Portable Digipeater Build with a Pi Zero 2 W

Let's build a portable APRS digipeater using a Pi Zero and Digirig soundcard.
🔹Links mentioned in the video
Pi Zero Hat - amzn.to/3xV9OSs
GPS - amzn.to/3IX5eJM
Alternate GPS - amzn.to/3SAc0In
Digirig - amzn.to/3xUnGw4
Digirig Cable (FT65) - amzn.to/3Z3XAma
Yaesu FT65r - amzn.to/3IUAcSx
🔹Commands used in the video
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade
sudo apt install -y python3-gps gpsd-tools gpsd-clients gpsd chrony python3-gi-cairo libgps-dev
echo "refclock SHM 0 offset 0.5 delay 0.2 refid NMEA" | sudo tee -a /etc/chrony/chrony.conf
sudo nano /etc/default/gpsd
sudo systemctl restart gpsd
github.com/wb2...
sudo apt install git
git clone github.com/wb2...
sudo apt-get install -y libasound2-dev cmake libudev-dev
cd direwolf
mkdir build
cd build
cmake ..
make
sudo make install
make install-conf
arecord -l
nano ~/direwolf.conf
TBEACON DELAY=0:30 EVERY=2:00 VIA=WIDE1-1 SYMBOL="digi" Comment="Portable Pi Digi - no igate"
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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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[@KM4ACK]

Pi Zero Hat - amzn.to/3xV9OSs GPS - amzn.to/3IX5eJM Alternate GPS - amzn.to/3SAc0In Digirig - amzn.to/3xUnGw4 Digirig Cable (FT65) - amzn.to/3Z3XAma Yaesu FT65r - amzn.to/3IUAcSx

[@MorrWorm8]

As a East Tennesseean who’s just starting to get into this. I have to say thanks. Man there is soo much to learn

[@MrKholcombe]

I just did this on my own a month or so ago. Had nothing but problems. Now I know what I didn’t get right. Thanks Jason! You rock

[@KM4ACK]

Hopefully it will help you sort your out :-)

[@alexjh47]

Great vid. One suggestion - change the direwolf PTT to /dev/serial/by-id/whatever in case the USB serial devices come up in a different order.

[@KM4ACK]

yep. this would be better

[@jimlynch9390]

As usual great vid. Cudos on tossing in a few errors and how to correct them. That's always instructional. Thanks.

[@charleneparker4419]

Would love to see this done using a mobilinkd instead of a digirig. I'm beating my head trying to figure this out. Thanks again for putting this together!

[@charleneparker4419]

Also, what are you using to connect both the digirig and GPS while still powering the pi? Splitter?

[@KM4ACK]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/mXjIlmSJnKl3qck

[@charleneparker4419]

@@KM4ACKThanks! Is that still using a Pi Zero 2 W? I did check this out, but that wasn't what I had in mind. On that one it is slightly different as you are doing the APRS stuff with YAAC and mobilinkd as the TNC. On this one direwolf appears to be doing the APRS function and the TNC. My mistake is in my mind mobilinkd was just being seen as a wireless method to connect to the radio. Then I realized I am trying to connect a TNC to a TNC (Direwolf to Mobiliknd). I am trying to replicate what you showed in the video "Portable APRS Kit", but I was thinking I cold simply replace the digirig with the Mobilinkd. Then again I may be deeply confusing myself. Thanks again for the work you've put in on these. 73

[@SpookieNZL]

Hi, Great Video. How do I enable Direwolf to Auto Start after reboot? Whats the Commands? Thanks

[@DonzLockz]

Thanks for stepping us through this Jason. A great tiny option for portability. Could you add a small 20-50w amp with this setup?

[@KM4ACK]

You certainly could. In my case, I find 5W is enough provided I can get a roll up J-pole antenna in the air about 30 feet. If you aren't concerned with power draw, you could also use a radio like the Yaesu 2980R which would give you 75W output. Digirig makes a cable for the 2980.

