© Hellas-FRN.net * Trade marks FTDI, PROLIFIC, CMEDIA are not belonging to us. ** Depending the production year and version. Time protection of the gateway in TX and RX mode. Selectable ON or OFF, by internal jumper. The limiter works even on transceivers with VOX mode. Independent audio LEVEL for TX and RX. Full galvanic isolation between PC and Transceiver, as well as full RF shielding. Power supply 5V from USB B (PC). 5pin Din connector for input and output controls [AUDIO IN, AUDIO OUT, PTT, AF UNLOCKED (cos), XMTR's GND]. Adjustment for each type of transceiver. (Base, Mobile, Portable). USB Type B output for PC connection. Two 3.5 mm inputs for audio in and audio out of a separate external audio card. (not included). Dual PTT, to and from the PC program (via UART chip and microcontroller). Using FTDI* or Prolific. *, ** Protection against RF and for low power transceivers. Two-level board with metallic holes and vias for integrating upper and lower surface ground grids. Independent indications for power on, RX-TX and lock. Added ground point on the back face. Pass band RX audio filter 250Hz-3.2kHz For FRN, Echolink, Ham Radio Deluxe, cw Features - Specifications -Technical Data Supports voice and cw audio modes. Power Consumption: USB B < 92mA @ 4,8-5,2V DC. PTT: Open collector, driven from RTS/DTR, max 30V/400mA SQL: Input, normal closed @ high +5v DC to activate. Wired to CTS USB-B : Supports USB 1.1, USB 2.0 high speed. TX/RX : Supports halb dublex Level control : TX/RX 0 ~ +6dB Indicator Leds : Green : Power plugged in. Red : Time limiter is activated & input audio is muted Dual led : Green RX signal SQL input is activated / Red TX signal PTT out is activated Audio Out : Response: 80 Hz - 4.3 KHz +/-3dB Output impedance: 600 Ohms Output isolation: 6,5 kVDC Second Harmonic: -80 dB (typical) Audio In : Response: 80 Hz - 4.3 KHz +/- 3 dB Input impedance : 600 Ohms Input isolation: 6,5 kVDC Operation temperature : -10 to +60 °C Dimensions: W 155mm x H 40mm x D 105mm Requirements: Minimum : 800 MHz IBM PC compatible computer with Windows XP, 128 MB RAM, USB1.1 port Recommended : 1.6 GHz PC with Windows Vista or higher, 1GB RAM, USB2.0 port Supported operating systems : Windows XP ,Vista , Windows 7, 8,10,11 , Linux , Mac OS , Raspberry (all). Note : -Needs drivers for Mac OS -Linux : Plug and play -PTT output & SQL input are provided via a single TTL device using native FTDI drivers for the operating system . Notice: Trade marks FTDI are not belonging to us.

Με βάση τα Projects μ-INTERaspi, μ-interface 1.2 και με τις κατάλληλες αλλαγές (κάρτα ήχου CM108 κ.α.), το interface αυτό προορίζεται για χρήση αναλογικού GATEWAY (UHF-VHF ακόμη και HF) με ανάλογη μεγάλη εμβέλεια σε σύνδεση με τα ψηφιακά δίκτυα. (Εκπομπή - λήψη αναλογική, επικοινωνία με τα τα άλλα δίκτυα, ψηφιακή). Με ενσωματωμένο Raspberry και συνδιαστική εγκατάσταση και χρήση AllStarLink, DVSwitch και Echolink ή FRN, αποτελεί ένα ολοκληρωμένο και αυτόνομο NODE. Εναλλακτικά, με δικό σας Raspberry και δικά σας προγράμματα. Αντικείμενο σε εξέλιξη ανάπτυξης και δοκιμών

Construction derived from the ready-made μ-Interaspi version, only here the specifics for Allstalink Gateway operation have been integrated. A switch is located on the back of the device for operation as ASL Gateway or DEFAULT Gateway. The choice changes a lot in its internal mode of operation, but in both cases it uses the built-in raspberry instead of a separate PC to run the program. The Allstalink program with everything else you can integrate as described in videos elsewhere on this site, utilizes the capabilities of a radio gateway with a simple transceiver and links this wireless communication with the other side with a digital network. It goes without saying that Allstalink mediates this through bridging with echolink and DVSwitch. It goes without saying that even if the transceiver does not work, connected or not, the rest operates as an AllStaLink Node in the global network with whatever interfaces you will have to other analog or digital networks. Simply, the transceiver passes all this activity over the air for analog communication and via RF. The following project is in the process of being formatted as a device and not as a construction, i.e. whether or not it works with bare boards in the air and cables everywhere. The circuits have already been tested, they performed correctly and now it's time for the aesthetic side of the effort. The built-in raspberry can also be what someone already has and simply be placed in the specific position with the remaining internal connections on the pins according to the instructions. In short, the raspberry is placed inside with the program already installed on its SD card and then the power supply, SQL (COS) and PTT are connected with ready-made standbys. In order not to lose the monitor capability, there is also an HDMI output for monitoring and programming. The rest is left to the user's imagination as to what more he can do with it. It is NOT for a hotspot with room range. It is for a normal long-range gateway (as far as the RF of a mobile FM transceiver goes) and incorporates all these protections for RF, galvanic isolation, etc.). More information with the progress of the device formatting and accordingly with the interest that will arise (if any) from some.

