Setup Raspberry Pi for Ham-Radio
Introduction
I am a big friend of the small Raspberry Pi which and use this gladly for amateur radio. With version 4 he is fast enough to fulfill all tasks. There are many ways and many software to make the Raspi fit for Ham Radio. Following is the installation how I use it. My choice of programs has the advantage that they are compatible with each other.
It is not necessary to install all programs. Just choose what you like and install what you need.
The installation will take some time. Take it easy and do it step by step. You will be rewarded with a very efficient, stable, high frequency safe (i recommend ferrite cores over the connecting cables and a Alu case) computer for amateur radio applications which is also particularly suitable for portable use.
Please understand that I don’t have much time for support due to professional reasons. Errors, infos or quick questions to info@dl1gkk.com. The instructions are based on the assumption that you have basic knowledge in the use of electronics and computers and that you are a licensed amateur radio operator or short wave listener.
Acknowledgement: I find it impressive how much time people spend making great, free, open-source licensed programs available, writing application reports and recording videos. For me this is real ham-spirit. A huge thank to everyone. A real enrichment for our hobby.
Let’s talk briefly about programming
In these instructions you will find code windows again and again. The input takes place in the LXTerminal of the Raspbian OS.
# That is for your info - you don't need it
Command line-1
Command line-2
Command line-3...
reboot
You can copy it by hand and enter it in the LXTerminal or better you connect to a second computer via VNC or via ssh, then you can copy and paste the commands directly from my homepage. It is important that you enter one line at a time and press return each time. Please also copy and paste in the same way. Note upper and lower case. If a link do not work it is possible that it was changed. This can be the case in particular with software updates, i.e. a new release number. I will check from time to time if this is the case and then update the text.
If you cannot or do not want to install software yourself, you can also buy a ready-to-use SD card on the G4WNC homepage
https://photobyte.orgAdditional Informations
Installing the programs under Raspbian (Linux) is not always easy. Sometimes something doesn’t work although the installation instructions are relatively clear. Then, a deeper introduction into the problem is maybe necessary. Here is the visit of the homepage from KI6ZHD recommended. Thanks David, great job
http://www.trinityos.com/HAM/CentosDigitalModes/RPi/rpi2-setup.htmlSometimes the installation does not work because the SD card is defective. SD cards cannot be overwritten indefinitely. In this case just try a new SD card. Sometimes the Raspberry pi itself or any connection cables are defective. I have already experienced this. Then you have to replace the hardware. If the power supply of the Raspberry Pi is too weak, problems and errors can also occur.
If you have any questions I recommend to visit the homepage of the corresponding program. There you will usually find helpful information and user guides. This is also important to check if new updates are available. And hey, if you don’t get any further, Google is not seldom your best friend 😉
Ham Clock is also a nice Raspberry Pi App. But i install it separately. Have a look here
https://dl1gkk.com/ham-clock-raspberry-pi/Table of contents
Introduction
Hardware (what i use)
Prepare SD Card
Install operating system
First start and basic setup Raspberry pi (Raspi)
Backup & Restore
Install GPS Clock (Time sync & Position)
Install Packet Radio (Hamlib, Direwolf, Xastir, Linpac)
Install FLRig (Transceiver Control)
Install FLDigi (Data Mode)
Install WSJT-X (Data Mode)
Install JTDX (Data Mode)
Install GridTracker (Display connections on a map)
Install JS8CALL (Data Mode)
Install CQRLOG + TQSL (Advanced Ham Radio Logbook)
Install GPredict (Sat-Tracking)
Install QSSTV (Slow Scan Televison)
Install GQRX (SDR)
Install FreeDV (Digital Voice)
Install VOACAP (Propagation Prediction)
Install Chirp (Programming transceivers)
Install Qtel (Echolink Client)
Other useful software
General Information (last but not least)
Disclaimer
Last update: 5. October 2019
Note: Stop by once in a while. I will update this page regularly and possibly also add new programs.
