DSTAR Connection Issues

All IP networking related issues
wx9kvh
Posts: 33
Joined: Mon Oct 15, 2018 5:57 pm

DSTAR Connection Issues

Post by wx9kvh »

Hello all, hope you are well.

I have a odd issue here. I have a 2nd hotspot, which happens to be a simplex version. I also have a duplex version that's been turned into a simpex one.

My duplex spot(module b) works as it should when it comes to connecting to reflectors on BOTH my home, and cellular networks.

My issue is with the simplex spot(module m). Connects ZERO issues on my cellular network, but when I try to get it on my home network, its a no go.

I've done a complete re-flash of pi-star, everything is up to date(firmware v1.5.2, dashboard 20220115 and pi-star 4.1.6).

Keep in mind that I cannot get my simplex spot to connect to ANYTHING while its on my home network, but can connect to everything on my cellular network.

I've not connected them to the same reflector at the same time for obvious banning possibility.

I've also tried to leave the duplex spot off while the simplex is connected to the home network but alas, the issue is still present.

Here is a copy of what my simplex spot is saying in the log when trying to connect :

Code: Select all

M: 2022-01-30 21:17:47: Starting ircDDB Gateway daemon - 20210607_PS4
M: 2022-01-30 21:17:47: Opened connection to the APRS Gateway
M: 2022-01-30 21:17:47: Connected 'MSG' to WX9KVH   using file - /root/message.dvtool
M: 2022-01-30 21:17:47: Connected 'WX' to WX9KVH   using file - /root/weather.dvtool
M: 2022-01-30 21:17:47: Version text set to "ircDDB GW - 20210607"
M: 2022-01-30 21:17:47: Adding WX9KVH M to the cache as a local repeater
M: 2022-01-30 21:17:47: File /root/CCS_Hosts.txt not readable
M: 2022-01-30 21:17:47: Reading /usr/local/etc/ircddbgateway/CCS_Hosts.txt
M: 2022-01-30 21:17:47: Truncating /var/log/pi-star/Links.log
M: 2022-01-30 21:17:47: Truncating /var/log/pi-star/STARnet.log
M: 2022-01-30 21:17:47: Allocated UDP ports 30001-30007 to DExtra
M: 2022-01-30 21:17:47: Allocated UDP ports 20001-20007 to D-Plus
M: 2022-01-30 21:17:47: Allocated UDP ports 30051-30057 to DCS
M: 2022-01-30 21:17:47: Starting the ircDDB Gateway thread
M: 2022-01-30 21:17:47: Loaded 0 of 0 D-Plus reflectors from /root/DPlus_Hosts.txt
M: 2022-01-30 21:17:49: Locking W4LCO    to 208.89.76.92
M: 2022-01-30 21:17:49: Loaded 1388 of 1388 D-Plus reflectors from /usr/local/etc/ircddbgateway/DPlus_Hosts.txt
M: 2022-01-30 21:17:49: Loaded 0 of 0 DExtra reflectors from /root/DExtra_Hosts.txt
M: 2022-01-30 21:17:51: Loaded 655 of 655 DExtra reflectors from /usr/local/etc/ircddbgateway/DExtra_Hosts.txt
M: 2022-01-30 21:17:51: Loaded 0 of 0 DCS reflectors from /root/DCS_Hosts.txt
M: 2022-01-30 21:17:52: Locking DCS005   to 87.117.229.51
M: 2022-01-30 21:17:52: Locking DCS006   to 198.133.14.38
M: 2022-01-30 21:17:52: Locking DCS010   to 85.197.129.86
M: 2022-01-30 21:17:52: Locking DCS012   to 194.38.140.205
M: 2022-01-30 21:17:53: Loaded 1268 of 1268 DCS reflectors from /usr/local/etc/ircddbgateway/DCS_Hosts.txt
M: 2022-01-30 21:17:53: File /root/en_US.ambe not readable
M: 2022-01-30 21:17:53: Reading /usr/local/etc/ircddbgateway/en_US.ambe
M: 2022-01-30 21:17:53: File /root/en_US.indx not readable
M: 2022-01-30 21:17:53: Reading /usr/local/etc/ircddbgateway/en_US.indx
M: 2022-01-30 21:17:53: Linking WX9KVH B at startup to DCS reflector  
E: 2022-01-30 21:17:53: Cannot find the reflector in the cache, not linking
M: 2022-01-30 21:17:53: Linking WX9KVH B at startup to DCS reflector  
E: 2022-01-30 21:17:53: Cannot find the reflector in the cache, not linking
M: 2022-01-30 21:17:53: Linking WX9KVH A at startup to DCS reflector  
E: 2022-01-30 21:17:53: Cannot find the reflector in the cache, not linking
M: 2022-01-30 21:17:53: Linking WX9KVH A at startup to DCS reflector  
E: 2022-01-30 21:17:53: Cannot find the reflector in the cache, not linking
M: 2022-01-30 21:17:53: Linking WX9KVH A at startup to DCS reflector  
E: 2022-01-30 21:17:53: Cannot find the reflector in the cache, not linking
M: 2022-01-30 21:17:54: CCS: Opening UDP port 30062 for WX9KVH M
M: 2022-01-30 21:17:54: Linking WX9KVH M at startup to REF019 C
E: 2022-01-30 21:20:05: Cannot connect the TCP client socket, err=110
M: 2022-01-30 21:20:05: Cannot connect to dns.xreflector.net
E: 2022-01-30 21:20:05: Error returned from sendto (port: 10022), err: 1
M: 2022-01-30 21:17:47: Starting the D-RATS Server thread for WX9KVH  
M: 2022-01-30 21:17:53: Starting the D-Plus Authenticator thread
E: 2022-01-30 21:20:05: Error returned from sendto (port: 10022), err: 1
E: 2022-01-30 21:20:05: Cannot connect the TCP client socket, err=110
M: 2022-01-30 21:20:05: Starting the Callsign Server thread
E: 2022-01-30 21:20:05: Error returned from sendto (port: 10022), err: 1
E: 2022-01-30 21:20:05: Error returned from sendto (port: 10022), err: 1
Kind of scratching my head here as one works on both networks, the other only works on one, and its a fresh build.

