Ultimate Raspberry Pi for your Ham Radio

The ultimate raspberry pi for ham radio is here! This raspberry pi for ham radio has read/write speed ~10 times faster than a micro SD cards. Overclocking the raspberry pi will give you ~30% more speed from the humble little pi.
🔹Links mentioned in the video
Pi 4 8GB Model - amzn.to/3vtaWKG
Argon One M.2 Case - amzn.to/3tpJGel
256GB SSD Drive - amzn.to/3vrR8as
Micro SD Card - amzn.to/3bPcIO4
🔹Raspberry Pi Build Guide - tiny.cc/pi4guide
🔹Frequently Asked Questions - tiny.cc/km4ack-faq
🔹Weekly Newsletter - mailchi.mp/40da1fe472e3/km4ac...
🔹Follow Me
Instagram @km4ack
Twitter @km4ack
🔹FREE Get Started Guide - tiny.cc/getstartedguide
🔹Cool Ham Gear - km4ack.com
🔹Support the channel through Patreon - / km4ack
🔹Did you just get a raspberry pi and want to hook it up to your radio? Start here • Where to start? Raspbe...
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.
🔹My Shack🔹
Yaesu 857D - amzn.to/2MOAZtx
Yaesu FT65R - amzn.to/2XsOQq5
Raspberry Pi - amzn.to/2WjLzIk
Signalink Soundcard - amzn.to/2EZjxMx
🔹🔹🔹🔹🔹
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases

[@rothamps]

Hi Jason, I loaded Nagios on my Pi4 with SSD and it immediately warned me of critical average loading of over 4 (uptime showed the same) I found that with the SD card removed it was really hammering(polling) for the card. I added "dtparam=sd_poll_once" to the /boot/config.txt file and now the loading has dropped to 1 or below at idle.

[@KM4ACK]

Great find & fantastic information! Thanks for sharing!!

[@Cooldaddycars1]

Excellent video thanks. When setting up the new SSD I had to setup the partition table type since my SSD was brand new. I wasn't sure which type to use, but used the default "msdos" table type and it seemed to work fine. This is a really fast Pi! Thanks again!

[@californiakayaker]

I"ve got it running and it really works well. Argon case, ect. I've thrown it together without watching the entire series, not even this entire video. So, got to get serious now that I like it so much .

[@TelungPan]

Very nice sound quality, thanks a lot for sharing.

[@DonzLockz]

Excellent info Jason. I have a RPI4 4gb and didn't know where to start. Lots more of your video's to watch. Just seen you on other Jason's PAT Winlink video.👍

[@Tater26013]

Thanks Jason, stay safe down there the next couple of days, looks like it may be interesting for severe weather!

[@alandigiovanni5282]

Thank you Jason. This was very easy to understand and I completed all tasks without any problems. The one comment I would make, is that with a new SSD, gparted will not let you right click and select „new“ until you have first created a partition table. This only applies to brand new SSD‘s.

[@pgrundle]

Any awesome and informative video. Gonna build one myself!

[@kingdarkang]

Great video Jason

[@ChrisinOSMS]

I was really frustrated with the Argon One M.2 case. I didn’t understand why my ssd was not a valid path. This video explained clearly my issue, I had no partition profile. Once I dove into gparted this error was explained, a few clicks later I was able to follow along. As a bonus I am over clocking to 2.0 GHz, too. Thank you. Edit: if the voltage setting on the pi is too low, the pi will lock up on boot. If you hold the shift key while booting, it will bypass the over clock settings and boot as default, allowing one to adjust the voltage without having to rewrite to the ssd. I learned too late, so I hope this will help someone else.

[@TheTechPrepper]

Excellent build Jason. You're right, your case selection changes everything.I like the idea of having a faster Pi for the shack. 73

[@KM4ACK]

Thanks 👍

[@philipchandler330]

Extremely informative

[@ernestgalvan9037]

Good video. Thanks.

