Ham Clock on a Raspberry Pi | Clear Sky

Let's get ham clock by WB0OEW running on a raspberry pi 3. This is a great raspberry pi project for an old raspberry pi you have laying around.
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Want your raspberry pi to play nice with your ham radio? Are you into digital modes like FT8, JS8Call, FLDIGI, Winlink, APRS, Digipeaters and others? Each week I put out new content showing you exactly what steps to take to get the latest ham radio software on your raspberry pi. Whether you just want to ragchew or are seriously into emergency preparedness, emcomm, or ARES and want to learn all you can about using the raspberry pi to drive your ham radio, this channel has something for you. Be sure to click the subscribe button and ring the bell before heading off. That way you will get notified of all future videos.
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[@seanchallenge]

Good news Jason I got this project to work with patience and spelling. You inspired me to get into Raspberry experimentation . Now just to get my old TK80 hf to work on the pi

[@pathopkins4500]

That is really a nice touch to add to the R Pi's screen Jason =) Getting back into SATs the map will help out in the interested SAT passes to =) Thanks for the update to the desktop screen background addition =)

[@AlGordon]

Thanks for posting this and showing how easy it can be, Jason. Building a ham clock for my shack has been a project that's been back-burner'd and re-back-burner'd several times. Your video motivated me to knock this out yesterday, running on a ZUMSpot in my shack that I run QnetGateway on. I've temporarily repurposed a small monitor used for an external waterfall display for my K3S/P3, until the 7" touchscreen I ordered from Amazon shows up at my doorstep. The only issue I encountered when running Ham Clock with the other applications on that one pi is that Ham Clock runs a web server on port 80 (standard HTTP port), that conflicts with QnetGateway's web console. It seems that this is a non-critical component of Ham Clock, as the application runs fine without it. So the only modification I made to make everything work together was to introduce a 30 second "sleep" at the front of the @reboot cron entry for Ham Clock (per the instructions on its site), allowing the other web server to fire up before Ham Clock has a chance to grab port 80. This is not necessarily a great workaround, but it seems to work well enough for me, for now. 73, de K7AJG . .

[@lifelessprod.5873]

Thank you so much, your channel is helping me get into raspberry pi and learn the basics. I can’t thank you enough!

[@KM4ACK]

Happy to help!

[@Aussat]

Great video Jason, will have to get this up and running.

[@andyseymour889]

Great stuff Jason, with all your goodies we can have more cool tools on our PI than even the Governor would have if he had a PI ! Andy

[@steveo4233]

Outstanding! Work per your instructions the first time. A really neat app.

[@peterfoltes6289]

Danke für dieses tolle Video, selbst ich habe es damit hinbekommen.

[@DevonHarris116]

Thanks again! I set this up over a year ago and it has been running great until last week. The Pi OS crash. But, got lazy of redoing the card and now you do this video this morning! Well, guess what I will be doing today! Thanks Jason! de km4pht

[@douglassharafanowich8605]

What fun! Thank you. :)

[@steveoconnell5145]

i just did this today used and old monitor and a rasp pi looks great and beats paying 400 bucks for one

[@dreupen]

No need for a monitor, I run the hamclock through vnc. In fact, I have a simple desktop icon (symbolic link) for ease of running. BUT more importantly, hamclock will show the BAND conditions. This is the main feature I love. Click on a location that you are interested in and a green circle is displayed for the DX location. Info is then displayed in the DX box (like distance to & bearing), but now click on the box to the right of your callsign(cycle through the displays). Lots of good info, but mainly the current VOACAP DE-DX percentages for all bands!! OK, 20m is at 98% for the midwestern USA, so I'm going to check it out... Bye.

[@truhmi]

I have VNC running at 1920x1020 on the PI and compiled hamclock with as hamclock-fb0-1600x960. When I try ti start it from a terminal window or via an app symbol my windows are mixing and I get no stable hamclock window up and running. How did you configure it (which compile and which vnc settings)? vy 73 DG6UAX

[@RandyW4LKS]

The default screen resolution for the HamClock display seems to be 1600x960. So you need and HDMI display with pixel resolution at least that high. But...there are other resolutions available. For a 4K HDMI screen, there is 3200x1920, which almost fills the 4K screen. To get the other resolutions, you have to run the make command with different parameters. To get the 3200x1920 display, run: make -j 3 hamclock-fb0-3200x1920 Then execute the program called "hamclock-fb0-3200x1920" when it is done. Looks great on a 4K TV!

