Why Use a Raspberry Pi for Amateur Radio

What's a Raspberry Pi?

The RPi 4 is a low-cost, completely functional computer, approximately the size of a card deck, typically costing between $30 - $100 USD.

Image: A Raspberry Pi 4 board.

What Operating Systems Does Raspberry Pi Use?

• Raspberry Pi OS Linux (Buster based on Debian) - "was Raspbian"
• Windows 10 IoT Core
• Ubuntu
• Ubuntu MATE
• OSMC
• LibreELEC
• Mozilla WebThings
• PiNet
• RISC OS
• Weather Station
• DRAWS [Digital Radio Amateur Workstation]

What Can I Do With Raspberry Pi?

• LibreOffice Suite (Word, Sheet, Present)
• Chromium (Web Browsing)
• Media Player (Living Room PC)
• Game Emulator
• Robotics
• Windows 3.0
• Learn to Program
• File Server (NAS)
• BitTorrent Server
• Home Automation
• Wireless network printer
• Music Streaming
• Kids First Computer
• Computing Cluster
• Weather Station
• Ham Radio Station
• Radio Frequency transmitter (rpitx) - Frequencies from 5 KHz up to 1500 MHz.

What Do I Need to Use the Raspberry Pi?

• Headless with SSH
• Keyboard
• Bluetooth
• USB
• Monitor (HDMI, 12 inch Portable Small)
• Mouse or a Trackball
• USB Audio Adapter External Stereo Sound Card

Image: A USB adapter with HDMI and USB-C ports.

Image: A foldable Bluetooth keyboard with a smartphone mounted.

Image: A small portable monitor displaying colorful handprints.

Raspberry Pi 4 Power Requirements

• Input voltage: 4.0 V to 5.5 V (absolute max rating of 6V before damage occurs).
• Reasonable power range: 5.1 V to 5.25 V.
• Recommended power supply: 3A (15W), especially if USB peripherals consume less than 500mA in total.
• Note: Original Pi 4 had a non-compliant USB-C power port, which has been fixed.

Why Use Raspberry Pi for Ham Radio?

• Small form-factor
• Lightweight
• Low power needs
• Can be powered by solar energy.
• Uses Linux, which is well-supported.

Image: A person operating amateur radio equipment outdoors, with a portable setup on a wheeled cart.

Why Use Raspberry Pi for Ham Radio? (Applications)

• Great for use in a ham shack or for portable operations.
• Tactical Radio Carrier applications.
• Enables digital capabilities for radio equipment.

Image: Rack-mounted radio equipment.

Image: Two radio transceivers integrated into a portable case.

Image: A portable setup featuring a screen and radio equipment mounted on a tripod.

Why Use Raspberry Pi for Ham Radio? (Portable Use)

• Portable / Remote Weather Station / repeater applications.
• Weather Board compatibility.
• Weather Meter Kit integration.
• SmartiPi Touch Pro case compatibility.
• Portable Antenna Tripod Mount usage.

Image: A weather station setup including an anemometer, wind vane, and rain gauge.

Image: A portable antenna mounted on a tripod, with a carrying case.

Image: A portable setup featuring a screen and radio equipment.

Where Do I Start?

1. Determine your needs for the Raspberry Pi, which will guide equipment selection.
2. Purchase a Raspberry Pi, power supply, and micro SD card from a local retailer.
   • Use an SD card of at least 64GB and Class 10.
   • Alternatively, use a SATA SSD with a cable or an NVME SSD with an NVME USB3 Adapter.
3. Use a USB keyboard, mouse, and display. Don't forget the micro-HDMI cable!
4. Download software:
   • Download BalenaEtcher or Raspberry Pi Imager for Windows, Mac. (Note: Not needed for Linux).
   • Flash the micro-SD card.

Where Do I Start? (Setup Methods)

There are 5 ways to set up the Raspberry Pi for use in amateur radio:

1. DL2GKK's instructions:
   • Manual (good for a lite system): https://dl1gkk.com/setup-raspberry-pi-for-ham-radio/
2. Script from KM4ACK:
   • Almost fully automatic: https://github.com/km4ack/pi-build
3. Ready SD card image: e.g., HamPi
   • https://sourceforge.net/projects/hampi/
4. Pre-installed SD card: e.g., from G4WNC
   • Already set up for your radio and DRAWS.
   • https://photobyte.org/
5. Hardware solution: e.g., DRAWS
   • They also have a SD card image.
   • http://nwdigitalradio.com/

HAMPI Image V1.6A1

• Custom-built ham radio software image with over 80 applications.
• Created using Ansible, a software automation tool.

Where Do I Find HAMPI Image V1.6A1?

• Find site: https://sourceforge.net/projects/hampi/
• Image is compressed with XZ in TAR format and is approximately 4GB.
• Uncompressed size: 14.6Gb.
• Over 6,000 direct downloads in the first 60 days.

Where Do I Get Support for HAMPI V1.6A1?

• HamPi Forum on Groups.io: https://groups.io/g/Ham-Pi
• GitHub Wiki: https://github.com/dslotter/hampi/wiki
• QRZ: https://forums.qrz.com/index.php?threads/hampi-1-0-released.711515/
• GARS Workshops!

