Micro-Node International Nano-AE User manual

NANO-NODE - AE
World’s Smallest Plug & Play
AllStar Personal Hotspot
User's Manual
REVISION 1.03
Micro-Node International, Inc. - Henderson, Nevada

2 Nano - AE User Manual Micro-Node International
Table of Contents
1.0 NANO-AE PERSONAL HOTSPOT DESCRIPTION ..................................................................................................... 3
Getting started with Allstar link network ...................................................................................................................... 3
Allstar node configuration ............................................................................................................................................. 4
AllStar Link Registration information ............................................................................................................................ 4
2.0 UN-BOXING THE NANO-AE AND PREPARING THE NODE FOR OPERATION ............................................................ 5
3.0 CONFIGURE NETWORK PARAMETERS ................................................................................................................. 5
Setting a static IP address ............................................................................................................................................. 6
4.0 ALLSTAR OPERATION .......................................................................................................................................... 7
5.0 CONFIGURE RADIO PARAMETERS .......................................................................................................................
Internal Radio Settings .................................................................................................................................................. 8
xternal Radio/Repeater Settings ................................................................................................................................ 9
6.0 CONFIGURE NODE PARAMETERS ...................................................................................................................... 10
7.0 CONFIGURE TELEMETRY, COURTESY TONES AND LCD BRIGHTNESS ................................................................... 11
Courtesy Tone Setting..................................................................................................................................................11
Telemetry Messages ....................................................................................................................................................11
Duplex Mode ...............................................................................................................................................................12
Repeater Hang Time ....................................................................................................................................................12
LCD Backlight Brightness .............................................................................................................................................12
.0 CONFIGURE AUDIO PARAMETERS ..................................................................................................................... 13
9.0 NODE ABOUT INFORMATION AND SOFTWARE UPDATE .................................................................................... 14
10.0 CONNECTING TO A ALLSTAR NODE OR HUB ................................................................................................. 16
11.0 CONFIGURE LOCALE AND TIMEZONE SETTINGS............................................................................................ 17
12.0 SYSTEM BACKUP ......................................................................................................................................... 1
13.0 SYSTEM REBOOT/SHUTDOWN PROCEDURE ................................................................................................. 19
14.0 NETWORK MONITORING AND CONTROL (ALLMON) .................................................................................... 20

3 Nano - AE User Manual Micro-Node International
1.0 NANO-AE PERSONAL HOTSPOT DESCRIPTION
Nano-AE is a small stand alone personal hotspot that allows connection with over 6500
Allstar nodes and repeaters worldwide.
The built-in LCD touch screen display and menu based application software that makes it
very easy for users to operate and configure a node without knowing anything about the
Linux operating system.
There is a built-in programmable 430-450mHz simplex radio used for communicating with
your HT or Mobile radio. The node responds to DTMF commands entered from your radio for
monitoring and controlling the node remotely.
The all-in-one ultra small form factor (3.75" x 3.25" x 1.25") of the Nano-AE makes it ideal for
mobile users on the go.
Getting started with Allstar link network
In order to become a member of the AllStar Link Network, you must first register to become a
user of the Allstar Link Network. To qualify for membership, you must be a holder of a valid
Amateur Radio license. When you first register to become a new user, you enter in the
required information, and then a verification e-mail is sent to your specified e-mail address
that includes a link to click on that allows us to verify the validity of your e-mail address.
Afterwards, a member of our staff will verify the validity of your Amateur Radio license, and
will validate your information and enable you to use the system. When validated, you will
receive an email accordingly.
After validation, you can go ahead and enjoy the use of the facilities of this Portal and all the
Allstar Link Network has to offer. The Allstar system architecture provides for 2 organizational
entities: 'Servers' and 'Nodes'.
A 'Server' is a Nano-AE Hotspot at a particular location, on it there is one 'Node'. A 'Node' is
a single radio system that may be set up in several different ways. It may be a full-duplex
repeater system (Using the Nano-AE external radio connector) or several different varieties
of simplex operations (Using the Nano-AE internal simplex radio).
Each entity is created separately. First, a 'Server' is created and configured (by filling in
various information in the provided forms). Then, 'Nodes' are requested
(created, associated with the previously created 'Server') and, upon approval are configured
in a manner similar to 'Servers'. When all 'Nodes' are added and configured, the server then
needs to be downloaded.
I know this all sounds overwhelming when you are purchasing the Nano-AE as a plug-n-play
device. It is necessary the node number registration is in your name and call sign and can be
verified. We will take care of the registration process for you if you complete the below
registration form.

4 Nano - AE User Manual Micro-Node International
There will be an email exchange between the Allstar staff and you in order the validate your
information. After this has been completed forward the email containing your newly assigned
node number and password and we will program your node before shipment.
Allstar node configuration
The following tasks must be performed before the Nano-AE will operate on the Allstar
system.
1) Node registration:
Fill out the registration information below and email it to suppo[email protected].
If you already have a pre-assigned Allstar node number and password you want to
use email it to us and we will pre-configure the node before shipment.
2) Configure Network Parameters (See Section 3)
Setup the network interface for either wireless or hardwire
connectivity to the internet.
3) Configure Radio Parameters (See Section 5)
Configure the internal radio frequency, PL tone, Channel separation and Squelch
level.
4) Configure Node Parameters (See Section 6)
Setup the Allstar network Node Number, Password, Port number,
ID call sign and ID'er timing parameters.
5) Configure Telemetry and Courtesy tone parameters (See Section 7)
Setup telemetry messaging and courtesy tone behavior.
6) Configure Audio Parameters (see Section 8)
Setup Transmit and Receive audio levels.
AllStar Link Registration information
First Name: Last Name:
Address: City:State:
Zip/Postal Code: Country:
Email: Phone: .
Call Sign: Password: . :

