Portsdown Software Update 201909210

[G8GKQ]

I have released Portsdown software update 201909210 which has one new feature, incorporation of the LongMynd Receiver software to enable the Portsdown "System" to receive and display ATV signals from a MiniTiouner.

This is the first public iteration of this software, so the implementation is as simple as possible until we learn more.

To use the LongMynd Receiver, simply plug a BATC Serit MiniTiouner (others versions of the Serit MiniTiouner might work, please test if you have one) into the RPi USB socket and select RX.

• Please read the CQ-TV 265 article for a description of the operation and modes.
• The MER display only works for DVB-S2, not DVB-S.
• There is currently no FEC or constellation display
• Service and program ID is unavailable unless you are using VLC to view the pictures over UDP.
• If you get good MER but no on-screen video decode on QO-100, it is probably because the station is using H265 video encoding which is not supported on the RPi 3. Switch to UDP and decode it with VLC on a PC, Mac, iPad or iPhone.
• There is no indication that a locked signal might not have good enough MER to decode at the transmitted FEC.
• The RPi cannot display the QO-100 beacon. I think that it can’t cope with 1080p; it seems to be OK with 720p at the same SR and FEC. You can view the beacon using VLC on another device.

Please report any bugs or suggested improvements here.

Dave, G8GKQ

[f1faq]

Hello Dave,

I confirm Longmynd Rx is working here on (two) Minitiouner Pro V1
Tested : H264 / Omx player & UDP
Not tested : Audiuo out Rpi jack
I had to add an external 18V PSU for LNB powering, as the software cannot (yet) control
the internal LNB power supply (0V, 13V, 18V)

73 - Christian
F1FAQ

[F4DVK]

Hello Dave,

Is it possible to reduce the width of the frequency scan?
Without rx, the scan is sometimes over 200KHz next to the tuning frequency.

73,
Stephane.

[M0YDH]

Bravo! The receiver worked straightaway and is really simple to use. Thank you very much.
I'll bring my 2019 with me to Newark show.
73
David M0YDH

[G4CPE]

LongMynd working realy well for me, The composite video and audio from the Pi AV jack is very good.
I am considering installing this setup In GB3TZ has a 146.5 MHz I/P when I have found a way to do lock detect.
Any ideas ?
73 Arthur G4CPE

[G8GKQ]

Hi Arthur

Great idea, and I will give it some thought. It may be possible to do this in a similar manner to the Repeater Stream Receiver, https://wiki.batc.org.uk/Stream_Receiver which does have "lock detect".

It may be that it would only work for one FEC and DVB-S/DVB-S2 selection initially, so you would have to specify, say 146.5 MHz 333 KS FEC 7/8 DVB-S, as the only valid input parameters.

Dave

[G8GKQ]

Hi Stephane

At present it is not possible to change the scan parameters. More work investigation required!

Dave

[keng8vdp]

Brilliant all working here

[radiogareth]

Great upgrade Possibly something for a 'wish-list', but is there any way to switch between a RTL/LeanDVB and the MiniTiouner without unplugging the MT? ATM one seems to displace the other.....
RTL/LeanDVB provides a quick 'sanity check' that I'm actually transmitting what I think I am and its 'decodable'.
Thanks
Gareth

[M0YDH]

Are there any plans Dave to use our OLED displays for status information with the Long Mynd?
Minitioune config file ask which of two screens or none is installed. I've enjoyed having a confirmation that the receiver is set up and working.

If possible may we have a button to capture a still image from the receiver please? There look to be spare GPIO pins on the Digithin connecter to my untutored eye.

Well done

David M0YDH