How Can I Put Image on (Micro) SD Card?

• You cannot simply copy the image as a file onto the (micro) SD card (some people have tried and failed).
• One solution: dd (for Linux).
• For Windows PC or Mac:
  • Solution: BalenaEtcher, available at https://www.balena.io/etcher/
  • Raspberry Pi Imager.

How Do I Expand the Image to Use Entire (Micro) SD Card?

If you have a 128GB microSD card and the Pi is only using 16GB, you need to expand the filesystem.

• This is automatic on Raspbian Buster.
• On older versions of Raspbian:
  • Use sudo raspi-config.
  • Select "Expand Filesystem".

Image: Screenshot of the Raspberry Pi Software Configuration Tool (raspi-config) showing options like "Expand Filesystem", "Change User Password", etc.

How Do I Power My Raspberry Pi?

• In the Ham Shack: Power Adapter (aka "wall wart").
• Also in the Ham Shack: Power over Ethernet (PoE) - $20.
• GPIO Pins: Pin #2 (5V) and Pin #6 (GND). ⚠️ Dangerous - only use if you know what you're doing.
• Mobile Power: USB Battery Pack - $15+.
• MoPi 2: Hot-Swap Mobile Power - £29.
• PiJuice: With Solar Panels.
• 12V to 5V DC USB Type-C Step-Down Power Converter (Buck Converter).

Image: A Raspberry Pi board with a fan HAT attached.

Image: A 12V to 5V DC-DC buck converter.

Image: A red USB audio adapter with cables.

How Do I Connect the Pi to My Radio?

• Short answer: USB.
  • Cable from RIG.
  • USB Sound Card:
    • SignaLink: $135.
    • Sabrent USB Sound Adapter: $7.
• Another short answer: DRAWS Ham Radio HAT by NW Digital Radio - $150.

Image: A Raspberry Pi in a clear protective case.

Image: A red metal enclosure labeled "DRAWS".

Image: A black USB sound card adapter with a cable.

Image: A circuit board labeled "DRAWS Ham Radio HAT".

DRAWS Digital Radio Amateur Workstation

• Raspberry Pi 3 Compliant HAT.
• Power HAT and Pi from 6-15VDC.
• Onboard Voltage Monitor.
• 2 Radio Interfaces.
• Mini DIN-6 Connectors.
• Optional Cables.
• On Board GPS.
• Optional External Antenna w/LNA.
• PPS for Stratum 1 Time Source.
• Battery Backed Real Time Clock.
• Accessory Port.
• PWR, IO, Serial Port, Analog In.

Operating Modes:

• Headless, operate from your Computer.
• Network Attach or VNC.
• Workstation, operate locally by adding:
  • HDMI Monitor.
  • USB Keyboard & Mouse.

Open-Source Software:

An image is available for download with popular applications pre-installed, including:

• Packet.
• DIREWOLF 1200/9600.
• APRS, WinLink.
• Soundcard Digital.
• FLDIGI, WSJT-X.
• Digital Voice Repeater/Hotspot.

How to Keep Accurate Time on the Pi?

• In the Hamshack: Use timedatectl and NTP.
  • Command: timedatectl
  • Command: ntpdate -q 0.us.pool.ntp.org
  • For more info, see: https://raspberrytips.com/time-sync-raspberry-pi/
• In the Field: Use GPS receiver & gpsd.
  • GLONASS GPS Tracker Module for Raspberry Pi: $8.
  • Alternative: RTC Module - $15.
  • Alternative: DRAWS Hat GPS Receiver - $150.

Image: A small yellow battery-backed Real-Time Clock (RTC) module in a protective case.

Image: A USB GPS receiver module.

HAMPI V1.6A1 USE CASE: OPERATING DIGITAL MODES

FlDigi Suite by W1HKJ

• WSJT-X - Weak Signal (FT8, FT4, etc.) by W1JT.
• GridTracker - Graphical mapping companion program for WSJT-X or JTDX.
• JTDX - Alternate client for Weak Signal (FT8, FT4, etc.).
• JS8Call - Messaging built on top of FT8 protocol by KN4CRD.
• JS8CallTools - Get Grid coordinates using GPS.

gnss-sdr - GLONASS satellite system Software Defined Receiver

• linpsk - amateur radio PSK31/RTTY program via soundcard.
• multimon - program to decode radio transmissions.
• multimon-ng - digital radio transmission decoder.
• psk31lx - a terminal based ncurses program for psk31.
• twpsk - a psk program.

HAMPI V1.6A1 USE CASE: LOGGING

Software included:

• TrustedQSL - LotW client from ARRL.
• CQRlog - Ham Radio Logging Application.
• PyQSO - Logging software (written in Python).
• klog - The Ham Radio Logging program.
• tlf - console based ham radio contest logger.
• tucnak2 - VHF/UHF/SHF Hamradio contest log version 2.
• twlog - basic logging program for ham radio.
• wsjtx_to_n3fjp - Logging adapter to allow WSJT-X to log to N3FJP by yours truly, W3DJS.
• xlog - GTK+ Logging program for Hamradio Operators.

