1. Buy a URI (recommended) or a cheap USB sound FOB

2. Go on the Allstar web site. Request an ID, get it approved.

3. Download the ACID iso and burn a CD.

4. Make your ID a sysOp, add a server, request a node(s).

5. Configure the server and assigned node(s).

6. Boot the CD and carefully follow the prompts.

 

Expect to repeat steps 5 and 6 many times. It takes a while to sort it all out, stick to it.

 

After you get the hang of the web install you can venture into the world of Linux and editing the conf files for advanced power user  features. For example there is no web configuration for RTCMs but you can start with a URI config and hand modify. The change is actually pretty simple.

 

Speaking of simple, for you cheap ass hams that want to run $80 computers don't do USBradio, use simpleUSB and wire up COR and PL.

 

If you want to run Limey Linux rather than CentOS (ACID) you'll need to learn dd (it's available for Windows) to write a CF card. There are a couple of other tricks to Limey, like svcfg. Beginners should drop ACID first, it's the gateway drug to Limey.

 

Be sure to read through all the links on the Allstar (https://allstarlink.org/) site BEFORE you login. Because after login the menu changes and much (if not all) of the basic information goes away. Also browse the ohnosec (http://ohnosec.org/drupal/) site. You don't need an ID to read this site.

 

PS - ohnosec, that moment you realize you really screwed up.