This section on this website is the transfer of the corresponding one from the existing address https://u-ham.weebly.com , which, although it does not exclusively concern the general approach that is the object of FRN, nevertheless its integration was deemed necessary for reasons of economy of space, information, as well as unified management since the previous two websites (hellas-frn.weebly and u-ham.weebly) are owned by the same administrator. Another reason is that projects of U-Ham anyway, in addition to the digital networks, are mostly used in the Hellas-FRN network as well. Without putting much emphasis on the name U-Ham , this logo with the corresponding surrounding shape is imprinted on all the faces and main pcbs of the projects for the last 8 years. The creation of the name is the exclusive inspiration of the administrator and owner of Hellas-FRN as a combined paraphrase of the existing name "U-HAUL", an American transport company, which means that you, by yourself, move with our means of transport. (The other meaning of u-haul that is out there, is not our concern). So also here, the "U-HAM " in essence approximates the concept of radio amateurs, namely in that they try mostly on their own, with maybe a little help from colleagues, to practice the hobby using NON-commercial projects. These projects are made in the context of technical mutual assistance between radio amateurs. In the sense of NON-commercialism, the name U-HAM is not reserved, HOWEVER, and in any way, its use by third parties, although it has nothing to do with the above stated authenticity and inspiration of its creation, it is simply left to the fare play which should govern the "rules of the game" within the ham radio community. 73! Hellas-FRN Administrator

Instructions Change System Manager in Program FRN Due to the recent decision to change the connection of the Hellas-FRN server from the Primary System Administrator to Alternate for reasons already published, it is necessary to reset the FRN user program in order to be able to access the network. There are two ways for someone to act: 1. To download the program recommended by the Alternative System Administrator in Java format and fill in his details, so he can then request a code and connect to the global FRN network. Then make registration on the site hellas-frn.net so that, since he is a radio amateur, he can be given access to the Greek server. 2. To appropriately modify the program of the Initial System Manager used until now, choosing one of the following two ways: First way is to add two lines to the FRN Client.ini file located at This PC> Main Disk (C:) > Program Files (x86) > FreeRadioNetwork > FRNClient. You will open it with notepad, make the addition and save it in the same place in the program. The text of the two lines is as follows: Second way is to use the FRN_Switch application, which once installed and running on your computer, does the same recording as the first way without you searching and writing to a file. IMPORTANT: The initial FRN Client program will must be closed BEFORE you modify the FRN .ini with the FRN_Switch program, otherwise that modification will not be saved permanently, because the original FRN Client program always saves the current view of the FRN ini file from working memory to the drive at the end every program! This means that changes made in parallel via FRN_Switch are lost again... The modifications are read and accepted by the FRN program. Client only if you observe the execution sequence of the program. The compressed fileFRN_Switch_Setup.zip you get it from HERE. You unzip it and inside the resulting folder you find the executable file with the same name. There is no security issue for viruses. Install where the program suggests and as shown in the following photos: Here it should be known something that has been left unexplained and essentially becomes a mistake. In the above way and having let the program have installed the files automatically, basically when you run the same program multiple times on the same computer with different accounts, then the FRN Client .ini files are not all installed in the usual place in program files (Program Files X86) as shown above, but also in LOCAL APPDATA which will be difficult for you to find, because they belong to the hidden files and need a special search. This is done on newer Win10/11 operating systems. That is, you will also have a secondary .ini file that you did not know existed and you can find it if you search on the way C:\Users\"your user name"\AppData\Local\VirtualStore\ProgramFiles(X86)\FreeRadioNetwork\FRN Client\Secondary.ini The best way to avoid such hassle is to have FRN Client installed directly to the hard disk e.g. to have the path: C:\FRN\FRNClient Upon completion of the above actions and having chosen to run the FRN_Switch program you will have this image. NOTE: If you do NOT have it and you see an error message it is because you are missing some DLL files which cannot be executed. This is due to lack of the required "VC++ Redistributable Packages" on