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Re: Portsdown 2018 Stretch Software News
Posted: Wed Jul 11, 2018 1:13 pm
by G8GKQ
Hi David and Mike
Thanks for the feedback.
David - not sure why it should have locked up "Updating Software Packages". I've had a look at the code, and it's almost all system stuff, not Portsdown-specific. I'll test another update (my pre-release test worked OK) on an old card. Trouble is, I can only do a few tests before I run out of old cards....
Mike - which touch screen button press?? I guess that it is the "Check for Update" button, which I have noticed is a bit slow. If you confirm, I'll add it to the to-do list.
Dave
Re: Portsdown 2018 Stretch Software News
Posted: Wed Jul 11, 2018 2:17 pm
by g0mjw
G8GKQ wrote: ↑Wed Jul 11, 2018 1:13 pm
Mike - which touch screen button press?? I guess that it is the "Check for Update" button, which I have noticed is a bit slow. If you confirm, I'll add it to the to-do list.
Yes, that's right.
Mike
Re: Portsdown 2018 Stretch Software News
Posted: Thu Jul 12, 2018 9:27 pm
by G3UEQ
G8GKQ wrote: ↑Mon Jul 09, 2018 9:32 pm
New Portsdown Stretch Software Release 201807090
I have just released a some significant improvements to the configuration of the LeanDVB Receive software in the Portsdown. Using an RTL-SDR, it will now receive strong DATV signals throughout the full frequency range of the RTL-SDR (including 71 MHz without a converter) at symbol rates from 66 KS up to 2MS. At Symbol Rates of 1MS and above the Constellation and Parameter overlays should be turned off to conserve CPU resources for the receive decoder. On deselection of receive, the system occasionally locks-up and needs a reboot, but I have managed to reduce the likelihood of this happening from previous software versions. Clearly, smoothest results are obtained using a video monitor (not HDMI) plugged into the RPi or the Element 14 7 inch screen.
Full release contents:
- LeanDVB Performance Improvements
- Bugfix BATC Streamer label
- Bugfix LeanDVB Preset storage
Dave, G8GKQ
Hi Dave
Updated mine tonight , took 7 minutes via WI-Fi connection, no problems noticed so far, it is a very comprehensive unit now!
73
Andy G3UEQ
Re: Portsdown 2018 Stretch Software News
Posted: Fri Jul 13, 2018 10:03 am
by G8GKQ
Andy - Thanks for letting me know. Always good to get positive feedback!
Has anybody else upgraded? With or without problems? I think that David and Mike's problems might have been a Raspbian mirror server outage - way outside my control, but I admit not handled very well by the Portsdown update routine.
I would always recommend upgrading on a wired connection, with a mains power supply - but it's easy to be wise after the event!
Dave
Re: Portsdown 2018 Stretch Software News
Posted: Fri Jul 13, 2018 11:53 am
by g8vpg
My upgrade via ethernet connection went well, but it did spend quite a long time at stage 4. I was beginning to wonder, but it then moved through the remaining stages quite quickly and all seems well.
73 Shaun.
Re: Portsdown 2018 Stretch Software News
Posted: Sun Jul 15, 2018 9:25 pm
by G8GKQ
New Portsdown Stretch Software Release 201807150
This release adds the ability to view and listen to the BATC Streamer, so rather than your Portsdown sitting there showing a Menu when you are not using it, you can display your local repeater. Select from Menu 2. It's fairly straightforward, but full details are here:
https://wiki.batc.org.uk/Streaming_Display. Full contents of the update:
- Add BATC Streamer Display Function
- Resize H264 testcards for 7 inch display
- Provide warning when Portsdown TX not available after audio usage
- Correct FEC when switching from Lime to other output
- Do not start the framebuffer copy for 7 inch display
Thanks to Heather M0HMO for doing the initial research on this capability and to Phil M0DNY for making the new streamer so easy to use.
Dave, G8GKQ
Re: Portsdown 2018 Stretch Software News
Posted: Sun Jul 15, 2018 9:27 pm
by G3UEQ
Hi Dave
New update 201807150 went OK, took 4.30 minutes. like the streamer utility.
73
Andy G3UEQ
Re: Portsdown 2018 Stretch Software News
Posted: Mon Jul 16, 2018 10:07 am
by g3zgz
What a nice addition, Dave, Heather and Phil.
I'm sure many are amazed at what can be done with some sand squashed into little black plastic blocks with lots of legs!
Well done and thanks for all the work everyone is putting into the software.
Dave, my update hung on "rebooting" - after a good while I power cycled and all seems OK.
Dave
G3ZGZ
Re: Portsdown 2018 Stretch Software News
Posted: Mon Jul 16, 2018 1:46 pm
by G8GKQ
Thanks for the report Dave.
I have seen this happen a couple of times. It is to do with the way I load the Video drivers at start-up, and it sometimes causes the RPi (with Stretch only) to hang at reboot/shutdown. Very difficult to diagnose, as by the time it happens, the shutdown process has already disabled the screen and network connections.
Powering off/on at this stage of the update process is perfectly safe.
Dave
Re: Portsdown 2018 Stretch Software News
Posted: Mon Jul 16, 2018 7:19 pm
by g8vpg
Thank you Dave for another update,
The update went through in about 5 minutes without a hitch and I am now watching GB3ZZ on a Portsdown!
73 Shaun.