[@RandyW4LKS]

Forgot to mention...you need an Raspberry Pi 4 to do 4K resolution.

[@KM4ACK]

Great info. Thanks!

[@dallasasher599]

I really like this project I would like to build one for my shack. I have some questions. Once it is up and running can things be changed as to what is displayed? I would like the clock to show local time and UTC time across the top and move down the satellite tracking down. Are these things that can be changed or is it as is?

[@jaywardjulian6163]

Thanks for the nice tutorial video, just a question after configured and wanted to escape or log out from that screen how do you do it? And will you be able to see the settings icon on the screen? Thank you sorry newby here

[@JnJTrueOutdoorAdventures]

I need to get the old Pi 2 that I have setup again. I have forgotten my password to do the VNC connection to the Pi. Now this old Pi has no wifi and I have to run it with a ethernet cable. But I had connected before to it (I think). I would love to set this old pi up in the shack running this and only this. I use my Pi 3+ for my digital modes. Great video again Jason as always. Juddie WD8WV

[@seanchallenge]

Excellent video thank you ZS5X Sean

[@brianyoung4545]

Love the Ham Clock and as always Jason amazing content. Possible idea with the ham clock with the Build a Pi script. Would it be possible to create a shortcut to launch the Hamclock from the desktop then have the ability to exit the application and return to GUI of the Pi without a reboot and re-configuring?

[@KM4ACK]

Nice idea!

[@donaldsmith3048]

This loads with the Buld A Pi. But can I do asetup from within it or do I need to do to the command line to set up my call and Lat Lon?

[@1crazynordlander]

I sure made this harder than it was. It is working now.

[@AragonDubs]

Great explanations and very good video about, Im very interesting! Many THANKS and 73 from Spain EA2EKE

[@surfshooterhawaii]

Installed mine and working fine less DX cluster. Have you tried to configure DX Cluster on yours?

[@vincentcimino1963]

Great video, thanks, but of course I got stuck and I’m computer/Pi illiterate I will try and post a screen of where I’m at, I think I’m almost there, I tried your command and the sudo and it’s not taking me to the screen where you start to configure the clock?? Can you help please?

[@davidramsey8977]

Jason, I've been trying to load the Ham Clock on to a Pi4 and when I get to the "make" part I end up getting a an error message that it will not work with my resolution. The monitor I'm using is 1024x768. can't use the 1600x960 so I tried the 800x480 and it still will not load. Is there an easy fix?

[@j.a.w.9467]

i followed the instructions and it worked perfectly. Thank you for the detailed instruction! One question, would this procedure be the same for a raspberry pi 400 model? Thank you in advance for your time and information.

[@KM4ACK]

Yes. It will work with the 400 as well.

[@bradleyruhberg8626]

Thanks, another great Raspberry Pi project. I was unable to access the setup screen, call-sign and lat/long are wrong but otherwise it’s great. Thanks again.

[@KM4ACK]

This might be a screen resolution issue with the monitor or pi.

[@bradleyruhberg8626]

KM4ACK it was me being stupid. I accessed it with VNC and was using my computer mouse to click instead of the mouse on the Pi. I got it working. Thanks again, great video and excellent coaching. FYI I also did not have success with sudo ./hamclock-fb0 once I dropped the sudo it started right up.

[@bradleyruhberg8626]

I’ve shared the video and comments with some members of my local club, lots of positive feedback on the project.

[@grantgreenwell3729]

Thanks Jason, I've been rocking the clock since you posted the video. Great stuff! Quick question - with all the storms we've been getting in the south, I lose power a lot. Is there any way to have the pi go through the cd ESPClock command and ./hamclock-fb0 command automatically, so the pi just boots to ham clock? I have a dedicated pi and monitor just for the clock.

[@KM4ACK]

Yes. You should be able to call the application from a cronjob @reboot.

[@grantgreenwell3729]

KM4ACK thanks Jason!

[@doncoker]

Now I know what I am going to do with my old Pi ! Thanks Jason ! 73 de Don KM6TRZ

[@JnJTrueOutdoorAdventures]

Don, when you say old Pi, I am curious how old?? Pi 2, Pi3, Pi3+ I have an old Pi and I believe it is just the Pi2, has no wifi or bluetooth capability. I have to hook it up via ethernet cable, but I do believe I have connected to via VNC thru the ethernet. I just forgot my password. I guess I am going to redo the OS on the card and start from scratch. Juddie WD8WV

[@doncoker]

@@JnJTrueOutdoorAdventures I have a Pi3+ that I will turn into a Ham Clock.

