quantump/yatebts repository overview

Disclaimer: These are large images (~800MB) because I am not fully experienced with docker yet. Use at your own risk. Also use at your own risk because of legal stuff.

Some credit to MBRO95⁠ because I used a modified version of his script to actually build the software in the docker container (maybe that is why it is so big, and I should't be compiling the source in the docker container, oh well, if someone want to help me with that here is my discord: quantum_p or email quantumgameserver(at)gmail)

Docker Compose

version: '3.0'
services:
  bts:
    image: quantump/yatebts:0.3.1
    volumes: #You need to get a copy of the yate configuration directory to mount to the container, otherwise the bts will not start up
    - /path/to/a/configdirectory:/usr/local/etc/yate:Z
    devices: #Mount the BladeRF to the container replace 000/000 with the proper usb device on your system
    - "/dev/bus/usb/000/000:/dev/bus/usb/000/000"

As of right now, no web gui is available. To get the example config files you can copy them from the path in the container (/usr/local/etc/yate). (Ill upload something to github eventually)

Hardware Needed

BladeRF x40⁠ - Not sure if it would work with the other versions. Probably not, it requires a specific firmware version that you can find here: http://www.nuand.com/fx3/bladeRF_fw_v1.9.1.img⁠

Pre-programmed sim cards - This is what I have used: http://shop.sysmocom.de/products/sysmousim-sjs1-4ff⁠ maybe you can use other stuff, I have not tested other things. You do not need to purchase them with adm keys with those sims btw.

Unlocked phones - you may be able to use your own cell phone if your carrier allows it. Otherwise you can buy some.

Configuration

TODO - Subscribers, Outbound calls, Frequency, channels

Purpose

I am specifically setting this up for emergency communications, and operating under FFC Part 97 rules. For most you are probably operating under FCC Part 15 rules, you should look into that: note the bladerf has a typical power output of +6dBm according to the product page.

Part 97/Amateur Radio Specific

The station should be configured on GSM900 on any channel ranging from 975-988, this covers 925.2-927.8 in 33cm. You can configure the tower to use multiple frequency channels, but it probably is considers spread spectrum, so keep that in mind. You also need to make sure that the tower is not encrypting the information, it is not encrypted by default, but you should double check. **Furthermore this isn't legal advice and you should double check everything here because I could be very wrong. **

I will add some citations to this later explaining the specific legal details I looked at.