and Supermon 8+. Write the image, answer nine setup questions, and the node is ready.
A completed Banana Pi M4 Berry node with ASL3, AllScan, Allmon3, Supermon 8+, a UCI80 radio interface, persistent networking, and a guided installer another operator can follow.
Two companion Windows applications that capture likely callsigns, present operator information, and maintain a searchable local QSO history—with less typing during the conversation.
One completed SBC build seems to reveal several more worth trying. Here is the growing collection waiting for its turn on the W3ICQ workbench.