HAMPI V1.6A1 USE CASE: APRS

Software included:

• Direwolf - Software "soundcard" AX.25 packet modem/TNC and APRS encoder/decoder.
• Xastir - APRS GUI client / Digipeater / Igate.
• YAAC - Yet Another APRS Client.
• APRS Message App for JS8Call.
• aprsdigi - digipeater for APRS.
• aprx - APRS Digipeater and iGate.
• soundmodem - Sound Card Amateur Packet Radio Modems.

HAMPI V1.6A1 USE CASE: CW / MORSE CODE

aldo - Morse code training program

• cw - sound characters as Morse code on the soundcard or console speaker.
• cwcp - Text based Morse tutor program.
• xcwcp - Graphical Morse tutor program.
• cwdaemon - morse daemon for the serial or parallel port.
• ebook2cw - convert eBooks to Morse MP3s/OGGs.
• ebook2cwgui - GUI for ebook2cw.

morse - training program about morse-code for aspiring radio hams

• morse2ascii - tool for decoding the morse codes from a PCM WAV file.
• morsegen - convert file to ASCII morse code.
• qrq - High speed Morse telegraphy trainer.
• twcw - sends morse code via the sound card or serial card (Needs RTC installed).
• xdemorse - decode Morse signals to text.
• rscw - Receive CW through Soundcard.

HAMPI V1.6A1 USE CASE: D-STAR

Software included:

• d-rats - A communication tool for D-STAR.
• NOTE: THIS INCLUDES INSTANT UPDATE ABILITY.
• BlueDV - Client for D-Star, DMR and YSF (Phone).

HAMPI V1.6A1 USE CASE: SOFTWARE DEFINED RADIO (SDR)

• CubicSDR - Software Defined Radio receiver.
• cutesdr - Simple demodulation and spectrum display program.
• GQRX - Software defined radio receiver.
• SDRAngel - SDR player.
• Lysdr - Simple software-defined radio.
• quisk - Software Defined Radio (SDR).
• SoapyAudio - Soapy SDR plugin for Audio devices.
• SoapyHackRF - SoapySDR HackRF module.
• SoapyMultiSDR - Multi-device support module for SoapySDR.
• SoapyNetSDR - Soapy SDR module for NetSDR protocol.
• SoapyRemote - Use any Soapy SDR remotely.
• SoapyRTLSDR - Soapy SDR module for RTL SDR USB dongle.
• SoapySDR - Vendor and platform neutral SDR support library.
• SoapySDRPlay - Soapy SDR module for SDRPlay.
• Rpitx - Radio Frequency transmitter (and More!).

HAMPI V1.6A1 USE CASE: SATELLITE COMMUNICATION

Software included:

• Gpredict - Satellite prediction.
• predict-gsat - Graphical Predict client.
• gnss-sdr - GLONASS satellite system Software Defined Receiver.
• wxtoimg - NOAA weather imaging software.

HAMPI V1.6A USE CASE: WINLINK / EMCOMM

Software included:

• Pat WinLink - WinLink for Raspberry Pi (and other platforms).
• ARDOP support for Pat WinLink.
• ARDOP-GUI - Provides graphical representation of ARDOP connections.
• Find ARDOP - Retrieves local ARDOP sources by KM4ACK.
• AX25 support for Pat WinLink.
• PMON - a PACTOR® Monitoring Utility for Linux.

HAMPI V1.6A1 USE CASE: ANTENNA MODELING

Software included:

• antennavis - Antenna Visualization Software.
• gsmc - A GTK Smith Chart Calculator for RF impedance matching.
• nec2c - Translation of the NEC2 FORTRAN source code to the C language.
• xnecview - NEC structure and gain pattern viewer.
• yagiuda - software to analyse performance of Yagi-Uda antennas.
• VOACAP - HF propagation prediction.

HAMPI V1.6A1 USE CASE: HAM TRAINING / TESTING

Software included:

• fccexam - Study tool for USA FCC commercial radio license exams.
• hamexam - Study guide for USA FCC amateur radio (ham radio) license examinations.

HAMPI V1.6A1 USE CASE: MISCELLANEOUS APPLICATIONS

Software included:

• CHIRP - Radio Programming Software.
• QTel - EchoLink client.
• QSSTV - Slow Scan TV (e.g. "Fax").
• FreeDV - Free digital voice vocoder.
• WsprryPi - WSPR software.
• ADS-B Flight Tracking Software.
• Xdx is a DX-cluster client.
• DXSpider - DX Cluster Server.

Questions

• RFI sensitivity concerns.
  • Use Ferrite choke.
• Other Information Sites:
  • KM4ACK: https://www.youtube.com/user/jasonoleham
  • OH8STN: https://www.youtube.com/user/SurvivalTechEU

Thanks for Watching and Some Ideas

For mobile and portable use:

• Emergency use during disasters.
• Field day.
• For quick setup while traveling.
• For various events or shows.

In the home station:

• To support your ham station.
• Just for the fun of it.