the Windows in question you are using. To solve the issue go to the FRN_Switch installation folder and find the files named vcredist. You install and the problem is fixed. File path C:\Program Files (x86)\FreeRadioNetwork DE\FRN_Switch Then notice that you have an option for FRNClient and FRNServer. Select FRNClient and press Search FRN Ini Files at the top right. As you understand its purpose is to search and present the .ini FRN files you already have on your computer. The search result will be presented to you as in the images. Normally it will have one entry for you (the first one) and is usually what it finds in the programs folder. If "Deep Search" is not selected, the program prefers to search the drive paths specified by certain system environment variables and are the relative standard paths where FRN Client Ini files can be found. Instead, the Deep Search option is intended, for example, for FRN users who have not saved the original FRN client in their standard program paths. With "Deep Search", the selected drive can be FULLY searched for FRN ini files. Here in the example the search was initially done without the deep search and presented only the first line. Then deep search was selected and searched again and presented two records because it looked at the same time in other places (hidden) of the C drive and found a secondary .ini file. Notice that it has the files checked as belonging to Old FRN EU. (Original System Manager). Click right on New FRN DE (Alternate System Manager) so that the options are transferred, as shown in the second image. Double check that no FRN programs are running and press Save to save the changes. After that, the program has gone and made entries in the .ini files so that they now work with the Alternative System Manager. More details from the creator of the FRN_Switch program HERE Select the reading language at the top of the page. Run the client program and tap the magnifying glass at the top. If everything is done correctly you will see all the servers that are connected in the Alternative System Manager. Notice that the hellas-frn.ddns.net server is listed in this list and the backup server hellasfrn.ddns.net below it. In this state of the program if you request a code the request will be sent to Alternative now System Manager and from you will receive the code by email. If you had a code before May 1, 2023 and you request again, you will most likely get the same one again, since the Alternate System Manager kept the same database as the Original. Press login and use FRN as before. Welcome back to our team!....

Stable broadband connection with provided speed up to 10 Gbps. Actual server connection speed to the internet. The provided connection to the main server (hellas-frn.ddns.net) reaches 10 Gbit/s and in practice 7.9 Gbit/s with measurements through the modem-router. The connection speed through the server reaches 1Gbps, basically due to hardware limitation. Of course, a change in the server's hardware, so that the actual connection speed increases to, for example, 5 Gbit/s or the maximum provided, is not considered necessary at the moment, due to the fact that the full use of the Hellas-FRN network does not "load" the server so that such a solution is required. The above connection conditions result in information on the network having ZERO data packet losses, ZERO errors in the connection line and by extension an almost unlimited number of simultaneously connected users on the server without any problem. Its physical location (and connection) is Geneva's Champel in Switzerland. Reserve server For seamless coverage of communications through the Hellas FRN server runs concurrently 24-hour backup (hellasfrn.ddns.net) with a speed of 100 Mbps, (fiber), with physical location and connection in Athens, Greece. The forecast is to take over for short periods of time (hence the much slower connection speed compared to the main server), the continuity of the normal server's operations if there is a problem with it. The takeover of the backup server for some minutes or hours (and in previous real event for days) is not even noticed by the users except at the moment of the transition, while during the operation of the backup server an indication is provided to the user program that the backup is working. (Yellow triangle with an exclamation mark at the bottom left of the program window). There is also the possibility of manually connecting to the servers by users by putting one of two names. Note that the mobility of all users will be on the server that is normally connected. The two names of these have a slight difference in the name which is the hyphen (-) between hellas and frn. The connection transfer between the two servers is done through the alternative system manager (DE), where the relationship between the two DDNS addresses is registered. Attention: This automation does not apply to GRN accounts. There the backup server should be selected or typed with a corresponding action to restore to the main server when it comes back into operation.

