Welcome to the MFJ-1234 RigPi Station Server Support Forum! The forum is growing to be an excellent resource for answering questions you have about this exciting new product from MFJ. We have been joined by many who were involved in Beta testing over the past six months, so we now have a number of experts on board. RigPi is available for purchase directly from MFJ and from many MFJ dealers (including Gigaparts and HRO), but stock status will vary. The response to RigPi has been more positive than I ever imagined it would be. Thank you to all who have joined our growing RigPi community of enthusiastic users. More information is available on the RigPi site, https://rigpi.net ( https://RigPi.net ) , including a link to the extensive online Help system. Be sure to check this group’s Files section for additional informative documents that will also answer many questions. 73, Howard W6HN

While much of the discussion in the forum has been focused on “How do I connect my...”, in reality most will find the process quite simple. On first use you are shown an Express User Settings window. Enter your call in place of ADMIN. I do not recommend changing the username from ‘admin’ to something else at this point, nor entering a password, those can be set later. Click the invitation to fill some basic info using the onboard FCC Database. Click Next, and the Express Radio Settings window opens. Select the Manufacturer, Model, and com port. Click Connect Radio, and you are set to go! I recommend not changing the Username above because RigPi requires you to log in again if the username is changed. In the future this additional step (which bypasses the Express Radio Settings window, won’t be necessary. 73, Howard W6HN

*Be sure to change all default usernames and passwords for RigPi BEFORE you set up port forwarding to open it to the Internet.* If you don’t, anyone can access important and sensitive areas of RigPi unbeknownst to you. This is extremely important! Instructions for doing this are provided in RigPi Help. 73, Howard W6HN

RigPi, version 1.05 (the current production version), is now available for download from the MFJ web site. The price for the download is $29.95. This is the same software contained on the RigPi microSD card. If you already have a Raspberry Pi 3 B+ and don't need the Keyer or Audio boards, the download is a perfect way to get started with RigPi. https://mfjenterprises.com/collections/rigpi/products/mfj-1234sw The RigPi image is a large file, nearly 5GB in size. If you have a slow Internet connection, the microSD card may be a better way to go. The RigPi microSD card is available from MFJ for $49.95. Instructions for installing the RigPi image are contained in the download. Download the zipped file and unzip on a PC. You will see pdf and html versions of installation help. The Download Help file is also available in the File section: https://groups.io/g/RigPi/files/RigPi%20Image%20Downloads/DownloadHelp1-05.pdf This image will NOT run on a Raspberry Pi 4 or later computer. It uses the Raspbian Stretch operating system which is not compatible with the Raspberry Pi 4. RigPI 2 will be released soon that uses the Buster operating system which will run on a Raspberry Pi 4. RigPi 2 will also be available for download from MFJ. Once RigPi 2 is launched my plan is to provide the RigPi software on Github. A full image will not be available, only the RigPi server will be on Github. 73, Howard W6HN

Here are steps to take to connect to most Icom radios for CAT control. These steps do not cover audio, which will be covered in a separate Topic. * In the Icom radio menu, turn OFF CI-V Transceive. * In the Icom radio menu, turn OFF AutoBaud and set it to the highest possible value. * If your radio has a USB connection, check the radio menu options for anything to do with setting the CAT to the CI-V port or the USB port and make sure it is set to USB. * In RigPi use the Basic Radio settings to try to connect. * If Basic Radio doesn’t connect, try Advanced Settings and use the Test Radio button. * In the resulting report, check the -r argument to make sure it is the USB port used by the radio. Normally this is /dev/ttyUSB0 * If no connection, try setting the Baud rate to the value you used in the radio menu. * No other changes to the default settings should be necessary. If you continue to have problems, reboot and try again. Make note of the radio model number you see in the Test Radio report, it is -m xxx where xxx is the Hamlib radio model number. It will be used next. * Next, reboot and open Terminal (black icon, top left) in the Raspberry Pi desktop. You can get to the desktop by connecting a monitor, keyboard and mouse to RigPi. * In Terminal, type: rigctl -m xxx -r /dev/ttyUSB0 * If you see the prompt Command:, type f. * You should see the radio frequency returned, and the Hamlib library is working. * If you se an error, type Q to quit. * Restart using the command: rigctl -m xxx -r /dev/ttyUSB0 -vvvvv (the v’s start rigctl in the debug mode) * Use f and look at the report to see if any clues are provided. * If all else fails, can you control the radio with any other software. You are welcome to download the 30-day free demo version of CommCat for Windows, http://commcat.com/ccldownloads.php, or use any other program (such as HRD) to make sure the radio settings, cable and radio functioning are OK. * Try resetting the radio. This topic will be updated as we learn more. You will also find flow charts in the Files section that show you the steps to take in a different format. RigPi Help has a Troubleshooting section that will also help connecting radios. 73, Howard W6HN