Hardware
RPi4
Raspberry Pi 4b
https://www.raspberrypi.org/products/raspberry-pi-4-model-b/My portable ham radio setup for the Raspberry Pi3
https://dl1gkk.com/small-portable-digital-amateur-radio-station/NEW: My portable ham radio setup V2 for the Raspberry Pi4
https://dl1gkk.com/small-portable-digital-amateur-radio-station-v2/Important: Check your sound card and how to control and optimize it for radio transmission. Have a look here:
http://members.chello.at/oe1mww/sound-card-check/Important too: Please adjust the levels of your soundcard in the USB Audio Device Setting. A too strong signal only disturbs the frequency. Switch off Auto Gain Control! For reception check the display of the corresponding program. For transmissions check the ALC of your radio.
Prepare SD card
sd-cards
I am using the ScanDisk Ultra and Extreme Pro SD Cards with 32GB.
If necessary, you can format them using SD Memory Card Formatter.
https://www.sdcard.org/downloads/formatter/Install operating system
Download raspbian OS. I use the full version with desktop and recommended software.
https://www.raspberrypi.org/downloads/raspbian/Copy it on the SD Card. It is very simple with
https://www.balena.io/etcher/balenaetcher
First start and basic setup Raspberry pi (Raspi)
Insert the SD card into the slot of the Raspi. Connect the network cable, HDMI screen, keyboard and mouse and start the Raspi by plugging in the power connector. Use the original power supply or a power source with enough power. Follow the setup instructions. Before rebooting the Raspi I go to the Preferences, Raspberry Pi Configuration. There I assign my own hostname, for example dl1gkk-pi-4, so that I can identify it well later in the network. Then I switch to Interfaces and enable the VNC Server and ssh. With this I can control the further software installation via VNC or ssh. Now you can restart the Raspi.
After this i make a software and operating system update
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get upgrade
sudo apt-get dist-upgrade
reboot
For remote control install a VNC Viewer on another computer
https://www.realvnc.com/It is recommended to create an account with RealVNC. This allows you to control up to 5 computers for private use. After logging in, this is also possible from outside your own network. Once this is done, log on to the VNC server on the Raspi (click on the icon in the menu bar) and the VNC Viewer. Access should now be possible. You have assigned the host name and password yourself. The user is: pi
Backup & Restore
Let’s talk about backup & restore. I recommend to make regular backups from the SD card. For new installations I do this after every completed step. E.g. after the installation of the operating system, after the installation of software A, after the installation of software B… The reason is that something can go wrong during an installation. Then you can simply start again with the previous step and don’t have to reinstall everything completely.
There are many reasons for not touching a functioning system. But I would add: if you don’t have a backup. For this reason I always work with two SD cards on the Raspi. One I use to test new installations and another one is my working system. On the working system comes only what really works.
The easiest way is to backup and restore with
https://www.tweaking4all.com/software/macosx-software/applepi-baker-v2/or
https://sourceforge.net/projects/win32diskimager/ApplePiBaker
GPS Clock (Time sync & Position)
Let’s talk about time synchronization. Software like wsjt-x needs an exact time. In your local network you can inform yourself about IP. On the way I use my mobile phone as WLAN hotspot for the Raspi. Another possibility is to use a GPS. I use a Diymall Vk-172 Usb GPS Dongle. The GPS ist also nice if you like to track your position (Xastir APRS will support it) or something else.
The installation for this gps is based on a video from KM4ACK.
Thank you jason, great job 🙂
https://youtu.be/Oag9qYuhMGgPut the GPS in the Raspi and power it up
Now it is necessary to find out at which USB port the Raspberry Pi recognized the GPS. The easiest way to do this is with the terminal and the command
ls -l /dev/serial/by-id
List USB Device
ttyUSB0 is my CAT cable from the Elecraft KX2
ttyACM0 is my Kenwood TH-D74
ttyACM1 ist my USB GPS dongle
So i use ttyACM1 as DEVICES for the next step
sudo apt-get install gpsd gpsd-clients python-gps chrony
sudo nano /etc/default/gpsd
# Make / change to following setting:
START_DAEMON=â€trueâ€
USBAUTO=â€trueâ€
DEVICES=â€/dev/ttyACM1″
GPSD_OPTIONS=â€-nâ€
#Ctrl-X and yes to save
sudo nano /etc/chrony/chrony.conf
#Add the following line to the end of the file:
refclock SHM 0 offset 0.5 delay 0.2 refid NMEA
#Ctrl-X and yes to save
reboot
Now we can check if everything is all right
# check that gpsd and chronyd are active
systemctl is-active gpsd
systemctl is-active chronyd
# show the gps data
gpsmon -n
Install Packet Radio (Hamlib, Direwolf, Xastir, Linpac)
Install Hamlib (Transceiver Control)
Note: Install Hamlib if you need a PTT-Control. If you have a serial TNC or a transceiver like Kenwood TH-D74 with build in KISS TNC and you only like to use APRS with Xastir, you don’t need to install. Have a look to the Xastir section on this side.