[@jmr]

I first started using SSDs on the PI3. When you switch to an SSD the speed difference is so noticeable no diagnostic test is needed! Thanks for the video. I was shopping for a PI4 last night. I forgot about that case. I'll need to add it to my build list!

[@kurtzFPV]

So do you think I'd get most of the speed benefits with the 4gb pi4 by just adding the ssd and overclocking? I've already got an extra one laying around as a backup.

[@jmr]

@@kurtzFPV You would do pretty well with it I'm sure. The SSD really speeds things up a lot. Just make sure you keep that PI cool! Even if you don't overclock they can heat up.

[@kurtzFPV]

@@jmr Thanks. Appreciate the info. Yes, I keep a really good fan on all my Pi's and I can keep a close eye on the temp with Conky.

[@duanegcanaday8575]

I am going to be getting a Pi at some point in the future. I really want to try the new MX Linux version for the Pi. Being a new OS there may still be room for improvement. However it is a variation of my OS of choice. I have used MX Linux since it was started and I am very impressed the original XFCE version on regular computers. I agree with your choice of the Argon case. It looks very good to me.

[@BenButler1]

Good stuff Jason. Lots of great work has been shown here today. Going to try this on my Pi400 today I believe. KX4TQ

[@erickreyes2568]

🎉 bravo!! Nice video presentation. Jason btw, where did u get that case ?

[@chrisbartlett6022]

All ready to go then found it is a different power lead :-( couldn't get SSD drive but do have a large SD card that at least I can start off with. Nice video again Jason.

[@JnJTrueOutdoorAdventures]

Okay Jason, you are making rethink my home station setup. Right now I am just using my Raspberry Pi 3B Plus to my Yaesu FT-757GX and only using the SD card. Now you are showing me this fancy setup!!! LOL Thanks for sharing and I guess I will start watching for a Raspberry Pi 4. Juddie - WD8WV

[@ernestgalvan9037]

The RPi 3+ has native USB booting. True, speed is down because of USB2, but it’s still faster than SDcard, and SSD’s are more reliable. A cheap acrylic case for the Pi, and Velcro or rubber bands to hold the SSD. I also have the Flirc case for the Pi3 Of course, that Acorn case is super nice for the RPi4. Yes, I have two.

[@TheSmokinApe]

Nice job Jason 👍

[@KM4ACK]

Thanks Ape!

[@Devin82m]

I like it! Great video. I don't care much about speed. I've been using RaspberryPis since the first model came out, and for 3 years for ham radio. But the thing that always annoys me is the SD card (and I buy Samsung high end SD cards only), I've had them corrupt just sitting there barely being used, corrupt when I unplugged the power to move it, corrupt after an update (too many writes). That is the number one problem with using RPs for ham radio or anything else. This is one reason I will use ANY microcontroller for projects over the RP, even if I am better writing in Python over C (of course that's changing with Micro and Circuit Python supporting microcontrollers). Anyway, I like this smooth and cheap setup, that new case is what makes this project very doable and easy. Thanks for sharing, I'm going to switch my main shack RP over to this. I may do it for my portable RPs too, but not overclock and I would probably unplug the fan.

[@billloveless6869]

Good video. Great article in OST.

[@KM4ACK]

Thanks Bill!

[@n5pa]

Jason: Great video! I think I will do the same upgrade to my RPi 4 with 8GB of Ram. This will make it much more useful as a Desktop computer in the shack, even though my current Windows 10 Desktop has 24GB of memory and a 1TB SSD as the primary drive. I will let you know the outcome.