Any ideas?

Thanks for any and all help, 73 de WX9KVH!
Last edited by Anonymous on Sun Jan 30, 2022 10:44 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Reason: Cleanup wall of text
wx9kvh
Posts: 33
Joined: Mon Oct 15, 2018 5:57 pm

Re: DSTAR Connection Issues

Post by wx9kvh »

KE7FNS wrote: Sun Jan 30, 2022 11:13 pm
wx9kvh wrote: Sun Jan 30, 2022 10:11 pm I also have a duplex version that's been turned into a simpex one.
You can't turn a duplex hat into a simplex one, by just setting the frequencies to the same number. The circuit boards are wired completely different. A duplex hat has 2 ADF7021's, and one is still doing the TXing and the other the RXing, a simplex board only has one ADF7021 which does both but only one at a time.

Its like saying you have a car that you removed the left front rim and tire on and now it is a tricycle. Yeah its only got 3 wheels, but it still isn't a tricycle.
wx9kvh wrote: Sun Jan 30, 2022 10:11 pm

Code: Select all

E: 2022-01-30 21:20:05: Cannot connect the TCP client socket, err=110
E: 2022-01-30 21:20:05: Error returned from sendto (port: 10022), err: 1
E: 2022-01-30 21:20:05: Error returned from sendto (port: 10022), err: 1
E: 2022-01-30 21:20:05: Cannot connect the TCP client socket, err=110
E: 2022-01-30 21:20:05: Error returned from sendto (port: 10022), err: 1
E: 2022-01-30 21:20:05: Error returned from sendto (port: 10022), err: 1
Thats a lot of TCP errors, so theres some sort of network problem.

I would take the SD card from hotspot A and place it in hotspot B and boot it. If the problem follows the SD card, it is something related to the OS or a misconfigured setting somewhere. It could be corrupted. At that point I would reimage the SD card and start over from scratch.

If the problem follows the RPi hardware it is a problem with the hardware, which I doubt but it could be possible. Normally when something hardware fails it just doesn't work at all so there would be something like no wifi signal at all, not one that works for connecting to the dashboard or SSH, and not connect to the various gateway networks.