Hamlib Design
If you use a Signalink USB sound card you don’t need to install Hamlib. It works good with fast VOX setting for 1200 baud packet, but not so good with 9600 baud. Don’t use the VOX from a Transceiver. It ist not fast enough. If u use a cheap USB sound card like mine (it works great) you need a hardware PTT circuit or a USB serial cable and Hamlib for Transceiver control.
IMPORTANT: If you want to use Hamlib you have to install it BEFORE installing Direwolf.
Direwolf checks during compilation whether the following files exist
/usr/local/include/hamlib/rig.h
/usr/local/lib/libhamlib.so
These are created during the installation of Hamlib. If these files are present, Direwolf is created for using Hamlib.
The installation is based on a video from KM4ACK.
Thank you jason, great job 🙂
https://youtu.be/iUOfsOnOmvQcd Downloads
wget
https://sourceforge.net/projects/hamlib/files/hamlib/3.3/hamlib-3.3.tar.gztar -zxvf hamlib-3.3.tar.gz
cd hamlib-3.3
./configure --prefix=/usr/local --enable-static
make
sudo make install
sudo ldconfig
cd ~
reboot
Now you can check if Hamlib will work. With the following command you can check which transceivers are supported
# l is a lower case L
rigctl -l
Note the number in the line in front of the radio you want to control. We will need the number later for the PTT control in direwolf.conf. I use an Elecraft KX2 and a 144/432Mhz transverter. 229 is K3/KX3 but also work with KX2. So that I can e.g. output the frequency with the following command
rigctl -m 229 -r /dev/ttyUSB0 -s 38400 f
Install Direwolf (Sound Modem)
Note: If you have a serial TNC or a transceiver like Kenwood TH-D74 with build in KISS TNC and you only like to use APRS with Xastir, you don’t need to install Direwolf. Have a look to the Xastir section on this side.
The installation is based on a video from KM4ACK.
Thank you jason, great job 🙂
https://youtu.be/Nz4mOzi5bcwsudo apt-get install libasound2-dev
sudo apt-get install libudev-dev
git clone
https://www.github.com/wb2osz/direwolfcd ~/direwolf
make -j
sudo make install
make install-conf
make install-rpi
reboot
Now we can setup Direwolf. First we have a look about our sound card in- and output
# l is a lower case L
aplay -l
arecord -l
Now we edit the Direwolf config file
sudo nano direwolf.conf
Scroll down to the line: #ADEVICE plughw:1,0 and delete the # from the start of the line. Scroll down to CHANNEL 0 PROPERTIES and replace NOCALL with your callsign, i.e. DL1GKK. NB: This must be caps. Then, if you like to use Hamlib scroll to ptt and change it (in my case) to:
PTT RIG 229 /dev/ttyUSB0
Press Ctrl+x, close an save the file. Then make a reboot. Now you can start direwolf.
direwolf
After start you see infos from Dirwolf bevor it begins to decode packet messages. You will see that Hamlib ist enabled, the active audio device, info about your active channels and config and the info that Direwolf is ready to accept AGW (Port 8000) and KISS TCP (Port 8001). We need AGW for a simple connect with Xastir.
