Hi David.

I have configurered 1 RPi3 in LinBPQ following some videos in Youtube and still trying again to configure the BBS, Chat and AXIP.  The latter is really interesting to explore as we really need in our area (lots of mountains) to have a reliable links to different remote locations that doesn't even have mobile phone coverage.  Some of our members are living in remote areas.

We are trying to explore the capabilities of DW, UZ7HO Soundmodem, AGWE, etc.  Need a lot of time for all of this.

Thanks for all your input and really we appreciate your help.

73,

Max
DU2UXH

Hello LostInEastAL.  Yes I did.  I know there are other options that can be used now rather than using those old TNC's, but I am trying to utilize what we have without spending too much.  We can't afford to buy those add-on boards for the Pi.  Most of our members are boys and girls scouts who are licensed hams,  are interested in learning about Emergency Communication.

Max
DU2UXH

Hello Max,

I think we need to start with what you mean by "BBS".  Many hardware TNCs offer a "Personal" BBS or PBBS for leaving simple packet messages as well as node functionality to see details like remote stations heard, create new connections to other remote nodes, send NETROM advertisements, etc.  Is this the "simple PBBS" functionality you're looking to emulate on your Raspberry Pi?

Then there are full blown Packet BBS solutions coming from software like BPQ32, JNOS, FBB, etc.  These programs are fully featured, can relay packet messages back and forth from other compatible packet BBSes, etc.  Is this "Full BBS" functionality what you seek?  There are some significant differences between some of the BBS programs so you'll need to research this and narrow the choices down to your needed functionality but I can say:

   BPQ32 BBS:
      - Under active development
      - Runs on multiple OSes including Linux
      - has a smaller core feature set but can be dramatically enhanced with add-ons
      - Flexible packet I/O: Can uses it's own AX.25 stack with serial KISS, supports AGW I/O instead of KISS, supports the native Linux AX.25 stack

   JNOS BSS:
      - Under active development
      - Runs on Linux
      - has a complete BBS feature set
      - Flexible packet I/O: Can uses it's own AX.25 stack with serial KISS, supports AGW I/O instead of KISS, supports the native Linux AX.25 stack

   LinFBB BBS:
      - Under maintenance support
      - Runs on Linux
      - has a complete BBS feature set
      - Only supports the native Linux AX.25 stack

There are other legacy BBS programs but pretty much of them are no longer developed: TNOS, TnT, N0ARY, OpenBCM, etc.

All other programs like Linpac, QtTCPTerm, EasyTerm, etc. are not real BBSes.  They might offer some nifty features and maybe sometimes emulate


Regardless of your desired functionality, any of those hardware TNCs will work as they will need to be put into KISS mode.  Once in KISS mode, software running on the connected PC will take over all responsibilities on the AX.25 stack and all higher level functions.   Running any TNC in KISS mode is a bit of a compromise but it works well enough.  One of the better solutions now is to use software-TNCs with AGW API connectivity.  This type of setup allows the Software-TNC+Radio to service all AX.25 I/O and just send application payloads to the BBS program.

Finally, Outpost is a Window packet client program and NOT a BBS/Nodes/etc.  If you are interested in more details of how a EmComm usecase can use Outpost + Packet BBS, there are several groups doing this today.  One example of a group doing this is:

   #Linux x86 servers running JNOS with three radios per computer
   #  2m enduser RF, 1.25m enduser RF, 70cm BBS-to-BBS fwding, Wifi BBS-to-BBS fwding, Internet BBS-to-BBS fwding
   #  enduser Windows clients running Outpost PMM
   #
   https://www.scc-ares-races.org/data/packet/index.html

--David
KI6ZHD

The KAM+ and PK-232MBX are capable BBS all by themselves, once configured.  Have you looked at Pi-Gate ?

I have a project for our local radio club.  Because I have several h/w TNC's, Kam, Kam+, a couple of KWM-9612+, a PK232MBX and a PK-88, I would like to use them using a RPi 3 (I have 3) or RPi 3b+ (I have 2).
One of them, I have installed a RS-232 to TTL level shifter module and used the UART on the Pi.  Installed minicom, and was able to interrogate the TNC via the RS-232 port on the Pi, just like using Putty on Windows.