You've also neglected to mention exactly what RPis you are using, if it has wired capabilities use a wired connection instead of wireless to eliminate that as a possibility. If you have a RPi Zero/Zero W/Zero W 2 you can buy a microUSB to ethernet adapter.
I am in the middle of a reflash now, was not aware that you could take the card out of one pi and put it in another, will give that a go here shortly.

Duplex Spot is on a 3B, the Simplex Spot is on a Zero W.

Both of them are on wireless, the one works, the other does not.

I will try the above and let you know what I discover.
wx9kvh
Posts: 33
Joined: Mon Oct 15, 2018 5:57 pm

Re: DSTAR Connection Issues

Post by wx9kvh »

KE7FNS wrote: Sun Jan 30, 2022 11:40 pm
wx9kvh wrote: Sun Jan 30, 2022 11:18 pm I am in the middle of a reflash now,
Define reflash, like reflashing the firmware on the modem? or are you saying you are writing a new image to a SD card?
wx9kvh wrote: Sun Jan 30, 2022 11:18 pm was not aware that you could take the card out of one pi and put it in another
Sure, you can do that with any computer, back in the days before Windoze it was much easier, you could have a floppy that booted MS-DOS 3.31, and another one that booted MS-DOS 5.0, and those disks worked in any IBM PC or PC Clone.
wx9kvh wrote: Sun Jan 30, 2022 11:18 pm Duplex Spot is on a 3B, the Simplex Spot is on a Zero W.
Zero W's take much longer to fully boot than 3B's, so there could be some timing issue where prerequisites are not properly setup that need to be.
Yes, installing a fresh image.

I've let it sit a couple hours and it still wont connect, but as soon as I connect it to my phones cellular connection it works just fine.

Going to swap SD cards now and see what happens.
wx9kvh
Posts: 33
Joined: Mon Oct 15, 2018 5:57 pm

Re: DSTAR Connection Issues

Post by wx9kvh »

UPDATE :

I took the card out of my simplex spot(problematic one), and put it in my duplex spot, and it worked FLAWLESSLY.

Took the card out of my duplex spot(working one), and put it in the simplex spot, and it did NOT work at all.

Its just very strange that they both work on my cell phone Wi-Fi hotspot, but only the duplex works on my home Wi-Fi.

Even had the thought that maybe its an issue with the name of the AP, but that's not the case.

I cant even get the simplex hotspot to run an update successfully, but, the duplex one does it no issues, and I can access all the links that pop up with an error on the same network its connected to. Very strange.

Will do a little more playing around and see what I come up with.
AF6VN
Posts: 821
Joined: Fri Jul 20, 2018 1:15 am

Re: DSTAR Connection Issues

Post by AF6VN »

I'd suggest logging into the router admin pages and seeing what it shows for connected devices.

Probably not /the/ problem, but still worth ensuring that both R-Pi's show up with unique hostnames and IP addresses.

--
AF6VN
Dennis L Bieber
wx9kvh
Posts: 33
Joined: Mon Oct 15, 2018 5:57 pm

Re: DSTAR Connection Issues

Post by wx9kvh »

KE7FNS wrote: Mon Jan 31, 2022 1:06 am
wx9kvh wrote: Sun Jan 30, 2022 11:57 pm I took the card out of my simplex spot(problematic one), and put it in my duplex spot, and it worked FLAWLESSLY.

Took the card out of my duplex spot(working one), and put it in the simplex spot, and it did NOT work at all.
I'd be much easier to follow if you'd use the RPi models as a naming convention.
wx9kvh wrote: Sun Jan 30, 2022 11:57 pm Its just very strange that they both work on my cell phone Wi-Fi hotspot, but only the duplex works on my home Wi-Fi.
Are you 100% positive your RPi Zero W is connecting to your home network? The way you have described things is very unclear and I'm not sure if you are doing something silly like connecting to the AutoAP and gathering the logs that you have previously posted. Your posts make it seem like it is connected to your home network, but certain modes or services are not working which makes little to no sense.

If it is connected to the network you should be connecting to the dashboard THROUGH your network, not accessing the AutoAP.

A RPi Zero W only has 2.4 GHz capability and will not connect to 5 GHz routers. A RPi 3B will work on both 2.5 and 5 Ghz bands.

