Outernet Dreamcatcher single board computer...with built in rtl-sdr

Like most people in this electronics hobby...I don't have near enough crap laying around.

So I read on the internets that Outernet was selling their SBC with built in RTL-SDR for $39...so of course I had to get one.

Specifically this board was set up to listen to L-band.

Outernet's goal is to provide free access to content from the web through geostationary and Low Earth Orbit satellites.

So it is a byproduct that this board can listen from 24Mhz to 1.5Ghz.

Let us begin...

For those of you (like me) used to Raspberry Pi images and support...well...

You can download a couple of different images but they are extremely bareboned...so expect to install a lot of packages to get things done.

Luckily, there are some basic instructional pages set up that can at least get you started.  And a lot of support on their forum.

However let me say that the hardware itself is much more capable than the pi, dual antennas, dual SD slots, 3 or so USB slots, and even a switch to power it on...in addition when you issue the shutdown command in linux it actually powers off...and there is a hardware button to power it on.

Let me warn you, that the board has no built in network or video.   So your admin will be remote.  The basic image lets you SSH in, but they only include a wifi USB dongle...so you need to supply a USB ethernet dongle to set up everything else (and so far I can't get the wifi dongle to work).

So my workflow was to first download the Armbian image.  (for the record, during my setups...I re-imaged this file about 5 times until I got it working the way I wanted)

Btw, unlike much hardware...the Dreamcatcher calls itself the Dreamcatcher on the network...so easy to find the IP address...I simply look at the router logs and make a permanent DHCP entry...what ever works best for you.

Next I did the usual updates, and installed tightvncserver.

Then I made tightvncserver boot with the device.

So now I had access to a GUI and SSH.

I have not yet made wifi work.  

BTW, there is no onboard wifi...however a wifi usb dongle was included.

Wifi was working as soon as I set it up...I just didn't realize I had to unplug the USB network card to use the wifi...unplugging the ethernet was not enough...or perhaps I am impatient...(it could go either way. )

For Wifi it is pretty simple.  The Armbian image comes with a program called nmtui

The usage is more simple than I realized...simply

sudo nmtui

You can do this in a Putty terminal, and you will still get a 'gui'.

I won't go into wifi setup...it is very intuitive through this GUI...  BTW the second screen is what you see when you select "Activate a connection"  If your network shows up on the list, then attempt to Activate it...if it doesn't, then use the "Edit a connection" and add one.


I tried a number of radio settings, but kept getting errors...however when I installed OpenWebRX, it worked perfectly and is a real nice remote rtl-sdr setup.  The Dreamcatcher is the server, and your other computer with web browser is the client.  However the remote client is not able to change frequencies...you can only do that in the config settings...so far...

Looks something like this...never mind the desk.



But with that limitation...it is terrific!

So, things to do...

I want to get APRS igate running...

I want to use YAAC...

I want to use a different radio program...

Raspberry Pi and APRS through rtl-sdr

I am not home, so I can't try this...but I found this snippet...

1. $ rtl_fm -f 144.390M -s 22050 | multimon-ng -v 10 -t raw -A -

 and multimon-ng seems to be the key to this all...

this post seems to have trouble compiling the multimon-ng on the Pi
 http://tubbyaustin.blogspot.com/2013/03/compiling-multimon-ng-for-raspberry-pi.html


 this one is using the Pi to decode pagers...but describes the installation of multimon-ng (and the rest of rtl-sdr)
http://www.raspberrypi.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=41&t=45142&p=357671


Sorta like the ADS-B data, this will simply be the raw messages...at this point...


Now this guy is using a graphic display

http://blog.bluedaylabs.com/2013/07/raspberry-pi-aprs-using-xastir.html

Xastir is the graphics display program.

 http://m0hpj.wordpress.com/2012/11/16/aprs-on-raspberry-pi-with-xastir/

Seems like Xastir is a full on APRS interface...not just a display...