Flashing console output ? In my case, after i start direwolf, the text is flashing. That is a Terminal behavior changed on Raspbian Buster. There are two opportunities to fix it:
1.) You can start direwolf black/white the -t 0 command
direwolf -t 0
2.) You can fix it using the “dev†branch
rm -rf direwolf
git clone
https://www.github.com/wb2osz/direwolfcd ~/direwolf
git checkout dev
make -j
sudo make install
make install-conf
make install-rpi
reboot
Install Xastir (APRS)
Note: If you want to use an existing radio that has no built-in TNC you will need to install Hamlib and Direwolf beforehand.
Xastir
sudo apt-get install xastir
# Add the system user ‘pi’ to run the xastir program
sudo usermod -a -G xastir-ax25 pi
reboot
Now we can start xastir with:
xastir
After the first start of Xastir Configure Station. Input your CALL, LAT/LONG and look for a nice Station Symbol.
Then go to Interface and Interface Control. Add a new Interface Type
Xastir with Direwolf
For Direwolf this is “Network AGWPEâ€. localhost and Port 8000 is ok, you see it if you start Direwolf (You must start Direwolf before you start Xastir in a separately terminal window). Make ok, click on the corresponding Device and Start it. The service change from down to up.
Xastir with a USB GPS
If you have installed GPS like my description you can activate it. Go to Interface Control and “Network GPS (via gpsd)â€. localhost and GPSD Port 2947. Make ok, click on the corresponding Device and Start it. The service change from down to up.
Xastir with a Internet Server
If you want, you can also connect Xastir additionally or only with a server from the Internet. Go to Interface Control and “Internet Serverâ€. Enter your APRS “Pass-codeâ€. Make ok, click on the corresponding Device and Start it. The service change from down to up. If you don’t have a pass-code you can create one. Have a look here:
https://apps.magicbug.co.uk/passcode/Xastir with a external TNC
For pure APRS operation a soundmodem (e.g. direwolf) is not mandatory. Radio devices such as the Kenwood TH-D74 with built-in KISS-TNC can be connected directly. Take a look here:
https://dl1gkk.com/raspberry-pi-xastir-and-kenwood-th-d74-for-aprs-a-good-relationship/This is what my setup looks like
Xastir interface setting
Install Linpac (Packet Radio Terminal)
Note: The AX25 installation is tricky… Install it only if you really need it. You’ll save yourself some gray hair 😉
LinPac
First we have to install AX25 network support
sudo apt-get install libax25 ax25-apps ax25-tools
Now we must change the axports
cd /etc/ax25/
sudo nano axports
In my case i have to setup to:
1 DL1GKK 1200 255 2 Packet
port-number call speed paclen window description
Leave with ctrl+x, save and reboot
Now you can start Direwolf with -p (activate KISS-TNC)
direwolf -p
Now you can connect Direwolf to AX25
sudo /usr/sbin/kissattach /dev/pts/1 1 44.56.4.118
/dev/pts/1 is from Direwolf. The 1 after this is the port-number from the axports file. If everything is ok you get: AX.25 port 1 bound to device ax0
Now we can install Linpac. Open the raspbian menu settings: add / remove Software, search for linpac, select it and Apply. Start linpac with:
sudo linpac -m
Now linpac should run and you can adjust your individual setup. When ready make a reboot.
Install FLRig (Transceiver Control)
Note: It is important that you install FLRig before FLDigi.
FLRig
The installation is based on a video from KM4ACK.
Thank you jason, great job 🙂
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WCj2usvOItQsudo apt-get install libfltk1.3-dev libjpeg9-dev libxft-dev libxinerama-dev libxcursor-dev libsndfile1-dev libsamplerate0-dev portaudio19-dev libpulse-dev
For the further installation we need the software from
http://www.w1hkj.com/files/We are going to the Folder /flxmlrpc and copy the link-adress with the right click on flxmlrpc-0.1.4.tar.gz (in this case… later it is possible that you have a higher release number), we need it for the wget command.
cd Downloads
wget
http://www.w1hkj.com/files/flxmlrpc/flxmlrpc-0.1.4.tar.gzls
tar -zxvf flxmlrpc-0.1.4.tar.gz
cd flxmlrpc-0.1.4
./configure --prefix=/usr/local --enable-static
make
sudo make install
sudo ldconfig
cd ~/Downloads
We are going to the Folder /flrig and copy the link-adress with the right click on flrig-1.3.47.tar.gz (in this case… later it is possible that you have a higher release number), we need it for the wget command.
wget
http://www.w1hkj.com/files/flrig/flrig-1.3.48.tar.gzls
tar -zxvf flrig-1.3.48.tar.gz
cd flrig-1.3.48
./configure --prefix=/usr/local --enable-static
make
sudo make install
cd ~
flrig
Now FLRig should run and you can adjust your individual setup.
