IndyHam

It is again updated….. Install Script for FLDIGI that includes compiled RigControl HamLibs using version FLDIGI 3.23.13 – BONUS: Verified and tested on Raspberry Pi 3.

It is finally here! After repeated requests to enhance my first installation script used to install FLDIGI on a Raspberry Pi, I have sat down and focused on updating everything so you get the latest HAMLIB package for rig control etc. as well as FLDIGI version 3.23.13. I appreciate everyone who has reached out and thanked me for the work I put into this script. It was no easy task for me as I am not super savvy with scripting and compiling code, but very exciting to see it being used all over the world.

This time I am assuming you have a newer NOOBS version installed and already functional on your Raspberry Pi.

So, without further delay, you can download the new script here: pi3-fldigi-setup.sh

Below are the instructions which are really no different than the original instructions:

1.) Download the script here into your home directory logged in as “pi”:

2.) Run the following command to make the script executable: sudo chmod +x pi3-fldigi-setup.sh

3.) Now execute the script: sudo ./pi3-fldigi-setup.sh – This will create a folder named “HamPi-FLDIGI” in your home directory. Feel free to edit the script however you would like if you wish to change that….

4.) Now watch the magic happen…. Grab a drink, some food, walk the dog, etc.

5.) This has been tested on a Raspberry Pi 3 model and takes about 45 minutes to an hour from start to finish depending on how many updates you have to install for the packages as well as how fast your Internet connection is.

If you need some help on trying to figure out how to get this script onto your Raspberry Pi, look into WinSCP as an option. It is free and easy to use. Drag and drop…. You can also use command line to get files directly onto the Pi. If you need some help, email me and I will do my best to try and help. Give me some time to respond as I go days without checking personal email depending on what is going at work. Gotta pay the bills, right?

Again, I tested with my Elecraft KX3 and worked like a champ! Good Luck!

73,

Ed – K3HTK

P.S. As always, I do not take responsibility for any damage, issues, misuse, unexpected outcomes, etc. by using this script. The script provided is purely experimental, distributed as experimental, and should be used as such. Use at your own risk and provided “AS_IS.” It is free for you to do whatever you would like with it as well…

Credit Where Credit is Due:

Lior Elazary (KK6BWA) – http://www.elazary.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=56:hampi&catid=17:misc&Itemid=17

Steve (KB9MWR) – http://kb9mwr.blogspot.com/2013/04/raspberry-pi-web-based-rig-control.html

W1HKJ – http://w1hkj.com/Fldigi.html

One of my personal quests is to learn a bit about software development. This project started as a personal quest to start with something I enjoy, which is Amateur Radio and Micro Compute platforms as well as hardware integration… I posted this below on the PiRLP Yahoo Group I am a member of…….

I know this is not earth shattering information or some crazy cool project, but I have been playing around with trying to add an LCD to my PiRLP node. Why? Well, I thought it might be fun to have an appliance feel to this node in some fashion.

Thanks to VE7LTD (Dave) and K9DC (Dave) for the kick start into what is possible to at least get status information for something to start with and do something easy to produce a result. Thanks guys! 

Next steps are for me is to develop a menu driven system to use push button controls for some features that actually do something or let you chose what to display on your LCD etc. So many ways for this to go and make into a neat little appliance. I am not so much of a developer by any means, but this is a way for me learn and hopefully produce something others may be interested in and use. Check out the attached pictures. 

Using a generic hd77480 compatible LCD display for this project. I re-assigned GPIO pins not in use for the node IRLP board on a Raspberry Pi 2. The library I am using for the LCD is the Adafruit library they have available for all different LCDs. Super easy to work with. 

I would really like to use the I2C based LCD Shield but was not having any luck getting it to work with the IRLP board on the PI. Even though it appears that there should be no conflicts given the IRLP board does not utilize SDA and SDC, I am missing something as the I2C LCD seems to utilize more than just SDA, SCL, +5v, and GND. Not sure if this is because the Adafruit I2C LCD board has the 4 button capability or what. More for me to learn and any guidance appreciated.

Anyway, wanted to share… Happy to post my code and modified library files for this portion if anyone is interested. Added the python code into the rc.local file for auto startup after the IRLP scripts kick off. There will be much more to do, but this was an easy win for something to start with.

73,

Ed

K3HTK

Connected

Not Connected

Just a quick note that my 443.625+ machine is operating at reduced power. It appears to be a potential PA issue. Going to dig into it this weekend and hopefully find the root cause and repair if possible. Nothing like being even more handicapped with reduced power and height limitation on the antenna. Not a good combination….. Will post again once fixed.

Finally! It is here at last….. Install Script for FLDIGI that includes compiled RigControl HamLibs

I know I promised back in last July (2014) at the Indianapolis Ham Fest that I would post some more on my FLDIGI Raspberry Pi project I demonstrated to everyone with Bill – NF9K. Well, things have been crazy busy with some new career changes in my life but I finally took the time to debug and get my installation script in order for those of you who would like to install FLDIGI and use it on a Raspberry Pi. Not only does this install FLDIGI, but it also includes the compiling for the HamLibs required for RigControl as well! I mean, seriously… Why would you not include that? I think because it is time consuming and painful….

