YSFBMDirect

YSFBMDirect is a software that allows you to access Brandmeister as if it were a YSF reflector. It works by using the YSF Direct protocol that is being currently experimented.

The goal of this software is to build a YSF repeater that can connect to Brandmeister Talk Groups, without losing the possibility to connect to other YSF rooms.

By adding YSFBMDirect to your YSFHosts.txt file, you can connect to it through WIRES-X. Then, exit from the WIRES-X mode and simply change the TX DG-ID of your radio to change the DMR Talk Group.

When you make a short transmission just to change the Talk Group, it won't be sent to Brandmeister. YSFBMDirect will acknowledge change with a short transmission, showing the Talk Group number as the callsign.

Installation

Automatic installation on pi-star

Go to your pi-star dashboard, Configuration > Expert > SSH Access, then login with your credentials (user pi-star and password raspberry by default).

Paste the following command

rpi-rw && curl https://raw.githubusercontent.com/stefanolande/YSFBMDirect/master/install.sh | bash -

You can edit your configuration file during the installation wizard, or later with

rpi-rw && sudo nano /opt/YSFBMDirect/YSFBMDirect.conf

Here's a video showing the process.

Manual Installation (expert)

Clone the repository and create your configuration file. Set your callsign and password in the file.

git clone https://github.com/stefanolande/YSFBMDirect.git
cp YSFBMDirect/YSFBMDirect.conf.example YSFBMDirect/YSFBMDirect.conf
nano YSFBMDirect/YSFBMDirect.conf

Install the service

mv YSFBMDirect /opt/
cd /opt/YSFBMDirect/
cp ysfbmdirect.service /etc/systemd/system/
sudo systemctl daemon-reload
sudo systemctl enable ysfbmdirect.service
sudo systemctl start ysfbmdirect.service

Add YSFBMDirect as a YSF reflector

echo "01234;YSF-BM;YSF-BM;127.0.0.1;42002;001" >> /root/YSFHosts.txt
/usr/local/sbin/HostFilesUpdate.sh

01234 is the YSF Room code, YSF-BM is the room name and can be changed as you wish (use a free room number).

42002 is the port used to communicate with YSFBMDirect. You can change it in the configuration file (ysf_port).

Configuration of available Talk Groups

Each line of the section [DGID-TO-TG] of YSFBMDirect.conf is in the format DG-ID: TalkGroup. Example: 31: 2231 sets the DG-ID 31 to set the gateway to the Talk Group 2231.

You can add as many mapping as you wish with the 99 available DG-IDs (00-99). Pay attention that you cannot repeat DG-IDs and you cannot assign the same TG to multiple DG-IDs.

Additional configuration

Back to default Talk group

If you set back_to_default_time: n, after n minutes without an incoming transmission, the default Talk Group will be set.

Use back_to_default_time: 0 if you want to disable this feature, and the Talk group will remain the same unless changed by a user.

Show the currenct DG-ID with the callsign

If you set show_dgid_callsign: true, the callsign of an incoming transmission will include the current DG-ID, for example 91/N1ABC. It is useful to remember the Talk Group you are currently on.

Silence period before Talk Group change

If you set tg_change_silence_period: n with n greather than 0, a user can only change the Talk Group after n seconds of silence have passed since the last transmission. In this interval, any transmission will be sent to the current Talk Group, even if the DG-ID is different.

Acknowledgements

• Stefano IS0EIR: Author
• Bruno IS0GQX: Feature advisor and tester
• Luca IS0GVH: Code reviews

We also thank Antonio IU5JAE, whose open-source code was extermely useful for this project.