Note to FLRig: Currently I use the direct CAT control of the individual programs and do without FLRig. The reason is that FLRig switches off the PTT in my setup with a delay. There are a few milliseconds. I haven’t found out why this is the case yet. If someone knows, please contact me: info@dl1gkk.com. The installation of FLRig makes sense anyway, since some drivers are also required by FLDigi.
Install FLDigi (Data Mode)
Note: It is important that you install FLRig before FLDigi.
FLDigi
The installation is based on a video from KM4ACK.
Thank you jason, great job 🙂
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oD59HpiYtDEsudo nano /etc/dphys-swapfile
delete the “#†from the line: #CONF_SWAPFILE=/var/swap
set CONF_SWAPSIZE=512
Make CTRL+X and safe the swapfile
sudo /etc/init.d/dphys-swapfile restart
For the further installation we need the software from
http://www.w1hkj.com/files/We are going to the Folder /fldigi and copy the link-adress with the right click on fldigi-4.1.07.tar.gz (in this case… later it is possible that you have a higher release number), we need it for the wget command.
cd Downloads
wget
http://www.w1hkj.com/files/fldigi/fldigi-4.1.08.tar.gztar -zxvf fldigi-4.1.08.tar.gz
ls
cd fldigi-4.1.08
./configure --prefix=/usr/local --enable-static
make
sudo make install
sudo ldconfig
cd ~
Now we have to undo the changes in the swap-file
sudo nano /etc/dphys-swapfile
make a “#†in front of the line: #CONF_SWAPFILE=/var/swap
set CONF_SWAPSIZE=100
Make CTRL+X and safe the swapfile
sudo /etc/init.d/dphys-swapfile restart
fldigi
Now FLDigi should run and you can adjust your individual setup. Note: If you use FLRig for transceiver control you need to start it. When ready make a reboot.
Install WSJT-X (Data Mode)
Note: If you like to use FLRig for transceiver control with WSJT-X it is important that you install FLRig before.
WSJT-X
Install WSJT-X with the PPA from Greg Beam.
Thank you Greg, great job 🙂
For more information have a look here https://launchpad.net/~ki7mt/+archive/ubuntu/wsjtx
sudo nano /etc/apt/sources.list
Add the following to the end of the sources.list file
deb
http://ppa.launchpad.net/ki7mt/wsjtx/ubuntu xenial main
deb-src
http://ppa.launchpad.net/ki7mt/wsjtx/ubuntu xenial main
Ctrl-X to save and exit
Now update your system
sudo apt-get update
and install WSJT-X
sudo apt-get install wsjtx
Confirm every questions until installation with yes and if finish
reboot
After install you have not the current version?
Take it easy you can update it
First, remove the old version. Open the raspbian menu settings: add / remove Software, search for wsjtx and delete all packages with wsjtx.
Then we delete the ppa, for the direct update the PPA’s are no longer needed
sudo nano /etc/apt/sources.list
Delete at the end of the sources.list following files
deb
http://ppa.launchpad.net/ki7mt/wsjtx/ubuntu xenial main
deb-src
http://ppa.launchpad.net/ki7mt/wsjtx/ubuntu xenial main
Ctrl-X to save and exit. Make a reboot.
Go to
https://physics.princeton.edu/pulsar/k1jt/wsjtx.html and download the current version to the Downloads folder. For example: Raspbian Stretch..: wsjtx_2.1.0_armhf.deb
cd Downloads
sudo dpkg -i wsjtx_2.1.0_armhf.deb
reboot
If you get a error message because libgfortran3 is not installed, install it with:
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install libgfortran3
sudo dpkg -i wsjtx_2.1.0_armhf.deb
reboot
Now WSJT-X should run and you can adjust your individual setup. Note: If you use FLRig for transceiver control you need to start it first. When ready make a reboot.