The short answer is no. RigPi contains licensed software, so sharing RigPi with a friend is a violation of copyright laws. The web server part of RigPi is open source as specified in the RSS License in the RigPi HELP menu. Certain RigPi Tuner components were created with proprietary software under terms saying it can't be copied and provided to others without an appropriate license. The proprietary code is for the graphics elements (Frequency, S-meter, Tuning Knob) on the Tuner window, and our goal for the future is to provide open source replacements. See the About topic in RigPi HELP for more information, the lines of Tuner code specifically noted as proprietary, and the Perfect Widgets proprietary license included in RigPi Online Help>Technical>Panels. This information is provided so anyone can use it to discourage others from copying and sharing the software. MFJ has made the preloaded memory card available for purchase by anyone who wants to build their own RigPi systems. 73, Howard W6HN

This is a modified version of the message I posted several weeks ago to help with setting up a radio that has internal CODEC's for use with RigPi. Specific instructions are provided for the Icom IC-7300, including CAT settings. Special thanks to Harold, W5ZZT, whose sleuthing and testing contributed greatly to the IC-7300 and CODEC/Mumble settings recommendations listed below. *Using a Radio Audio CODEC in RigPi* Log into the Raspberry Pi Desktop by connecting a monitor to the HDMI connector on RigPi along with a USB Keyboard and Mouse, or use VNC Viewer from another computer. If the latter, here are the settings to use on VNC Viewer: * VNC Server: 192.168.xx.yy (You can get the correct IP from the LAN IP 1 box on RigPi>SETTINGS>System.) * Name: RigPi * Username: pi * Password: 7388 You will see the RigPi Mumble client window. In the caption bar you will see Mumble -- 1.2.18-1+deb9u1. This window is the client that connects your radio to the Murmur server in RigPi. If you don't see the window, open Mumble from the (Raspberry top left) Program menu>Internet>Mumble. * Click Configure>Settings from the Menu bar on Mumble. * Put a check in the Advanced checkbox in the bottom left side of the window. * In the Audio Input Device box you will see the Injector device. Change that setting to [default]. * Click Apply * Click Audio Output in the Mumble settings list on the left. * Select [default] in the Device list. * Click Apply, then OK * Close Mumble by clicking the X in the upper right corner of the Mumble window, or from the Mumble Menu bar, Server>Disconnect. Now choose the device to be the RigPi Default device by right-clicking the Speaker icon, top right on the RigPi Desktop, and selecting the device you want to use. If your radio has internal CODEC's and the USB cable is connected to RigPi you will see USB Audio CODEC in the list. Select USB Audio CODEC. RigPi and Mumble will work with any valid Audio CODEC data coming over a USB cable. If you don't see it by right-clicking the RigPi Speaker icon, something else is wrong. RigPi should work with the Elecraft K3S, Icom, Kenwood or any other newer radios that have internal CODECs. Expect additional settings required in your radio's menu to route SSB audio to/from the USB cable...there will be differences from one radio model to another. *Additional Mumble Settings * Jitter in data timing over the Internet can create scratchy sounding transmit audio. Mumble has a way to reduce the effects of timing jitter. * Open Mumble>Configuration from the Mumble Menu bar. * Put a check in Advanced at the lower left corner of the Mumble Configuration Audio Input window. * Open the Audio Output settings window from the list on the left. * Note the two sliders, Default Jitter Buffer and Output Delay. The slider settings for your setup may differ, but start with the Default Jitter and Output Delay set to 50 ms. Test your transmit audio. If it sounds good, you can try reducing the two sliders, one at a time, until you start to hear distortion. Increase the slider levels one at a time and try again. You may have to adjust the USB CODEC Playback level if your transmit audio is too hot. The easiest way to do that is by right-clicking over the Speaker icon on the RigPi Desktop and selecting USB Device Settings... If the sliders don't appear, click Select Controls... and see if you can add them. Mumble was designed for online gaming and noise suppression is built-in. To turn off noise suppression (we hams love noise, after all!), open the Mumble Configuration window and make sure the Advanced option is checked. In the Audio Processing group, set the Noise Suppression slider all the way to the left to turn off this function. If you are listening to audio that is all noise with no signals, the audio may sound "watery." This is a peculiarity of Mumble that hints that noise suppression is not completely off even though the settings indicate otherwise. Remember to restart Mumble to have any settings made permanent. *IC-7300 Radio Settings to use for CAT and CODEC's* * Tap MENU>Set>Connectors on the radio * DATA OFF MOD> MIC/USB or USB * DATA MOD>USB (for digital modes Fldigi, WSJT-X, etc.) * CI-V * CI-V Transceive>OFF (to prevent unrequested data) * CI-V USB Port Unlink from [REMOTE] (to allow higher Baud rates) * CI-V USB Baud Rate>115200 (fastest possible) * CI-V USB Echo Back>ON (RigPi required for RigPi CAT control) * Leave all other settings at their default level. *RigPi Settings for the IC-7300* The Hamlib library normally defaults to the highest Baud rate supported by the radio. In the case of the IC-7300, the Baud default must be changed. * In RigPi, open SETTINGS>Advanced Radio * Make the following selections * Manuf: Icom * Radio: IC-7300 * R Port: /dev/ttyUSB0 * Baud: 115200 * Leave all other settings on their defaults * Click Connect Radio * Enjoy! 73, Howard W6HN