Click on the image to proceed

GRN Client program to use mobile with a cell phone to contact hamradio operators via hellas-frn server. For a better visual presentation of the GRN settings press the button labeled "Click here" below Instructions for connecting the FRN Client to the program for Android. After installing the program on the mobile, follow the steps below to set it up by entering your personal account information. Note that in the initial installation of the program there is a default to request a password from the Alternate System Manager (DE), since he is the one who has also issued the program. When this is done and you get a password, you will be able to log in and you will see that the hellas-frn.ddns.net server is there, connected to Alternative. So choose (DE) to avoid delays and failures. In some photos, a Greek keyboard can be seen by mistake. You MUST use English characters exactly as listed in your existing account. Android operating system is used in the photos below 13 on SAMSUNG mobile. Minor differences may be observed in other Android versions. Since December 2023 there are two versions of GRN Client , depending on the Android version you use in your cellphone. Version V 4.xx is for Android V6 to V8 and you can download it HERE. Version V 5.xx is for Android V9 and higher and you can download it HERE. Connect to the serverhellas-frn.ddns.net:10024 and communication room the General or Test as a start for the sound settings and then select one of the active rooms for radio amateurs provided you have been granted entry through Registration . GRN Client Android Κάνετε την εγκατάσταση σύμφωνα με τις οδηγίες. Στις εφαρμογές σας θα εμφανιστεί ένα εικονίδιο όπως αυτό που φαίνεται πάνω αριστερά στη φωτό. Μετά πατήστε να ανοίξει η εφαρμογή. Πατήστε εδώClick here Ξεκινάτε με την επιλογή από το μενού "Ρυθμίσεις" Πατήστε εδώClick here Ξεκινήστε να συμπληρώνετε με τη σειρά όπως φαίνονται τα αντίστοιχα σημεία της σελίδας... Πατήστε εδώClick here Πατήστε την επιλογή Διακομιστής FRN System Manager και επιλέξτε την DE (πρώτη επιλογή). Προσοχή, εδώ δείχνει την προηγούμενη κατάσταση η οποία όμως άλλαξε και πλέον επιλέγετε τον DE με τον οποίο συνεργάζεται ο Hellas-FRN Πατήστε εδώClick here Η διεύθυνση του κυρίως σέρβερ είναι hellas-frn.ddns.net και με πόρτα 10024. Υπόψη ότι υπάρχει και εφεδρικός σέρβερ με το όνομα hellasfrn.ddns.net και πόρτα 10024, τον οποίο τον βάζετε χειροκίνητα γιατί δεν ενεργοποιείται αυτόματα όπως σε windows όταν ο κυρίως σέρβερ "πέσει" για κάποιο λόγο. Πατήστε εδώClick here Επιλέγετε ένα από τα δωμάτια επικοινωνιών, εδώ φαίνεται το Ham1, αλλά στην περίπτωση που δεν έχετε πάρει ακόμη έγκριση για πρόσβαση στον Ελληνικό σέρβερ, βάλτε το δωμάτιο "Test" . Πατήστε εδώClick here Γράψτε το διακριτικό σας με κεφαλαία ώστε να είναι ευανάγνωστο. Πατήστε εδώClick here Συνεχίστε με το όνομά σας (στα Αγγλικά). Προσοχή στο ότι με αυτό το τύπο του ονόματος (μαζί με το email που θα γράψετε στην επόμενη γραμμή) είναι τα χαρακτηριστικά του λογαριασμού σας που θα βασιστεί ο system manager για να σας δώσει κωδικό λειτουργίας της εφαρμογής και πρόσβασης σε σέρβερς γενικά. Πατήστε εδώClick here Γράψτε την διεύθυνση του ηλεκτρονικού ταχυδρομίου σας και με προσοχή για τυχόν λάθη. Σε αυτή τη διεύθυνση θα σας έρθει ο κωδικός. Πατήστε εδώClick here Ακόμη στη θέση κωδικός δεν συμπληρώνουμε κάτι εφόσον ακόμη δεν έχουμε κάνει αίτημα για αυτό. Το αφήνετε κενό και θα επανέλθετε να τον συμπληρώσετε όταν τον λάβετε με email. Πατήστε εδώClick here Επιλέξτε στον τύπο του FRN-Client το PC only μιας και πρόκειται για τηλέφωνο με κύρια χρήση την απλή συνομιλία. Πατήστε εδώClick here Προχωρήστε στη συμπλήρωση και των υπολοίπων απαιτούμενων στοιχείων.... Πατήστε εδώClick here Ως αρχική κατάσταση επιλέξτε Διαθέσιμος (QRV) που σημαίνει ότι όταν στο τέλος θα συνδεθείτε θα μπορείτε να κάνετε χρήση του μικροφώνου σας, ενώ οι άλλες δύο επιλογές είναι: Μη διαθέσιμος (QRL) που σημαίνει ότι μόνο ακούτε, ενώ στο Απών (QRT) ούτε ακούτε αλλά ούτε και μιλάτε. Πατήστε εδώClick here Στη θέση αυτή βάζετε πληροφορίες περί του λογαριασμού ή τη χρήση του. Πχ μπορείτε να γράψετε FRN Client, ή αν πρόκειται για διαδικτυακή πύλη το τυποποιημένο: Ham Radio FM Internet Voice Gateway Πατήστε εδώClick here Στο επόμενο επιλέγετε από τη λίστα (και όχι να αναγράψετε εσείς) τη χώρα. Πατήστε εδώClick here Γράψτε την πόλη (ευρύτερη περιοχή) που θα λειτουργεί ο Client. Εδώ βέβαια επειδή πρόκειται για φορητή συσκευή βάζετε την πόλη που έχετε δηλώσει στην άδειά σας (ως βάση σας) ή αν βρίσκεστε μονίμως κάπου αλλού δηλώστε το εδώ για καλύτερη κατανόηση στις συνομιλίες Πατήστε εδώClick here Εδώ συνμπληρώνετε το μέρος της πόλης σας για περισσότερη ακρίβεια. (και πάλι ισχύουν τα προαναφερθέντα για την θέση στην προηγούμενη φωτό). Επίσης μπορείτε να βάλετε και το Locator εδώ. Πατήστε εδώClick here Επιλέξτε τον τύπο του μικροφώνου. Η πρώτη επιλογή είναι και η πιο συνηθισμένη. Η αμέσως παρακάτω ρύθμιση για το επίπεδο κέρδους μικροφώνου είναι προαιρετική καθόσον μετά στις δοκιμές μπορείτε να έρθετε εδώ και να τραβήξετε την μπάρα δεξιά ή αριστερά για ρύθμιση της διαμόρφωσης. Πατήστε εδώClick here Προχωρήστε και στις υπόλοιπες ρυθμίσεις τουλάχιστον σε αυτές που είναι επιλεγμένες όπως φαίνονται σε αυτή τη φωτό, αλλά και στις επόμενες στη σειρά.... Πατήστε εδώClick here Πατήστε για επιλογή γλώσσας του προγράμματος... Πατήστε εδώClick here ...και επιλέξτε Ελληνικά Πατήστε εδώClick here Στις προσπάθειες σύνδεσης επιλέξτε όπως φαίνεται εδώ, που είναι ένας λογικός αριθμός προσπαθειών σύνδεσης (όταν υπάρχει πρόβλημα) πριν σας ενημερώσει για αποτυχία σύνδεσης για κάποιο λόγο. Πατήστε εδώClick here Πατήστε στον περιοριστή του χρόνου μετάδοσης για επιλογή σε δευτερόλεπτα του χρόνου που το πρόγραμμα θα σας αφήνει να κάνετε PTT και να μιλάτε. Πατήστε εδώClick here Επιλέξτε τα 120 δευτερόλεπτα ή τα 180 αν θέλετε, χρόνος που θεωρείται ικανός για μια απλή ανταπόκριση κάποιου χωρίς υπερβολές στο επίπεδο φλυαρίας. Υπόψη ότι το πρόβλημα δημιουργείται στις διαδικτυακές πύλες που βρίσκονται σε εκπομπή όταν εσείς μιλάτε και πρακτικά δεν θα πρέπει να απασχολούνται επί μακρόν. Ήδη όμως να γνωρίζετε ότι αυτές διαθέτουν χρονικό περιοριστή περίπου στα 180 δεύτερα οπότε ήδη χρονοβόρα μικρόφωνα και απαντήσεις πέραν των 3 λεπτών δεν ακούγονται. Πατήστε εδώClick here Το πρόγραμμα έχει τη δυνατότητα να καταγράφει την δραστηριότητα του δωματίου επικοινωνίας. Επιλέξτε την 3η επιλογή ως προς την πιο χρήσιμη. Πατήστε εδώClick here Click on the following options to see the usage of the GRN Client in car multimedia console: HELLAS-FRN and GRN-Mobile Digital networks and HELLAS-FRN (1) Digital networks and HELLAS-FRN (2) How do I install Android apps without Play Store Android device owners can install apps either through the official storesGoogle Play Store, either from independent app stores, or by downloading the APK files from various sources. Below is how one can install apps without Play Store. Install via APK In the preAndroid Oreo versions, the operating system had only one setting that needed to be changed. From then on, any app we had on our mobile could install apps without the Play Store. However, from Android 8.0 onwards we have to give permission to each app separately. Fortunately, we can find gathered all the apps that can install APK in a specific point of its settingssmartphones . First we enter the mobile settings and go to "Applications and notifications"(Εφαρμογές και ειδοποιήσεις). Then we open the “Special access to the application”(Ειδική πρόσβαση στην εφαρμογή) menu and find “Install unknown applications” (Εγκατ. άγνωστων εφ.). From the list of apps we select the one we want to install apps and make sure the "Allow from this source"(Να επιτρέπεται από αυτην την πηγή) switch is active. We repeat the last step for all applications that we want to be able to install APK files.