Install JTDX (Data Mode)
Note: If you like to use FLRig for transceiver control with JTDX it is important that you install FLRig before.
JTDX
Download the last version from
https://www.jtdx.tech/en/ into the Downloads Folder of your Raspberry Pi. In my case it was JTDX v2.02-rc139. Go to the Downloads Folder and make double click on it to start the installation. After the installation make a reboot. Then JTDX would show up in the menu.
Install GridTracker (Display connections on a map)
Note: Install is easy and work great with WSJT-X and JTDX.
GridTracker
Download the actually software from
https://tagloomis.com/downloads/ into the Downloads Folder. In my case it was: GridTracker-Linux-Arm-1.19.0831.tar.gz. Unzip it with a right click in the filemanager. Change to GridTracker folder and read the README.txt. There you will find the instructions for the installation, as follows
As an example, assume that GridTracker-Linux-Arm-1.19.0831.tar was downloaded to /home/pi/Downloads/, andextracted to a folder directly below it, /home/pi/Downloads/GridTracker/. Copy Pi3- or Pi4-GridTracker.desktop to /home/pi/Desktop/, and gridtracker.png to /home/pi/Downloads/GridTracker/. If your GridTracker install uses other file locations, simply edit the apporpriate lines in GridTracker.desktop to reference the proper folders. You should now see the GridTracker icon on your desktop.
Start WSJT-X (and/or JTDX) and Go to the Filemenu, Settings, Reporting and activate:
Accept UDP requests
Notify on accepted UDP request
Accept UDP request restore window
UDP Server ist 127.0.0.1 and port numer 2237
Now you can start GridTracker with a double click on the desktop icon.
Install JS8Call (Data Mode)
JS8Call
The installation is based on a video from KM4ACK.
Thank you jason, great job 🙂
https://youtu.be/Nz4mOzi5bcwFor the further installation we need the software from
http://files.js8call.com/latest.htmlWe copy the link-adress with the right click on
http://files.js8call.com/1.1.0/js8call_1.1.0_armhf.deb (in this case… later it is possible that you have a higher release number), we need it for the wget command.
cd Downloads
wget
http://files.js8call.com/1.1.0/js8call_1.1.0_armhf.debsudo dpkg -i js8call_1.1.0_armhf.deb
reboot
If you run into dependency issues try running
sudo apt --fix-broken install
sudo dpkg -i js8call_1.1.0_armhf.deb
Now JS8Call should run and you can adjust your individual setup. Note: If you use FLRig for transceiver control you need to start it.
See this video if you want to get your gridsquare from GPS
https://youtu.be/DpzC7g-gY44Install CQRLOG (Advanced ham radio logbook)
CQRLog
Open the raspbian menu settings: add / remove Software, search for cqrlog, select it and Apply.
Now CQRLOG should run and you can adjust your individual setup.
LOTW User: Install TQSL and load existing Certificate on the Raspi.
Have a look to K0PIR’s youtube video. Thank you rich, great job 🙂
https://youtu.be/M9o0WnJtxz0Open the raspbian menu settings: add / remove Software, search for tqsl, select it and Apply. Now TQSL should run. When ready make a reboot.
Install GPredict (Sat-Tracking)
Gpredict
Open the raspbian menu settings: add / remove Software, search for gpredict, select it and Apply.
Now Gpredict should run and you can adjust your individual setup. When ready make a reboot.
Install QSSTV (Slow Scan Televison)
ISS
Open the raspbian menu settings: add / remove Software, search for qsstv, select it and Apply.
Now qsstv should run and you can adjust your individual setup. When ready make a reboot.
Install GQRX (SDR)
Gqrx
SDR receivers are the first choice if you just want to be ready to receive in as wide a frequency range as possible. These receivers are already very inexpensive and work well together with the Raspberry. I use the DX PATROL MK4 with a frequency range from 100khz to 2Ghz.