So, as I've explained it 1000 times on this forum, if you see the AutoAP when you scan for a wifi network, the hotspot is NOT connected to any wifi network. It can only do one or the other. A.k.a. mutually exclusive.

Connected to a wifi network = no AutoAP (because the wifi hardware is already in use)
or
AutoAP available means after 120 seconds there was no matching wifi network found in the configuration.

Also you can do as AF6VN suggested and look at your router to see if it shows it as an attached device.
Not sure where the confusion comes from, it is connected to my home network, and I am accessing the dashboard via my desktop pc which is connected to the same network via wired lan. It was just not connecting to any reflectors, nor was it letting me do any updates.

I did make sure its connected to my router. If it wasn't I wouldn't be able to access the dashboard.

*******************************************

SOLUTION(at least for me anyways)

I out of the blue decided to install ZeroTier as it was the one thing running on my duplex spot that was not running on my simplex spot, and for whatever reason, it all seems to be working and connecting just as it should. I'm at a loss. Now they both work on my iPhone's WiFi hotspot and my home wireless network.

Thanks again for all the help in trying to figure this all out.
wx9kvh
Posts: 33
Joined: Mon Oct 15, 2018 5:57 pm

Re: DSTAR Connection Issues

Post by wx9kvh »

KE7FNS wrote: Mon Jan 31, 2022 2:17 am
wx9kvh wrote: Mon Jan 31, 2022 1:24 am Not sure where the confusion comes from, it is connected to my home network, and I am accessing the dashboard via my desktop pc which is connected to the same network via wired lan. It was just not connecting to any reflectors, nor was it letting me do any updates.
That makes absolutely no sense. If it is connected to your wifi, it should have no problems connecting the outside world, the same as any other device on your network.
wx9kvh wrote: Mon Jan 31, 2022 1:24 am I did make sure its connected to my router. If it wasn't I wouldn't be able to access the dashboard.
Thats where part of the confusion was, because it IS possible to not be connected to a wifi network, but be able to access the dashboard. Thats why I asked if you were connecting to the AutoAP to get the logs.
wx9kvh wrote: Mon Jan 31, 2022 1:24 am SOLUTION(at least for me anyways)

I out of the blue decided to install ZeroTier as it was the one thing running on my duplex spot that was not running on my simplex spot, and for whatever reason, it all seems to be working and connecting just as it should. I'm at a loss. Now they both work on my iPhone's WiFi hotspot and my home wireless network.
You should not need ZeroTier, plenty of people run Pi-Star without it. No idea what you have going on.

I agree 100% that it don’t make any sense. The duplex hotspot was connected to the home wifi network, and was working just fine, but the simplex hotspot also connected to the home wifi wasn’t working at all. That’s why I came here and posted about my issue. Didn’t make a lick of sense to me.

Not sure what’s going on either. And I know you don’t need ZT for it to work, all I know is that it’s working now and I’m going to leave it alone LOL. I may end up doing a full reset on my home router and see if that fixes anything.
wx9kvh
Posts: 33
Joined: Mon Oct 15, 2018 5:57 pm

Re: DSTAR Connection Issues

Post by wx9kvh »

KE7FNS wrote: Mon Jan 31, 2022 2:44 am
wx9kvh wrote: Mon Jan 31, 2022 2:21 am Not sure what’s going on either. And I know you don’t need ZT for it to work, all I know is that it’s working now and I’m going to leave it alone LOL. I may end up doing a full reset on my home router and see if that fixes anything.
I would wipe everything and start over from scratch without ZeroTier completely. ZeroTier is used for access from the outside of your home network, so it would allow you to be on your phone or some random network and access a device like your computer on your home network, not allowing anything on the inside access to the outside, so it could of never solved your issue.
As stated before, I did that quite a few times today, twice with brand new fresh SD cards.

That’s specifically why I have ZT installed. Makes things easier if I’m not near it and wanna change it(it’s connected to a MiFi device when mobile, and if I wanna change modes or something I don’t need to be in wifi range of it).

I even tried with 4.1.4, and had the same results. I honestly think it may be something with my home wifi, as I don’t think it’s software/hardware at this point with the multitude of testing I did with things today.