Windows Software of Original System Manager ( freeradionetwork.eu ): DOWNLOAD >> FRN Client V. 2014 [003] or download HERE. Instructions for use read a little below. For communication room selection HERE DOWNLOAD >> FRN Client Greek Update  or download HERE Version 1.7 [003] Lite First you download and install the base program FRN Client V.2014[003] and then proceed to install the FRN Client Greek Update. Software of Alternative System Manager (freeradionetwork.de ): Click HERE to be transferred to the relevant page and download it. Search it with the label: "DOWNLOAD Stabile Version " Consider that Java FRN_Client runs also on Linux (Raspberry Pi). Requirements: A recent version of Oracle Java 8 SE Runtime Environment or recent Oracle Java 8 SE Development Kit are prerequisites necessary to use the program on Microsoft Windows and Linux Operating systems! Linux Raspberry Pi DOWNLOAD >> FRN Client FRN Client Before proceeding, read what the System Manager asks for in order to be able to obtain a code, where you will then go to register at Hellas-FRN. This concerns new code requests. Text from the site: https://freeradionetwork.de/news.html# "...Unfortunately, it has been observed for some time that some FRN users let their imagination run wild when choosing their username and use special characters. To address this, a stricter control of the characters used in the username has now been implemented. The following conditions now apply: The username consists of the two FRN data fields, callsign and name, and is combined to form the character string "CALLSIGN, Name". The call sign usually consists of capital letters or numbers. The only other characters allowed are: space, hyphen, and forward slash. And the first character of the call sign must be a capital letter or a number. The name consists of letters. It can also contain numbers. The only other characters allowed are: space, hyphen, and forward slash. And the first letter of the name must be capitalized. This stricter verification of the characters used in the username applies to all new FRN password requests that result in a new FRN user registration (initial registration of a new FRN user account). Existing FRN user accounts are not affected - provided that the operator name is not changed when the FRN password is requested again. If the username is changed during the new FRN password request, it will also be checked for compliance with the above conditions. ..." How to use the FRN Client program of Original System Manager Conditions-Conditions The Free Radio Network gives more reach to mobile/portable wireless users. With the FRN Client program you are able to build a Gateway that connects a local mobile/portable radio communication channel to the network. To do this the program must be running in "Gateway" mode. If you are not able to set up your own gateway and there is no other gateway in your area, then you can use the program in PC only mode to talk to FRN users on the network. The program is free to install, but there are some rules for using it. Access to communications rooms that broadcast web portals and are for radio amateurs is controlled with no entry to those not holding an active radio license. But there are also the general rules set to keep the use of the system within the context of proper operation. The following points should be observed: - You should only connect devices that are allowed by country regulations. By connecting illegal devices it is your responsibility and it is a reason to block access by the administrator. - Always use (analog) CTCSS (preferred) or (digital) DCS subtone. This protects against noise and unwanted emissions blocking the communication room. - If there is another gateway in your area, use another frequency, even if you use another communication room or server. - If you are not going to connect a transceiver to create a gateway for the FRN system, then you must run the program in PC only mode. Hold down the "PTT" (Push To Talk) button if you want to talk and release it to listen. -Don't use abusive language and don't block the network. If we detect inappropriate behavior on your part, your account will be blocked. Gateway Transceiver How well a gateway will work depends on the transceiver used, usually of the mobile type. Also the quality of a of a portable transceiver to access a web portal from a distance is a factor of quality or non-communication. In order to improve the quality of communication and its security from the web portal itself, customized techniques are applied and a different and safe way to activate the transmitter, such as a USB interface controlled by a microcontroller. (See projects ). - CTCSS: The transceiver must have CTCSS (or DCS), otherwise it should not be used for a gateway. Some models have a weak CTCSS signal. Some brands have problems receiving weak CTCSS signals and the gateway will not be able to be heard by owners of such models. - Microphone and headphone connection: External microphone and headphone connections are required to connect the transceiver and the sound card of the computer. - External power supply: The radio must be capable of operating with an external power supply. Many transceivers have a slot for a battery charger. Some transceivers with a charger socket transmit well with an external power supply connected, some do not. - Antenna: The ideal length of the antenna results from the wavelength calculation. Most wireless have shorter antennas. The closer an antenna is to the wavelength, the better the wireless receives and transmits. Larger transceivers also perform better than their smaller counterparts. - VOX: If you are not using COM port trigger, then the radio needs to have a VOX feature. Despite this and due to the proven serious problems presented by this technique, this method has been blocked on the Greek Server and is only used with COM port activation. - Settings: After closing and opening the external power supply, the channel, CTCSS and power settings should remain unchanged. Steps Follow the next steps to install your own FRN program: STEP 1: Download program download FRN Client HERE . STEP 2: Install the FRN client Install this program. STEP 3: Audio cables / adapter (interface) If you are using the program in PC only mode, connect a microphone to the microphone jack on your sound card. If you want to install a gateway, make audio cables to connect the loudspeaker/headphone output of the transceiver to the line-in jack of the sound card and to connect the output of the sound card to the microphone input of the transceiver. Take a look HERE and HERE for more information about this adapter (interface). STEP 4: Create an account. If you are using the FRN Client for the first time, you must create an account. Start the program and press "Settings-->Authentication". The "Identification" view will appear which should be completed. For PC User mode, (PC only) select "PC User: Unconnected tranceiver". For Gateway mode, select "Web Gateway: Connected tranceiver". The used frequency, the receiver's modulation and squelch system (undertone). You don't know the password yet, so leave "Password" blank for now. Now press "Get Code". An email will be sent to the address you entered. In this email you will be given the code. Enter the password in the password window, then click OK. At any time you can change your authentication settings via "Settings -> Authentication". (Logout required first). CAUTION: If you are offline for two months, your account may be deleted. In this case you cannot connect to any server. If you simply click on "Get Code", your account will be recreated and you will receive a new code. Then after entering the new code you will have access to the FRN again. If you have no access at all, check if you are using the latest version of the FRN Client and if the server you want to connect to is active. You can check this by pressing "View --> Search Networks". STEP 5: Adapter (Interface) PC users (PC only) do not need to do this step. Type "Test" in the "Communication Room" window and press "Connect". Go to "Settings --> Adapter". In "Adapter" view (and PTT option) you determine how the program and the gateway tranceiver will respond to each other. PC--->tranceiver: If the transceiver is not controlled by COM port, select "Use VOX on tranceiver". In this case you need to make sure VOX on the transceiver is enabled. Depending on the type of P/D and sound card, VOX on the tranceiver could interrupt its transmissions in the gaps of a speech into the microphone. A better method to check your wireless is to use the adapter (interface). If you have a COM port adapter (interface) to control the tranceiver, then select "Use USB/COM". In this case you need to specify which pin is used: RTS or DTR. "Active 1" means that the RDS or DTR will have a high voltage (5V) as a command for the tranceiver to transmit and "On 0" means that RTS or DTR has a low voltage (0V) as a command for the tranceiver to transmit (opposite command). Tranceiver--->PC: These settings are for FRN control by tranceiver. Choose the COM port where the COM interface is connected. The "Mute Timeout" is the amount of time the program does not send audio to the internet after the tranceiver changes from broadcast to reception. At that moment a short beep comes out of the tranceiver's loudspeaker. This can cause the system to jam. Set the "Mute Time Setting" to 1500ms as a start. Later you can try to reduce this time. "Accompaniment Delay" is the time in milliseconds (ms) between the end of speech on a local channel and the start of the accompaniment. This time should be as short as possible, but long enough to unmute mobiles using the gateway. After all settings have been made, this view can be closed with OK. STEP 6: Check recording (audio input device check) Log in to the "Test" communication room. Tap "Settings -> Sound Settings". Select the input and output device you want to use for the FRN. Select your audio player from your options view. Mute microphone and line input. Select the recording device in use from your options view. For "PC User" mode (PC only): Select the microphone as the recording device. Hold down the PTT button. Speak into the microphone. The left VU meter should now be moving. Adjust the microphone by moving the slider up or down. The peaks should reach just below the maximum. For "Gateway" mode: Select the line input as the audio input device. Adjust the volume on the tranceiver no less than 1/4 and no more than 1/2 of maximum. Broadcast with a second tranceiver. The left VU meter should now be moving. Adjust the line input by moving the cursor up or down and by changing the volume on the gateway control. The peaks of the audio signal should reach just below the maximum. STEP 7: Volume control Connect to a chat room where other users are connected. Select the audio player you are using from your options view. For gateway, the volume should be set for good acoustic configuration, i.e. neither too low nor too high. Use a second tranceiver to listen to the configuration. The modulation can be adjusted with the "Volume" and "Wave" sliders. note The use of the VHF communication room as well as the rest concerning radio amateur frequencies (HF, UHF), are locked to those who do not have the corresponding license in force. Furthermore, for licensed radio amateurs who may misuse their transceivers, the existing program (which is essentially no different from the well-known ECHOLINK), cannot bear any responsibility. But if the misuse of a web portal is noticed then there is the way of silencing or even blocking. The remaining communications rooms are: Testing: For the tests of the acoustic configuration with the help of repetition from the program, the well-known "parrot". General: For communication without the access restrictions of the other rooms and essentially for general testing of a client before entering the radio amateur communication rooms. It is also used for chat type communication because it does not affect amateur radio conditions. It is constantly checked for cases of abuse and in particular avoiding the use of tranceiver on penalty of being banned indefinitely from the server. Communication rooms (currently) named Ham1,2,3,4, as well as Conference 1 and 