Merge pull request #2 from ve7fet/master

Pull request to merge VE7FET repo back in to official AllstarLink repo.

README.md

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+This repository contains the firmware for the AllStarLink VOTER, the Micro-Node RTCM, and a bunch of 
+various project fragments that are related to AllStar and the VOTER.
+
+See the /docs folder for information on what the VOTER protocol is, and how the VOTER system works, 
+in conjunction with chan_voter in AllStarLink.
+
+The EBLEX C30 Programmer is the software utility used to load the VOTER/RTCM over ethernet. You 
+MUST have the bootloaded installed in the main PIC, and know the bootloader IP address, in order 
+to be able to capture the target, and load the firmware.
+
+The /VOTER-bootloader folder contains the MicroChip project files, source code, and .cof binary 
+to load in to the main PIC on the VOTER/RTCM. They allow the EBLEX Programmer (above) to be able 
+to remotely load firmware in the VOTER/RTCM over ethernet. Otherwise, you need to upload firmware 
+directly on the module in question through the ICSP header, or an EEPROM programmer (for the VOTER).
+
+The .cof file needs to be loaded in the PIC using a PICKit, or similar, likely via ICSP.
+
+The /VOTER-pcb folder contains the Gerbers and supporting files (schematic, BOM, etc.) for the 
+original, open-source, VOTER through-hole board. This design IS fully functional, however, you 
+WILL need to research and update the BOM with currently available components. It is functionally 
+equivalent to the RTCM that was manufactured by Micro-Node, with the primary difference being that 
+the RTCM used SMT components, instead of through-hole. 
+
+The /VOTER_RTCM-firmware folder contains the firmware used in the PIC of the VOTER and RTCM. As 
+noted above, the VOTER and RTCM are functionally equivalent, EXCEPT they need to use different 
+firmware files, as the pin mapping is different between the DIP and SMT PIC packages. As such, 
+the -smt files should ONLY be used with the RTCM, and not the VOTER. Likewise, the non-smt files 
+should ONLY be used with the VOTER, and not the RTCM.
+
+The /archive folder contains various other fragments of Jim's projects. Some of them made it in to 
+production in various forms, some were prototypes, some are now obsolete. Unfortunately, while there 
+is firmware and source code for a number of the projects, there are no accompanying schematics. If 
+you have any of the missing information to contribute, please do!
+
+

VOTER-bootloader/README

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+The VOTER uses a dsPIC33FJ128GP802 and the RTCM uses a dsPIC33FJ128GP804.
+
+
+There are two parts to the firmware, a bootloader, and then the actual firmware file. The bootloader starts when power is applied, and allows you to talk to the dsPIC and load new firmware files over ethernet. If the bootloader is not intercepted by the loading tool, it will continue to boot the current firmware file.
+
+
+All new boards will need to have the bootloader installed first, followed by a firmware file. You can load a firmware file directly (.hex) in to the dsPIC, but then you will not have any of the bootloader remote loading features.
+
+
+This is the  current bootloader (.cof file). The -smt file is for the RTCM, if you needed to replace the dsPIC on it for some reason, and needed to re-load the bootloader. It needs to be loaded with a PICKit programmer, through the ICSP header.
+
+
+Current firmware (.cry files) are available elsewhere in this repository. They are loaded with the EBLEX C30 Programmer via ethernet.