...I might have to attempt connecting  a TH-D7 with build in TNC via serial to USB to the Pi...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PdZ_vywomZk

http://www.xastir.org/wiki/XASTIR_Manual#Kenwood_TH-D7A_with_GPS

ADS-B on Win7 with RTL-SDR --RTL1090 adsbSCOPE

(Note: I wrote this while I was using the 4000e version USB tuner stick I had originally used for SDR.   I just got an 820T version, and other than using a newer version of Zadig, I did not change anything in my installation to use it, the software explaned in this post still works without any changes...and reception improved.


For completeness sake, I thought I would throw on the Win7 version of this...using the PC as receiver and decoder.

(here is my original blog entry on the USB stick and Win7)

Some info was here...but not complete.

Again the adsbSCOPE software is here.

RTL1090 Software Download from here.(a little way down the page)  I got the German web site the first time...your mileage may vary.

When you unzip the contents and view the readme, you might get confused.

If you have already been using the RTL-SDR dongle on that computer (like I did) then just do these steps.

1 -Download this file http://sdr.osmocom.org/trac/raw-attachment/wiki/rtl-sdr/RelWithDebInfo.zip

2 -Unzip

3 -Dig through the folders "rtl-sdr-release\x32\" (assuming a 32 bit OS...I haven't tried the 64bit)
     and copy the following files to your RTL1090 unzip folder location.
      -rtlsdr.dll,
      -msvcr100.dll and
      -libusb-1.0.dll

4 -Now your RTL1090 folder should have (at least) the following files...
  -rtl1090.exe
  -libusb-1.0.dll
  -msvcr100.dll
  -rtlsdr.dll

5 - Stick in the USB, launch the RTL1090.exe program, and hit start.
     it shouldn't give any errors, just data...if errors, then probably you haven't used the dongle in that   USB port before...you need to install the rtl-sdr drivers.

if it works, then launch adsbSCOPE.

The only setting is in the Network area (like the previous topic) click the button labled RTL1090, and the button labled LOCAL.

Thats it, enable the client, and you should get data.

This screen shot shows the RTL1090 running, with the adsbSCOPE in the background...you can keep RTL1090 in the background normally...

...NY airspace is busy!

Raspberry Pi wth RTL-SDR receiving ADS-B aircraft data

One of the more interesting finds in the last few years was that aircraft were transmitting telemetry in the clear...apparently through the mode S transponder.

In the last year people wrote software to capture and decode this info.

Within the last year an ability to capture the data with an RTL-SDR TV on a stick was created.

I am not sure of the actual history or lineage...


I am using Dump1090 on the Pi written in Dec 2012 by Salvatore Sanfilippo.

The usage ..cd to the Dump1090 directory then

 ./dump1090 --interactive --net

is on his page...but installation I got from here.

I found more Dump1090 usage info here.

./dump1090  --interactive  --net  --net-beast  --net-ro-port 31001

That last ./dump1090 command breaks down like this...

--interactive =puts raw display on Pi with received data in columns.

--net            =tells Dump1090 to act as data server

--net-beast  =says output data in 'beast' format (adsbSCOPE can decode beast)

--net-ro-port 31001 = sets the output port at 31001 to match what adsbSCOPE is looking for

I am trying to use adsbSCOPE (on a networked windows computer) to decode the data and plot it...but not sure why it isn't working...

So far I AM getting limited acft info on the Pi...but nothing is being seen by adsbSCOPE...

...of course I look away for a few minutes, and adsbSCOPE is working now...but seems to be a bit of lag from when it shows on the Pi till it shows on adsbSCOPE.

The two screen shots were taken within seconds of each other, and show different data...the adsbSCOPE keeps data on longer...Dump1090 only displays data it is currently receiving.

Also, sometimes the LAT/LON shows up on the Dump1090 display...I don't know why it didn't here...unless it received the position data early, and I didn't see it before it went away.

Here is how I setup adsbSCOPE

1- since I am using a Raspberry Pi in this case to capture the data...I don't need any of the other software that comes with the adsb_all.zip file from here.

The actual file is multiple folders deep...

(unzipped folder location)...\adsb_all\pc_software\adsbscope\26\adsbscope26_256.exe

Obviously make a desktop link for ease of use...

Only a couple of settings to make it work with the Pi as I set up previously...