[@DonzLockz]

@@KM4ACK Thanks for that Jason, you're right. More options to look at. I have a 9m pole and was looking at the Ed Fong or n9tax roll up j-pole antenna for other uses. 🤔🍻👍

[@jmr]

@@DonzLockz Just thought I'd say hi. I hope all is well.

[@DonzLockz]

@@jmr haha, you pop up your head everywhere. Lol. Yeah, doing a fair bit better than before, actually able to function and now studying to level up my licence (to standard) and get back into the Bridgecom training to setup my Anytone DMR codeplug and hotspot, a long time waiting. Hope all is well, don't freeze in the blizzard up there. ;)

[@jmr]

@@DonzLockz Awesome! Maybe we can QSO when you get your DMR going. This is another great channel so if course we're both watching!

[@temporarilyoffline]

Always good stuff. Thank you

[@KN4VA]

Built it. Configured it. Worked the first time. Love it. Thank you. 73, KN4VA

[@KM4ACK]

Sweet!

[@KN4VA]

Sorry to ask, but how do you auto start direwolf when the Pi boots up?

[@KM4ACK]

@@KN4VA Several different ways. I prefer writing my own custom script and using an app called screen to start it. Custom script is called from cron. You can also configure and call dw-start.sh (found in home directory) from cron. A lot of guys seem to be using systemd these days. Search the direwolf forum - groups.io/g/direwolf/topics and see this web post www.f4fxl.org/start-direwolf-at-boot-the-systemd-way/

[@averageguysradio]

Great tutorial Jason, This is definitely going on my project list for certain. Thanks

[@imarunner2]

Excellent instructions! I used this to create an igate so a few deviations from your use case but it's working! Thank you... now to find your xastir video.

[@texasprepperprojects]

What I'd really LOVE to see is to take the raw PCB board version of the Digirig (which Dennis still has) and combine it with the RAW SA818 PCB which is the heart of a baofeng (I know they are crap) and make a single tiny unit that is a Digipeater/radio combination. kzbin.info/www/bejne/eXrIhWeJjNOYm9E .. What is the purpose? To power the thing on a tiny solar system and be able to put it in a tree or on a hilltop to make a remote digipeater station. Granted, a HG-UV98 is an all in one handheld that has digipeater functionality, but they seem to be a dead radio.

[@n7jrr]

Thanks for another great Pi project video, unfortunately there are no Raspberry Pi's to be had. I'll have to file this away and wait for them to come back into stock.

[@graham2803]

Hi Jason! Thank you so much for putting this together. Your videos have inspired me to do many ham radio projects. I think this would be an excellent starter project for any ham and I could definitely see use for it anywhere! That being said, I've decided to do this project as my area lacks digipeater/i-gate connectivity. The nearest digipeater in my area is north of me around 40 or 50 miles away. I have the Pi Zero W as well as a Baofeng I'm not going to use anymore. I have a homebuilt soundcard interface between the Pi and the Baofeng, however when I key up the radio, it interferes with the USB sound card running from the Pi to the radio, shutting down Direwolf due to soundcard failure and in many cases requiring a reboot. Do you have any tips or tricks for getting past this? Would it make any difference getting my hands on a Digirig? Thank you and keep up the good work! 👍

[@yv6eda]

Great video, as usual Jason! thanks!

[@christianarnaut2269]

Outstanding tutorial. Thank you for posting.

[@InTheDispersion]

Great tutorial. As an alternative to /dev/serial/by-id/, you can try */dev/serial/by-uuid* for consistent configs despite which id linux assigns across (re)boots.

[@KM4ACK]

hmmmm.....I don't have a /dev/serial/by-uuid directory on mint??

[@larspregge6420]

Why don't you write the /dev/serial/by-id* instead of /dev/tty* into the direwolf config? Next time when you unplug both usbdevices maybe ttyUSB1 will change to 2. The by-id version is everytime the same. And igirig, isn't it the same as a usual usb soundcard?

[@KM4ACK]

probably a better approach to use the /dev/serial/by-id name :-)

[@joel6221]

Is the ttyUSB# dependent on which USB slot you plug into? If, for instance, you plug the digirig into a different usb slot, will it still work - or do you have to always use the exact same slot?

