Transmitter Software Capabilities and Issues (Jessie)

[vk5bd]

Hello Dave,

I just fired up the Pi to check on the screen setting for you, I had it set to Tontech35 as I saw in the code Waveshare automatically did a rotation / inversion.

I have downloaded the latest version and confirm that the display worked fine.

Regards,
Bevan

[ZL3TCM]

I have uploaded the new version and can confirm a much better PI camera response to bright light now on H264 mode
many thanks Rob ZL3TCM

[G8GKQ]

New Software Release - Special Contest Edition!!

I've just issued a new release 201705301. This introduces a second menu page on the touchscreen, enabling the selection of additional sources, Output Modes, the video input format and Shutdown and Reboot.

After upgrade, you can select the second menu by touching the M2 button on the first menu. You cannot transmit from the Menu 2 page - it is simply used for changing settings. The background is black to indicate this.

The top row of buttons is an extension of the source menu on Menu 1. You can select Contest input here and the numbers that you have previously set up will appear during transmit and be transmitted; no need for hand-written cards!

The second row enables you to change output mode from the touchscreen. For normal use with a Portsdown filter-modulator board select IQ. You can also select Ugly (QPSKRF) mode, DATV Express, BATC Streamer or IP outputs. Many of these will need to have been pre-configured in the console menu.

The 3rd row enables you to select PAL or NTSC video capture on the BATC's Fushicai EasyCaps. It has no other function (and is there because my best shack camera only outputs NTSC or HDMI!).

The bottom row includes Shutdown and reboot buttons. You can return to Menu 1 (to transmit) by selecting the M1 button.

I have plans for the blank buttons, but would be interested to hear of your ideas!

Lastly, the deselection of transmit whilst in pattern mode no longer risks inadvertent parameter changes. You can now touch the screen anywhere to deselect transmit and that is all that will happen.

I would recommend all touchscreen users to upgrade to this version and use it on the air during the Contest on 10/11 June. Remember that there are certificates for the best Portsdown contacts!

Dave, G8GKQ

[KenW6HHC]

Well done Dave G8GKQ,

I upgraded my Portsdown software for RPi-3 to release 201705301 smoothly…and it came right up and transmitted correctly on the first try. I think the second LCD “buttons” screen is great because I can now easily say REBOOT or SHUTDOWN from the touchscreen without booting up my CONSOLE PC. Thank you for your efforts!!

Also, the code support that you added with Bevan VK5BD’s cure for correct 7-inch Element14 LCD rotation/orientation works perfectly.


Front screen of the 7-inch touch screen from Element14 on Portsdown

73…de Ken W6HHC

[KenW6HHC]

I need help to sort things out....I have lost my way on getting back to the LCD buttons.

I have made so many changes recently that I must have some conflicting settings...
What I want to do is to:
1) see camera video while transmitting
2) when transmission has stopped (currently through CONSOLE)...go back (or find) LCD buttons
Currently the camera video shows well during transmission...but, only the BATC-logo displays when transmission stop

My current set-up is:
Portsdown software is 201705301 with DATV-Express as modulator
WaveShape 3.5 LCD
campeg2 source is selected
VIEWFINDER is selected to display xmit image on LCD when transmitting
BOOTUP is set-up boot to touchscreen

I can NOT touch any part of the screen when to see LCD buttons again

Any guidance to allow me to see image when transmitting and LCD-buttons when not transmitting?...de Ken W6HHC

[G8GKQ]

Ken

The moment you log-in to the console, the touchscreen is disabled. This is to ensure that there are no conflicting commands from the 2 input modes.

To get back to the touchscreen from the console, go to Shutdown and reboot options and then select option 4, Restore Touchscreen.

To get control back on the console, press ctrl-c.

Hope that helps

Dave

[F1NST-Bernard]

I updated with the last version and everything appears correct particularly with my touch screen (5", HDMI touch USB) as previousely explained in an other post. The touch anywhere on the screen when on pattern is usefull.
Just one point, I have not the S/D Led (GPIO27, pin 13) active. Consequently I have not the visual on a led and of course the shut button does not function.
I read in text.pi-sdn (scripts/configs) that if this file is in ~ the hardware button is enabled, this will put pin 13 in high level? If yes what is the manipulation to active same. Thanks

For the fun, just a view of the module ready to be on air :

[F1NST-Bernard]

Found in the menu, enable shutdown button .... Thanks

[KenW6HHC]

Hi Dave,

Thank you.

The moment you log-in to the console, the touchscreen is disabled.

that was the missing concept in my head. Got it.

Now alternating between LCD-buttons and ViewFinder-video ALMOST works perfectly.
I still have "one small quirk" with my RPi-3/RpiDATV/DATV-Express set-up in CAMPEG-2 mode:
1) when I touch he TX on screen the first time
* Transmission starts immediately
* I only see BATC-logo (with WiFi-addr) - no ViewFinder video yet
2) If I stop transmission from LCD
* transmission stops
* LCD displays buttons again
3) If I touch TX on screen again
* Transmission starts immediately
* LCD displays BATC-logo (with WiFi-addr) briefly
* Then ViewFinder video displays as expected on LCD
4) ViewFinder video will nicely alternate with LCD-buttons from that sequence on

It almost seems like the BATC-logo always appears briefly just before the camera video appears on LCD. But during the very first transmission after power-up or reset...the BATC-logo appears to "hang" during my transmission...and video never appears on LCD??

Seems like a "not intended" quirk?

...de Ken W6HHC

[G8GKQ]

Hi Ken

Yes, I've been trying to track this quirk down for 6 months now, but there's nothing obvious causing it. However, it's fairly low on my priority list; new features (particularly sound in all modes) seem more important.

Dave