First, Network setup (BTW, you can't set it up while the RAW-data Client is active as shown)

I clicked on the BEAST default, put the Pi IP address in the URL, and make sure the port was 31001.
Then "CLOSE" (on mine I have to drag the window larger to see the CLOSE button)

 Now for the decoder select Beast.

Finally NOW select "RAW-data Client active" on the 'other-Network' menu.

So far working great with the stock antenna near a window!

Yes, you don't need a Pi to do this...you can plug the RTL-SDR stick into your PC and do it all there...but what fun is that?



Addendum:

I found on this web page a command for starting a Dump1090 webserver...I haven't tried it yet...

  ./dump1090 --gain -100 --net --net-ro-port 31001 --net-http-port 8080


Obviously you access that from a different computer.

RTL-SDR on the Raspberry Pi

Disclaimer...so far the Pi does not have enough horsepower to run the typical SDR linux software...so for now don't expect waterfall displays etc.

But the Pi WILL see the TV USB dongle I use, and the RTL software does run...

I will list the links and steps I used to get the hardware/software running...


...time passes...


There seem to be 3/4 projects along this subject (that I am interested in anyway))

(1/2)First two involve using the rtl_fm software...one runs the a server and audio etc is decoded on a client, the other involves actually tuning in and listening to audio on the Pi.

(3)Next one uses the rtl software and multimon to decode data...like APRS messages.

(4)Last one uses the rtl software and some other software to receive ADS-B aircraft transponder data.


So far the last one is working suprisingly well.  The first one seems to work, the second one is a nogo...and I lost the link I found that described #3.


It is interesting, it seems that the links I find on one computer are different than on another computer using the same search terms...so in the process I have lost some locations...that is what is delaying this blog entry...

...I will say, over the next week, I won't be playing with this stuff...but I will be able to research and organize the links.

I will probably break out the #1/#2 to a different section than #3/#4.  So consider this a top level article.


More to follow.

A couple of projects, BaoFeng Dual band HT and FCD Convertor

The BaoFeng UV-5R HT is a dual band (70cm-2m) walkie talkie that can be bought new for under $50. Not many extras, but it is small and cheap. I should be getting one in the mail in the next few weeks. I will give my opinion at that time.

...a few weeks later...

The Baofeng radio is nice, small, works great...but  the programming is a serious pain...so I use the computer and even that has a bit of complexity to it...

Here are my instructions...

Second project is a FCD Convertor (sic) made by Tony CT1FFU (Antonio Matias). This connects to the RTL-FCD dongle radio to allow it to receive the HF bands. Now they sell them as completed items...mine was sent as a kit...so it will be a bit before I can test it...also now they have a version 4.1...mine is the 3.1...oh well timing is everything.

Stay tuned...

RTL-SDR usb dongle on Ubuntu

So a follow up...After I installed the software on my Win7 desktop...I decided to install it on my Dell Mini9 running Ubuntu. In the process I forgot why exactly I wanted to run the Linux version, but it had something to do with digital decoding software...

The reason I forgot the original motivation was because the most difficult part of the install was upgrading my version of Ubuntu.

I never upgraded past the 8.04LTS that came with the Mini9...I installed a newer version on my wife's but never updated mine.

So about 6 hours were spent in upgrading from 8.04 to 12.10...uh you can't upgrade...you have to reinstall new...

I had to create a boot USB using pendrive linux. Then I had to install 12.10 over top the 8.04...of course mine is a triple boot with OSX, WinXP, and Ubuntu, so I had to install everything into the correct directory...I won't get into the whole thing, but I had to go through the entire install process twice...the good news it it actually maintained some files I had in the Ubuntu partition.

So on to the RTL-SDR setup.

I followed this 3 page guide. I worked perfectly but it took quite a bit longer than advertised. (my mini9 isn't so powerful)

I usually give some addendum or notes on how my install went different...but actually mine went exactly the same.

What can I say it works perfectly...and on a low power mini9!

Software Defined Radio RTL-SDR usb dongle with HDSDR (updated for 820T)

Big Note:  This post was written for the older e4000 device...the newer 820T device uses a newer driver and installer
...download here!
...skip to bottom of this page for all new and improved steps...




Haven't been working on many projects...or should I say haven't been successful on many projects lately...

But about a month ago I heard about the $20 USB software defined radio...

