Camera

[G4NRT]

I have now built my Portsdown 2019 to the extent that I am able to see a testcard in ugly mode on both my Minitiouner v2 and on my Minitiouner-Express.

My Raspberry Pi is attached to the back of the 7" display and, as such is in a case such that I cannot easily gain access to it to attach the RPi camera flat cable.

What other options are recommended - preferably USB attached - that will also work for me? Is the Logitech C920 Webcam the best (supported) option? There seem to be a number of options and derivatives for this device. Which one should I go for?

My grateful thanks to all involved in this exciting project. Just seeing a test card across the shack was quite a thrill!

David G4NRT

[radiogareth]

I'd persevere with the picam TBH, its such a compact performer and seems to work as a feed for most (all??) modulations. Longer ribbon cables can be had which will definitely help. If I recall I have two 45 flat folds in mine to get it where I wanted.
Gareth G4XAT

[g4eml]

There is a guy in France that sells an adaptor kit that allows you to use a standard HDMI cable to connect the Pi camera. You can find it on Tindie.com, search for Pi HDMI.

It doesn’t make the camera HDMI compatible it just allows you to use a HDMI cable which is much more robust than the flat ribbons.

[G8GKQ]

David

I recommend a RPi Camera with the HDMI cable adapters described by Colin. If you modify them as described here: https://wiki.batc.org.uk/CSI-2_to_HDMI they will work with most HDMI cables up to 2 metres in length.

I use them on 3 Portsdowns, and also on a Jetson Nano (which uses the RPI camera as well).

The long Ribbon Cables (available from https://coolcomponents.co.uk/) are very useful so that you can position the HDMI sockets on the front/back panel.

If you are going to try a webcam, then I recommend the C920. Excellent quality and it is the only one that I test Portsdown releases with (there are still some issues, but it's getting better).

Dave, G8GKQ

[G4NRT]

Well the decision was made for me ... Amazon have one of their 'Prime Days' today and I was able to buy the C920 for £25 ... it was delivered this evening and works a treat! I really do need to sort out a powered USB hub though and a power supply for the cooling fan on my LimeSDR Mini!

I may well go for a Pi Cam later on as well but right now I am happy enough with the C920 ... I did find, however, that I had to specify it as Webcam rather than as C920 in the Portsdown 'source' menu otherwise it didn't come on. I am still only using Ugly mode so that may be the reason.

David G4NRT

[M0YDH]

Hi folks
Im trying to get another CSI2 to HDMI kit from Petite Studio and being denied. They'll ship to my mother in law in Germany for a hefty $23 but there'll be an international incident - one I prefer to avoid.
https://www.tindie.com/products/freto/p ... extension/

I bought the Arducam adaptor set from Pi Hut on the off chance it might work with Portsdown. https://thepihut.com/collections/raspbe ... -extension
No it does not work but I have a set to lend to Dave for experimentation if he wants one! The audio lines made compatibility look unlikely

Would the club shop consider getting a batch of Petite Studio adaptor cards via a friendly member in another country to sell to members please?

73

David M0YDH

[i2NDT]

David,
the HDMI is also sold by Pimoroni in UK:
https://shop.pimoroni.com/products/pi-c ... 4585578945

last March I tired to buy it from Japan and this was their answer:

Problem with shipping: Hi, sorry I just found out that for the moment the Japanese post does not ship to Europe by plane because of the flight does not go over Russia. You are fully refunded for your purchase, sorry for the inconvenience. The same kit is sold also by Pimoroni in UK, please try with them. Best regards, Freto.

by the way I checked the Tindie site and the kit is sold out.

i2NDT Claudio

PS
I didn't buy the Pimoroni kit as shipping charges and import taxes were to much! since last year buying stuff from UK is becoming a real problem...