New Portsdown 4 Software Release 202008230

[SV2RR]

Hi Dave,

Thanks for the quick response. Yes, i have the SmartiPi Touch 2 case and crossed to my mind if this Pi Camera video by 90 degrees flip is possible through the software, so there is no way to resolve this issue without SmartiPi Touch 2 case modification!

Thanks

Greg, SV2RR

[G8GKQ]

For Steve M0SKM

I have just published a small update to the Portsdown 4 software (202009010) that should include Pluto PTT switching. So please could you do a normal update from Menu 3, and let me know if it works.

Static pictures such as the Test Card and Contest numbers do overrun on transmit by up to 30 seconds. This seems to be a buffering issue in the Pluto and I have not been able to prevent it. It does not happen with a Pi Cam or Webcam.

Dave

[arthur21]

Hi Dave
Thanks for fixing the PTT problem I have just done an update and it now fires the PTT when TX starts.
I have observed the PTT line will drop well before the Pluto stops transmitting a testcard so something to bear in mind when designing C/O circuits.
73 Arthur
G4CPE

[M0SKM]

Hi Dave
Thanks for fixing the PTT problem I have just done an update and it now fires the PTT when TX starts.
I have observed the PTT line will drop well before the Pluto stops transmitting a testcard so something to bear in mind when designing C/O circuits.
73 Arthur
G4CPE

Thanks Dave; sorted.

Like what my grandad said.

73 Steve

[m0ijs]

Hi Dave - Are you planning to add rtl-sdr back in? I wanted to test audio using this and found it was missing. I can confirm it clones & builds fine from git. Blacklisted the device and now have working rtl-fm & rtl-tcp from Menu 2. Using Portsdown 4 version 202009010.

[G8GKQ]

Hi Ian

If you connect an RTL-SDR to the Portsdown 4, RTL-FM (Menu 2) should work straight out of the box. No clone and build required - it's already there and installed.

Audio is output from the USB Dongle if one is fitted, otherwise it comes from the RPi 3.5 mm jack.

I've just tested it and can hear Radio 4 on mine. You may need to turn the gain up to nearer 50 for weaker signals. RTL-TCP also works.

Dave

[m0ijs]

That's odd. I followed the build instructions and am sure it did not provide rtl-sdr: the compiled applications, build remnants or device blacklist.

Taking a look at these specifics in the install script.

Using the instructions at:
https://github.com/BritishAmateurTelevi ... portsdown4
The installation script https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Briti ... rtsdown.sh has lines related to rtl-sdr commented out:

Code: Select all

# Get rtl_sdr
#echo
#echo "-----------------------------------------------"
#echo "----- Installing RTL-SDR Drivers and Apps -----"
#echo "-----------------------------------------------"
#cd /home/pi
#wget https://github.com/keenerd/rtl-sdr/archive/master.zip
#unzip master.zip
#mv rtl-sdr-master rtl-sdr
#rm master.zip

# Compile and install rtl-sdr
#cd rtl-sdr/ && mkdir build && cd build
#cmake ../ -DINSTALL_UDEV_RULES=ON
#make && sudo make install && sudo ldconfig
#sudo bash -c 'echo -e "\n# for RTL-SDR:\nblacklist dvb_usb_rtl28xxu\n" >> /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist.conf'
#cd /home/pi

Is there anywhere else it can pull this in from?

[radiogareth]

Just hit 'upgrade' and tested on a dongle, works well as before. A very useful extra.
Gareth

[G8GKQ]

Hi Ian and Gareth

This one had me puzzled for a while. The default Portsdown install does not install any of the RTL-SDR software, but if you then "Install Langstone" from the Langstone Config Menu, it installs enough of the files and drivers for it to run.

So, the answer is to "Install Langstone" (even if you don't have a Pluto) and then the RTL-SDR receiver (and the RTL-TCP server) in Portsdown 4 will work.

I will in future enable the proper RTL-SDR install as part of the Portsdown initial build, but now need to check that it dos not cause conflicts with the Langstone software. Nothing is ever easy!

Dave

[m0ijs]

Excellent! Thanks, Dave. Mystery solved.