[@KM4ACK]

No. You don't have to use the same slot each time.

[@DannyNF4J]

Sorry...the orange pi works...the build I CANNOT get to work is the rasp pi kit you used

[@kleinbiker1]

One of the reviews of that hat said it doesn't work with the zero 2w..... "This is a well designed kit, unfortunately it is not designed for Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W (I don't have any of the other Pi Zeros on hand to check against). As a result, the pogo pin designed to connect to the USB OTG/ID pin is in the wrong place" Any thoughts? Anyway, love your channel

[@KM4ACK]

They may have updated the design. All I know is that I am running the hat on a Pi Zero 2W without issue. All of my USB ports work.

[@kleinbiker1]

@@KM4ACK I just got one delivered today and the review is indeed correct, so yeah it must have been redesigned and likely wont work with my Zero 2W. :/

[@ssyoumans]

@KM4ACK @Kleinbiker1 I built one today with a new Pi Zero 2W i purchased this week from Microcenter. Works fine with the Pi hat listed above.

[@kleinbiker1]

@@ssyoumans interesting. Maybe I’ll double check what I have and see if I can get one going. Thanks.

[@DannyNF4J]

Jason, I was able to duplicate this build with an orange pi zero 2W, but CANNOT ssh in. When I try to ssh in, it will NOT accept my password...which I set up as you described. It just gives me "access is denied" incorrect password. I have tried this many times but get the same result...Suggestions?

[@chevyk10guy]

These Pi videos are great I love the information and the walk-throughs of the linux commands where needed. But it's also the most frustrating thing on earth. I have been looking for a Pi of any model for 2 years and still can't find one. Where does anyone get there hands on these?

[@KM4ACK]

The supply chain has been super frustrating for over a year. Best bet is to check this site daily rpilocator.com/ You can also occasionally find them on Amazon. The Pi400 was recently in stock at a price that wasn't completely insane. amzn.to/3Vl0xha (affiliate link). They were ~$99 before the craziness started.

[@joel6221]

So i wiped my Pi, reinstalled everything based on this video. TX was working, so i then moved onto the GPSD settings and the RX stopped working. Seems the DigiRig isn't as easy to use as they'd have us believed, and emails to them for help have only yielded links to discussions on their forums. Starting to regret buying one.

[@KM4ACK]

Sounds like a conflict between the GPS and Digirig since it only occurs after connecting the GPS.

[@joel6221]

GPSD only says " can't run with neither control socket nor devices", so now nothing works ... bout to ship this digirig back

[@battleborngrafix4640]

Great video, thank you for this! What are the odds f getting you to do a video on dw-start? I cannot for the life of me get it to work. I don't want to carry a computer with me to start the service.

[@DannyNF4J]

Disregard Jason, there was a short between my ears...I have them both running. 73!!

[@fredhillhousejr943]

Will you be covering the audio setup in the near future for this build? Enjoyed your video! Best regards!

[@KM4ACK]

Audio adjustments are pretty straight forward. In this case, use the audio knob on the HT to adjust so you are getting good decodes without getting the "audio too high" alert. You can also tweak the audio settings in alsamixer for a bit of fine tuning.

[@kevinshumaker3753]

Very interesting, sir. Just ordered the digirig module and cable(s) for the Baofeng HTs. (received a gift card for support of another ham) and look forward to setting it up. Hope to be up and running on a Pi3b+ Sunday evening. Looking to get something for my JT6188mini. -- KD9EFV

[@genebodenberger]

Let us know what VOX level seems to work best with this setup. Gene N7ARO

[@kevinshumaker3753]

@@genebodenberger Starting build process with a few minor mods: Using USB thumb drive instead of SDCard Using Networked GPS Service (GPS USB Device on home network server) for at home or semi-fixed location, will use a direct USB GPS device when mobile solo Noticed that the Digirig device pulls a lot of power, preventing my Pi3B+ from booting while plugged in when using my 'normal' power supply or a PC USB source. Still building direwolf...

