RTL-SDR – Mike Richards G4WNC

APRS iGATE Receive Only Node

Mike Richards — Fri, 19 Jun 2020 11:37:17 +0000

This brand new card is based on my Data Modes column in the June 2020 edition of PW magazine. By combining a standard DVB-T TV dongle (RTL-SDR dongle) with a Raspberry Pi you can create a very simple but effective, APRS, iGATE receive node. This is a great way to contribute to the local APRS network at very low cost.

The ideal Pi model for this APRS node is the Pi-Zero-W. This model has adequate processing power and includes Wi-Fi that can be used for the link back to the home Wi-Fi network. By combining the Pi-Zero-W with an RTL-SDR dongle you can build a very compact and economical APRS iGATE node.

With each order you will receive a high quality class 10, 16GB, microSD card, loaded with the Raspberry Pi Operating System, Dire Wolf packet software and rtl-fm SDR receiver software. I also include 8-pages of printed instructions and direct support if you get stuck!

Spy Server

Mike Richards — Sat, 17 Mar 2018 13:15:37 +0000

The excellent Spy Server from the team at Airspy lets you use your Pi-3, 3B+, Pi-4 or Pi Zero 2W to stream your Airspy or RTL-SDR receivers over your local network or the wider Internet. This microSD card has the latest server software ready installed and includes desktop links to make swapping receivers a breeze. I’ve also included a dedicated update script so you can update Spy Server and all the receiver drivers with a double-click of the update icon. Whilst the card is individually tested and ready to go, I also supply 7-pages of printed instructions and offer direct support if you get stuck. The supplied microSD card is normally a 16GB device but this may change according to supplier availability.

NB: the Pi 3 and Pi Zero 2W only support the 2.5MHz sample rate with the Airspy receiver.

PiAware ADSB SD Card

Mike Richards — Wed, 23 Mar 2016 17:23:29 +0000

Want to operate an ADS-B monitoring station for minimum cost? The answer is to make use of a Raspberry Pi to run a DVB-T dongle and automatically upload the results to the Flight Aware site.

This is a ready-to-go Raspberry Pi SD card that is pre-configured and to operate with the FlightAware site. The card works with all Pi models and comes fully tested and complete with printed documentation to help you get started. I supply an 8GB Class 10 or better micro-SD card in a standard SD card carrier so it will fit in all Pi models.

Support is available if you get into problems.

Raspberry Pi RTL Dongle Server

Mike Richards — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 07:53:08 +0000

This card contains all the software you need to use the Raspberry Pi as a remote server for an RTL based SDR Dongle. This card has been built using the latest Raspbian build and operates with all Raspberry Pi models. To help you get on the air quickly the card is configured to automatically start the dongle server and the network. You just have to provide the RTL-SDR dongle and an Ethernet connection.

NB: Whilst this card can be configured to work on a Wi-Fi network I don’t recommend it because Wi-Fi networks are generally too slow to support the popular sample rates.