[@mikeburch2998]

I built this exact configuration from this video and it worked perfectly. De K8MB

[@rafaelgcpp]

On the first 5 minutes you ended my struggle! I was trying hard to use my 8GB raspberry pi with my radio, but using the 64bit OS. It was impossible to get it to work, and it seems I'm not alone in this! Thanks! 73 de PU1OWL

[@tbirddusty]

Dusty KB7ULT Thank You for your hard play (work). Happy Holidays to you and PJ .......73s

[@donaldsmith3048]

Without over clocking it would be good for taking out for Field Day and other things. I am not sure if the case cuts down on the range of the WiFi and Bluetooth. I saw a video about putting an antenna connection for the Bluetooth for outside of the case antenna. It was for the Pi 3. Not sure if it can be done for the Pi4

[@sasines]

Jason thanks so much for the great video. I have ordered the case and SSDD that you recommended. Quick question, will the 256 GB version of that SSDD work with the Pi?

[@sasines]

Sorry I meant the 512 GB version.

[@KM4ACK]

I don't think it will be an issue but I haven't personally tested the 512 version

[@gamingforlive2150]

I just realised watching this video what a dumb idea it was to ignore ur Build a Pi i had so much trublle setting everything up i decided to not do it when i had to reset it but now ima go and do it

[@temporarilyoffline]

What do you think about adding a swap file? I've thought about that case a few times, it fixes one of the pi's problems of having ports on all sides.

[@KM4ACK]

I have avoided adding or increasing the size of the swap file in the past since it would add additional read/write cycles to the SD card. Having all of the connections in the back is a big plus using this one in the shack.

[@jimmusson]

You do not need to do anything to the target ssd. The sd copy utility will erase it before it copies. To install gparted type sudo apt install gparted.

[@brentjohnson6654]

Hey Jason, I am looking for a Pi for my ham shack. I am considering HamVoip or AllStarLink. Also it would be nice to use it for logging and my RSP1a pan adapter. I looked up your link and the Pi4 8GB model is no longer available. Do you recommend any other one? I looked and Amazon was only finding 4GB Ram versions. I assume you like the CANA products, so should I filter on that manufacture? Thanks for your help. You are always very clear and informative.

[@KM4ACK]

Here's a good link as of 15OCT2021 amzn.to/3vgwtGw (affiliate link) Due to the ongoing chip shortage, Pi's are getting harder to come by :-(

[@harryhino2267]

Given the "3rd party repo" fiasco with raspian, have you considered the Odroid series of SBCs from HardKernel? I purchased a U3 when the pi version 1 didn't have the grunt to run direwolf. I've had the thing for over 10 years now running a Rx only HF Igate and it hasn't missed a beat. I'm still using the same 8G eMMC card I bought with it. It has 2G of RAM where as the Pi of the time only had 256K. IIRC, the Odroid U3 was the only quad core ARM SBC available at that time (which was the primary reason I bought it).

[@kevargao5031]

Is the 64bit version of the OS working now? It has been two years since you did this extremely informative video.

[@KM4ACK]

Yes. 64bit is much more stable these days.

[@jdawgaz]

Jason. Great video. I am now OFFICIALLY JEALOUS! I guess I will have to get a 8GB pi too! See you in Huntsville! Jerry K7AZJ.

[@jameslee522]

Hey Jason! What kind of of speed differences are you seeing with this SSD vs SD card? Worth it? Maybe and update video in the works? Looking for maybe program start times.

[@KM4ACK]

It is a big speed upgrade. I love it in the shack but still run SD cards in the field.

[@ikedokter1772]

Great video, but the first step using GPARTED is unnecessary. The SDCARD-COPIER reformats the ssd drive ve7ike

[@DarrenRound]

What's the VNC issue on the 64bit version? I've been having a lot of trouble with VNC on Build-a-Pi when running direwolf and Xastir :-( Specifically mouse problems.

[@QRPMonkey]

Nice setup. Not sure if i would want to go this far with my pi. The whole idea of the pi is a cheap solution. Once you start adding all the extras that drives the cost up and at that price you can buy some really nice micro computers that are more powerful and can install linux. Still nice setup.

[@KM4ACK]

True but since I develop on the Pi and use it daily, I was looking for the fastest speeds possible.

