Off Grid Ham Radio & Raspberry Pi Field Computer

[@OH8STN]

Table of contents. Introduction 00:00 - Field Computer Overview 01:06 - QRP GoKit Overview 02:42 - 20Ah LiFePO4 Sol Gen 06:45 - Realities of Off Grid Comms 08:24 - JS8Call on a Raspberry Pi 10:50 - Narrow Bandwidth Network & Data 12:22 - Life in the Field Station 14:20 - Shelter - Heat - Tools - Fresh water - Food prep - Sleeping gear

[@OH8STN]

Not legally Paul, but I am working on a method of plain text ""encryption"" in the next Grid Down Communications for preparedness video. That should be pretty interesting for you.

[@AndrzejSQ9PKW]

Hey, where have you description of your energy storage?

[@SpectreOZ]

The lack of *bloatware* on your Raspberry Pi communications solution makes complete sense... nice work Julian 👍

[@davidcullen4996]

So so much of this is way over my head but damn what an amazing setup and use for an RPi, you are awesome and sharing what you have done here is what makes the interwebs awesome!

[@WHEREISMYBOAT]

Thanks! Your vids are great ! really helping me get started w/ my FT-818 off the grid!

[@OH8STN]

Thank you 🙏 73 Julian oh8stn

[@thecandyman9308]

*flawlessy rigs up mini-computer to HAM radio for use above arctic circle* @15:50 *drops lil' weenies onto ground cooking din-din*

[@OH8STN]

I was freaking out about cooking on camera 😀

[@bonniecrystal903]

A very effective video of HF portable ham radio, filmed in the Arctic with cozy wood fires, snow, and ice all around. Quite a good argument for the modular raspberry pi computer and accessories as the go bag unit. It shows how the use of weak signal HF messaging/ HF networking like JS8call is changing the realm of possibilities for operators. QRP-level text networking communication with positioning and selective calling is a powerful combination.

[@McTroyd]

Excellent rig you have there. Everyone likes to poo-poo the Raspberry Pi as a toy. We have the RPi's Foundation's industrial customers to thank for the surprising robustness of that little machine. Anything that can withstand an industrial manufacturing/forging process should have no problem weathering the outdoors; just keep it dry and/or conformally coat it.

[@mdouble100]

Excellent demo, thanks for showing the realities of real off-grid operations. Very valuable information and proof of concept.

[@OH8STN]

Thanks Marvin. I'm not always comfortable showing the more personal sites of field communications but I thought it was important. Thanks for your comment and kindness. It's very much appreciated.

[@o2bnov0307]

I am enjoying your videos. I am getting back into ham radio (after a pause of about 20 years). This winter operation is *amazing*!! Thank you. 73 de David (in San Antonio ,TX)

Wow! phenomenal video! Great information. I know nothing about amateur radio or HAM but I certainly see the importance of it; and seeing your video makes me want to learn. If you set up a training class for beginners I'll sign up!

[@OH8STN]

Your comment made my day. 👍😊

[@Sergej_R8WB]

Excellent! All my youth i am went on tourist trips to the mountains and just to nature - in summer and winter, at any time of the year. I love it so much! Good luck, happy to meet on the bands! Glad to see you on my youtube channel. 73! R8WB (R8WB/p).

[@CraigPerry]

I like the modular nature, i like the idea that you can pick and choose what weight is necessary to carry for different outings. Great informative video.

[@TheDarkfighter101]

I have always been interested in Radio communication and this has convinced me to take a plunge into exploring these technologies. Me and my brother have been increasing in our adventures in both scale and seclusion. I was thinking about how this could be a practical tool for our overlanding and hiking adventures. You talking about sending a message to your wife with your location and successfully arriving at it sold me on the idea. I find your application of the raspberry pi very interesting and your decision to go with Linux makes excellent sense considering the customization, versatility and power conservation offered by the platform.

[@JamesDougherty]

Dude, you are the GURU! Thank you for sharing what you know. This video touches on quite a few things that are on my to do list. I love how you mixed outdoor survival with radio ops.