I have made a backup so it is entirely possible that when I do some network resets with the modem/router, that I can flash it and see what if anything changes.

With the time I spent on this today, I’m just happy it’s working and I’m going to leave it as is.
wx9kvh
Posts: 33
Joined: Mon Oct 15, 2018 5:57 pm

Re: DSTAR Connection Issues

Post by wx9kvh »

KE7FNS wrote: Mon Jan 31, 2022 4:54 pm
wx9kvh wrote: Mon Jan 31, 2022 2:51 am As stated before, I did that quite a few times today, twice with brand new fresh SD cards.
Then it is something you are modifying.

You should be able to write an image to the SD card, make a wpa_supplicant.conf file, and the RPi should boot, reboot, and then connect to your home network, and be able to do all the normal web things from the command line. (aka, sudo pistar-update, etc). You don't have to add or configure anything, if that doesn't work, then there is some sort of problem that is not something to do with Pi-Star.
wx9kvh wrote: Mon Jan 31, 2022 2:51 am That’s specifically why I have ZT installed. Makes things easier if I’m not near it and wanna change it(it’s connected to a MiFi device when mobile, and if I wanna change modes or something I don’t need to be in wifi range of it).
Whats the point of changing its mode when you are too far away from the hotspot to transmit or receive from it?? Its only a 500mW transmitter on the hat, so if you are out of range of your wifi, you are out of range of your radio too.
That’s exactly how I’m doing it, and it connected to the home wifi, but it acts like it does not have an internet connection to it. I’m very aware of how it should work, and when it wasn’t, I came here to see if anyone had the same issue.

And as far as my WiFi distance, you would be surprised at how well my setup works when mobile. I can get quite a ways away from my vehicle before I lose the signal to my hotspot. Regardless, it’s a nice tool to have.

Prior to installing ZT, I modified nothing. Flashed the file. Placed the WiFi file on, connected right up no problem. Went in, configured the modem, screen settings, digital mode, attempted to do an update and it failed. Added my phones WiFi hotspot, ran the update command and it worked. Tried it back on the home WiFi, same thing, nothing would connect. Installed ZT and all is well now.
wx9kvh
Posts: 33
Joined: Mon Oct 15, 2018 5:57 pm

Re: DSTAR Connection Issues

Post by wx9kvh »

KE7FNS wrote: Mon Jan 31, 2022 6:31 pm
wx9kvh wrote: Mon Jan 31, 2022 5:32 pm That’s exactly how I’m doing it, and it connected to the home wifi, but it acts like it does not have an internet connection to it. I’m very aware of how it should work, and when it wasn’t, I came here to see if anyone had the same issue.
You are the only individual that I have ever replied to that has ever experienced anything like this.

I'd download the official raspberry Pi OS lite image and write it on a SD card, copy over a valid wpa_supplicant.conf file and boot it, and if it fails to also have internet access then I would contact your ISP and ask them for support as it is something to do with your ISP/router.
wx9kvh wrote: Mon Jan 31, 2022 5:32 pm Prior to installing ZT, I modified nothing. Flashed the file. Placed the WiFi file on, connected right up no problem.
This is exactly what I was trying to explain previously, there is no point wasting any more time doing all the rest of those steps if the device does not have proper internet access in the very beginning of the process.

Once you get to the step where the RPi is booted and on your network it should have FULL internet access. When you run a "sudo pistar-update" what are the error messages?

I still think this is something you are doing, and not something weird with only one model of RPi mysteriously not able to get to the full internet, but you are able to SSH into it or view the dashboard. I think maybe you are trying to access things through the ZeroTier service and not directly through your network and since you didn't have ZeroTier installed in the beginning it isn't going to work. It also explains why things "work" once you install that unneeded software.
And I agree that it is something with my local network, and that's why I stated previously that I'm going to do a factory reset of my home router and see what happens. I've looked over all of my settings and nothing points to anything being blocked. Both of them connect to the WiFi just fine, they both have separate hostnames, both are assigned a static IP for easier access. Nothing else on my network has any issues sending or receiving traffic, was just this one device. So, unless I need to forward ports that I'm unaware of, I'm not sure what else to say at this point. I will get around to factory resetting the router in the near future(wife works from home and I don't wanna mess that up during the week).
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