Hi all

For members who are using Node Red for the first time, we are looking for simple comments on your initial experiences using Node Red.?

The purpose is to show new Node Red users how easy it is to get started. Getting Node Red loaded then installing some existing flows and then customizing to your needs.?

73
Dave wo2x

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As a new user in the last 3 or so months and virtually no programming experience, here are some things that confused me the first time around after the install.? At first I think you very briefly go over the install of NodeRed.? The instructions on the Wiki are very good.

I don't think you get into FRStack at this time as that's a very confusing flow to load as one of the first.

What is controllable and what are the limitations of NodeRed?
What do you NOT want to control or monitor via NodeRed?

General Items
1) Loading your first flow
2) The panel layout on the right hand side and what the different tabs are
3) Installing required or useful pallets
4) How to make a backup
5) How to get to the UI after deploying your first flow
6) How to tweak the UI
?- tabs vs groups
7) How to debug and troubleshoot your flow
?- expanding debug output default

Nodes
1) What are the basic and popular nodes and their functionality (inject, switch, change, etc..) we would use in ham radio?
2) msg.payload and some background on how the nodes pass information from node to node
3) How to pass more than one payload from node to node
4) Again, more debugging and troubleshooting flows.??
5) How to disable nodes to remove them from the flow and how to disable whole tabs.

Formats
1) JSON and array data
2) Strings
3) HEX
4) How to convert data from one type to another

Connecting to devices
1) TCP
2) Serial

Dashboard
1) Overview of some of the different dashboard graphics (gauge, meters, LED, etc)
2) How to get to the dashboard
3) Column widths and how some dashboard nodes are locked vs unlocked and how to change them

How to get started with your first "from scratch node"
1) Are there basic things you should be thinking about?
2) What type of data is coming out of the device that you need to read?
3) How to inject commands back into the device via an action?
4) Are there other troubleshooting tools other than the debug node?

Good net resources to help you get unstuck on a problem?

I could probably go on and on, but I'm sure most of these topics could spawn other questions.? Problem is going down the rabbit hole once a question is asked.

Kyle
AA0Z

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Another item you might want to put on the "how to" wish list, and to expand on one of the points I mentioned above is how to go about starting your first flow and maybe the first things you want to think about.

1) How does it connect with NodeRed?? Serial?? Network?? Get it communicating (or at least a serial or TcP node pointed to it).??
2) First flow should probably be if you can turn the unit off/on via NodeRed.? Try the flow and verify the unit does what is expected.
3) Poll the unit for some data, maybe that's serial data to get a status of the unit.? Start small with one piece of data and work your way up.
4) Make lots of backups between small changes and develop some type of versioning system so when everything stops working, you can get back to a reset point.
5) Use the inject node to push data to the unit and verify it does what is expected (Send "change to antenna 1").
6) Learn to use the debug mode often when things go weird.
7) Research on the web examples of code.? I've learned you have to think a bit like a programmer to research how to do something on the web.? Once you get that speak correct (or click on enough links) you'll find someone has already asked the question and solved the problem.? The hardest part is probably how to ask the question so your first click is the final answer.

Spending some time looking at simple examples has helped quite a bit, but there are still simple flows that I'm confused on because I just don't have that advanced knowledge.??

Kyle
AA0Z

I am relatively new to Node-Red and started using it before I found this group. It's loaded on a Pi 3 B+ with a 4 relay pi hat.

• three relays are used to create BCD logic for an Ameritron RCS-10L antenna switch.
• One relay is used on my Flex 6400
• USB to-Serial is used to control my KPA500 amp

I am currently testing a method to split the serial data from the Flex - KAT500 usb/serial cable so I can use Node-Red to control the tuner with both the Flex and Pi.?

Installation was easy. Videos on YouTube and documentation on here has helped quite a bit. Having easy access to flows made it easy to learn the basics of Node-Red.?

On Thu, Jan 21, 2021 at 10:59 AM, Corey Badgley KC7MRQ wrote:

I am currently testing a method to split the serial data from the Flex - KAT500 usb/serial cable so I can use Node-Red to control the tuner with both the Flex and Pi.?

I'd love to see this solution, as I'd like to do the same thing!!!!!

Kyle

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For the more advanced items, I'd throw in some common functions code you might want have in your back pocket to manipulate strings or numbers.

Some of the functions I've looked up in the past and have used are;

toString();
parseFloat();
subStr();

Just a thought.

Kyle
AA0Z

?

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I plan to show some of the ways I get the data I want. I just finished a flow to show SO2R status using broadcast packets from N1MM+. It too a little thinking to get the TX indication to display for the proper radio.

I'd like to know how to secure my RasPi / NodeRode so that accessing it from the WAN is not risky.
--Scott, W5WZ

You can update the settings.js to have an encrypted password. I don’t have a link but found the instructions by googling something like hot to secure node-red. There are commented out lines in the file.?

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And also use Tailscale to make it even more secure.