[@OH8STN]

Thanks for that. I've got another one of these incoming. It might be a week or two but it's on the way. 👍

[@Pirahnaxxx]

Incredible Video Julian. As always, informative and kudos on the Personal touch of you doing, living, and enjoying while in your camp. Nicely tied together. So many good attributes to pulling it all together. Keep up the great work. Awesome Premiere!

[@seanodonnell3683]

I didn't understand much, if any of the technical explanations in this video but you sure inspired me to do more homework! Thank you so much.

[@okdoomer620]

Makes perfect sense to me, it's modular, resilient, open and extendable. If it breaks you can get a replacement for a few bucks, and that's not going to change anytime soon, because millions of these things are sold already.

[@neubert500]

Excellent video with logical and well thought out and experienced reasons for your setup. It builds solid capabilities my son and I are working toward. I believe you have illustrated the gulf between a fun hobby and a useful tool for grid down times. As usual, Thanks for the vid.

[@OH8STN]

Your comments are always appreciated and this one is no different. I think when a useful tool is part of the fun hobby, we will be "there". Then we'll find wider acceptance of this methodology. How's your own progress coming along?

[@zazouille2264]

Crystal clear! The networking part is critical for all the reasons you underlined. Awesome video!

[@bryanst.martin7134]

Very interesting. At first it seemed a personal exercise in "what I can do". But at the end you described a crucial function that no other amateur unit can do, nor a Professional unit for the power draw. Nice work!

[@markmascaro6892]

Another great video I have always considered the classroom/shop as the lab and the field as the proving grounds

[@ae1tpa92gwtom2]

Hi Julien, another hit if not one of yr top 5 vids ever, the best part is your content quantifying and justifying the concepts and hardware choices, all the best n 73s A92GW AE1TP

[@OH8STN]

Thanks for that. 🙏 It's so easy for us as KZbinrs to sit in a nice warm cozy studio talking abstract concepts in amateur radio communications. The reality is, we need to get out there to prove what we're saying, is actually true. The next test will be winter field day. I'm hoping that will be the last nail in the coffin. Hopefully not my coffin though 😀 Thanks for the comment and the kindness, It's very much appreciated.

[@horsetrainingresources]

Julian, extremely well done! Excellent analysis of the real-world off grid environment and eliminating the possible pitfalls of other platforms, etc. I so appreciate all the preparation and field tests you go through to prove your design requirements. My winter camping in the snow has been limited to only 41 degrees North.... You're an animal! 73, Charlie - K0CKH

[@morpheus9869]

Man, I love your videos!! Its almost like watching a documentary on NatGeo! Great work!

[@sanjithnair3266]

Hi, sir, I like this Video. and I am also thinking like you 100% off-grid working capability That is real Ham Radio operation. Your all videos giving more motivation on this hobby.

[@samcollins6394]

As always another very insightful video. Thank you for giving your time to inspire us all xx

[@OH8STN]

Thanks for that Samantha. Sometimes I'm a bit afraid of presenting these abstract Concepts. As long as you all understand where we're trying to get to, it's definitely worth doing sometimes. Thanks for the kindness and the comment, it's very much appreciated

[@softstart100]

Your amazing; great video and lots of valuable info. Started my go kit w/ raspberry pi4 and FT817nd. Thanks again.

[@chrisblue1515]

Very impressive, Julian!!! Thanks again for the updates.

[@TyMoore95503]

Thank you Julian. That was an awesome overview of your setup. I also have a FT817, Raspberry Pi3+ setup. I also have a Z817 tuner, and a Yaesu SCU-17 computer interface for direct computer control. I am still trying to figure out how to connect it all together to get the software to fully utilize the digital modes available. I am a comparative novice to both Linux and Python but I am relentless. I know I will figure it out eventually. Keep up the great content! 73! KF6AAL, Ty Moore here.

[@TXLorenzo]

Great video. Totally agree with the "whole" station concept. My challenge has been to balance the weight of a capable radio system with the additional weight of life support and keeping it all in a man portable package. My challenge is to be able to run 72 hours without external support and be able to carry everything in a backpack.

