The tiny Zero2W gains the ports a practical node needs from its 24-pin expansion HAT—then becomes a complete, hardened AllStarLink system that another operator can reproduce.
Small board. Practical connections.
Wired Ethernet and USB-A turn the compact Zero2W into a stable platform for ASL3, its UCI80 interface, and three web dashboards.
The hardware from four angles
These views show the stacked boards, the added wired connections, and the exact 24-pin expansion HAT used in the completed build.
The compact computer mounts directly over the 24-pin expansion board, keeping the complete assembly small.
Brass standoffs expose the layered construction and leave room for cabling, cooling, and service.
The expansion HAT supplies wired Ethernet and USB-A connections for a reliable node and its UCI interface.
A close view of the Orange Pi Zero 2W 24-pin expansion HAT used in this verified build.
Project overview
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.
The USB communications interface supports simultaneous transmit and receive operation, making this a true full-duplex AllStarLink node—not merely a conventional simplex hotspot.
Known limitations
Complete release
The website showcases the finished node and its unusual two-board hardware. The Build ZIP contains the guided installer, manuals, supporting files, and detailed instructions needed to reproduce it.
One download containing the complete operator package for building the verified ASL3 node with its USB-A and Ethernet expansion HAT.
DownloadUse at your own risk. No warranty. Review the included START-HERE material before installation, follow the power-selection warning, and keep backups of your own configuration.