1/16/2024 0 Comments Raspberry pi fldigiYou can download the Raspbian image file here. Instead, you download an "image" of the OS and then flash it to the SD card. Although this may seem strange to a "Windows user", there is no "install disc" for Raspbian. There are several different Linux OS's you can install on the Pi (there will soon be a Windows 10 version available). If you would like to read more about SD cards, see Jack Schofield's article in The Guardian. I'm glad I did since I found that I could run other additional programs on the Pi besides those associated with ham radio. I switched to the 8 gig size in case I decided to load more software on my Pi. Unlike Windows, Linux only needs about 2 gigabytes for the operating system itself, so a 4 gigabyte card is all you need. As far as capacity is concerned, I now use an 8 gigabyte card, having started with a 4 gigabyte card. The numbers on the card, usually found in a broken circle printed on the card, indicates megabytes per second data transfer speed. I have since switched to a number 10 card. As far as speed is concerned, I initially used a number 4 card. Two other characteristics of the SD card deserve mention: one is speed and the other is storage capacity. The B version of the Pi uses the larger format cards (32 X 24mm). The SD card serves as the "hard-drive" for the Pi. So far, I've had no power issues, but I do use a powered USB hub (read below).įinally, I needed a SD card. Since I had no such mobile device, I purchased an adapter from Amazon with specs of 5 V and 2 amps. Just make sure that it's 5 volts and at least 1 amp current. If you have a 5 V power supply that uses a mini-USB adapter, you might be able to use it to power the Pi. Like many mobile devices, the Pi is powered through a mini-USB connector. The problems appeared to be associated, or at least were exacerbated, by using power-hungry USB devices without a powered USB hub. I read reports of sporadic problems with the Pi when the unit was underpowered. Top view of the Raspberry Pi in the Multicorp Enclosure.įrom my initial research, I learned that power was a potentially "touchy" issue with the Pi. I found an adapter on Amazon for approximately $10 US. I worried about the conversion, but several people on the forums were successful with the adapter. Because the monitor was VGA, I needed a HDMI to VGA adapter. I finally decided to use a 16 inch VGA monitor that I purchased at Walmart for $69 US. I wanted to use a monitor no larger than about 15 inches and I had no small monitor capable of HDMI input. The video output from the Pi is either composite video (from an RCA connector) or HDMI. The Pi with no enclosure would almost certainly be damaged, especially around my shack. In retrospect, I think this was a good idea. On the advice of much that I read, I also purchased an enclosure. I purchased the Pi from Newark Element 14. Would it have the "horsepower" necessary to do logging and to decode digital signals? At the time, there were few reports of hams attempting to use the Pi for logging and digital communications. My only concern was the ARM processor running at 700Mhz. When I first read about the Raspberry Pi, I thought it would be perfect. I also wanted something with more modest power requirements and something that I might leave on 24/7. But my desk space is limited and I needed a computer with a smaller "footprint" than my laptop. For digital operation, I use fldigi which is written and maintained by David W1HKJ and his associates. For logging I use CQRLOG, a wonderful logging program that is written and maintained by Petr OK2CQR and Martin OK1RR. I have an old Dell laptop (Inspiron 1420) running Ubuntu Linux that works great for both logging and running digital modes. Although I'm not an avid digital operator, I occasionally enjoy a PSK-31 QSO or sometimes I like to "read the mail" or copy a weather map on WEFAX. Plus, the ability to read parameters directly from your radio is the essence of convenience (and laziness). Keeping up with the States and countries you've worked and each station's QSL history is fantastic. I have two major applications for a computer in my shack: logging and digital mode operation.
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