Now I would like to use these h/w tnc's with the pi as BBS, Node, as part of our EMCOMM project.  I am not sure if there are programs like Outpost PMM or similar that will make this project possible.

Thanks,

Max
DU2UXH

Though this isn't mentioned in the HamPi wiki, the post at https://groups.io/g/Ham-Pi/message/2532 states:

--
UPGRADING: In order to transition smoothly from HamPi 1.X to HamPi 3.0 and preserve your configuration settings, please follow the instructions in the attached file, "UPGRADING_FROM_PRIOR_VERSION.TXT" (This is still a work in progress.)
--

--David
KI6ZHD

I'm new and didn't download and install the original version of Hampi. I presume it was v 1.0. 

My question is whether or not I can directly install the latest version or must I install from 1.0 to the latest (3.0.1)?

Hello nl13286

Yes the SCU-17 works fine with both my FT-891 and FT-817 with QSSTV (9.4.4) on Linux. I use Linux Mint (20.3 Una) and PiOS (Bullseye) depending on hardware.

You shouldn't be seeing.the FSK indicator during transmission.

I can do some screenshots of the Sound and CAT configuration if you need it.

73 Glen

Thats very unfortunate but I have 3 of the power boards running for 3 years and 1 year without any issues and 3 more recently installed in remote controlled astronomy gear.   

There are a lot of high voltage to low voltage 3 amp buck converters on ebay, for 2.50 to 3.50 USD, just pick one that has a pot to adjust the output voltage down to 5 volts.   

This is the one I use but there is another when available that includes a digital voltage readout that I prefer but was not available recently.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/125104160678

Hello JO22FD,

There was a similar issue and discussion on the Direwolf email list and the issue comes down to how you configure the application to assert PTT on the SCU-17.  Please see this entire thread:

   https://groups.io/g/direwolf/topic/90705767#6528

--David
KI6ZHD

The FT-891 could have been so much better...

I am missing the voltage on the main screen. This is very handy because it is suposed to be a portable rig.
Also what is the point of having cat with usb as you can not use the scu-17 or another interface like a microham this way. This would have been one less cable to the pc. ( I have already maxed out all my usb connections) USB okay but in that cause put a soundcard in the rig!
The factory set widh on data mode is 500Hz. Not very usefull. You have to set it manually now everytime to i.e. 3000Hz for js8call and ft8. Not possible the change it in the menu.
Also the change from usb to lsb could have been somewhat easier then to dig into the menu.
Power and mic gain settings in the menu are a little bit confusing, i mean data and data data?

I am still very happy with the rig tho..

have you used it with qsstv? My fsk light turns on and the audio will only sent one tone.

Hi all, i am having a promlem using qsstv. I am runnig Debian 11 bullseye and had no problems installing it. To bad i couldn't find it in the software option but was able to get it with apt-get. The problem i have is with the Yaesu SCU-17 interface. When i start qsstv the interface light fsk turns on and when sending a picture it only transmits one tone. When i close qsstv the fsk light turns of. Other programs like js8call wsjtx are working just fine. I really want to make this work because as far as i know it is the only program for sstv on linux. Anybody have some ideas? 73 from JO22FD

--
-- Dave, W3DJS                       Technical Specialist, GA Section of ARRL --
-- Georgia + Gwinnett County ARES              Lifetime Member of ARRL & GARS --
-- Curator of HamPi, the ham radio software distribution for the Raspberry Pi --

Terminal Window, top left, click the icon to find the terminal window font setting

other display settings are in rasp-config

GUI display settings are in the preferences.

Adafruit.com includes a suggested display setting for their displays you can use as a guide.  Some fiddling is required for your display.

Wimaxit 11” HDMI display with speakers (ebay or amazon) seems to be optimum for portable , not too small or too large and it will operate down to 7.5 volts on the DC input.