2, are used for "locked" communications. For rooms named net## there is no specific provision of use (hence the name) and it is at the disposal of colleagues, on the one hand for "technical experimentation", but also further development of different communication networks by facilitating the use of the internet. They are temporarily locked to control their demand and use by anyone who requests it. In particular, for not providing a communication room with the use of PMRs-LPDs tranceivers , but also for the exclusion of any combination of their use with the Greek server, we follow the provisions of the European Decision (CEPT/ECC Decision (15)05). CLARIFICATION: The fact that the communication rooms may have the name of a frequency range does not mean that a station is actually broadcasting. Someone should have actually placed there a web portal to the respective frequency and for which he will be responsible for its use under the applicable conditions of using the station in remote control. Generally a communication room in FRN without a transceiver in portal mode is a simple social networking room. Epigrammatically, the name of a communication room primarily indicates the object of interest of a person entering it, without necessarily using a corresponding tranceiver. Due to the recent decision to change the connection of the Hellas-FRN server from the Primary System Administrator to Alternate for reasons already published, it is necessary to reset the FRN user program in order to be able to access the network. There are two ways for someone to act: 1. To download the program recommended by the Alternative System Administrator in Java format and fill in his details so he can then request a code and connect to the global FRN network. Then make registration on the site hellas-frn.net so that, since he is a radio amateur, he can be given access to the Greek server. Details below...... 2. To suitably modify the program of the Initial System Manager used until now, adding two lines text in the FRN Client.ini file, located at : This PC> Main Disk (C:) > Program Files (x86) > FreeRadioNetwork > FRNClient. You will open it with notepad, make the addition and save it in the same location in the program. The position of the file and the text of the two lines are shown in the images. A characteristic sign that you have correctly entered the two lines in the program is that, after restarting it, all the available servers connected to the Alternative System Manager will appear on the left. You will find the Greek server, as well as the backup one. Select the main server: hellas-frn.ddns.net and port 10024. A perhaps easier solution is to use the program FRN_Switch. There are instructions on how to use it HERE If you have problems with this modification, please contact by email:hellas.frn@gmail.com , for information and actions. How to use the FRN Client program of Alternative System Manager After you have downloaded the application from the site as indicated above, unzip the folder and there you will find the executable file: FRN_Client.exe. Double click on it and the program will appear as shown in the image. Here, of course, hellas-frn.ddns.net is already selected, which is why the name appears in the window under the word Server. You proceed to the Account Information option by putting either the ones you have already used in the Initial System Manager application, or new information for a scratch installation. Be careful with the code. If you have already received a code from the Initial System Manager before May 1, 2023, try it here and press Save if you have entered the rest of the information. But if the code you have is either inactive for more than two months, or you got it after the above date, do not put anything in the corresponding place and press Request Code. It will be sent to the email address you provided. Copy it here and hit save. Before proceeding with the actual use of the application, proceed with some initial settings such as the sound card you will use. Leave the other settings it has for experimentation later. The choice here is key to how you choose to use the app. Start with the simplest form of "Computer Only" and then move on to another option such as the Web Portal. One of the most basic settings is the language and you might make this choice before anything else if you are interested in Greek in the program. Choose Language and corresponding font. (red indications). You can also choose the theme of the program which changes its entire appearance. (green indicator). The orange indicator shows you the possibility to choose the font size of the program. Attention, a large font causes labels to be cut off in some cases. If you want the program to connect automatically when it starts, press enable where the red arrow is pointing. Once you're done with your choices in the previous tabs, you have also put the code and you have saved them, proceed to the FRN_Client option. It will show you a format almost like the image and when you select the server and press Login will take you to the room Test to do the sound tests. Be careful, if you go to choose another communication room you will not see all the available rooms of Hellas-FRN. The program has not been updated yet. Log out and back in to see them and choose who you want to talk to. It is understood that restrictions regarding access for radio amateurs only apply, where in the Original System Manager program you were informed with a relevant text, here this program displays the indication that your access is denied. If you can and you enter the Test or General room, but it rejects you in the others, then it is a matter of controlled access that applies to Hellas-FRN. If you can't get into the Test either, then you've made a mistake in your details and the System Manager is rejecting you. Please check your details again. The error may be small and not noticeable at first glance. Then register at Hellas-FRN .net to be granted access as long as you are a radio amateur with a valid license. Those who had access to the Greek server until today, the entries are valid and do not need to request again.