[@brentjohnson6654]

Thanks for the video. This is clearly described which is why I like your videos. 73 de KI5HXM

[@johnwest7993]

I looked at Pi's, but they are so outrageously expensive now that I decided I'd just stick to a couple of old notebook PC's I scrounged for all of my digital mode ham work. Pi's started out as inexpensive but reasonably full featured modules, but now they cost more than most good, used laptops and so lost their niche.

[@massoud999]

Thnx de 4Z5UY for this cool video.

[@Devin82m]

Had anyone else had issues with it continuously rebooting? Yes I am using the correct power supply. Yes the SD Card is out. I can get it to go into the OS, even reboot a couple times, but then maybe on a third reboot it just reboots over and over again. I have to put the SD card in and choose USB boot first to get it to work again. This is the second time.

[@PatrickDickey52761]

An odd question not really related to this, but slightly related. is BOINC an option in the build-a-pi script? I noticed the BOINC Free message on your Github page and wondered if it was something that can be installed using build-a-pi.

[@KM4ACK]

It can be installed manually on top of Build a Pi but is not included in the script.

[@chrissewell1608]

Great instructions. I am ignorant to Rasp. PI, so can someone briefly tell me what it can be used for, and why this is so popular for use in Ham Radio? All I know is thst its a mini computer!

[@kurtzFPV]

Watch one of Jason's overview videos of Build a Pi. It automatically installs and partially configures most rig control, digital applications and logging software you need for everything ham radio from a single script. It even builds and compiles some of the apps from source code. Great for the shack or portable, and you can run it wirelessly from any desktop, tablet or smart phone using vnc.

[@tannimkyraxx]

Also look for some of the videos put out by Julian oh8stn showing him using the pi out in the field for cat control and digital operating.

[@K3JRZOnTheAir]

How well would this setup work for portable (doing digital for POTA activations - FT8) and for a first time Pi user?

[@KM4ACK]

It would work but not be my first choice in the field. While very fast, it also runs hotter than normal due to the overclock and makes it impossible to add a power hat amzn.to/2QFztfn allowing you to power the Pi from a 12V source.

[@K3JRZOnTheAir]

@@KM4ACK I wasn’t planning on doing the overclocking part. 1.5 GHz would be fine for me.

[@charlieandshell]

Hi Jason, is there any reason why you have chosen not to run this as a portable option? I have tried my setup portable and did find power supply from battery/solar difficult.

[@KM4ACK]

It could be run portable but I have other Pi's already setup for portable action and just don't need the extra horsepower in the field.

[@charlieandshell]

@@KM4ACK Thanks... I'm going to stick to the RPI 3B+

[@sanebedlam]

Have you made updates to your field/portable use setup or do you plan to stick to what you have been using?

[@KM4ACK]

The "ultimate pi" build was never meant for the field. I plan to keep using my other pi's in the field and save this one for the shack.

[@sanebedlam]

@@KM4ACK yup I was tracking on that just wasn't sure if your original pi set had changed. I'm bouncing between your videos and Julian's trying to settle on the setup I want to pair with the newest dsb from qrp guys which is now a proper ssb digital mode transceiver

[@brianvandy4002]

Why overclock? I would think none of the apps you'd use in a shack are really high processor requirement apps. In fact, I'd consider underclocking to reduce power usage and extend the life of the Pi. It also means less heat to worry about. If I'm wrong about processor intensive apps, let me know.

[@ernestgalvan9037]

If you are using the inbuilt SD Card Copier program on Raspberry OS, then there is no need to use GPARTED to erase the SSD. SD Card Copier erases the destination media.

[@rmjnieser3747]

Jason, Oh No!!! I installed my Pi 4B 2GB ram in the Argon ONE case, no problem. After adding over_voltage=4 and arm_freq=2000, it locks up shortly after conky starts No time to reverse changes to /boot/config.txt. Conky does report Frequency up to 2.0 GHz so changes are operating. Is there any way to back out these changes? I have a previous BUILD A PI SD card build that works fine, stable at 1.5 GHz.. So My Pi isn't damaged. BIG fan, keep up the fantastic work on behalf of HAM community. 73

[@KM4ACK]

If you are still booting from the SD card, pop the card into your pc/Mac. You can edit the boot/config file there to take out the over clock. Or can can adjust the over volt to 5 and see if that resolves it.

