Portsdown on Pi4 no Tx in DVB-S ** SOLVED **

[Wolfie G8VAT]

Recently updated my Pi3 Portsdown to a Pi4, downloaded the current Software, loaded the card and yippee! Or so I thought..

Everything worked OK on the Pi3 2020 Software but I can't get the Pi4 to Transmit in DVB-S modes.. If I change to DVB-T then the little LED on the Lime Mini gets all excited after a few seconds and I get RF output.

I have tried different Frequencies, different FECs, Different Symbol Rates... But in DVB-s or S2QPSK, the Lime LED continues at it's same lazy rate and no RF.
I recently found that it needs an Audio source to be able to transmit but even with the EasyCap or my little USB camera connected it still doesn't give any RF output.

I've updated the Portsdown Software again when a newer version was rolled out and updated the Lime Mini, and tried the DVB Lime software too..

Running out of ideas, I posed the question to Dave at a recent Rally...

Has anyone else had this trouble? just me? typical

wish I could get these damn photos to load?

[Wolfie G8VAT]

Ah, there we go...

IMAG3099.jpg (59.41 KiB) Viewed 3648 times

IMAG3100.jpg (301.97 KiB) Viewed 3648 times

[G4IMO-TV]

Something wrong with your supply voltage, hence the lightning symbol.

Nick.

[DL1BJV]

Hello Wolfie,

The yellow lightning symbol indicates that there is a power supply issue. If you go to Menu 2 and select the 'Info' button it will confirm that you are having a power and possibly a temperature issue.
The RPi 4 requires a slightly higher voltage than the RPI 3. The recommended power supply has 5.1 Volts at 3 Amps. The RPi 3 was rated at 5.0 Volts.
The RPi 4 does get hotter and a fan for cooling is recommended.

Wolfgang DL1BJV.

[Wolfie G8VAT]

Thanks guys..

The supply is already set (and measured) at 5.2V, any loss is due to (supposedly) well rated Power Lead.

The flash isn't there all the time but I will check what the supply voltage is at the Pi itself.

But why would DVB-T work and not DVB-S?

[radiogareth]

If I recall you need to reboot the system after using DVB-T. Caught me out a few times....
Gareth

[Wolfie G8VAT]

Is power down sufficient or is there a powered "reboot" option Gareth?

It has of course been switched off many times, mostly in frustration..

[Wolfie G8VAT]

I'll get rid of that damn Lightning bolt this evening and try again..

[DL1BJV]

In menu 2, bottom left, there are two buttons shutdown and reboot.
The system should not be turned off by switching off the power whilst the software is running.
This can under circumstances end up with a corrupted SD-Card.
Always use the shutdown function or as Gareth pointed out use the reboot button.
Which Lime mini version are you using?

Wolfgang

[Wolfie G8VAT]

Hi Wolfgang, yes I do use the shutdown button.

I powered the Shack 5v from a variable supply and finally saw off that Lightning bolt properly. It still wouldn't go into Tx.

Then somewhere in the Forum this aft while at work I remembered seeing something about a H264 problem, sure enough changing to MPEG does the trick, I can now see that Lime LED get all interested the Lime goes into TX (even with a Lightning bolt)..

So now I just need to find that Forum thread again..