[@hwolfla]

I was able to bring up a brand new Pr with this program without any problems at all. Now need to learn all of the features that keep being added. Thanks so much, and be well. Hank K9LZJ

[@M0NMCAmateurRadioStation]

I tried your installation (which was very clear thankyou) and the new version on the hamclock website. Both didn't work as after following the instructions to the letter I couldn't get it to work. No command would run hamclock. As I am not very good with Linux I have given up on it.

[@Pacman163]

where do you get the raspberry pi and app at?

[@JohnPHamilton]

Hey Jason, I discovered this app and put it on a PiZero W even before you published this video. I simply followed the instructions on the Clear Sky Institute website. It really is a nice program with lots of information all on one screen. However, I have noticed that my clock freezes periodically. Sometimes once a day, sometimes several times in one day. I set up a crontab to reboot once a day, and that doesn’t seem to have helped. I have it running on a barebones version of raspbien. All the updates to the OS and the software are made at least once a week. I have the PiZero W in a Pi Foundation red and white case, and noticed the operating temp on the Pi was pretty high. So I popped off the lid, and that dropped the temp, but didn’t do anything for the freezing. Any ideas? I’ve searched the internet, and haven’t found anything useful. Your knowledge of the Pi is exceptional, and I though you might have some ideas why it keeps freezing.

[@KM4ACK]

Haven't experienced it freezing but I do know that it uses a lot of CPU. That would certainly explain the heat issue. Try reaching out to the developer and see if he might be able to help with the freezing issue.

[@koldark]

That is REALLY cool! Does it run in the windowing mode too? It would be nice to have an all-in-one Pi system for radio.

[@KM4ACK]

Yes it can be done. I just need to do a video on how to set it up. 73, de KM4ACK

[@lblerg]

What do you guys have for CntDn value in the setup? I must have clicked in there and deleted what was there. keeps saying a red "err" when i click done. Also, what are you guys using for the cluster IP?

[@lblerg]

Nevermind. lol. Found screenshots in the manual. Works great! Fantastic quick project!

[@dalescott1688]

Jason I'm trying to load this on a Pi Zero 2W. I've followed your instruction to the letter and everything seems to work perfectly right up to the point where I entered ,/hamclock-fb0. I have tried that with and without sudo and in either case when I hit enter I simply get another command prompt. It never runs ham clock and no setup screen. I have even gone so far as to rebuild my SD card from scratch and I still get the exact same result. I can confirm that I am in the ESPHamClock directory at the time I enter that command. And doing a listing shows that there is a hamclock-fb0 file present. What would you suggest.

[@KM4ACK]

There's a more up to date video. This one is pretty old now. kzbin.info/www/bejne/aHTcZoatotBmnbcfeature=shared

[@lblerg]

Well this is wierd. i can get it to work fine, quite easily on a pi3. I get a resolution error on the Pi4. Any Ideas?

[@aticonn]

Sooo, I don't have the "set resolution" option on the Display tab any idea why? My pi is up to date update wise.....I don't have a touchscreen and its currently headless if that makes a difference...

[@KM4ACK]

You are probably running a pi 4. From the main menu choose Preferences and then Screen Configuration.

[@gordonclaridge1626]

I must have messed something up. I don't get the set up option on my screen. Are you using Raspian or Buster?

[@KM4ACK]

Buster. It is probably a screen resolution issue with either the pi or the monitor. I never could get my 7" screen to work correctly. I may try again at some point in the future.

[@williammoney962]

Great video. I've been looking for a way to run Ham Clock and viola I came across your vid. I've run into a problem though. I'm running a Pi-4, but when I execute the program I receive an error informing me that the "..buffer must be at least 1600 x 960 with 32 bits per pixel". I've tried different resolutions to no avail. Any help would be super. Keep up the great work.

[@KM4ACK]

You could try running it in a window on the desktop. kzbin.info/www/bejne/i5SzdKlvqa16gc0 This is how it is implemented in build a pi.

[@williammoney962]

@@KM4ACK UPDATE: I was able to make the HamClock operational by switching from the 64 bit Pi-4, to the 32 bit Pi-3B+. I repeated your exact build instructions on the Pi-3 and it came up without a hitch. My next project is to follow your instructions to build a widowed version of the clock. I love the versatility and power of the Raspberry Pi, you have applied that power to one of my favorite hobbies (HAM Radio), your channel is now one of my favorites, keep up the good work.

