New Portsdown 4 Software Release 202008230

Discussion about this major DATV Project. See https://wiki.batc.org.uk/The_Portsdown_Transmitter
G8GKQ
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New Portsdown 4 Software Release 202008230

Post by G8GKQ » Sun Aug 23, 2020 7:46 pm

I have just issued a new release of the software for the Portsdown 4 (Raspberry Pi 4 and 7 inch screen only). The changes include:
  • Prevent reboot hang if Pluto not connected
  • Add Pluto Contest and Desktop modes
  • Add Mic Gain setting on Menu 3
  • Correct Receiver parameter display behaviour
  • Add Pluto Config Menu
  • Increase Lime Transmit delay to 12 seconds
  • Add Pluto support for newer C920 and very old C170 Webcams
  • Add more H264 16:9 modes
The most notable changes are the increase in the Lime PTT delay to 12 seconds (as 7 seconds was not always long enough to avoid the calibration spike) and the addition of support for Pluto transmissions from the newer C920 Webcams (the ones without an internal H264 encoder).

Thanks to Colin G4KLB, Roland F8CHK, Wolfgang DL1BJV and Hubertus DC1OP for their help in identifying the bugs.

Please report any new bugs here.

Dave, G8GKQ

G4FKK
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Re: New Portsdown 4 Software Release 202008230

Post by G4FKK » Mon Aug 24, 2020 11:27 am

Hi Dave,

I've been a bit out of the Langstone/Portsdown loop lately due to other projects, so was interested to see the latest updates for both projects. I've built a new SD card and installed Langstone followed by Portsdown 4. Everything looks promising and Langstone appears to work as before. Portsdown was working ok when I was running the old Raspian OS and Portsdown A27.

Portsdown 4 appears to have the following issues and I apologise in advance if I've missed another posting which addresses some or all of them...

1) When using the Lime Mini using the Pi Cam as source (146.5 MHz, DVB-S, H264, 333KS, 7/8 FEC)...
When the TX fires up, after the new 12" delay, the PTT operates but the picture on the monitor freezes and no RF is produced. In fact the monitor does update, once, about 12" later and then freezes.
There's a button I don't recall seeing before - LimeRFE - I've switched it between Disabled and Enabled but it doesn't change the above and I don't know what it's for.
The Test Report is reporting TX_2 -> LNA_W Test FAILED. I've never had a fail before.
Power off/on reboot doesn't help.

2) When using the Pluto as 'Output to' Portsdown appears to go to TX but the PTT doesn't fire.

Maybe I should have installed PD4 first?

Sorry if I've missed something obvious and happy to run any tests/reports that may be helpful.

73, Martin - G4FKK

roland_F8CHK
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Re: New Portsdown 4 Software Release 202008230

Post by roland_F8CHK » Mon Aug 24, 2020 11:41 am

Hi Dave,

I've updated my Portsdown 4, and made some local tests. Happy to tell you that my C920 is now usable with Pluto, will use it on QO100 later today!
Thanks for the job!

Best 73,
Roland F8CHK

G8GKQ
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Re: New Portsdown 4 Software Release 202008230

Post by G8GKQ » Mon Aug 24, 2020 1:14 pm

Hi Martin

Yes, Portsdown 4 needs to be loaded before Langstone. It is now a Portsdown first, Langstone second. I haven't tested it the other way round.

I have just tried 146.5 MHz, DVB-S, H264, 333KS, 7/8 FEC with a Pi Cam and all seems OK here (although I am debugging a PTT actuation fault at the moment - could be my hardware). Transmits smoothly though.

The LimeRFE button doesn't do anything yet. It is intended to operate a LimeRFE https://www.crowdsupply.com/lime-micro/limerfe when I find the time to implement it.

Dave

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Re: New Portsdown 4 Software Release 202008230

Post by G8GKQ » Mon Aug 24, 2020 1:15 pm

Hi Roland

Good news! Thanks for letting me know.

Dave

G4FKK
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Re: New Portsdown 4 Software Release 202008230

Post by G4FKK » Mon Aug 24, 2020 2:23 pm

Thanks Dave,

I'll start again - I could do with another couple of cups of tea :D

73, Martin - G4FKK

PS - If I install PD4 first, can I then install Langstone from the Menu 39 where it says Install Langstone or should I do it from Colin's GitHub page?

G8GKQ
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Re: New Portsdown 4 Software Release 202008230

Post by G8GKQ » Mon Aug 24, 2020 2:28 pm

I have just found a minor bug in this release. The Band and PTT switching does not work (all outputs stay low, so safe) unless you also load the Langstone software.

As a work-around until I fix it, you can install the Langstone software (from Menu 3, Langstone Config) even if you don't have a Pluto.

I'll work on a proper fix - shouldn't be long.

Dave, G8GKQ

G4FKK
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Re: New Portsdown 4 Software Release 202008230

Post by G4FKK » Mon Aug 24, 2020 3:48 pm

Hello again Dave,

I've started from scratch again with a blank SD card with Portsdown installed first and I'm getting exactly the same issues as before??

Well, apart from...

TX_2 -> LNA_W Test still failing.
And now RFLoopback Test and Board tests now failing too.

I'll plug the previously working SD card back in and see if I've broken something.

73, Martin - G4FKK

G4FKK
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Re: New Portsdown 4 Software Release 202008230

Post by G4FKK » Mon Aug 24, 2020 4:04 pm

Ok - old card still works fine so the hardware is ok.

I guess I must be doing something wrong with the new installation but whatever it is hasn't occurred to me yet :?

73, Martin.

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Re: New Portsdown 4 Software Release 202008230

Post by G8GKQ » Mon Aug 24, 2020 5:27 pm

I have just issued a corrected Portsdown 4 software release 202008231. In this release, the band and PTT GPIO outputs work without the Langstone software needing to be installed.

If you have already built the software and your GPIO outputs are not working, I suggest loading the Langstone software, or alternatively you can install the fix:

Code: Select all

cd /tmp
wget https://project-downloads.drogon.net/wiringpi-latest.deb
sudo dpkg -i wiringpi-latest.deb
cd /home/pi
Dave, G8GKQ

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