[@Steve-GM0HUU]

It's not easy. Though I don't have a lot of experience, I have had a few attempts at carrying everything I need for 24-48 hours plus radio equipment. No matter how hard I try to reduce the pack to bare essentials, it still ends up weighing 40 to 50lbs. Unless you are very fit/strong, it's not pleasant carrying a load like that. One thing that weighs a lot is water which you have to carry unless you are 100% sure of sources along the way. Camping in an cold snowy environment has many disadvantages but has some advantages - I think I spotted a sled in the video. This obviously allows a much greater weight to be hauled. Also, so long as you have heat, you can warm snow so don't have to carry water.

[@TXLorenzo]

@@Steve-GM0HUU I agree, one of the biggest challenges is water management. It is a big weight variable if you have to carry everything, hence the challenge. If you can base camp near a water source and daytrip to a hilltop, life is easier. It is an interesting problem set to solve. I am still working on it, LOL. 73s IU3JNT.

[@lpark8]

Great video. Informative, persuasive re JS8 and Raspberry Pi, and also beautifully shot 🙏😎

[@timferguson2682]

Julian, your work is amazing. I look forward to seeing how you will use the Icom IC-705.

[@darrinlenton]

You’ve lit my imagination on fire!!! Thank you for this video!

[@TangoFoxtrotWhiskey]

Cool use of the Pi. One suggestion, carry a spare Pi, and especially a spare of that SSD card. You can easily create the spare SD by using dd to make an exact copy of the card. Also, it would be really good to create a GitHub repo of a shell script, parts list, and whatever else is needed to prepare the Pi. I would be glad to help if this is outside of your expertise.

[@aidenstech1285]

You could also use Peltier modules on your furnace to charge the battery pack over night.

[@softstart100]

just a little info; now with hampi ; this makes me excited and heighten my interest in ham radio.

[@Liberty4Ever]

Another GREAT video. Super informative. Super motivational. And like all of your videos, chock full of practical real world advice. Thank you! I've enjoyed watching and learning as you and a couple of others blaze this personal EmCom trail, but I've been lazily waiting for others to provide more of a turn key solution. Maybe I'll provide that solution for lazy guys like me. A Pi 4 with all the software, GPS, realtime clock, 12V buck converter, etc., pre-configured with CAT control for different radios. Sell it on Amazon and maybe eBay for $10 more than the component cost, after selling fees, more as a service to the amateur EmCom community and to popularize this as the EmCom standard. Markets play a large role in developing standards. I'd much rather YOU sold that product, Julian, given that you did most of the development and most of the promotion. Hopefully it'd be a hobby related way to support your channel, but it's sometimes true that turning a hobby into a business ruins a perfectly good hobby by making it into work. I completely agree with the idea of using JS8Call. I'm entirely sold on it. I can understand hams who want to use all the different frequencies, SSB, CW and every digital mode. It's all fun as a hobby but a hundred competing standards is no standard at all and that's not practical for emergency communication. What's needed is ONE reliable low power mode so everyone knows how to communicate. Redundancy is good, but not in com modes. Have redundant hardware to communicate on JS8Call, 40m & 80m, NVIS or DX depending on antenna configuration, and 2m or 70cm for local communications. KISS. I was reading your JS8Call messages. There was a character glitch. Freezing your WHATS off? :-)

[@steveplowman4005]

Hi count myself lucky to have stumbled across your videos when looking for info on lipo battery packs. Great info useful if only used for camping. Cheers Steve

[@MichaelLloyd]

Nice video Julian. Showing us off grid ops was very informative

[@OH8STN]

Thanks Michael. This should have been a more in-depth video. Unfortunately, it was so difficult to capture the moments on camera, in such cold. I'm grateful if you all find it so interesting anyway. Many thanks for the comment and kindness. It is very much appreciated. 73 Julian oh8stn

[@markhall7646]

Thank you for your perspective about field operation, and for the inspiration to get into QRP and field operating! Happy holidays and 73 de KE5LIB!

[@OH8STN]

Thank you Mark. The more we share the more we can Inspire others to get involved. It's a blessing being able to do so. Enjoy the holidays. 73 Julian oh8stn

[@geraldmoritz8523]

This is my VIDEO of the YEAR 2019 !!! TNX ! Gerald, OE3GOD

[@OH8STN]

Thanks Gerald. That really means a lot. 👍👍👍

[@jackkelley890]

I have so much to learn. Thank you for making and posting this video.