5 Nano - AE User Manual Micro-Node International
2.0 PREPARING THE NANO-AE FOR OPERATION
Nano-AE comes with the following accessories.
•Regulated AC Power Adapter
•UHF Antenna and Right Angle SMA Adapter
•Touch Screen Stylus
Preparing the node for initial power up
Un-box the unit and screw the antenna and SMA right angle adapter on to the female SMA
connector on the side of the Nano-AE marked antenna. Then plug the AC power adapter
cord into to the connector marked power. Make sure the power switch is in up position and
plug the power adaptor into an AC outlet. At this point the node should be powering up, note
that it can take up to 30 seconds for the LCD display to activate during the boot process.
DO NOT remove power from the node during the boot process, you must wait for the
unit to power up completely before initiating the shutdown procedure.
(See Section 13.0 System Reboot/Shutdown Procedure)
3.0 CONFIGURE NETWORK PARAMETERS
The Nano-AE has two network interfaces, a standard CAT5 network cable connection and
optional WiFi wireless connection.
Connecting a standard CAT5 cable between the ethernet connector on the nano-AE and a
unused network port on your router or network switch. The node will automatically request an
IP address from your router and configure the network interface. To view the IP address
assigned to your node by the router touch the network icon and a dialog box will appear
indicating the IP address.
If the optional WiFi dongle is plugged into one of the unused USB connectors on the node a
WiFi connection can be established between the node and your wireless router or cell
phone hotspot. Touching the network icon located on the task bar will bring up a list of
available WiFi networks as shown below. If no wireless networks are found it will show the
message "No APs Found - Scanning..." just wait a few seconds without closing the menu,
and it should find your network.

6 Nano - AE User Manual Micro-Node International
The icons to the right of each router in the list shows whether the network is secure or not,
and its signal strength. Touch the network that you want to connect to.
If it is a secured network, a dialogue box will appear prompting you to enter the network key.
Enter the key and touch OK, after a few seconds the network icon will flash briefly to show
that a connection is being established, once it is ready the icon stops flashing and shows the
signal strength.
Setting a static IP address
Static IP parameters can be assigned to each network interface manually if needed. Plug a
USB mouse into one of the unused USB connectors or use the optional wireless keyboard
and right click the network icon or , a network settings dialog box will appear. Select
the 'WiFi Network Settings' menu and a Network Preferences dialog box will appear.
Select the interface you want to assign the static IP address from second drop down box on
the configure line. Then uncheck the Automatically configure empty options checkbox.
Enter the IPA, Router gateway and DNS addresses you want to use and click the X box in
the upper right corner.

7 Nano - AE User Manual Micro-Node International
4.0 ALLSTAR OPERATION
The 'AStar' menu is the default operator page used for connecting, monitoring or
disconnecting Allstar nodes or hubs.
The four annunciators indicate the state of the internal or external radio. Each annunciator
will illuminate whenever that specific radio function is active.
To connect, monitor or disconnect a specific Allstar node number, Enter a node number and
touch either 'Con', 'Mon' or 'Dis' button. If there connected nodes listed as shown above you
can simply touch a particular node number from the list and touch the 'Dis' button to
disconnect that node.
Disconnect all connected node numbers.
The connection list window will show the status of up to ten connections to the hotspot. Four
connections are listed at any one time if additional nodes are connected use the scroll bar on
the right to bring them into view.
Connection from node 2455 in transceive mode
Connection to node 2444 in transceive mode
Connection to node 2560 in receive only mode

8 Nano - AE User Manual Micro-Node International
5.0 CONFIGURE RADIO PARAMETERS
The 'Radio' menu is used for configuring the internal radio transmit and receive frequencies,
PL tone, channel separation and squelch level. Nano-AE is also capable interfacing an
external high power mobile radio or repeater using the external DB9 radio connector if wide
area coverage is required.
Internal Radio Settings
Selects whether the node will use the internal radio or externally interfaced radio or repeater
Sets the internal radio transmit frequency, Enter a frequency between 430.000-449.999mhz
and touch 'Save XMT' button to save.
Sets the internal radio receive frequency, Enter a frequency between 430.000-449.999mhz
and touch 'Save REC' button to save.
Selects the internal radio channel separation
Selects 1 of 38 different Continuous Tone Coded Squelch (CTCSS) values or OFF
Selects 1 of 8 different squelch levels

9 Nano - AE User Manual Micro-Node International
External Radio/Repeater Settings
CTCSS, Check for active low signaling.
PTT, Check for active high signaling.
20db Audio Attenuators, Check for additional Receiver or Transmitter gain.
De-Emphasis (input from discriminator), Check to enable
Pre-Emphasis (Flat Audio to Transmitter), Check to enable.
PL Filter, Check to enable.

10 Nano - AE User Manual Micro-Node International
6.0 CONFIGURE NODE PARAMETERS
The 'SET A' menu is used to configure the primary node information necessary for the node
to register with the Allstar system servers. As well as the local identifier call sign and timing
parameters needed for identifying the station locally.
Enter the call sign to be used when the node identifies itself over the air locally and touch the
'Set ID Callsign' button to save.
Enter the timing interval in seconds (300-1000) to be used between ID cycles and touch 'Set
ID Interval' button to save.
Enter the timing interval in second (3-120) before ID timer expires to try and ID in the tail and
touch 'Set ID Interval' button to save.
Enter your pre-registered Allstar node number and touch the 'Set Node' button to save.
Enter your pre-registered node number password and touch the 'Set Password' button to
save.
Enter the internet port number (4569) to be used for receiving calls from the network and
touch the 'Set Port' button to save.