SSTV on Raspberry PI

Forum for discussion of SSTV topics. Slow Scan television (SSTV) is a picture transmission method used mainly by amateur radio operators, to transmit and receive static pictures via radio in monochrome or colour.

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SSTV on Raspberry PI

Postby acl » Mon Nov 29, 2021 6:15 am

IMG_3618.JPG

PI.JPG


I have started experimenting with SSTV again. I am revisiting the Raspberry PI with several data modes loaded including QSSTV. Looking at setting up the PI for receiving SSTV from the international space station video I realised it was not plane sailing unless you had a degree in computer science or you were under 10 years of age. Luckily G4WNC produces a mini-SD card which automatically sets up everything for you. https://photobyte.org/shop-2/ . My intention is to use the Goonhilly web based SDR at https://vhf-goonhilly.batc.org.uk/?tune=145800fm instead of rigging ariels in my loft space running on the PI whilst using https://live.ariss.org/dashboard/esamap/ to track the position of the International space station.
acl
Anyone have a spare straightjacket?
 
Posts: 440
Joined: Thu Mar 08, 2007 7:38 am

Raspberry PI Amateur radio software

Postby acl » Sat Dec 11, 2021 6:46 am

I have just taken possession of the latest offering from the Raspberry foundation the PI zero 2W. This unit is smaller than a credit card but is a powerful little computer for around $13 or 15 GBP.
Key features:

• 1GHz quad-core, 64-bit ARM Cortex-A53 CPU
• VideoCore IV GPU
• 512MB LPDDR2 DRAM
• 1GHz quad-core, 64-bit ARM Cortex-A53 CPU
• VideoCore IV GPU
• 512MB LPDDR2 DRAM
• 802.11b/g/n wireless LAN
• Bluetooth 4.2 / Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE)
• MicroSD card slot
• Mini HDMI and USB 2.0 OTG ports
• Micro USB power
• HAT-compatible 40-pin header
• Composite video and reset pins via solder test points
• CSI camera connector

R.jpg
So small yet powerful


As it is so small you need the following externals to drive it.
• 5 Volt wall power supply
• HDMI monitor/cable and mini adapter
• four-way USB mini hub unless the keyboard and mouse can be driven from Bluetooth as the board
has only one USB port (adapter required).
• Keyboard
•Mouse

I purchased a plastic protective case which include a processor heatsink should you wish to over-clock the device.

Firmware is loaded via mini SD whilst a USB stick can be used to transfer data thereafter. Normally we would load a standard operating system but G4WNC who I have no affiliation with supplies preloaded Amateur radio packages including QSSTV without the frustration of jumping through installation hoops. Plug in the SD card power up and the only thing you have to do is customize for your Wi-Fi and location settings.


https://photobyte.org/shop-2/

https://photobyte.org/product/raspberry-pi-fldigi/

This is only one of Mikes discs but it includes other modes of operation including FLDIGI + WSJT-X + QSSTV + FLmesg + FLrig + JS8CALL as well as other PI features including office suit internet access etc.
I just looked at QSSTV which worked a treat as my photos show. In conclusion no software setting up and it works straight out of the box.


Chris Lewis G6ACL

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Bench setup of the board

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Picture of QSSTV screen showing installed available Amateur radio programs

USB-Mini-HUB-with-Switch-2_600x.jpg
As this board has only one USB port you need this for extra ports. Make sure you order one with the mini connector. Available from the PI Hut
USB-Mini-HUB-with-Switch-2_600x.jpg (16.09 KiB) Viewed 4125 times

R (1).jpg
The USB sound card I used. Many others available
acl
Anyone have a spare straightjacket?
 
Posts: 440
Joined: Thu Mar 08, 2007 7:38 am

SSTV on Raspberry PI

Postby acl » Tue Dec 21, 2021 4:40 am

I have decided to add a 3.5 Inch LCD touch screen onto my Raspberry PI zero 2 W. Attempts to display real time download difficult as I can't fit full page on LCD screen. However I can display saved images quite nicely. Progress ongoing. Any help welcome.

IMG_3642.JPG
3.5 Inch touch screen


IMG_3641.JPG
Raspberry PI 2 Zero
acl
Anyone have a spare straightjacket?
 
Posts: 440
Joined: Thu Mar 08, 2007 7:38 am

Success

Postby acl » Fri Dec 24, 2021 8:02 am

Now added a 3.5 Inch HDMI screen from eBay (22GBP) to a Raspberry PI 3 and it works a treat with QSSTV. No setting up required other than fitting a HDMI jumper connector between modules. A bit too small but bigger screens available.


IMG_3649.JPG
connections between screen and PI3


IMG_3645.JPG
Typical 'live' screen
Attachments
scan0003.pdf
(256.2 KiB) Downloaded 217 times
acl
Anyone have a spare straightjacket?
 
Posts: 440
Joined: Thu Mar 08, 2007 7:38 am


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