[@Recon_Racing]

Kelley...? Did you work for G4S?

[@jackkelley890]

I am afraid not. I wish I was that cool.

[@dongilroy6503]

Julian , Great video . I'm just beginning to learn about the rpi but I'm looking forward to replicating what you've accomplished. Cheers ! Don.

[@OH8STN]

Thanks Don. The Raspberry Pi-radio combination is pretty astonishing actually. It's really helped simplify the way we operate in the field. It's always good to hear from you Don. Thanks for the comment and kindness.

[@dougbas3980]

Excellent👍 your field tests are very helpful. I am trying to implement a similar system now.

[@crackerwood661]

Thank you for your efforts Julian. I enjoyed this video. All the best from Wisconsin, USA!

[@AD6DMDennis]

Very cool compact portable setup! Why not use the tablet for the power control app, instead of needing a phone? Also, was it difficult to extricate the soundcard & GPS hardware internals from their plastic casings to allow plugging them in close to each other into the Pi USB ports? Thoroughly fascinated by the culmination of your many many months of experimentation and research. 73

[@AP268]

Another cracking vid Julian! Our cadet radio room should be fully installed by the end of Feb. Would be great to hook up on air and try out the new toys!

[@OH8STN]

Thanks and for sure! I'm always available to help Inspire the young people. 👍👍👍

[@andrewhamop6665]

Good stuff, just got my pi for use in receiving info from weather satillites. Nice setup by the way, really quite cool with the rpi and custom battery!

[@maxmeranda]

Took me a while to get to watch this, but boy did I enjoy that!

[@OH8STN]

Thanks Max. 2-3 new vids incoming.

[@M0IAX]

First Pi then Sausages. It’s made me hungry ;-) Great vid as usual, thank you.

[@OH8STN]

You're awesome Mark.Btw, thank you for that 991 Alpha video you made the other day. That was pretty awesome as well. I plan to share the video on my blog later this week if you don't mind.

[@M0IAX]

Feel free to share, that’s why I made it. I’ll try and do some more. I should not have too much work on until the new year so will have more time. I definitely need more vid production practice :-) thanks very much for the kind words too.

[@TheMchip]

awsome video! thank you! great work! AWSOME!

[@lander1591]

Amazing stuff, you should look at making a custom enclosure that houses all of those components in a small weatherproof form factor.

[@OH8STN]

Thanks, I'm working on it. I actually thought about putting together a form-fitting leather satchel like cover. Front and rear flaps for access to the cable mess in the rear, or the front control panel at the radium. You know like the old binocular cases from back in the day. I'll come up with something. Anyway, awesome idea. 👍👍👍

[@SCIFIaction]

Wicked cool! Inspiring me to build one! I would build a better 3D printed "server rack" to manage RF, Battery, and Computation

[@OH8STN]

Actually that sounds pretty cool. If you actually do that, hook up with me so I can sharealike it.

[@dafoex]

I saw a 6" rack on Thingiverse that you could take inspiration from, and also the Eurorack standard that is normally used for music equipment (synthesisers and that) could be useful if you're only after something small.

[@BlackRabbitVW]

I love your view on emergency communications! I am working on building my raspberry pi system to work with my ft-450d. I am having some trouble getting the USB cat control to work but once I get it going I hope to be able to get a radio contact with you sometime. 73's KN4AWW.

[@OH8STN]

Thanks for this message. In kind of bu.med lately with the some of the feedback. Yours is very welcome 👍👍👍 73 Julian oh8stn

[@BlackRabbitVW]

You're so welcome! I have been enjoying your videos for almost 2 years now. You have great way of explaining how you set things up.

[@JayDoscher]

Very cool! A very thorough video too!

[@roykilo9642]

as always another great vid.. 73

[@southerngentatl]

Awesome video! I’m just getting back on the air after a 10 year break and I’m very interested in field communications

[@OH8STN]

10 years is a long time. I've been away. Still there's lots of new things, and some things have remained the same. How we communicate and how we power our gear are probably the biggest changes.

