2015-05-25

Raspberry Pi - Session 5

Well it has reached the time again...meeting tomorrow at the club house. 13:00 after the club's session - maybe you have something to contribute. So see you there early.

I have good news and bad news for you. But some good stuff for your interest.
Those of you with the later model [B+] have got a better processor than I have.

73
John ZS6WL

Check on the web site for the Icom interface - kindly supplied by Nic ZR6AEZ
Ham Pages - jbcs.co.za 

2015-05-13

Coming soon to a clubhouse near you!



Raspberry Pi Session [next]

[I am getting tired of the Blogger assuming Times New Roman... there seems to be no way to set the 'default font'. - spurious comment.]

So I read about the RSGB making a kit for a 20 metre PSK31 receiver for use with a Raspberry Pi. But it seems as if they chicken out. As I cannot find any reference to a page about it...

I suggested to Nick [chairman] at the RAE session last night that we [the club] should look into making/designing one locally. With the Pound at near 19 to the Rand, this kit is beyond the financial reach of most of our members.

I believe that 20 metres is the best 'all round' band for this. For several reasons.

One; the aerial [antenna in U.S. English] is a reasonable size.
Two; the frequency and components are pretty stable at 14 MHz for an amateur constructor to handle.

Whilst crystal operation would be nice and a DDS design would be 'nicer', I don't think that would be a good starting project for a 'newbie' Radio Amateur.

What do you think? Your comments would be appreciated. 
 





2015-04-23

Yes! It is that time of the month again...Raspberry Pi on Saturday.

A recap would be good. Also an update on the Linux 'sound' system and it's use for Amateur Radio.

The main items are :-
  • Morse 'transmission' from the Raspberry Pi. Using the sound output for 'side tone'. Program 'cwbeacon'.
  • Using a USB sound adaptor on the Raspberry Pi. Checking it out.
  • The 'xoscope' program to show functionality etc.
Any 'issues' you [the audience] would like to raise. Questions welcome.

See you there at 13:00 at the Club House.

John ZS6WL

2015-04-01

Watch out! April the 1st has many NEW applications for the Raspberry Pi.

I am listening to John Robbie on 702. He is dubious about a 'story' that has supermarket trolleys with gps tech to guide you in-store. 

Sounds like an application for 'Raspberry Pi'! My USB GPS works well on my Pi. Using 'gpsd' the daemon and gps client software is a piece of cake to implement.

The last weekends session had 'Troubleshooting' as its main item. Well attended the session went very quickly. I was amazed to find that I was closing up at 17:00!

We [the club] need to encourage the youngsters to visit the Raspberry Pi sessions. So next session, why not bring a youngster to the club?

Every 4th Saturday at the club house in Kroton street at 13:00.

73
John Brock ZS6WL

2015-03-25

Raspberry Pi - 3rd Session

So this time (if I get it right), on Saturday, we shall discuss the following:-
  • Troubleshooting... Using the Linux (unix) commands to 'search out' bugs.
  • A Linux (unix) crib sheet.
  • A Morse transmit/training program install.
  • A Sound (USB) / Low frequency 'input' for the Pi.
  • What you can do with a USB sound 'input'...
If you have any suggestions, please email me at zs6wr.club@gmail.com

See you there!
13:00 at the Club House in Kroton Street.

73
John ZS6WL
 

2015-02-18

Raspberry Pi - 2nd Session

So the time has come to prepare a second session on the Raspberry Pi for Radio Amateurs.

Its not so easy to put all this together with so much going on in the Pi's universe. For example: I hear that they have sold 5 million units!


Anyway the session will deal with the following aspects:-
  1. Blink an L.E.D.
  2. Take a Temperature
  3. Record a Sound.
  4. Compile a Program.
  5. Backup your data.

I think that whilst the order is as it should be, maybe I need to deal with 5 first.

Still I hope to see you all at the club on Saturday at 13:00.

73
John ZS6WL
 

 
 

2015-01-09

Just what can the Raspberry Pi do for me? An introduction to the Pi.

So the club's committee meeting last night decided that we would do an intro to the Pi on the 24th.

This will be at the club house in Kroton Street at 13:00.

The club is also purchasing some Pi's for the members on the list.
Make sure - if you want one - to put your money into the club's account before the 24th...

73
John ZS6WL