*RigPi 2* *October 1, 2020 * Introducing RigPi 2, a major upgrade to the popular MFJ-1234 RigPi Remote Station Server. The new RigPi 2 software uses the latest Buster operating system compatible with the Raspberry Pi 4 Model B and earlier, including the 3 B+. RigPi 2 will be available for download on Thursday, October 8, from the MFJ web site, https://mfjenterprises.com/search?q=rigpi. *Software download (4.5 GB): $29.95* * *If you purchased RigPi or RigPi software after June 30, 2020: $5.95. Proof of purchase required. The MFJ-1234 case for RigPi 1 is not compatible with the Raspberry Pi 4 Model B due to connector locations. MFJ will release an updated RigPi soon, along with a new case and microSD RigPi 2 image. See MFJ-1234B ( https://mfjenterprises.com/collections/new-products/products/mfj-1234b-rigpi-remote-station-server ) Loaded with over 30 major new features and updates, RigPi 2 provides remote CW keying over the Internet, support for over 27 new radios, PTT and frequency control from the Contour Shuttle controller and Flic Bluetooth switches, antenna switching, and power amp control. Connect a web cam to RigPi and watch your radio in the RigPi browser on your phone or tablet. More details and the updated Help file will be available for download ahead of launch. Watch this forum for details. Martin F. Jue, K5FLU and President and Founder of MFJ Enterprises, Inc. says "MFJ has enjoyed our RigPi venture into 2020 and have been proud to have helped support this unique endeavor. Howard Nurse, W6HN, has done an incredible amount of work in getting RigPi 2 ready and it is a wonderful contribution to the ham radio community throughout the world." Thank you to our team of Beta testers for their help and feedback over the past year. Here is what is new in RigPi 2. *User Interface* · RigPi Video to watch your radio when operating remotely. · Tap PTT or spacebar to transmit, tap again to receive. · Auto repeat for Tuning Knob +/- buttons. · Support for Flic remote switch (PTT, Power On/Off, Relay control). · Support for Contour ShuttleXpress multimedia controller to control RigPi frequency and PTT. · 128 Macros, 4 banks of 32. · New easy-access Macro button layout. · Sliders for radio AF, RF, Power and Mic levels. · Lock Tuning Knob button. · Additional meter readings for transmit. · Macro stacking (more than one macro in each definition) fixed. · Save/Restore Macros, Macro sharing. *Morse Code* · Slider for setting CW speed. · Remote CW Keyer. · Send code and control your radio from remote location using your favorite Windows logging program using free RigPi Hub. · Send code from remote location using Windows RigPi Hub using straight key, bug or electronic key. · Send code from remote location using second RigPi 2 plus Keyer board. *Radio Control* · Over 27 new radios and numerous fixes added with updated Hamlib 4. 1. · New settings for hardware, CAT and custom PTT control. · Settable PTT delay to remove noise burst at the beginning of a transmission. · Access level permission to use or prevent PTT and CW keying. · Hardware PTT for WSJT-X when radio requires it to switch audio paths. · New PTT On and PTT Off macros for controlling a power switch. · "Connect Radio" on Tuner or Advanced Radio settings turns on radio (supported radios only). *Technical* · Raspbian Buster operating system, compatible with Raspberry Pi 4 Model B and earlier. · Now use long ID name for USB devices, better than USB ID to resolve ambiguous connections. · Security improvements, including addition of Fail2ban to impede intruders. · Auto update Raspbian files. · Auto expand new RigPi image to fill SD card. · Detailed radio, rotor and RigPi access logging. *External Devices* · Slave port, using Kenwood CAT commands, for controlling SteppIR antennas, compatible power amplifiers and Kenwood radios. · Control the Ameritron RCS-12 Automatic Antenna Switch and other antenna switches (requires special cable). · Control 8 on/off devices with macros (requires special cable). · Control 8 on/off relays with macros or LED graphics. *General* · U pdated Help. · Bug fixes : when adding more than 3-4 users; rotor control ; and transmit meter readings. · Improved operation with CommCat Mobile for iOS including direct radio macros.