Portsdown 2018 Stretch Software News

Discussion about this major DATV Project. See https://wiki.batc.org.uk/The_Portsdown_Transmitter
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G8GKQ
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Re: Portsdown 2018 Stretch Software News

Post by G8GKQ » Tue Oct 16, 2018 9:20 pm

John

The issue is not with your power supply, but with the current pass-through of the Raspberry Pi itself (it causes voltage drop on the USB supply at high loads). Either a powered hub or Roger's suggestion could overcome the problem.

Dave

g8bxh
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Re: Portsdown 2018 Stretch Software News

Post by g8bxh » Tue Oct 16, 2018 9:35 pm

Thank you Dave and Roger
I Have ordered a hub and in the meantime will try direct powering the lime.
Will let you know the result.
Many thanks
John

G8GKQ
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Re: Portsdown 2018 Stretch Software News

Post by G8GKQ » Sun Oct 21, 2018 9:47 pm

New Software Release 201810180

I have just issued a minor software update to the Portsdown Stretch software. As previously advised, the Portsdown Jessie software will no longer receive updates. This latest update includes:
  • ADF4351 Max Ref Freq raised to 250 MHz (it was erroneously 25 MHz)
  • Experimental support for Logitech C310 Webcam (not yet tested)
  • Menu 3 button added to Menu 1 (as requested at CAT 18)
  • Corrected Console Menu for new BATC Stream
  • Video Monitor function (on Menu 2 and requires an MPEG-2 license)
The video monitor function is still experimental, but provides a smooth display of the Easycap video input on the 7 inch screen. The update rate on the Waveshare screen is about 5 fps, but it still provides a useful monitor for 5.6 GHz FM receive as it does not suffer from "Blue Screen" problems. It does, however, require that you purchase an MPEG-2 licence for your RPi from here http://www.raspberrypi.com/mpeg-2-license-key/.

Dave, G8GKQ

g8bxh
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Re: Portsdown 2018 Stretch Software News

Post by g8bxh » Wed Oct 24, 2018 7:13 pm

Hi Dave
Sorry to be a pain. I have made a usb adapter in order to directly power the Lime and also tried a powered hub. Also carefully checked power with meter and scope. Same problem as before. C920 not reconised if plugged in at boot time. All works fine if it is plugged in after. Going to menu 3 and selecting reboot with all working and c920 is then lost. Still works fine with pi cam so lime is OK. Question. Dose anyone have this combination (lime mini and c920) working from boot? If so I will rebuild a new sd image in case somthing in the os has got corrupted with the updates. As far as I can tell power is not dipping below 5v on any of the device's.
Many thanks
John

G8GKQ
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Re: Portsdown 2018 Stretch Software News

Post by G8GKQ » Thu Oct 25, 2018 9:12 am

Hi John

I may have a solution for this. Please could you physically disconnect your RPi Camera and then repeat your tests without it connected?

Let me know how it goes, and then I can decide the way best ahead.

Dave

g8bxh
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Re: Portsdown 2018 Stretch Software News

Post by g8bxh » Thu Oct 25, 2018 8:20 pm

Hi Dave
Just had to rebuild the sd image as it stoped working altogether. Have now tried with the pi cam removed, and yes it works well. Just for info I now have the c920 direct to the pi and lime mini powered via usb hub. Using the Farnell 7in screen. Only been testing on 1255 Mhz so far. Getting a mer of 26dB on satlink monitor and nearly 50dB down shoulders on the spec analyser. All very good.
Many thanks
John

G8GKQ
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Re: Portsdown 2018 Stretch Software News

Post by G8GKQ » Thu Oct 25, 2018 9:17 pm

Thanks John

That confirms what I had suspected. In Portsdown Stretch there is an incompatibility between Webcams and the Pi Cam. You can have one or the other connected, but not both.

A bug that I missed in the move from Jessie to Stretch.

Dave

radiogareth
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Re: Portsdown 2018 Stretch Software News

Post by radiogareth » Fri Oct 26, 2018 7:13 am

Just built a new card for a fresh RPI3B+. All went exactly as per the instructions and the increased speed is very noticable/worthwhile.
Great stuff :-)

g0mjw
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Re: Portsdown 2018 Stretch Software News

Post by g0mjw » Fri Oct 26, 2018 7:24 am

G8GKQ wrote:
Thu Oct 25, 2018 9:17 pm
Thanks John

That confirms what I had suspected. In Portsdown Stretch there is an incompatibility between Webcams and the Pi Cam. You can have one or the other connected, but not both.

A bug that I missed in the move from Jessie to Stretch.

Dave
I thought this was just me. Very strange behaviour with the logic. Unfortunately, my PiCam is connected internally and can't be readily disconnected.

Mike

radiogareth
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Re: Portsdown 2018 Stretch Software News

Post by radiogareth » Fri Oct 26, 2018 8:30 am

I think I was reading yesterday that the pi camera can be enabled and disabled from the terminal. If Dave's software does the same thing mission accomplished?
Gareth

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