DragonOS FocalX OpenBTS + SteamDeck in 2023 w/ LimeSDR Mini v1 (S4, FocalX R28)

Step by step video showing how to get the latest OpenBTS up and running on the Valve SteamDeck w/ DragonOS FocalX. I chose to use the LimeSDR Mini v1 to highlight the fact that what's needed to do so is already included in DragonOS FocalX and will most likely (not tested) work with the LimeSDR Mini v2 since it's I've used the latest 2022 LimeSuite, Firmware, etc. Keep fingers crossed!
The version of OpenBTS that's used in this video can be found here, master branch was used. I plan on including all of this in future versions of DragonOS FocalX.
github.com/PentHertz/OpenBTS
It's important to note, transmitting in this case needs to be done so in a protected and shielded environment so as not to interfere with any existing networks. Most likely a license is needed to transmit in a legal fashion. I'm not encouraging any use beyond a research/learning setup.
As always, enjoy. Following these exact steps should result in the same experience. Understand that a phone capable of GSM w/ SIM card (can probably be any Sim) is required.
Follow @cemaxecuter on Twitter for more DragonOS and SDR info.
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[@misutatomasu]

I just watch this channel on my phone before I sleep. Especially if im blasted, it's super chill.

[@yazidkeraichia2858]

We waiting this for many years.....thanks 😊

[@TheGtech83]

Really excited to dig into all this, so surprised it hasn't gained more attention, it is a learning curve, but your videos are extremely helpful, appreciate what your are doing for us....have successfully installed dragonos onto an Acer c740 chromebook with mrchromebox uefi bios

[@cemaxecuter7783]

Been slightly busier recently but hope to jump on some more videos. That’s great to hear you got it install/going! Don’t hate me, I’m slowly making a new ISO w/ changes that may make it hard for me to script out an upgrade path for previous installs.

[@jasonpitts8395]

Now I'm going to have to buy a Steam Deck.

[@NIKHIL-yl1ws]

Great video brother 👍 not understand much but your way to explain things is great. What's your profession?? Like, are you a Network Engineer or Ethical Hacker or Penetration tester???

[@cemaxecuter7783]

Sorry sometimes I just come up with some idea and record it, maybe could add more context. Glad to hear it’s at least explained well. So me, I just like SDRs and starting to learn some programming. I don’t know if I’d fall into those categories though. Maybe more like a person interested in the electromagnetic spectrum.

[@NIKHIL-yl1ws]

It means you are not doing any job other than KZbin?

[@rm6267]

Nice video. Do you now were can I buy the limesdr mini? I only have the hackrf one and the rtl-sdr but I need a full duplex device

[@cemaxecuter7783]

Well so the LimeSDR mini v2 is coming out, which should work, but I don’t have one to confirm. The original v1 may be hard to find, unless you can find one used perhaps?

[@sudirman2646]

what tools are used to make this work. i need this for in the village where i live

[@cemaxecuter7783]

In this video? DragonOS, LimeSDR, and an x86_64 machine.

[@catalinalb1722]

Hello There :) I am running the dragon OS Focal on my laptop. I think is the latest R28 or so. I want to shoot a video about the increase stability of the TCXO for my Hackrf. For that I need to run the kalibrate command. It dose not find any devices :( thank you

[@cemaxecuter7783]

There’s two different versions in DragonOS, one for the rtl and one for the hackrf. Type out kal and hit tab, I think i called it kalibrate-hackrf. I’ll double check when I’m at my computer.

[@catalinalb1722]

@@cemaxecuter7783 it works thank you!

[@catalinalb1722]

hello.... it worked.... now it seems like is not finding any stations and the RX Led on hackrf remains on .... is there a way I can rebuild or reinstall kal-hackrf ? maybe the updates screw it up.... thnaks

[@cemaxecuter7783]

@@catalinalb1722 it shouldn’t as the binary was built from source and renamed by me. I’ll check my hackrf, but likely it’s rx on with it running, or also after you ctrl c? You may need to raise gain, change antenna type to. I can try and check against a fake bts here.

[@catalinalb1722]

@@cemaxecuter7783 yes... I did thought is the antenna and connected to a rtlsdr and with the kal command it works. Also with hackrf the grgsm_scanner works great.... and yes the RX LED remains on even after the command finished without finding anything

[@woomoza8065]

can i sen sms to my friend on other network or operator? thanks

[@XernPL]

Hey, there is a possibility to install OpenBTS on DragonOS RPi version? I am getting an error with libcoredumper :/

[@cemaxecuter7783]

If I recall, trying to compile the 2023 OpenBTS has issue on aarch64. I can check again this week.

[@XernPL]

Thank you very much; I appreciate it

[@XernPL]

@@cemaxecuter7783 Hey, any progress? ☺

[@mrabdulwahab]

Which antenna and supporting accessories should i use to for service in 300m radius of campus

[@cemaxecuter7783]

I would think if you’re running this for real you’d need an amplifier for the specific frequency, that could get challenging as you’d probably need one that would work with the input power of the SDR. There’s probably a lot of other things that would help with the install but I’m not to good on what would be the best, I’ve not amplified a system yet.

[@andrrey35]

Hi, it is a problem if I use an usb dongle RTL-SDR RTL2832U 22 MHz-948MHz? I don't want to buy it if it doesn't work, or be supported by OpenBTS.

[@andrrey35]

Or any other model RTL-SDR

[@cemaxecuter7783]

No model of rtlsdr is capable of working with OpenBTS. You need a full duplex SDR, if I recall the LimeSDR and uhd compatible SDRs will work. I’d have to check what other full duplex SDRs are compatible.