With an adapted LNB and a downconverter the reception of the amateur radio satellite QO-100 is also possible.
Have a look here:
http://www.dxpatrol.ptBut also for the decoding of most different signals like e.g. weather fax the SDR Receiver is suitable in the best way.
In order to use the SDR receiver you need the appropriate SDR software. I use Gqrx. Following the installation.
Open the raspbian menu settings: add / remove Software, search for gqrx, select it and Apply. After finish make a reboot.
Don’t be surprised, the launch of GQRX on the Raspi takes a while… Now then gqrx should run and you can adjust your individual setup. DX PATROL MK4 is a RTL2838 device so i use as I/O input Realtek RTL2838UHIDIR SN:00000001. I use the USB 2.0 port because I had problems with the USB 3.0 port from time to time.
No Audio ?
It may be possible that you don’t hear audio even though Gqrx starts and indicates on the waterfall that signals are being received. I had this problem too. After researching with google I found two ways to fix this problem. Just try out what helps for you.
First make a update with
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get upgrade
1.) Try a new install
Open the Webbrowser on the Raspi
http://gqrx.dk/download/gqrx-sdr-for-the-raspberry-piDownload the current version of Gqrx for Raspberry Pi 3 in my case is it the SDR 2.11. Open the file manager and got to Downloads. Make a right click on gqrx-sdr-2.11.5-linux-rpi3.tar.xz and and choose unpack here. Open the folder gqrx-sdr-2.11.5-linux-rpi3. Have a look in readme.txt. Open LXTerminal an enter
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt install gnuradio libvolk1-bin libusb-1.0-0 gr-iqbal
sudo apt install qt5-default libqt5svg5 libportaudio2
cd Downloads
ls
cd gqrx-sdr-2.11.5-linux-rpi3
sudo cp udev/*.rules /etc/udev/rules.d/
reboot
2.) RUN volk_profile
It is recommended that users run the volk_profile tool to optimize GNU Radio performance on the specific computer it is being used on.
volk_profile
If you get errors you can try
sudo apt-get install libvolk1-bin
volk_profile
Then make a reboot. In my case audio will work.
Install FreeDV (Digital Voice)
FreeDV
Open the raspbian menu settings: add / remove Software, search for freedv, select it and Apply.
Now FreeDV should run and you can adjust your individual setup. When ready make a reboot.
Install VOACAP (Propagation Prediction)
Voacap
The installation is based on a video from KM4ACK.
Thank you jason, great job 🙂
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jye6JkIPYY0For the installation we need the software from
https://www.qsl.net/hz1jw/voacapl/index.htmlsudo apt-get install gfortran
cd Downloads
wget
https://www.qsl.net/hz1jw/voacapl/downloads/voacapl-0.7.2.tar.gzls
tar -xzf voacapl-0.7.2.tar.gz
cd voacapl-0.7.2
./configure
make
sudo make install
makeitshfbc
Test the installation by typing the following command
voacapl ~/itshfbc
You should see output similar to the following
Executing from dir=/home/pi/itshfbc/run
OPENing file=voacapx.dat
TRANSMIT=2-D Table [default/const17.voa ]=Const 17dB beam= 0.0 az= 57.4
RECEIVE =2-D Table [default/swwhip.voa ]=SWWhip.VOA beam= 0.0 az= 254.7
Method 30 Jun 100ssn Freqs= 6.1 7.2 9.7 11.9 13.7 15.4 17.7 21.6 25.9
If you see something similar to the above (with no error messages) voacapl and the data files are built and installed correctly.
Install the graphic interface
Note: The following lines from the first sudo command to the next sudo command are a block. Please copy and paste as block. Everything else is a single line.
sudo apt-get install yelp python3-gi python3-gi-cairo rarian-compat \
gnome-doc-utils pkg-config python3-dateutil python3-mpltoolkits.basemap \
python3-cairocffi
sudo apt-get install libgtk-3-dev
cd ..
ls
wget
https://www.qsl.net/hz1jw/pythonprop/downloads/pythonprop-0.28.tar.gzls
tar -xzf pythonprop-0.28.tar.gz
cd pythonprop-0.28
./configure
sudo make install
reboot
The software can now be started via the Raspi menu. To use the software it is useful to watch the video of Jason and to read the user manual.