There is also a patch included for using the GPIO pins for keying if you wish…. I came across this blog: HamPi from Lior Elazary (KK6BWA)  and decided to make my own twist on the script to make it simpler after learning the hard way how to get RigControl working. When I first installed FLDIGI following his instructions (which are awesome by the way), it was to my disappointment I could not find the RigControl tab anywhere in FLDIDGI. Back to Google I went…. I finally came across others who were just as disappointed as I was after finding out you had to compile the HamLibs for RigControl to show up as an option. If you do not care to have the full RigControl capabilities, then just follow what Lior has on his website.

So, without further delay…. Instructions:

1.) Login into the Pi Desktop at least once if you have not already by using startx at the command prompt. If not, this script will bomb out at the very end because the “Desktop” folder may not exist yet and the script cannot create the icon for FLDIGI as called at the end. If it does bomb at then end, no worries. Everything will still work just fine. You will just need to go into the applications menu to find it and launch from there.

2.) Download the script here into your home directory logged in as “pi”:

3.) Run the following command to make the script executable: sudo chmod +x setup-final.sh

4.) Now execute the script: sudo ./setup-final.sh – This will create a folder named “HamPi-FLDIGI” in your home directory. Feel free to edit the script however you would like if you wish to change that….

5.) Now watch the magic happen…. Grab a drink, some food, walk the dog, etc.

6.) This has been tested on a Raspberry Pi 2 model and takes an hour from start to finish depending on how many updates you have to install for the packages as well as how fast your Internet connection is. On a Raspberry Pi B, it took 2 hours… There is your confirmation that the Raspberry Pi 2 is way faster!!! Fldigi runs without a hitch or delay now on the Raspberry Pi 2. Highly recommend picking one, or two, or three up….

If you need some help on trying to figure out how to get this script onto your Raspberry Pi, look into WinSCP as an option. It is free and easy to use. Drag and drop…. You can also use command line to get files directly onto the Pi. If you need some help, email me and I will do my best to try and help. Give me some time to respond as I go days without checking personal email depending on what is going at work. Gotta pay the bills, right?

I my post some videos of this in action if I get some time… I tested with my Elecraft KX3 and worked like a champ! Good Luck!

73,

Ed – K3HTK

P.S. As always, I do not take responsibility for any damage, issues, misuse, unexpected outcomes, etc. by using this script. The script provided is purely experimental, distributed as experimental, and should be used as such. Use at your own risk and provided “AS_IS.” It is free for you to do whatever you would like with it as well…

Credit Where Credit is Due:

Lior Elazary (KK6BWA) – http://www.elazary.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=56:hampi&catid=17:misc&Itemid=17

Steve (KB9MWR) – http://kb9mwr.blogspot.com/2013/04/raspberry-pi-web-based-rig-control.html

W1HKJ – http://w1hkj.com/Fldigi.html

The K3HTK repeater has been on the air now for about 3 years! Hard to believe how time flies…. Now there has been a 440 side of this repeater established with the help of Bill (NF9K) and his generous donation of a Kenwood TKR-820 repeater!! See the information below… The 440 side of this repeater has been officially coordinated.

The 900 Mhz Repeater is located in Noblesville, IN. A very special thank you to Bill (K9YDO) for all of his help and time he spent helping me get this thing on the air. I learned a lot from Bill on this project and could not have done it without him lending a hand. I would also like to thank Chris (N9VHL) for the donation he made to this project by donating an MSF5000 150 watt PA setup for this repeater. That was definitely very generous and a huge help as well!

Given the system is low profile due to the lack of height on my tower, I am interested in anyone who may have access to or know someone who might be able to lend a hand getting this repeater to a tower site where I could also maintain an Internet connection for the EchoIRLP node. I know that is a tall order, but you never know….. Feel free to contact me at: k3htk@indyham.com

Frequency: Input – 448.625 / Output – 443.625

Hardware: Kenwood TKR-820

PL: 88.5

Power: ~ 40 Watts

Antenna Height: ~55 feet

Antenna – 8db Omni Directional

Frequency: Input – 902.0875 / Output – 927.0875

Hardware: Motorola Quantar

PL: 131.8

Power: 100 Watts

Antenna Height: ~55 feet

Antenna – 8db Omni Directional

EchoLink and IRLP Running on: PiRLP

IRLP Node# 8492

EchoLink Node# 730083

If using the repeater and you would like to connect to an IRLP Node:

Key your radio and press #, <Node Number>

If using the repeater and you would like to connect to an EchoLink Node:

Key your radio and press #, *, <Node Number>

To disconnect from any Node (IRLP or EchoLink) simply key your radio and press #73.