[@rmjnieser3747]

@@KM4ACK Changed the over_voltage=5 via Windows 10 PC. No longer locking up. Frequency popping on 2.00GHz and Temp around 88 F. Thanks for your help!

[@steveroberts3512]

I've heard that the Pi4 puts out much more RFI affecting ham activities compared to the Pi3 which has negligible. It is why I have kept to Pi3 in my shack so far. What have been your experiences?

[@KM4ACK]

The pi 4 only has increased noise when you use the usb 3.0 ports with a usb 3.0 device and i have not found this a problem in the amateur bands. It can be a real problem for GPS connected devices.

[@steveroberts3512]

@@KM4ACK Thanks for that. I use a GPS frequency standard as a 10MHz source to lock most of my RF test gear so will wait a while before upgrading. I've subscribed now!!

[@paulconaway3283]

Will that SSD fit inside a Pi-400 ? Can one hijack a USB for it? Can one take power from the Pi-400 supply?

[@KM4ACK]

You couldn't use just the SSD in the Pi-400 as it wouldn't have the m.2 slot. You could probably use an external SSD connected to USB3.0 port.

[@CurtTerpstra]

I just installed 64bit RaspberryPi OS and installed a bunch of items from build-a-pi. Conky has issues with time display (sometimes it will have issues with the seconds and minutes not refreshing correctly) and the CPU temp is not working at all. I have one RPI for testing 64bit OS, and another for which I am in the process of trying to set it up to run FT8 on my IC-705. Just started to build the pi now. KC9CTP

[@KM4ACK]

I have not had good luck with the 64 bit version the few times I have tried it. I’m sticking to 32 bit until 64 is out of beta.

[@PatrickDickey52761]

One issue I'm running into is that once I start using the SSD drive, my GPS dongle stops working. Before I copy everything over, it's flashing green, but after I copy over and boot from the SSD drive, it doesn't do anything. I should note that this is before I run the pi-build script. Any ideas on what's wrong? I have the GPS dongle plugged into the USB 2.0 ports--not the 3.0 ports, and it's the dongle that you recommended.

[@KM4ACK]

The USB 3 for the SSD is interfering with the GPS. I did a video on running into the same issue kzbin.info/www/bejne/qYSck6SEgNt0d9U This GPS works better amzn.to/3yabuGy but I now use my phone's GPS on almost all of my systems. kzbin.info/www/bejne/qJzQgqusiZ11prM

[@donaldahlskog3519]

How do determine which ssd to order, is there a buy/don't buy list???. I have an SP M.2 2280 SATA III A56 256gb #sp256gbss3a55m28 with problems. It won't boot unless I remove the bridge and then re-place then it boot fine.

[@KM4ACK]

This is the one I bought amzn.to/3vrR8as and had no issues.

[@donaldahlskog3519]

@@KM4ACK Argon40 replaced the bridge and problem is still there,.I am using Jan2021 distro. From the picture it appears ssd to be the same one I have.

[@calvinkutemeier393]

How much does this metal case interfere with the wifi signal?

[@KM4ACK]

In my setup, the Pi is connected to my router via CAT cable. I suspect the case has an impact but I haven't had any issues connecting to the pi using the pi's hotspot. I am typically less than 20 feet away from the pi when connecting.

[@jimlynch9390]

The link for Argon One M.2 Case brings up the M.2 interface but it appears that you need to purchase the case separately. From the description on that web page says "Adds M.2 SATA SSD Compatibility to your Raspberry Pi 4. Only works with Argon ONE Raspberry Pi 4 Case, which is sold separately."

[@KM4ACK]

Thanks for the heads up. Looks like you guys bought out the first link. I updated the link to point to the correct one.

