BOOMERANG DMR HOTSPOT CQRADIOS.

COM
PI-STAR MMDVM DUPLEX DUAL BAND VHF / UHF

BMHSPI3/BMHSPI0
DMR hotspot repeater
Boomerang

Boomerang
Description:
The Boomerang DMR hotspot repeater is based on the Pi-Star software, uses
a duplex MMDVM board and comes with dual antennas. This unit allows for
usage of both time slot 1 and time slot 2 simultaneously. It uses a large OLED
with a white-on-black configuration display for better viewing. It also
provides both WiFi and RJ45 network connections and comes in a 3D printed
case.

BMHSPI0 BMHSPI3
Modes DMR, YSF, C4FM, P25, NXDN, DSTAR, POCSAG
Frequency Range 144MHz-148MHz, 420MHz-475MHz
Bands VHF / UHF
Time Slots TS1 & TS2
Processor PI 0 PI 3 B+
Software Pi-Star (open source)
SD card Class 10 16Gb
Power 5VDC 2A mini USB 5VDC 3A Micro USB
Antennas 2 – 3dBi
Connectivity WIFI WIFI / RJ45 Ethernet
BMHSPI0 BMHSPI3
CONFIGURATION INSTRUCTIONS WIFI WIFI + Ethernet

The Boomerang hotspot comes preconfigured to require minimal setup by the user.
For more details and custom configurations, please refer to https://pistar.uk

Powering up the unit 1 Connecting to the Boomerang 2

1 – Connect the ethernet port to a DHCP There are 2 methods to connect to the Boomerang hotspot.
router (BMHSPI3 - LAN) 1 - Using the LAN (BMHSPI3 only):
2 – Connect the power to the USB port • Type pi-star.local on a web browser in a computer that
3 – Allow 1 minute for the BMHSPI3 to is connected to the same LAN
boot up and about 2 minutes for the • If the pi-star.local does not work, use the unit’s IP
BMHSPI0. A “startup” message and the address instead of pi-star.local
MMDVM logo will appear on the screen • The IP address can be found through the router or
the during this process indicating the pi- using an IP address network scanner software.
star software is loading. This could take up
to an additional minute to complete 2 - Using wireless (BMHSPI3 and BMHSPI0):
depending on different variables. • Using a laptop or smartphone, look for “Pi-Star” or “Pi-
Star Setup” wireless access point which will be
Note:
Powe
- Wait for the hotspot to bootup before looking r
available after the “Startup” message appears on the
connecting. hotspot screen.
- Disconnecting power while booting up or during • Connect to the Pi-Star WIFI access point. A web
operation can cause file corruption. browser should open up automatically open on the pi-
Use the “Power OFF” button under Admin > Power Ethernet star page. If not, open a web browser to connect to
Power
the default Pi-Star gateway IP address 192.168.50.1
 BOOMERANG DMR hotspot CQRADIOS.COM
POWERUP AND LOGIN

Login 3
Boomerang

Boomerang
Once connected to the unit, a login screen will appear. Type the
username and password, then sign in.

User: pi-star
Password: raspberry

Dashboard Screen 4

Click on configuration to enter the

configuration screen
 BOOMERANG DMR hotspot CQRADIOS.COM
CONFIGURATION

Note about the configuration page:

This page consists of multiple configuration sections:
Boomerang

Boomerang
• Controls software
• MMDVM Configuration
• General configuration
• DMR configuration
• Mobil GPS configuration
• Firewall configuration
• Wireless configuration
• Remote Access Password

Each section has its “Apply Changes” button. This button only saves the parameter in its
section. The configuration will therefore consist of changes to each section
independently. Once a section is configured, the changes will be applied before moving to
the next section

Configuration > General Configuration 5

AB1CDE Input the call sign

3112345 Input the DMR ID
Input the Hotspot receive frequency if different
Input the Hotspot transmit frequency if different
Input the latitude
Input the longitude
Input the city
Input the country if different
Input the QRZ link

Leave as public until the hotspot is fully configurerd and tested

Select the time zone

Click Apply Changes when done with this section

 BOOMERANG DMR hotspot CQRADIOS.COM
CONFIGURATION

Configuration > DMR Configuration 6

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Boomerang
Pick Brandmeister master server closest to your locaiton
PASSWORD Input the Brandmeister hotspot password
31???? Leave as None if only using 1 hotspot.

31????

Click Apply Changes when done with this section

Configuration > Firewall configuration and AP Password 7

The Pi-Star application includes a firewall to protect against intruders. This firewall also allows the users to access and configure the
unit using an access point (AP). This access point is open by default and needs to be password protected.
The screenshot below shows the AP turned ON. The AP can be turned OFF if not needed.