[@ouijim]

Like the Pi for a remote control computer but then it would need Internet access in my vision of remote access. I prefer a laptop for "portable" use as it seems necessary for remote control of the Pi since the Pi does not have a screen, mouse or keyboard. I know you can add these things to the Pi but that brings "me" back to a laptop instead. Thank You for the videos keeps me thinking and "aware" of other ways to do things. . . ; )

[@MyTube4Utoo]

I may be misunderstanding you, but the Raspberry Pi is perfect for this application, and there's no 'need' for Internet access, as that could be self-defeating if you need a quickly-deployable, highly-capable portable field ops. station that's deployable *anywhere.* Get a tablet, have software that supports your digital modes, install a VNC client, and you're ready to go. Obviously, a laptop works great also, especially if that's what you prefer.

[@stromgewehr]

A big advantage of the Pi is the fact that the "tether" to the rig is wireless. You can operate from anywhere within wifi range of the radio. You don't have to sit right in front of it.

[@Steve-GM0HUU]

👍Good video, thank you. RPi is the way to go and certainly agree on the advantages of JS8CALL - a mode that has been around for a while and I am a little surprised that is not more popular, in EU at least. Though, I wouldn't perhaps totally write off other digital modes, especially Olivia, which may offer some advantages such as higher transmission rate while still having S/N performance close to JS8CALL.

[@philipchandler330]

Thorough and impressive as always

[@Matt-bg6kf]

Suggestions ... refer to “raspberry pi field computer” as RPFC to make listening easier

[@OH8STN]

RR. KZbin algorithm requires these spoken word to understand what the video is about. I'll try to find a balance in future videos.

[@mawortz]

Americans do like their acronyms haha

[@jmriello]

Julian. Excellent video Where did you get those plastic rails for the 817. There’s a company that makes them out of aluminum but I think they’re a little pricey for what you’re getting. I think the plastic would work well and be a better value

[@Devin82m]

Great video. Thanks for sharing.

[@SLLabsKamilion]

Just a tip for the other operators out there: The raspberry pi is not the only dog in the show. Take a look at some of the Orange Pi models as well. The Zero Plus doused with spray on conformal coating is another contender. JS8Call's rasbian stretch package installs fine on armbian buster. As a side note, has anyone looked at porting Jordan Sherer's 8-FSK modulation to one of the small wifi controllers like the 240Mhz Espressif ESP32-WROVER? It's got a fine audio grade ADC and DAC, due to it's bluetooth features, and it's about the physical size of that USB audio dongle you're using the DC-11F with. Alternatively, the 500Mhz NXP RT1010 might be a good choice if you don't need 2.4ghz wifi/bt, just USB2.0 (and one of the examples is a pair of USB audio endpoints.) It's the little brother of the Teensy 4.0 board, which has the 600Mhz NXP RT1062 on it, a little faster, but it costs about as much as a raspberry pi does, and doesn't run linux. The ESP32's about $3, the RT1010's supposed to be a dollar. I'd be tickled to see this slimmed down to fit on a $7 TTGO T8 module with a 6-Pin Mini Din soldered directly to it! Edit: This video demonstrates a USB host controller that could probably drive the Yaesu's control cluster. kzbin.info/www/bejne/pqCWd3WajpV6iZY The microcontroller is fast enough to "bitbang" NTSC composite baseband video by abusing the DMA facilities. Slight modification to the PCB to swap those to either a mini-din or a pair of 3.5mm minijacks. Plug a logitech USB keyboard receiver into the other USB port. Continue to use the samsung as a display. Even without the samsung, can still blind-type on the keyboard, or pin a little ST7789 SPI display in.

[@ausbinpippin5411]

Really did enjoy your video and it gave me a lot to think about. I'm looking for a good QRP rig that will cover all bands as now I only have one that I built from a kit for 40 meters. Keep the videos coming and 73.

[@rogerpetrey5591]

Julian you videos are always inspiring and full if new ideas for me to try. Continue producing great content. Best 73 de Roger W8RLP

[@ricsanders69]

Very nice video...thank you!

