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  1. KM4ACK-Pi
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RPi 4 - 32 bti or 64 bit? #poll-notice

 
Edited

Planning on starting a new setup from scratch on a PI4.? I know a few months ago, the preferred install was still 32bit due to some gaps in support.?

What's the latest consensus?

?

KO4BCN

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For what purpose or apps? It still can make a serious difference on what else besides 73Linux scripts you are going to run, like camera stuff, or apps not necessarily related to ham operations.
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= = = =

? Kevin? --? KD9EFV
 

Should be good in 64bit for ham the operating system can run 32bit code and libraries easily?

64bit is also higher performance on pi and the default OS?
 

Good question - This Pi is 100% for ham radio, won't be running anything else on it.? I've got multiple rigs to coordinate, but the goal is to have this be the 'shack support' computer for all things ham - digital modes, packet, even CW skimming and such.

mike
KO4BCN
 

If you don't have more than 4Gigs and you're not doing a lot of floating point operations, the 32bit OS is still the right choice imho.? ?Going 64bit will burn an additional 100M of ram for no real benefit.? Plus the 64bit stuff isn't quite mature enough.? Bookworm if you have a Pi5, though, given the state of the newer kernels and gpio issues, Bullseye kinda makes sense if you're using an older Pi.

-craig
KM6LYW
 

KM6LYW, thanks for the input! Greatly appreciated!!

Presently I have 5 Pi's all running BAP with my main ones having issues - most probably self-inflicted.

Here is my breakdown of my Pi's and their statuses:
========
1. Home / portable packet station:

? ? Pi Zero 2W running Bullseye with a Sabrent sound card and GPS dongle.
? ? ? ? ?Software: Direwolf as a digi and APRSD WebChat (Thanks Craig for APRSD!!)
? ? Radio: old Standard HT and Mirage 35w amp.

This runs off-grid 24-7-365 and has no problems.
? ? ? ? ?(Mike's rule of software - if the old version is working don't upgrade until necessary)
==========

?2. Winlink gateway:

? Pi 3b running Bullseye with a Sabrent sound card - no GPS dongle
? ? ?Software: Direwolf, LinBPQ
? ? Radio: old Icom IC2-AT and Mirage 35w amp.

This runs off-grid 24-7-365 and has no problems.
? ? ? ? ?(Mike's rule of software - if the old version is working don't upgrade until necessary)
============

3. Main radio - my Go-Frame

?Pi 3b running Bullseye with SignaLink and GPS dongle
? ? Software: Most all of the BAP software. Additionally, Xlog
? ? Radio? FT-857D with LDG autotuner and winkeyer

This is what I use for winter field day and field day. As well as sometimes POTA. I have an issue with Xlog in that it uses an old version of hamlib and it breaks everything else. I like xlog because it allows for adif logging fields that? POTA requires but the big one for me, being a CW operator is that it supports CW macros - if HAMRS?would do that I would switch in a heartbeat!?

If anyone has a suggestion for logging on a Pi that supports?CW macros as well as POTA logging, I would appreciate the input.

The real?issue for me is that when I reinstall xlog after an upgrade, hamlib fails to work with winlink, or any packet functionality. I know this is my issue, and its small potatoes in the grand scheme of things.

I was hoping that Bookworm / 73 linux would fix these things and maybe it has, but I am hesitant to try the upgrade on this system at this time.

===============

4. Mobile setup in my Jeep.

Pi 3b running Bullseye with SignaLink and GPS dongle
? ? Software: Most all of the BAP software. Additionally, Xlog
? ? Radio? FT-857D with LDG autotuner and winkeyer

This setup is identical to the one above, however this is my main POTA station. With this setup, I have the same issues, but I can't run packet at?all anymore but CAT and hamlib work fine on Xlog, which is my goto for POTA logging.

5. Kitchen radio - yes it is!

? ?Pi 4 2GB ram running bullseye with xggcomms USB-Digimode-3 sound card No GPS
? ? running Bullseye and most all BAP software
? ? Radio: Icom IC-718 with LDG autotuner

I have been using this setup to try various operating systems. I just use different SD cards when trying things out. I would like to be able to run winlink on this setup, but with bullseye?in the standard configuration, as we all know, ardop doesn't work.?

I know that 2GB of ram really isn't enough to?run VARA, but I felt fortunate enough to even find?a pi 4 back when they?were in short supply. I do have an?8GB pi on?the?way so hopefully that will?fix a?lot of things?

I have tried a few things like changing leader-length but to no avail. I know there is another fix, but I haven't dug into it. I am hoping Bookworm / 73linux will get me past this, but I am slowly working through other "gotchas' on an as I have?time basis.

Honestly I'm? sure most of my woes are self-inflicted for one reason or another. I also hope this drivel doesn't discourage anyone. As with all major changes such as a new operating system, the transition is usually rough.

I appreciate all who have brought this project along - it really is a great bit of software!

-- Mike WB8ERJ

Geeze! What is he up to now?

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