[@lucatesta965]

Hey, I know this isn't relevant to this video. However, I see you got DragonOS Focal USRPB B205 working with GR-GSM two years ago. I am working on my capstone project for my undergraduate and I need to get a functioning IMSI-catcher as a part of it. I have a nesr smart SDR and HackRF, however, I cant get GR-GSM/IMSI-catcher working. I have downloaded all the parts and I run the program, but I can't get any data to show? Do you know any issues I could be having?

[@cemaxecuter7783]

The easy button would be to download the latest DragonOS FocalX, all is working with the SDRs you mentioned. The imsi catcher script or Gsmevil2 is also confirmed working. If you want to piece it together on your own it would depend on what distro and version of gnuradio you’re using.

[@cemaxecuter7783]

I read what you said closer and it sounds like you’ve already pieced it together. When you say no data, do you mean in the grgsm livemon terminal window or the catcher script terminal or both?

[@lucatesta965]

@@cemaxecuter7783 As of now, all the terminals are showing no data. I can't even find base stations/cell towers to check their frequencies. I repeatedly deleted downloaded grgsm and the catcher script. I completely redownloaded Ubuntu. I am using 20.04 and my gnuradio is 3.8.

[@cemaxecuter7783]

No idea if you’re in the US or where, but there’s little to no gsm except PCS1900. If you’re not seeing anything and you’ve got no errors, then either you’re not looking at a band that exists, not near one, or possibly not enough gain. I would suggest that if you have a b205mini that you use it as your own tower and then get an rtlsdr and use grgsm against your own lab for testing purposes.

[@cemaxecuter7783]

Oh shoot you only have the rtlsdr and hackrf. Well PCS1900 would only be seen by the hackrf if it exists.

[@user-mx5ji8rn6w]

Can i ask about the number 310 from the OpenBTSCLI ?

[@cemaxecuter7783]

You know I think the 310 was the beginning of my Sim. I’ll have to watch my video again, but I think I was just saying all sims beginning with 310 could connect. I also could be remembering wrong. I want to do another video on the bts anways.

[@rakotondramananasamuel3970]

Is it posssible to run osmo-trx-uhd with it? please any tutorial! Mine always crashed using transceiver with OpenBTS USRP B200.I see network but can't connect on it

[@cemaxecuter7783]

I recall yes, I think I did a video on that also with a b205mini. I’ll have to search.

[@cemaxecuter7783]

Strange. I thought I did a video on that, maybe it was a Twitter post. I’ll have to try this again and get back to you.

[@rakotondramananasamuel3970]

@@cemaxecuter7783 thanks, mine doesn't never connect with usrp b210! just find network ! please this video will help me! I still test it on limesdr-mini and run correctly but I brick my LimeSDR-mini

[@cemaxecuter7783]

@rakotondramananasamuel3970 I’ll check with my e200 (b210 like) when I get back home. It’s like a two step process. The other TRX uhd is ran separately is what I’m remembering.

[@sitrakarakotondramanana4457]

@@cemaxecuter7783 thank you very much indeed

[@thapelonkomo1255]

Using a bladerf 2.0 micro xa9 i am interested on OpenBTS the videos and pdf the content I'm getting the always talking about this one bladerf x40 i'm struggling to get content on this 2.0 micro xa9

[@cemaxecuter7783]

This weekend I may try the modifications mentioned for the older bladerf and see if it works on the xA9. I have the same one. It works great w/ Yate so maybe OpenBTS is a possibility, just not sure if the old transceiver code it mentioned pulling from yate will work with the newer bladrf.

[@thapelonkomo1255]

@@cemaxecuter7783 Please try it man I'm impressed with your job

[@thapelonkomo1255]

@@cemaxecuter7783 I don't see it Yate on your videos

[@cemaxecuter7783]

@@thapelonkomo1255 there’s a few up under the blsderf playlist and maybe cellular. I included it working in DragonOS, but you know what just occurred to me. If the transceiver is working in yate w/ bladerfxA9.. maybe I already have what’s needed for OpenBTS

[@user-mx5ji8rn6w]

Can i use USRP B210 for this tutorial?

[@cemaxecuter7783]

Yes, but there’s a few additional steps. I thought I documented it but I may have to make another video or look up my notes and share here.

[@user-mx5ji8rn6w]

@@cemaxecuter7783 can you share the note here please?

[@NIKHIL-yl1ws]

What IT Certifications do you have??

[@cemaxecuter7783]

Various CompTIA / CEH - which reminds me about renewal

[@NIKHIL-yl1ws]

So are you doing any job right now?? If yes then whats your job and in which company?

[@guy4698]

can the pluto plus sdr be used

[@cemaxecuter7783]

Currently there’s no time stamps or something like that in the default driver so not that I know of unfortunately.

[@4N07H3R_1]

TBH you need a discord channel for your fans

[@cemaxecuter7783]

discord.gg/T9KeH3caP

[@kemeliaafrinkethi6606]

Sir if it is possible to make calls and send sms using hackrf on connected phone then make one video for me because I have only hackrf nothing else and I am new in this sector

[@cemaxecuter7783]

It’s not possible with the hackrf as it’s not full duplex, so it can’t transmit and receive at the same time.

[@kemeliaafrinkethi6606]

​@@cemaxecuter7783 💌 thank you for your response

[@user-ex8ns1sw5k]

Can i tolk to you kn whatupp?

[@kemeliaafrinkethi6606]

Sir if it is possible to get sms using hackrf on connected phone then make one video for me because I have only hackrf nothing else and I am new in this sector

[@kemeliaafrinkethi6606]

Sir It is possible to get sms using hackrf