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WSJT-X on Raspberry PI400

 

After I accidentally read in the QRP-Labs forum that Hans Summers uses the PI400, and I was looking for a small inexpensive computer anyway, I also bought a Raspberry PI400. Especially as Hans also wrote that WSJT-X runs on the PI400.
Small and fine, good for all everyday computing tasks.
I had my first 386 back in 1993 in the DOS days, but I can neither program nor do I know how to use the command line.
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How do you install WSJT-X on the Raspberry PI400?
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I found detailed instructions here:
https://www.fs-pcba.com/de/
Despite several attempts, I couldn't get it to work. :(
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Then I remembered that Hans had written: "It was only a few clicks to install WSJT-X"
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So I kept looking.
Here I was on the right track:
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Linux:
Version 2.6.1
Raspberry Pi OS Bullseye, ARMv6, ... : wsjtx_2.6.1_armhf.deb
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At first I thought the 64 bit version would be the right one, but no, although my PI400
was advertised as 64 bit, it is probably only a 32 bit.
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I created a directory "build" in the file manager.
I copied the above-mentioned version 2.6.1 into it with the mouse
Then I went to this help page:
https://wsjt.sourceforge.io/
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and followed the instructions.
In the LX terminal of the Raspberry PI400, enter the command: CD build
to get to the fer directory where version 2.6.1 is located.
Then enter the install command:
sudo dpkg -i wsjtx_2.6.1_armhf.deb
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Below you will find some commands for downloading the required files:
sudo apt install libgfortran5 libqt5widgets5 libqt5network5 \
? ? ?libqt5printsupport5 libqt5multimedia5-plugins libqt5serialport5 \
? ? ?libqt5sql5-sqlite libfftw3-single3 libgomp1 libboost-all-dev \
? ? ?libusb-1.0-0 libportaudio2
Copy and paste everything into the LX terminal.
After these were also installed, I restarted the PI400, and lo and behold, WSJT-X can be found in the sidebar under Entertainment Media.
image.png

image.png
 

Hi Axel,
Thanks for that post!? This might be a good solution for a lightweight emcomm setup, too.? Could you tell me how much the keyboard unit weighs and how much current it draws from the 5V power supply?
Thanks!
Halden VE7UTS
 

Hello Halden,

my PI400 weighs about 450 grams with cables attached.

As for the power consumption, I haven't measured it myself, but this text is from the Internet:

https://praxistipps.chip.de/raspberry-pi-4-so-hoch-ist-der-stromverbrauch-des-geraetes_148874

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Power consumption of a Raspberry Pi 4

The power consumption of the Raspberry Pi 4 is usually limited to a few watts.

Basically, the Raspberry Pi 4 is supplied with a voltage of 5.1 volts. This means that just under 2 amps flow at a power of 10 watts. You can calculate this using the well-known formula P = U * I.

Once the boot process is complete, your operating system - for example Raspian - is active and you have connected a monitor, the Raspberry Pi 4 requires around 2.5 watts, which corresponds to approximately half an ampere.

If you now open the browser and start surfing, the power requirement increases slightly, but not dramatically, to around 4.5 watts. Even in a test where all four cores of the Raspberry Pi 4 are 100% active, the power consumption does not rise above 1 ampere, which corresponds to about 5 watts.

In general, the more hardware you connect to your Raspberry Pi, the higher the power consumption. The load on the GPU and increased memory accesses to the RAM also drive up the power consumption. The official power supply for the Raspberry Pi 4 provides a maximum current of 3 amps, which corresponds to a power consumption of 15 watts. However, this is relatively high, so this power supply should be more than sufficient.

Greetings, Axel
DL5GT
 

Thanks, Axel!
It sounds like this is better than a CF-31 Toughbook in terms of power consumption and mass.? Lower power consumption means less battery mass and/or fewer solar panels to support continuous operation.? Building it into a rigid case should help compensate for the loss of TB durability.? I would still want to find a super bright display so I can use this outdoors.? As the Winter Field Day mission reminds us, emergencies are likely to coincide with unpleasant weather.? But it's also good to anticipate that weather might be fine, too!
And until the big earthquake hits, I can use it to collect WSPR signals.
Cheers
Halden VE7UTS
 

I use the PI400 stationary at home.
For me, the keyboard is better than the usual PC keys, very easy to hit.
Sometimes you have to wait a few seconds, but my 7 year old win 10 pc is hardly any faster.
This fine little device is perfectly adequate for everyday computer work, much of which is done in the browser these days.
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Hi guys,

I note that your are talking about USB devices for keyboard, etc. but the Pi has only so many USB ports so without having to add a USB hub you should conserve those for more important things, like CAST control, etc. maybe. :P

To that end, the Pi has ample Bluetooth and wireless capability and the former can be used remotely without a network. I have used both a Bluetooth mouse and standard (and sexy!) Mac BT keyboard with my pi for years. The Mac does need a USB dongle but there are some out there that do not require one. It is also possible to set up a Wifi hotspot for that purpose. That I have not tried but Field Day is just around the corner!? And there are many BT/Wifi keyboards / mice available? - I even have a foldable keyboard that would be perfect for POTA/SOTa, etc.

Hope this gives you further alternatives!

Cheers & 73, Rob, KC4NYK
 

On Mon, Jan 22, 2024 at 01:49 AM, HF wrote:
I would still want to find a super bright display
I use this display with my Pi400:??? The display provides the +5V USB C jack to run both the Pi and the display, from its +12V input jack to keep power wiring to a minimum.? The display will also run off +5V applied to the same jack.? Manufacturer states 550 grams
I use this stand to support the display at a comfortable angle, it will clear a Pi model 4 mounted to the VESA holes on the rear panel, and another works to support my KX3:??
If I need more USB ports (one is taken by the built-in keyboard, so 3 are available) I plug in a powered hub.??
+12V distribution (battery/power bank, computer, radio, USB hub, light, etc.) is via something like one of these:??

73, Don N2VGU

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