[@jimlynch9390]

@@KM4ACK Glad to help, Jason. I just want to thank you for your videos. They are well done, informative and a valuable resource. I do enjoy them. I just hope you get to do some operating time in. :-)

[@KA4UPW]

used your build a pi, but nothing seems to be working, "in valad desktop entry file: '/usr/share/applications/hamclock.desktop' but its the same message for all apps, and it seemed to kill my wifi "no wireless interface found" thanks, james ka4upw

[@KM4ACK]

The BAP forum is the best place for tech support. groups.io/g/KM4ACK-Pi/topics I check in there every morning and answer as many questions as possible.

[@mikeberger1688]

What does this have to do with Amateur radio? I thought it may have been about Ham related software etc. (If there is any).

[@KM4ACK]

This is the pi I built and use in my shack for all of my ham radio software like Winlink, ft8, and JS8CALL

[@mikeberger1688]

@@KM4ACK Thanks -- will look at those. Getting back to the hobby after a very long absence.

[@billloveless6869]

KC3QFI, what are the physical connections between the pi and the radio? TY-9800

[@KM4ACK]

I can't speak specifically for that radio but typically you need at least a sound card interface (Signalink) between the radio and the pi and optionally a CAT cable for rig control.

[@billloveless6869]

Your welcome. Which radio are you using? My TY-9800 only has a USB port for data.

[@edb.793]

Not to be a nay sayer, but my Argon M.2 case didn't work. I may have to get a new one. No receipt for it, no joy...

[@devinblakenbaker3756]

No love for the Pi 400, it comes with great passive cooling and a higher clock speed on the cpu.

[@SeanPM]

32bit is limiting your ram utilization.

[@Warzel1]

If you run a 32bit OS you won't be able to address the 8Gb memory of the PI4 as 4Gb is the maximum for a 32bit OS.

[@KM4ACK]

True but until they work the kinks out of the 64 bit version, it is a trade off I am willing to accept. I do plan to move to 64 bit in the future.

[@philiptech]

Raspberry Pi OS and many 32 bit arm os's use a 32-bit LPAE kernel and a 32-bit userland. This allows multiple processes to share all 8GB of memory, subject to the restriction that no single process can use more than 4GB

[@ernestgalvan9037]

32bit OS limits are true only for Microsoft stuff. 32bit Linux OS has not had that 4GB limit since, gosh, around 2004... Going back even further, 32bit Linux used the PAE patch to access way more than 4GB RAM.

[@Steve_AI7SV]

That moment of panic when I realized one step was left out... No partition table on a new drive... Which one to choose... I picked DOS and my Pi locked up!

[@KM4ACK]

There were no steps left out. If you follow along step by step it will work. Then only step that may need to be tweaked is the over_voltage setting and I mention this may be the case in the video. Pull the SD card and the SSD. Flash the SD card again and you should be able to boot again and start over.

[@Steve_AI7SV]

@@KM4ACK Humm, must have been a glitch in the SSD I got. I was required to choose a very basic file system type before I could do any work on the SSD. Check "WIKI List old file systems" to see the drop down list (the list I was presented was about 1/4 of the wiki list). The lock-up was resolved by letting the Pi cool, then booting, quickly editing the /Boot/config.txt file and saving.

[@Dr.Pheelgood]

@@KM4ACK The same happened to me. I selected NEW and I got a message that said "No partition table found on device /dev/sda" and that I needed to create a new partition table before I could create a partition. When you select Device, Create Partition Table, you then get a window that asks what kind of partition table you want to create then gives you a list of choices such as atari, aix, amiga, bsd, dvh, gpt, mac, msdos, pc98, sun and loop.

[@Dr.Pheelgood]

After searching online, I chose gpt and everything appears to be working.

[@Steve_AI7SV]

@@Dr.Pheelgood I choose msdos. It all worked well (after I reversed the overclocking). The RPi is a remarkable SBC.

[@pickinpastor9347]

What in the world are you running on this that you would tax the Pi that much?