DVPi hardware expansion (PTT, Encoder and etc)

DVPi can be used without any additional hardware. A Raspberry Pi, 3.5" LCD and USB sound card are enough for DMR communication. However, if you want to use DVPi more conveniently, or if you like to make it, I think it is good to configure the hardware as follows.

This hardware is the final version. No hardware will be added to the DVPi anymore. 

I would like to introduce the DVPi hardware expansion into several types. You can create DVPi the way you want. 

1. Use without any additional hardware

I also recommend this method. The simplest. You can create and use DVPi with just RPI, LCD, USB sound card.

   Start DVPi Manager.

   Click the 'Settings to use rotary encoder, PTT, and VOX...' button

  Then, The DVPi's hardware configuration screen appears.

  You should not select anything as shown in the screen below. This is the DVPi default setting screen. 

2. PTT extension

To extend the external PTT to DVPi, you only need one 10K resistor and one switch.

Set it as follows. The encoder must be selected even if it is not used.

3. PTT extension (Safty)

To extend the external PTT to DVPi, you only need three 10K resistor and one switch. 

This is to attach two pull-up resistors to an encoder that is not in use.

Set it as follows. The encoder must be selected even if it is not used.

4. Rotrary Encoder and PTT extension

You can use DVPi more conveniently with Rotary Encoder with switch , a switch and 4 10k resistors.

Below is the rotary encoder I use. It is a rotary encoder generally used by Arduino.

I did the following, but if you want to do it easily, you can apply a resistor directly to the rotary encoder.

Set it as follows.

5. Rotrary Encoder , PTT and Function Key extension

You can add a function key to use the submenu added in Version 0.7 or the Quick Menu function for the visually impaired.

Just like adding a PTT switch, just add one more switch.

Set it as follows.

6. LED extension for Receive Signal indication

I just added the LED function to the above circuit. If you don't need rotary encoder, PTT, function key function, you can use it by connecting only one LED and one resistor.

The LED will light up when voice is received.

Set it as follows. The encoder must be selected even if it is not used.

If you are not using PTT, Rotrary Encoder, Function Key, don't check all checkboxes, just check'Use RX Signal Out'.

The default value of RXOUT Delay is 15, but 3 is recommended when using LEDs. It will look a little active.

7. PC817 extension for Receive Signal indication

Everything is the same as in item 4 above. I just replaced the LED with PC187.

This is for external radio control. I experimented about this 3 times and it was quite satisfactory. I will be posting a separate article on this.

Yes. As you might guess, it is relaying digital and analog using an inexpensive analog radio. Use this only for your personal laboratory use.

Set it as follows. If you connect analog radio to DVPi, it is recommended to set RXOUT Delay value to 5~10.

8. Hardware GPIO number

GPIO numbers are used for all of the above settings. EX: ENC A = 25, ENC B= 24...

I configured the circuit as above, but if you want to use the GPIO for other purposes, you can connect it anywhere.

You can also connect the PTT switch to GPIO 21.  In that case, you just need to set the PTT GPIO to 21.

Please refer to the GPIO number below. The GPIO number is based on WiringPi.

9. FM Transmitter Extenction 

(Just use it for experimental purpose)

Not available on Raspberry Pi 4. only Raspberry PI 1,2,3

FM Transmitting programs existed on the Raspberry Pi from the past. 

I changed the RpiNBFM source code to receive UDP data and send it through RF and included it in DVPi as a separate program. (named 'udptonfm') This source code will be posted on git.

This program uses Raspberry pi's DMA, but the program stops functioning frequently due to a conflict with another process. RF transmission stops about once every almost 5 minutes. However, since DVPi periodically restarts the process, the RF signal will be transmitted again after a while.

You should use this feature only for fun and experimental purposes. 

You don't need any additional hardware to use this feature. Just change the settings as follows.

Click the Advanced Setting

Checked 'Using FM Transmitter using GPIO 4'

and Set you want Frequency (Khz)

You just need to set the frequency below 250Mhz.

2M, 10M, 11M are all possible.

Sending the radio a little further, If a 1m wire is connected to GPIO 4, radio waves are transmitted over a long distance.

you can alos adding the SMA connector as below.

Again, use FM transmission only for fun and experimental purposes. Periodically, the RF signal will be interrupted, and the DVPi may be down due to a heavy load on the CPU. Also, use it legally in your country's laws.

10.My final DVPi circuit.

Below is my final DVPi circuit. 

Again, you don't have to add any hardware to the DVPi. I recommend it too. 

It is recommended to keep the CPU temperature of the DVPi below 50 degrees. Just attach a small fan to the DVPi case.

Thank you for reading 

Ian KD8CEC