Its become apparent that participation has dropped significantly over time. As a result I am going to take a free, simpler approach to blogging over at blogspot.com.
While this blog will be around, I will no longer be posting to it. The only exception will be those who want to have their special events listed.
73 de KE2YK
I have been using Google’s Blogger (blogspot.com) for about a week now. It’s been great. I have made and had to undo a few screw ups but overall the platform offers the simplicity I was after. The stats are easy to drill into and I have been surprised at the response so far.
Eventually I’ll get around to making more improvements but I’m ok with the new platform for now.
73 de KE2YK
Jason KM4ACK has done an outstanding video series and detailed instructions about how to build out a Raspberry PI for Ham Radio operations. Recently I discovered Jason’s scripts and loaded up a Pi 3B+ I had sitting idle with some of Jason’s Ham Radio apps.
The primary reason for installing some of the apps on Jason’s list was to build a Pi for FT8 field operations.
Jason’s install scripts actually go way beyond just a bunch of separate scripts stored over at his github site. He has actually developed a graphical menu system which, once installed makes it simple pick and choose which Ham Radio apps are to be installed.
The first app I installed from Jason’s menu is the software to manage my GPS dongle.
It’s critical for the system clock to have accurate time to run FT8. After reviewing Julian OH8STN’s video about digital field ops, I purchased the DIYmall VK-172 VK 172 USB GPS Dongle Glonass from Amazon for around $12.
Field testing the GPS unit resulted in an accurate system clock. The dongle unit does not provide for an external antenna. Use it outdoors for best results.
The second app I installed was the HotSpot / DHCP management software. Using the HotSpot setup I can connect to the Pi’s graphical desktop via VNC Server and VNC Client with my Kindle Fire.
Finally I installed FLRIG which I use to connect to my KX3. WSJT-X provides an option to use FLRIG as the “connected radio”. The CODEC for my IC-7300 is already built into the Pi’s kernel so FLRIG is not needed with the IC-7300.
Some of tje other apps I have installed and tested are:
PAT:
Winlink client for Raspberry Pi https://getpat.io/
PATMENU:
Menu for configuring Pat. Recommended if installing Pat. https://github.com/km4ack/patmenu
ARDOPC:
HF modem for Pat. Recommended if installing Pat https://www.cantab.net/users/john.wiseman/Documents/ARDOPC.html
ARDOPGUI:
GUI interface for ARDOPC. Recommended if installing Pat
PULSE:
Pulse audio. Provides a way to configure virtual sound cards. REQUIRED for AMRRON ops.
WSJTX:
FT8 & WISPR software suite. https://sourceforge.net/projects/wsjt/
CQRLOG:
Logging Software https://www.cqrlog.com/
Call Sign Lookup:
Look amateur radio call signs
Another benefit of running Jason’s menu system is that updates are transparently performed whenever the menu system is rerun.
Instead of redundantly listing all of the apps Jason offers, take a look a Jason’s information on his pi-build github site. Scroll down to view the list of apps along with brief explanations.
Interested in building out a raspberry pi for Ham Radio? Here’s the link to part one of Jason’s build-a-pi video series.
72 es 73 de KE2YK
