Here is the setup of my bitnode.conf file. The masternode.conf file is exactly the same structure as included in the example in the file itself so have not included. I have also added instructions for how I resolved the “could not connect issue”. Good luck!

Example bitnode.conf file:

rpcuser=yourusernamehere
rpcpassword=yourpasswordhere
rpcallowip=127.0.0.1
listen=1
server=1
daemon=1
port=7227
maxconnections=64
masternode=1
masternodeprivkey=yourprivatekeyhere
externalip=xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx:7227

If you are getting the: CActiveMasternode::ManageStatus() - not capable: Could not connect to xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx:7227

1.ensure the port is open on your router
2.ensure the port has been opened in Windows Firewall
3. Go to settings --> options --> network tab --> uncheck "map port using UPnP".Click OK and close the window.
4. Shutdown and restart your wallet
5. unlock the wallet immediately on restarting