[@kevinshumaker3753]

Created issue on Githun (pi-build) for error: direwolf Dire Wolf version 1.6 Includes optional support for: gpsd cm108-ptt Reading config file direwolf.conf Audio device for both receive and transmit: default (channel 0) Could not open audio device default for input No such file or directory Pointless to continue without audio device. My digirig device shows as plughw2,0 not 1,0, but all other info correct...

[@kevinshumaker3753]

@@genebodenberger Sorry it took so long to get back, some RealLife(tm) stuff occurred. I am not using VOX, I bought a DigiRig v1.9 to use, with the cable, and it uses PTT. The Volume on Receive seems to be sensitive, and I had to keep lowering it (Started at 75%) to about 25% to get consistent reception of a local DigiPeater and some mobiles that cruise nearby. I am now looking for good setup instructions for using an SDR & Pi for a receive only i-Gate. Good instructions to use the Baofeng UV-5RA and DigiRig for messaging...

[@ebreevephoto]

just wow!

[@yv6eda]

When I click "make" give me this error "No targets specified and no makefile found." I need some help!

[@KN4VA]

Built this today, and I appreciate your video on this. It seems to work, except I don't have anyone close to hear it. Is there a way to have the unit start up and run automatically? I assume the way it is right now it would require manually start Direwolf after each power down. Sorry, my Linux is very lacking at this moment.

[@KM4ACK]

dw-start.sh is what you are looking for. It will auto start direwolf at boot. If you need help configuring, the guys in the direwolf forum should be able to help - groups.io/g/direwolf/topics

[@charlierumsfeld6626]

Did you show how and what was connected where with the hardware and cables? I am confused just looking at the one picture of the pi and another of the hat without them connected together. Thanks

[@KM4ACK]

The hat connects to the GPIO pin header on the pi and is secured with a couple of screws. Once it is in place, you will have regular USB ports on the hat which you will use to connect the GPS & Digirig.

[@chriscrowder]

Jason.. you might edit the video when you show your gps working since you basically doxxed yourself.

[@reprhunter]

Great video! Started following your channel and have been learning a lot! I recently built an iGate/Digi for my home using direwolf. I was wondering, at the end of the video, when the beacon transmits, it looks like the RFI is coming back into the radio and it's picking up the beacon. I'm referring to the green text. Is this the case or am I reading that wrong?

[@KM4ACK]

I was basically sitting under my normal digi/igate that I run at home. Pretty sure it was that digi that was repeating the signal and then being heard by the new portable digi.

[@reprhunter]

@@KM4ACK Gotcha. Makes sense.

[@joel6221]

Jason, i think we've touched on this before, but what could be causing the error "gpsd:ERROR: can't run with neither control socket nor devices" ?

[@KM4ACK]

My first guess is to verify no typos in your gpsd config file where the device is defined.

[@RussellThomas]

You didn't cover auto starting direwolf? I need to know how to do this to have a permanent digipeater at a remote location that I don't have access to.

[@KM4ACK]

I have covered it before in the past. See this video - kzbin.info/www/bejne/d4rLh3edh691hNk

[@chrissewell1608]

Jason, what, when, or why would you use a portable digpeater? Because doesn't a digipeater require internet access?

[@DavePhelps]

Don't confuse a digipeater with an igate. A digipeater only unit merely repeats what it hears and could be the extra hops someone needs to hit that igate. But aprs does not require Internet for local use.

[@KM4ACK]

I use a portable digi at least twice a year on Field Day. At our FD site, an HT won't make it into the wide area digi/igate. The portable digi gives us enough extra with its elevated antenna that we can make it into the wide area igate. Signal leaves the HT->hits the portable digi->is repeated where the wide area gateway hears it and injects into the internet.

[@530eman]

Is there a link to a video for those of us that are severely technology challenged ;-)

[@davistroy]

Jason, I noticed you didn’t put a link in for a good source of the Pi 2W 😂😂😂

[@KM4ACK]

😂😂😂

[@philstrons]

What does digirig do that a cheap USB sound card doesn't? There's a big difference in price, so I want to know what I get for spending more

[@KM4ACK]

When working with an HT specifically, it makes PTT a breeze to configure and is super reliable. For other rigs like the 891 which is capable of rig control, I prefer the cheap sound cards.