[@OH8STN]

You are very welcome Richard. Thanks for watching

[@christopherlouw8325]

Came across this video and very interesting, always been interested in prepping and communication has been something to think of. Being new to this: wouldn't a Raspberry Pi zero w be better? Takes up less space and draws less power, unless you want the extra processing power but how much multi process applications are you running? The Zero W can up run off of a power bank if need be and the W version has built in WiFi card

[@OH8STN]

The zero is awesome for a lots of projects, but it lacks the processing power for decoding data communications, plys running the UI, vnc server, access point, ... I was hoping for a more powerful 0 which could do these things but the 3 B+ and the 4B where our only options. Awesome comment. We will eventually get to the zero on this channel :-)

[@christopherlouw8325]

@@OH8STN that would be awesome to see. The more processes it has to do the power it draws, what if you could share the load with the Zero? Also i was wondering in a setup like yours, what about a radio signal tracker? Like the way they track endangered animals. Just a way to get a heads up if someone else is close by

[@bud03038]

Great video, in the process of setting up a raspberry PI 4 to control my uBITZ transceiver. Hope to on the air soon. de WQ1I 73'S

[@OH8STN]

Now that sounds like an awesome project Bud. They would definitely be great interest in your project if you could share it. Thanks for the comment and the kindness. It is very much appreciated.

[@originaldylanbaxter]

You bastard! I'd just resolved to spend my next few paychecks wisely, but now I gotta pimp out my 817 instead! Have you made any major discoveries RE: measuring battery voltage from the pi, maybe using Python? I have an off-grid RasPi radio project of my own and had resigned to including an ADS1115 in the recipe and using Python w/ GPIO library to programmatically read and respond to power conditions. My off-grid deployment project will work in concert with a weather station to implement a rudimentary ATIS/AWOS and lights activation at a remote private air strip. The ADC is on the board, but It's not wired up yet because I have to research a necessary voltage divider to bring the ADC measurement into the 12v range, as well as fit a different radio with a smaller footprint -- but I'll post an update some day when I can afford to put all these projects back together :P

[@rbe3908]

Hi Julian, just found your channel...great content and quality. Wondering if you have video on your raspberry pi 12v power mod, watched several, may have missed it. Saw a brief mention, was hoping for some detail. Thanks, keep up the good work.

[@wirelessdj]

Can you make it all in one waterproof box pre-wired? Perhaps affix the tablet to the lid of the case and the radio in the bottom? Then it would be self contained.

[@OH8STN]

Definitely. In fact one of my buddies just published a video on exactly that topic. I thought about doing this myself, but I can't even consider starting until I have the prototyping done on the 891.. There's also the question of the power supply. Sometimes I want to take a big solar generator, sometimes I would only like to take a battery that lasts a day. So I need to come up with a modular way of achieving that. Here's my buddies video though. Let him know where you found it. It's definitely worth watching. kzbin.info/www/bejne/mpqodo2Mp7ulbq8

[@ReadySetGoPictures]

Could you look at the GoTenna Pro and let us know your thoughts, like you did the original? Even if it’s just a comment here. Just discovered your channel and am loving it!

[@OH8STN]

Thanks and yes, I'll take a look. I've had my eye on the mesh, but let's see if I can get the FCC to release the pro documentation.

[@Chiefarndt]

Great videos, just subscribed. Trying to solve the power plug out of the 891 with a 90deg Anderson style plug like you have here. Scanned around and could not find reference? Thank you! 73

[@OH8STN]

Hey thanks for the feedback in question. Did you see those plugs in my video? Tell me the time stamp so I know what you're referring to. Then I can give you a good answer.

[@Chiefarndt]

Thank you Sir, ~2:58-3:12

[@VideosfromNH]

Watched for the Raspberry Pi, stayed for the camping video.

[@OH8STN]

Actually that's excellent feedback. Previously I didn't understand anyone was actually interested in the camp side of the deployments. Thank you for the feedback 👍👍👍

[@DanielWiley]

Awesome Video Julian!

[@OH8STN]

Thanks Daniel. It's always good to see you here 👍

[@robertdannenberg8304]

Great video to see how this is all coming together. I am about to start a similar journey and the research is very helpful. I also really enjoyed the lessons learned from last winter field day hope you do the same this time. My set up is going to look similar while independently choosing some of the same equipment hopefully a good sign I am on the right track.

