BATC Forum

Hello

This might be a bit lengthy but hopefully what I include helps...

I have a Portsdown 4 which is up to date with Software Version 202405300 and I can stream the test card or camera images to the BATC Streamer (though I've not got the audio figured out yet...!).

I have an Adalm Pluto Rev B and when connected to the Portsdown using USB, Portsdown shows both CPU's enabled, correct firmware (v0.31-4...dirty) and Pluto is expanded to AD9364 status.

With the Portsdown connected to the Pluto using USB, I can transmit on 437MHz and receive the signal across the shack on the MiniTiouner and its associated software. So - I think that all seems OK.

But... I really want to have the Pluto at the back of the dish which means using Ethernet. And this is where I come unstuck.

I know I need to go to the Portsdown Menu 3 / Pluto Config / and Set Pluto IP for Portsdown; and I know I need to edit the config.txt file on the Pluto. What I don't know is what to put in either. I have spent hours trawling through the excellent Forum pages and tried numerous combinations to no avail. I have tried using the RJ45 socket on the RPi4 and I have tried an RJ45 to micro USB adapter; I am using an external 5V supply to the Pluto.

The list below is a copy of part of the config.txt file on the Pluto. Can someone please put me out of my misery and point me in the right direction!? I don't know if it helps but my home network is 192.168.1.nnn.

[NETWORK]
hostname = pluto
ipaddr = 192.168.2.1
ipaddr_host = 192.168.2.10
netmask = 255.255.255.0

[WLAN]
ssid_wlan =
pwd_wlan =
ipaddr_wlan =

[USB_ETHERNET]
ipaddr_eth =
netmask_eth = 255.255.255.0
gateway_eth = 192.168.0.254

With thanks

73 Simon GM0SCA - desperately trying to beat Rob M0DTS to be the first GM on the DATV Net!!

What USB to ethernet adapter are you using at the Pluto? They can be fickle things. I have no clear memory of the setting up of Portsdown 4 to a remote ethernet connected Pluto, but I did use that setup for a while, however my Portsdown 4 hasn't been out of its box in a long time.

I do recall the first cheap USB to Ethernet gizmo didn't work in that scenario and I bought a branded one (Plugable brand in my case), which immediately did.

I think Analog Devices cite the USB to Ethernet chipsets that they recommend. Somewhere on their hard to navigate site...

No idea if the above is of any help!

My Pluto is on line below the dish 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Once I got the teething problems sorted it is VERY rarely rebooted, it's probably been up and running undisturbed for months.


BTW if you use network scanner software can it see the USB to ethernet adapter on your network and what IP address has it got? I'm well outside my comfort zone with IP stuff but I saw your plea on the BT net earlier and felt you deserved some sort of a reply

If you get really desperate I'll pull the Portsdown out of hibernation and remind myself how I set it up.

Chris. 2E0ILY

I think Basil has nailed your problem. The USB to Ethernet adapter IP address is the one you need. That should be on your local subnet. The Pluto IP isn’t relevant in this context.

Tony

Hi Simon,

Like Basil, I had some issues using a USB to ethernet adapter - although I did get one working reliably after a couple of false starts. Now though, I use a Pi Zero as an adapter as described by Tom, ZR6TG, here...

https://www.zr6tg.co.za/2022/08/07/plut ... pberry-pi/

As far as the Portsdown goes, you need to go to Menu 3 and select "Pluto Config" then select "Set Pluto IP for Portsdown" and enter the IP address of your ethernet adapter (or Pi Zero if you go down Tom's route). You already have the correct firmware installed on your Pluto so, with any luck, it should all then just work

If you also have Langstone installed on your PD4 then there's another button in Menu 3 labelled "Langstone Config" and in that menu you set the same IP address using the button labelled "Set Pluto IP for Langstone".

There's a piece of free software you can run on a PC called "Advanced IP Scanner" which should tell you the IP addresses of anything plugged into and running on your Local Area Network. That should let you know what your adapter's address is. You can download it from here...

https://www.advanced-ip-scanner.com/

Good luck and I hope to see you on the net soon.

73, Martin