Lets back up a bit. SDR or Software Defined Radio is easy to define but hard to explain. SDR means software running on a computer is the front end of your radio (controls, display, sound). There is some hardware involved but it is simply a box hooked up to your radio via USB, to an antenna and to power...no controls on it at all other than maybe a power switch.

Most people define SDR by the beautiful 'waterfall' displays they have seen.


But really SDR just means everything is controlled, manipulated, viewed, and heard on a computer.

BTW in that picture you see ALL the radio activity from about 162.0Mhz to 163.0Mhz simultaneously (but I am listening to 162.475 NOAA radio). So I can tune up large portions of a radio band and actually see where transmissions are taking place, then tune to those spots.

There are a few commercial SDRs out there with prices from about $500 to $2000 depending on what features you want...and obviously a receive only unit is cheaper than a TX/RX unit.

So what about this $20 USB dongle SDR?

Apparently there are some USB TV receivers running a Realtek 2832U chip that can be directed via software to receive from 60Mhz to 1.7Ghz. And originally they were selling for about $20...of course now they are a little bit harder to get...especially in the US, but still cheap.

I picked up the "Newsky Mini Digital TV Stick" for about $35 including shipping from Hong Kong. (I used this one but there are many choices)


I actually just got it in the mail yesterday, and am running it right now.

The software setup wasn't that difficult, but too many options were available that created more chaos than necessary.

I will post the link to the instructions I followed, then put some clarifications in.

https://www.thecraag.com/RTL-SDR_on_Windows

(Here are some more instructions...maybe these are better than mine?)

The first step in this includes everything you need. I did not realize the file also includes the HDSDR software...but it is not selected in the options when you run the file...so scroll down and select it.

It says put all the files in one directory...by default the HDSDR software wants to be in the HDSDR folder, so I recommend you chose "Program Files/HDSDR" as your initial installation folder.

During the install process the Zadig program will run, that allows you to put a different driver into your USB tuner to allow the SDR software to work with it.

What they didn't say was Win7 automatically installed drivers for it so you find the hardware in a different manner...

The software starts like this, and since Win7 loaded a driver for the USB TV, there was nothing showing in the devices.
But I went to options, list all devices...And now a list of USB devices WITH drivers showed up. I chose the RTL2832U and for "Target" the WinUSB driver.


Back to the original instructions...I did not download the updated "librtl2832++.dll" file...and that created much chaos on my system...so simply do it.

Now that you have done all that, start up HDSDR. Mine automatically opened up the ExtIO window, I didn't have to chose any thing (the directions say select ExIO_USRP.dll ...no idea what that is, it was not an option for me).

So the ExtIO window for my setup is below...initially the window is mostly blank...you need to type in "RTL tuner=e4k" (minus the quotes) in the 'Device hint:' window and click on 'Create'. Then if all went well during your install you will get a window filled out like below. (if not close out HDSDR, unplug the USB TV and plug it back in, you shouldn't need to change anything else)

BTW, I mentioned that I did not initially put in the updated librtl2832++dll drivers and I got errors at this screen when I tried to type in the RTL tuner=e4k


I just put up this shot to show how you would select USRP.

Next I will have to load up a fldigi type program and try to decode some data...


Update: Sep 2013                                                                                                                               

 I had been reading about a newer version of the RTL-SDR hardware.

The one I used up till now was a RTL2832 with the 4000e chip in it.

I just got the NooElec RTL2832 with the 820T chip in it. (if you pop it apart, you can read the number).  The 820t is supposed to have better filtering, and lower freq available...and better reception.

I plugged it in, used the latest  Zadig driver installation...and at the same time downloaded the latest HDSDR software.  I renamed the old HDSDR folder so that the new install would be in its own folder.  Only additional step was downloading ExtIO_RTL.dll as linked here at the bottom of the page. 'RTLSDR (DVB-T/DAB with RTL2832)' and putting it in the HDSDR folder...much easier...

Summary of new steps.

1. Use Zadig to install WinUSB to “Bulk-In, Interface (Interface 0)”

2. Download and run HDSDR installation.

3. Download ExtIIO_RTL.dll and place in HDSDR folder.

4. Enjoy.