express transmitter and SDRConsole

[dk1ri]

I hope, it is correct to post here:

I use SDRConsole for receiving QO100
It worked quite well with downconverter and beacon sync with pluto on Win11.
Then I installed the express transmitter for transmitting video using the same pluto.
This program was ok as well (on this computer after many tries on an other computer without succes).

After switching off the transmit program and starting SDRConsole again, it showed unpredictable behaviour:
Sometimes it was working, than switching off and on: no audio, no waterfall.
Up to now I found no reproducabale way to get SDRConsole to work again.

After connecting the pluto, a subdirectory is shown in windows.
Some file are DATV related, so I guess, they are written by the express transmitter software.
It is mentioned somewhere, that a new image is installed.

Is it possible, that the express transmitter software modifies the pluto in a way, that other programs do not work?
(The satsagen spectrum analyzer sw is not working anymore as well)

How can I go back to the original state of the pluto?

73
Guenter
DK1RI

[radiogareth]

Try following this, it usually sorts out a Pluto thats doing strange things.
viewtopic.php?f=103&t=7473&p=28042&hilit=dfu#p28042
Gareth

[G4GUO]

The DATV-Express software sets the Pluto parameters using standard iio calls, it does not actually modify the firmware in any way
or add any files.

It sounds like you are not using the standard Pluto firmware.

- Charles

[dk1ri]

I used (and use now):

# uname -a
Linux pluto 5.4.0-00535-g9c04de11ae53 #1 SMP PREEMPT Fri Aug 20 13:01:03 CEST 2021 armv7l GNU/Linux

(I updated the original firmware)

With the firmware
uname -a
Linux pluto 4.14.0-g387d584d434e-dirty #14 SMP PREEMPT Sat Nov 16 23:07:09 CET 2019 armv7l GNU/Linux# #

recommended in
viewtopic.php?f=103&t=7473&p=28042&hilit=dfu#p28042

I started the express tramitter. The OS version was not modified but the files visible in the windows PlutoSDR directory.

I installed 5.4.0-00535-g9c04de11ae53 again and SDRConsole is working fine as before.

It may be, that i have to use one pluto for NB (rx) and another for WB tx (or portsdown with raspberry)
To avoid starting express transmitter with the wrong pluto, I should use another laptop ....

73
Guenter

[G4GUO]

How did you update the firmware (i.e where did the firmware come from)?

Express only makes iio calls it does not modify anything on the Pluto itself.

You could try ssh to the Pluto and using iio_info
https://wiki.analog.com/resources/tools ... o/iio_info

then comparing the results on a working and non working system

- Charles

[dk1ri]

I used the github software, coopied it ti the win directory und unpluged pluto... as recommended
I logged in via COMport with hterm. uname -a and iio_info are the same, so the OS is not modified.

The pluto files visible for windows are modified! I am not shure but they may be used at startup of win programs and pluto OS
( they contain the IP adress eg)

73
Guenter

[G4GUO]

I assume you are referring to the Analog Devices Github page and not the F5OEO one?

The only thing that DATV-Express does that may mess up other programs is that it configures (via iio)
the external x8 interpolator in the PL logic.

It maybe that the other program assumes this is not configured.

What you could try is to set the symbol rate in DATV-Express to 4 MS after you have used it on low symbol rates
then close the program. Then try using it with your other program.

As I have mentioned before Express should not change anything that would cause the issues you are seeing.

Good Luck!

- Charles

[dk1ri]

sri for delay.
I use the Analog Devices Github page.

I will test , when I am back next week.
tnx
Guenter

[dk1ri]

Tnx, it is working this way.
73
Guenter