[@alzeNL]

Got the link from QRZ.com - very good video - thank you so much for your great work, really enjoyed it and made me think about how I could setup, maybe not such extreme conditions, but utilize low power output and a RPI away from home.

[@matthewsarahplyler7304]

I am currently setting up a raspberry pi very similarly to yours... I also opted for the Sabrent sound card interface with a CAT cable. I have not been able to connect to the radio and control it using flrig on the pi. Was there something special you had to do to get it to connect properly with your radio? I'm on a Yaesu 857D, so I assume its similar to yours. Thank you for your channel! Your expertise and experience been exactly the help I needed for getting my portable station up and running!

[@OH8STN]

Hi Matthew, Sarah. All I had to do was select the correct cat control port for the rig. You can use the command "lsusb" to list all of the usb devices connected to your raspberry pi. Once you find it then the list, it's easy to select the correct one in flrig. I don't use any type of serial to USB converters or anything like that so I can't help if that's what you're using. Also make sure that you're using an ftdi chipset for your cat control interface. I hope this helps

[@matthewsarahplyler7304]

@@OH8STN Thank you so much! I will give that a try. 73 Julian! de K8KNX

[@RangerDave1959]

An awesome and inspirational video. I've been planning to get my amateur radio license and now I have more motivation. Thank you for that. I have one question. In your video you mention being able to send your wife a text message on her phone. Would she be able to reply to your rig from her phone?

[@OH8STN]

Thanks for watching your question. The way I could send the message in this video is via an APRS message. Honestly I've never tried to receive a message back, but I'll come back to this in a future vid. Normally if I wanted by directional Communications with my wife, I would use a system called Winlink or PSKMail. Those systems work very much like Gmail or protonmail. They are radio email systems for bi-directional off-grid communications. Finally thanks for watching and thanks for the kindness. It's very much appreciated. 👍👍👍

[@RangerDave1959]

@@OH8STN, thank you for your quick reply. I didn't know radio had such functionality. I have subscribed to your channel.

[@michaelblosser1990]

Seriously cool video! Way too advanced for me but nice to know what is possible if I had PhD in EE. Lol

[@OH8STN]

Just like the start of a Grand Prix, we all start at different places on the grid. Cool thing is our only barrier to learning, is our own free will. Next video should be out later this week. It's less abstract, and more pragmatic.

[@imhidingintheshop8889]

165 up votes, 0 down votes another classic, thank you!

[@hehe3301]

The cable from the Pi audio to the RTTY/DATA port, is that pin out: PiAudioOut->RadioDataIn PiAudioIn

[@OH8STN]

Looks correct. Your missing ground though. Put is usually unused since using vox.

[@hehe3301]

@@OH8STN yeah I understood about the ground, have you considered doing the mod to your 817 to get vox on the data line?

[@maxprepper9126]

Excellent content as always. Got the VNC set up working, but the image (of the pi screen) on the android needs size adjustment. The image is oversized and cutoff on the sides, while the image on a hdmi connected monitor is perfect. Is this a function of the pi or my Samsung Galaxy Tab 10? Also been trying to buy the power amp but not available and no reply from customer service? Any ideas? Mike

[@OH8STN]

The resolution problem could be on the Raspberry Pi side. It could also be your VNC client settings on the Samsung. I would do a simple Google search "how to adjust VNC resolution on a Raspberry Pi". QRPVer it's a small company. Infected might be just one guy I'm not sure. He is slow to answer, but many of us have received our amplifiers.

[@russellking6490]

Hi just had a qso with you on ft8call MW7AHI name Russell,love your Chanel and my pi 4 is just like your one so please keep up the good work and keep shearing

[@gregmach8230]

Great video

[@kareneighth6045]

I recently found your channel, and appreciate your well considered concepts. I’ve got some catching up to do now. Have you done a field station with the ft-891?

