Portsdown Stretch 2019 Software Update 201903250

[EA3UM]

Hello Dave and Jen (G4HIZ)
Defining concepts:
Touchscreen menu = On-screen menu connected to RPI
Console menu = Menu on the PC screen (Putty, IP ... etc)
First of all say that I only operate from the console menu. Therefore, I can not see any color change for the invalid FECs.
I guess we're talking about version 201903250.
So, Dave, I do not see any correction if I choose an invalid FEC.
I only see the effects that I have already described, even above the menu (first line number 0), the selected FEC appears even though it is not valid.
Now I am busy preparing the amplifier for 2400 MHz and it took a few days without activating the system, but I will watch it again.
Thank you very much for your observations.
73 - Magi
EA3UM

[EA3UM]

Sorry I wanted to say version 201904200 instead of the 201903250
My apologies
73 Magi
EA3UM

[G8GKQ]

Hi Magi

The FEC is not corrected until you select transmit - so it does not change in the main menu until after you have transmitted. I know that is confusing, but it is complicated to do it any other way.

Please let us know how you get on when you have rebuilt your system.

73

Dave

[EA3UM]

Hi Dave
My tests with LIME SDR USB. Soft view 201904200
I have started RPI with console menu, LIME and Minitiotuner 0.9 for control.
I have spent quite a while testing several modulation modes with several valid FECs and even with several SR values. It has always worked perfect.
Afterwards, I started to test with non-valid FECs with different modes of modulation and SR.
Surprisingly it was working well. I have been able to observe the automatic correction of the FEC when it detected an invalid one.
All that without making any reset to LIME.
Here I have already begun to hallucinate!
But finally the effect has been given !!
H264, 8PSK, SR 333, FEC 1/2: I see that it is set to TX, just at the moment of activating the delayed PTT, it goes to RX and it stays that way.
In the console menu the message of transmitting without correction of the FEC is maintained.
Without reset, I put FEC in 3/5 (valid) and it seems to work fine .... stop TX, wait a few seconds, and put TX again, and the malfunction is reproduced.
It seems that when the anomaly has occurred, the LIME enters an erratic operation mode, showing different effects outside the normal operation.
It is not easy to record the different reactions with different configurations.
After a reset, I tested again in the same conditions with FEC 1/3 (not valid) and the fault has been repeated.
Possibly this fault appears in some other operation condition, but for the moment I have not been able to devote more time in more tests, but I believe with this data you will be able to reproduce the effect.
Surely as the FEC correction does not work, the settings are not consistent for the LIME ...
I hope my presentation has been understood and is useful.
Thanks for your dedication.
73 Magi
EA3UM

[G8GKQ]

Thanks Magi

I will take a look at this and try to reproduce it with a LimeSDR Mini. I'll let you know!

73

Dave

[G8GKQ]

OK

I have reproduced the problem. Actually 2 problems.

1. I was not error checking FECs within DVB-S2 modes. So you could select (DVBS-2) FEC 1/2 for 8PSK and it would not get changed to a valid value. I have written a fix which will be in the next release. All DVB-S2 FECs will be error checked and corrected to 9/10 if required.

2. I was not properly resetting the LimeSDR at the end of transmissions. I have corrected the command that was supposed to do this, and it now works correctly (fix in the next release).

The only situation I can now reproduce where the LimeSDR hangs after transmission is where you select transmit and then 1 second later (before transmission has properly started) cancel transmit. To recover from this, select transmit again, wait 5 seconds, stop transmit, wait 5 seconds and then it should be good. No need to disconnect the LimeSDR from power (I hope).

Please no more testing until I have published the new release!

73

Dave

[radiogareth]

Not testing as such but user feedback....could the text for the contest page be spaced away from the screen edges a bit? Its very cramped on my 3.5 screen and IMHO would benefit form some kerning (I think).

Gareth

[G8GKQ]

Gareth

Have you tried it in the latest release 201904200? It was improved there from previous releases.

Dave

[radiogareth]

TBH no, I haven't as I was mindful of that latest maybe not working with my LIME SDR (not mini). I do have a bare-bones reserve so I'll upgrade that one and see. Thanks

[G8GKQ]

Hopefully the LimeSDR USB Console issues have been fixed in the latest update: viewtopic.php?f=103&t=6070#p19433

Dave, G8GKQ