Install Chirp (Programming transceivers)
Chirp
The installation is based on a video from KM4ACK.
Thank you jason, great job 🙂
https://youtu.be/RQ8eEsU1b1cFor the installation we need the software from
https://chirp.danplanet.com/projects/chirp/wiki/Downloadsudo apt-get -y install python-gtk2 python-serial python-libxml2
mkdir chirp
cd chirp
wget
https://trac.chirp.danplanet.com/chirp_daily/LATEST/chirp-daily-20190829.tar.gzls
tar -xzf chirp-daily-20190829.tar.gz
ls
cd chirp-daily-20190829
sudo python setup.py install
Qtel (Echolink Client)
Qtel Echolink Client
Open the raspbian menu settings: add / remove Software, search for qtel (graphical client for the EchoLink protocol), select it and Apply.
Now Echolink should run and you can adjust your individual setup. When ready make a reboot. In my case it will not work with the 3.5mm Audio Jack. I use a USB-Headset.
More Information about EchoLink
http://www.echolink.orgImportant: For Echolink to work it is necessary to enable the ports UDP-5198-5199 and TCP 5200 in the router and assign them to the Raspberry Pi.
Other useful software
RPI-Monitor
RPI-Monitor
RPi-Monitor is a software designed to monitor the metrics from GNU/Linux system and connected peripherals. It store statistic into local Round Robin Database and embed a web server allowing to display current status and statistics.
https://xavierberger.github.io/RPi-Monitor-docs/11_installation.htmlhttps://xavierberger.github.io/RPi-Monitor-docs/index.html# Install RPi-Monitor‘s public key to trust RPi-Monitor repository:
sudo apt-get install dirmngr
sudo apt-key adv --recv-keys --keyserver keyserver.ubuntu.com 2C0D3C0F
# Execute the following command to add RPi-Monitor into your list of repository:
sudo wget
http://goo.gl/vewCLL -O /etc/apt/sources.list.d/rpimonitor.list
# To install RPi-Monitor, execute the following command:
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install rpimonitor
RPi-Monitor is designed to start automatically and collect metrics. The web interface is available on address http://raspberrypi.local:8888 (if you change the Raspberry Pi hostname, use your-Hostname.local:8888)
If you get info that Package(s). Update needed…. use:
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get upgrade
sudo /etc/init.d/rpimonitor update
Screen Saver Utility
If you want to disable the screen saver it is easiest to install a screen saver utility
sudo apt-get install xscreensaver
reboot
Open the utility and deactivate the screen saver.
Remote Desktop Software
Several remote desktop tools are available for Linux distributions. These can handle one or many of the various protocols that can be used to remote control another machine. However, the best option—certainly for the Raspberry Pi—is probably Remmina, which supports RDP, VNC, SPICE, NX, XDMCP, SSH and EXEC. To install Remmina, return to the Terminal and enter
sudo apt install remmina
reboot
General Information
Many programs are installed using this manual. In case of an error, it may be helpful to carry out an update. Important: Make a backup of the SD card before attempting to do so.
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get upgrade
reboot
Alternatively it might be helpful to upgrade the complete system. Be careful, the programs may not work afterwards.
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get dist-upgrade
reboot
Disclaimer
Please note the software/information available on this website are provided “as is†without warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied and such software is to be used at your own risk.
The use of the software links on this website is done at your own discretion and risk and with agreement that you will be solely responsible for any damage to your computer system or loss of data that results from such activities. You are solely responsible for adequate protection and backup of the data and equipment used in connection with any of the software linked to this website, and we will not be liable for any damages that you may suffer connection with downloading, installing, using, modifying or distributing such software. No advice or information, whether oral or written, obtained by you from us or from this website shall create any warranty for the software.
Have fun…
VY 73, Karl-Heinz, DL1GKK
https://dl1gkk.com/setup-raspberry-pi-for-ham-radio/
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