This is my DIY build of an Allstar Node.
I purchased a KitsForHam RaspPi5B for my travel node but I wanted a node for my house that could run 24/7 and service my whole house, shop, and 5 acres.
This all started with a project box from Amazon. It’s a pretty large box 9″x6″x3.5″. I punhged holes in the rear for power poles, networking, and power switch. The lid has a hole for venting and external antenna. I even punched a hole in the front, grabbed an LED, added a resistor, and pulled 5V from the UPS to use as a power indicator.
UPS
I wanted redundant power in case of power outage. This is a small RaspPi specific UPS with two 18650 batteries.
12V in 5V USB out
The samll 3D printed silver box is a 12V to 5V USB buck convertor. This way I could grab 12V from my power supply and drop it to USB voltage inside the box.
Hardwired RJ-45 Networking
This will sit in my rack so I have a network switch available and didn’t want to rely on WiFi.
Top View
Top holes cut for vents plus the large external antenna
Open Box
Raspberry Pi 3B+ in a 3D printed box with a small fan, UPS sitting on top
ShariPi VHF
Dual USB plugin ShariPi with external SMA to BNDC antenna
Sunfounder PiPower
2000mAh Builtin UPS
Power Switch
Added an external power switch
Power and Networking
3D Printed power pole connectors plus a hardwired RJ45
LED Power
Needed an LED in the front for power indicator
Allstar Node 626011
Home built Allstar Node on a RaspPi 4B with builtin UPS