[@joel6221]

how do i specify my gpsd server?

[@MA02129]

When attempting to install Hamclock I get an error my display is not at least 800x400. I have set the display much higher but Hamclock install is not successfully detecting. I reinstall OS and attempted to install Hamclock again and it failed. OS install did not give me a chance to set the display. I have used the OS GUI and both verified and set display that 800x400. What do I do to correct this problem?

[@KM4ACK]

This video is dated now, and the build directions have changed. There is a new video coming Jan 2023.

[@robertchambers5821]

I've set the boot to "CLI". The Pi asked for a reboot, now I only have the Command line. How do I return to the GUI, with out reinstalling the OS? 8P6RC

[@KM4ACK]

"sudo raspi-config" and set it to boot to desktop (option 3)

[@RaulGonzalez-fm1kr]

@@KM4ACK Then, select System Options-Boot/auto login-Desktop-Finish. And you're done. I had that problem and got crazy. My son gave me the steps; so I returned to my normality again. So I hope you already fixed it after 8 months.

[@eventail2001]

Jason, another great idea for the Pi in my shack 73 Nigel M0NDE

[@bopo73]

Will this work on a piB or B+?

[@KM4ACK]

I have only tested on a Pi 3 & 4

[@angelscomputers]

I assume is the same instructions for a Pi Zero right? I can't justify waste one of my Pi4's for this haha but I want the clock. I guess i can get a Pi Zero on ebay in around $20

[@KM4ACK]

Haven't tried it on the zero but see no reason it won't work. I just did a video on running this along side other apps on the pi as well. kzbin.info/www/bejne/i5SzdKlvqa16gc0

[@angelscomputers]

@@KM4ACK Thanks, I saw that video too, but Im looking to make kind of a solution for a framed screen for the shack, I guess the best will be an Arduino but I have never tried Arduino, only Pi's

[@errlan]

*Never mind. Figured out how to get back to the desktop. How do I get back to my GUI. The clock is great but I need to get back to the graphic interface otherwise this is not going to work for me.

[@elmadrigaldxclub5530]

How did you get back ?

[@vidcreator5276]

Jason - will Ham Clock run smoothly with Conky also running? Gerald KG0VA

[@KM4ACK]

The way I show it in this video, it runs stand alone. Soon I will be putting out a vid on how to run it in conjunction with other apps.

[@1crazynordlander]

From the HamClock screen I would like to know how to shut HamClock down. There has to be safer way to exit hamclock rather than using Ctrl, Alt, Delete or pulling the power.

[@user-oy4st1sp1g]

Per the documentation, hold the lock symbol down to initiate a graceful Raspberry Pi shutdown or reboot (this might only work on a touchscreen-I'm using VNC Viewer, and it just restarts Ham Clock).

[@1crazynordlander]

@@user-oy4st1sp1g Thanks! I knew there had to be a way. Sorry, I skimmed through the documentation once and did not see that.

[@1crazynordlander]

@@user-oy4st1sp1g Thanks. I skimmed over the documentation and did not notice that.

[@Schultz-ko3ve]

I wish someone would make one of these videos on how to install Hamclock on a Rasberry pi from scratch. You guys all assume we already have an operating system on a pi... well WHERE DO WE BEGIN???

[@KM4ACK]

Search youtube for "Pi Imager" and you will find lots of videos explaining how to install the OS

[@robertchambers5821]

Got it working perfectly! Thanks for the great video. 8p6rc

[@KA4UPW]

Dosent work, it dosent fit on my raspberry pi screen

[@donaldsmith3048]

Why is there chicken tracks on the screen? It is covering up parts of the things you put on the screen.

[@KA4UPW]

It dosent fit on the screen,

[@KA4UPW]

Dont think it works.on my official screen either

[@deanwestmoreland4707]

My problem your not showing how to clear that damn screen you rushed through mine just hung there

[@Billiemarie1000]

Setting the screen to 1900 x 960 on a 9" screen is really lousy advice. Now I will have to try to see any damn thing to fix it... Do not follow this advice on a 9" screen or smaller.

[@KM4ACK]

Easy to fix. Simply rebuild the app and specify a screen resolution that works for your setup.

[@michaelthomas4847]

Yep, Billie I should have read your comment before trying the advice on this video. I had hamclock working and just wanted to adjust the size, totally screwed up my Pi.

[@MIAMIC70]

Why isn’t this an APP or standalone program to be run on Windows, macOS, iOS or Android?