[@_onthemike_]

I have very little digipeater coverage in my area and I think this to be the reason why my ftm100 isn’t Rx many packets. I have an extra pi3 and and ftm100. Would this digipeater help with coverage?

[@KM4ACK]

If your portable digi can hear a wide area digi....yes. I also have a couple of other videos showing how to configure an APRS digi and an igate. This might be a good consideration if you have limited coverage and have the ability to set it up and home and leave it on the air 24/7.

[@deanheckman908]

I got stuck at the "sudo apt update" , When ever it gets to the second package, it freezes at about 26%...😞

[@KM4ACK]

Stick with it. An apt update/upgrade can take a bit of time on the zero.

[@deanheckman908]

I think I may have a pi zero that has a questionable wifi device. I built the code using the ether connection, with no issues. Not so convenient for headless operations.

[@KN4VA]

Will this work with a standard Pi Zero W? I have several of the laying around.

[@KM4ACK]

Yes it will.

[@jmr]

I keep seeing PI3 for sale at $25 very frequently if anyone needs one.

[@davef5595]

where?

[@jmr]

@@davef5595 Use rpilocator to find them. They were at Adafruit, Pishop, and Chicago electronics earlier today for US stock. I see them pop up regularly. The cool thing about the PI3 is the scalpers don't usually buy them up.

[@stewartblackburn7555]

Good morning Jason, I'm trying to setup my pi as a digipeater/igate and am having an issue with xastir, while updating the permissions my line does have the -x but it lists root root and not xastir -ax25 after using the ls -l | grep xastir command. I've used you build-a-pi and installed AX25, Direwolf, Xastir, HS like you recommended. Any help is greatly appreciated!

[@KM4ACK]

You can change ownership of the file with sudo chown root:xastir-ax25 xastir

[@forthy62]

Great video again! Very helpfull. I will build something like that for the next IARU Region 1 Fieldday. If I want to include igate functionality, what do I have to do? (we have Wifi on the fieldday site) 73, Stephan, DF6PA

[@KM4ACK]

The igate is covered in this video - kzbin.info/www/bejne/oZ3YfWSXqaenjdk

[@forthy62]

@@KM4ACK Thank you, I missed that one :-) 73

[@K6WRF]

Jason what revision of the digirig did you order?

[@KM4ACK]

I have a couple. 1.6 & 1.9

[@K6WRF]

Im having a bear of a time getting the RTS to work on any of the Feng like radios .. i have a 1.5 and in the doc on Digirig itsays 1.5 and later you have to cut the tracer on the board.. Did you have to do that?

[@K6WRF]

@@KM4ACK SO i finally got this working.. after 4 different radios .. ended up getting the FT-65 so now its working.. although over a period of time it starts displaying the following in the terminal window. [0L] K6WRF-6>APDW16,WIDE1-1:!4722.45N/12209.58W#360/000Portable Pi Digi - no igate weird it didnt show the other data.. it was sayinh NO GPS Data time out or something and said to try and run CGPS or XGPS .. when i run CGPs is shows the collection of data and then after like 5 cycles it has a successful TX update .. is something wrong or is that kinda normal?

[@nerdwerx2292]

Is Bill Lowery Mike's brother!? 🤔🤣

[@joel6221]

Direwolf is still telling me i'm connected to an igate ... what's up with that?

[@KM4ACK]

Not sure unless you configured the igate section in the direwolf.conf file

[@joel6221]

@@KM4ACK That was it! I must have kept scrolling by those two lines when i was editing the file. Still no luck on getting the 2980 to transmit.

[@texasprepperprojects]

on an OrangePi, it defaults to a different user name and asks you for a password at every step. Blah

[@KM4ACK]

Give 73Linux a try. It's a repo on my github

[@texasprepperprojects]

@@KM4ACK Thank you!!!!

[@Bill-HRT]

Jason, finally getting around to this. Great video as always. Great to hang out with you at Hamvention. 73 de K0WHW @Bill-HRT