If the AP is left ON, The following screenshot shows where the access point (AP) password needs to be entered. This is optional and
can be left without a password if security is not a concern.

NOTE: Make sure you

are in the AP SSID Area Enter the AP access Click to set the AP
Enter the AP access
point password point password again password
 BOOMERANG DMR hotspot CQRADIOS.COM
CONFIGURATION

Configuration > Wireless Configuration 8

Boomerang

Boomerang
The hotspot can be connected to a wireless network instead of direct connection to a LAN network using the ethernet port.
To connect to a wireless network follow the steps below:
1 – Scan for wireless network
2 – Select the network to connect to
3 – Input the password then save and connect

Use “US” for country code

Once the “Save and connect” button is pressed, the unit will take several minutes to activate the related wireless drivers and attempt
to connect to the wireless network. A reboot and patience may be necessary. Once connected, the wireless configuration section will
display the related addresses and information about the wireless network. The user can then access the unit via its wireless IP
address using a computer that is connected to the same network.
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CONFIGURATION

Admin > Backup/Restore 9

Boomerang

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Once the unit is fully configured and tested, save the configuration using the backup and restore feature.
Click on backup and name the file. You can use this file to restore your configuration at a later date if needed.

Click to backup Choose a restore file

then click to restore an
old configuration that
was previously saved

Admin > Power

Avoid disconnecting the power from the hotspot. Try to always use the reboot button to reboot or the power off button to turn the
unit OFF before unplugging it
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Brandmeister CONFIGURATION

Brandmeister > SelfCare

Boomerang

Boomerang
Login to the Brandmeister.network website and access the settings by clicking on the call sign as shown below, then click on
“SelfCare” button. The hotspot password entered in the DMR configuration step 6 needs to match the password used in the
Brandmeister Hotspot security.

CALLSIGN
Click to access the settings

CALLSIGN

Click on selfCare to access the hotspot password

Once the SelfCare Screen is accessed, scroll down to the bottom of the screen and follow the steps below

Click to turn ON

Input password (same password used in step 6)

Click to save

Click on the hotspot to access this section in brandmaister

Click to add static talkgroup
Once the password is saved. Check
under the “My Hotspots” to confirm
that the hotspot status icon is shown
with a green icon indicating that is is 310261 310261
connected to Brandmeister.

Click to expand and show the hotspot(s)

311???
This is shown when connected
 BOOMERANG DMR hotspot CQRADIOS.COM
OTHER INFORMATION

Other Resources
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Boomerang
There are many other settings and features that can be configured on Pi-Star and Brandmeister. The Wikis for these systems are
available online.

• To create a DMR ID (https://www.radioid.net/register#!)

• Obtain a copy of an FCC license (https://wireless2.fcc.gov/UlsEntry/licManager/login.jsp)
• Create a Brandmeister account (https://Brandmeister.network/)
• Find your a location coordinate (https://www.latlong.net/)

Creating a test channel in the radio

To test your hotspot, you will need to create a channel with the appropriate TX and RX frequencies, color code and time slot. Below is
the configuration for the default configuration that the hotspot is set to.

TX: 434.0000Mhz
RX: 439.0000Mhz
Channel type: Digital
Transmit power: Low
Band width: 12.5khz
Talkgroup: 9990 (private call) or any talkgroup that you know works
Color code: 1
Time slot: 1 or 2

If your radio uses zones, then a zone will need to be created for this channel.

Notes
Software:
The Pi-Star software is based on Jonathan Naylor (G4KLX) work and now support the full G4KLX MMDVM suite, including the extra
cross-mode gateways added on by Andy (CA6JAU) who are still supporting this projects. For software support and help, please refer
to https://www.pistar.uk/ and other online pistart forms. This manual is not a Pi-star user manual. These units are shipped
preconfigured. This user manual only covers very basic configurations that are still needed for the user to input.

Antennas:
These hotspots produce a low RF power signal with an expected range of about 100 - 300ft. The stock antenna provided with the
units will best perform on UHF at around 433Mhz. Higher gain antenna can be used to improve the range if needed.

Power usage:
The BMHSPI3 is provided with a 3A power adapter. Using other adapters with less power can cause the unit not to bootup properly.
The BMHSP0 needs about 2A and is provided with a USB cable only which can be used with most USB power adapters

Operating temperature:
The BMHSPI3 CPU typically runs at about 135oC while the BMHSPI0 CPU runs about around 120oC. This difference in operating
temperature is mainly due to CPU performance and clock. The BMHSPI3 provides a much higher performance and therefore uses
more power and generates more heat. Both units will run warmer if used in an areas that is not properly vented or sunny.