[@OH8STN]

Hi Karen. Thanks for the comment question and kindness. I didn't mention it in the video but the point of the field test in Lapland, was preparation for winter field day. For Winter Field Day 2020, I'll deploy with the ft-891. The 891 is my default system for critical Communications. The 817nd is simply my prototyping platform. Anyway thanks for reminding me. I'll have to write a blog post about that tomorrow. 73 Julian oh8stn

[@kareneighth6045]

OH8STN OK thanks. I found your digital setup video for the ft-891 video. I believe you were using a digimaster miniprosc and Windows. But I read that this interface does not play well with Linux. What interface do you use with raspberry pi and ft-891?

[@OH8STN]

@@kareneighth6045 the miniprosc plays extremely well with linux. I only removed it from field work, for added portability. I think I'll do a video setting up that interface with the Raspberry Pi. Others have already asked for that, and it's already in the works. Would that help?

[@kareneighth6045]

OH8STN Absolutely. Thank you.

[@kareneighth6045]

OH8STN please include benefits over the 2 cords, usb + 6pin din to Sabrent. Thanks

[@codeforsteamchannel1761]

New knowledge to me thank you

[@THESPORTINGCAMP]

Great video. Thank You.

[@OH8STN]

Thank you 👍

[@mikedmann7487]

You rock! thankz for the great video!

[@howardbernier2289]

Outstanding video!

[@OH8STN]

Thanks Howard. Very much appreciated 👍

[@billjames3148]

WOW, now I get it, sort of, so tech stuff, weights? # of boxes, did you pulk, ski in to cabin? it seems its always about the power and draw of amps. If you get back to Oslo please check out the Resistance Museum . In side you will find a steam turbine to generate power for recharging batteries. The WW2 Norwegian radio operators were impressive.

[@2ATimothyHarper]

Who makes the Black dome tent? What model also?

[@OH8STN]

Nortent of Norway

[@Johnysoutherner]

Now this is something I REALLY want to do. But....for an "off grid" setup....isn't a constant communication with GPS satellites/towers still using a literal grid?

[@OH8STN]

GPS is only there as a backup for the time. Remember I already have a real time clock on the system. Also the GPS doesn't use any Towers, just satellites. Maybe I have to make another video to show how the third backup system works if the real time clock fails, the GPS fails there's also a third way using our off grid Communications. Anyway go for it! These types of systems are fun to put together, and amazing learning 👍👍👍

[@TheElpoja]

Which antenna did you deployed this time? Thanks for your wonderful videos:):)

[@OH8STN]

Thanks 👍👍👍 I took the packtenna mini and telescopic pole. The ice destroyed the DX Commander telescopic pole, so I didn't show them in the video. I decided not to show either of them in the video since they weren't designed for these conditions. Thanks for the question :-)

[@kougan3126]

@@OH8STN So then what did work? Your conditions are most likely harder than I'll ever have or see but would like to know what works is those extremes.

[@MyTube4Utoo]

Love these videos!

[@iamsemjaza]

You are quite kickass.

[@OH8STN]

Thanks. It's all teamwork. I'm lucky to have such a good teacher for winter deployment in Arctic. This Desert Rat would be a frozen popsicle without his teachings and patience. kzbin.info

[@GJToken]

This is the first video of yours i've seen, as KZbin recommended it to me, so forgive me if you have covered this in other videos, but, would the addition of a Software Defined Radio to this kit presumable eliminate the need for the Ham Radio altogether?

[@OH8STN]

It really depends on which software-defined radio we're talking about. Some software-defined radio Chargers receivers others are transmitters and receivers. We can certainly replace the radio with an SDR transceiver. However to achieve the same capabilities you would have to add an external amplifier to the SDR, to achieve a usable output power. And principal though your assumptions are correct.

[@DaveGme]

Have you considered a stove with a peltier device for power?

[@OH8STN]

Yes, short answer. With a bigger wood stove, this method of generating power would be more practical. The station needs about ~2A in order to be completely autonomous while operating 100w, 60% duty cycle. Since pelletier's work on temperature differential, I'll need to figure out a way to get the hot side on the stove and the cold side and the snow. I wish I could tackle this sometimes but I'll need a Peltier sponsor before I can do that.

[@africanelectron751]

@@OH8STN possibly a system that circulates fluid outside.

[@JnJTrueOutdoorAdventures]

Another great video!! I have to get something like this setup here for my portable use!! Thanks again for posting these videos. Juddie - WD8WV