Re: New Member Question

Mark Griffith

Well, then you can't blame the Raspberry Pi board if you have crappy power at your remote location.

Mark

KD0QYN

On Friday, January 28, 2022, 03:04:44 PM CST, Teton Amateur Radio Repeater Association (TARRA) <tarra@...> wrote:

Not all of us get to run from home. Some of us do have remote locations, including mountain tops, where the power (and other things) are not the greatest. I have one site that has been down for 6 months because I can't get to it.

Mick - W7CAT

Show quoted text

----- Original Message -----
From: "Mark Griffith via groups.io"
To: "[email protected]"
Sent: Friday, January 28, 2022 02:00:19 PM
Subject: Re: [RaspberryPi-4-HamRadio] New Member Question

> Agreed.? I have had two Pi boards running for years with no issues, using the same SD cards all that time.? They are not sitting idle either and both have very good power supplies.? Most Pi boards will eventually fail if they receive too many low voltage alerts, but RF in the shack is another point of potential failure as Chuck noted.
>
> MarkKD0QYN
>
> On Friday, January 28, 2022, 12:43:20 PM CST, Chuck K4RGN wrote:
>
> Similar to the experience of?KG4PID, I have a Pi configured as a caching DNS proxy for other machines in the house. I just checked and it's been running for 189 days straight. I agree with?KI6ZHD that rock-stable power at the correct voltage (5.1V even at max current draw) is absolutely necessary. Power dropouts are deadly. I have also noticed that Pi's can be dinged by RF in the shack if you have external interfaces like USB cables and I2C ribbons acting like antennas.
>
> 73 Chuck K4RGN?
>
>
>
>
>
>
>

--

Re: New Member Question

#14200

开云体育

Not all of us get to run from home. Some of us do have remote locations, including mountain tops, where the power (and other things) are not the greatest. I have one site that has been down for 6 months because I can't get to it.

Mick - W7CAT

Show quoted text

----- Original Message -----
From: "Mark Griffith via groups.io"
To: "[email protected]"
Sent: Friday, January 28, 2022 02:00:19 PM
Subject: Re: [RaspberryPi-4-HamRadio] New Member Question

> Agreed.? I have had two Pi boards running for years with no issues, using the same SD cards all that time.? They are not sitting idle either and both have very good power supplies.? Most Pi boards will eventually fail if they receive too many low voltage alerts, but RF in the shack is another point of potential failure as Chuck noted.
>
> MarkKD0QYN
>
> On Friday, January 28, 2022, 12:43:20 PM CST, Chuck K4RGN wrote:
>
> Similar to the experience of?KG4PID, I have a Pi configured as a caching DNS proxy for other machines in the house. I just checked and it's been running for 189 days straight. I agree with?KI6ZHD that rock-stable power at the correct voltage (5.1V even at max current draw) is absolutely necessary. Power dropouts are deadly. I have also noticed that Pi's can be dinged by RF in the shack if you have external interfaces like USB cables and I2C ribbons acting like antennas.
>
> 73 Chuck K4RGN?
>
>
>
>
>
>
>

--

Re: New Member Question

Mark Griffith

#14199

Agreed.? I have had two Pi boards running for years with no issues, using the same SD cards all that time.? They are not sitting idle either and both have very good power supplies.? Most Pi boards will eventually fail if they receive too many low voltage alerts, but RF in the shack is another point of potential failure as Chuck noted.

Mark

KD0QYN

On Friday, January 28, 2022, 12:43:20 PM CST, Chuck K4RGN <k4rgn@...> wrote:

Similar to the experience of?KG4PID, I have a Pi configured as a caching DNS proxy for other machines in the house. I just checked and it's been running for 189 days straight. I agree with?KI6ZHD that rock-stable power at the correct voltage (5.1V even at max current draw) is absolutely necessary. Power dropouts are deadly. I have also noticed that Pi's can be dinged by RF in the shack if you have external interfaces like USB cables and I2C ribbons acting like antennas.

73 Chuck K4RGN?

Re: New Member Question

#14198

Similar to the experience of?KG4PID, I have a Pi configured as a caching DNS proxy for other machines in the house. I just checked and it's been running for 189 days straight. I agree with?KI6ZHD that rock-stable power at the correct voltage (5.1V even at max current draw) is absolutely necessary. Power dropouts are deadly. I have also noticed that Pi's can be dinged by RF in the shack if you have external interfaces like USB cables and I2C ribbons acting like antennas.

73 Chuck K4RGN?

Re: New Member Question

#14197

The 400 will boot from an external ssd/hard drive. You don't need an external drive AND an SD card.


On 28/01/2022 11:37 James Bennett / K7TXA via groups.io <w6jhb@...> wrote:


Guys,

Thanks for the replies! Based on what's been posted, I'll keep to the default 32 bit OS that came with the '400.?

- The power supply it came with is 5.1v @ 3A, so I ought to be good there.
- I am well aware what happens with power is rudely yanked out from any sort of computer ! :-) :-)
- I've been using SanDisk 32GB cards in the past - hopefully that isn't an issue as Ive had very good luck through the years with their cards in other devices.
- Will need to consider en external drive type device for logging, etc.
- Yep, patching is a necessary evil, but one I tend to keep up with

Looking forward to fun with this new machine...!
Nigel A. Gunn, ///shoulders.outwards.resolutions tel +1-937-971-0366
Amateur Radio G8IFF W8IFF and GMRS WRBV701, e-mail nigel@... www 

Re: New Member Question

#14196

开云体育

In the case of he newer Pi computers, it is already part of the hardware. Check it by running this:

ls -al /dev/watchdog*ls -al /dev/watchdog*

Mick -? W7CAT

Show quoted text

----- Original Message -----
From: "Nigel Gunn, G8IFF/W8IFF"
To: [email protected], "Dr. Mikeal Hughes via groups.io"
Sent: Friday, January 28, 2022 11:06:51 AM
Subject: Re: [RaspberryPi-4-HamRadio] New Member Question

> It's electronic hardware added to a system that will periodically check to see if the system is working and, if not, issue a warning and probably reboot the system.
>
>
> > On 28/01/2022 11:18 Dr. Mikeal Hughes via groups.io wrote:
> >
> >
> > What is the “Watchdog”?
> >
> >
> > Mikeal R. Hughes, BA., MA., D.Min., Th.D., Ph.D.
> > Amateur Extra, GROL, MOS, Comp Tia A+, Network+, Security+, CEH
> >
> >
> > > On Jan 28, 2022, at 10:16, Max via groups.io wrote:
> > >
> > > I rather fix the problem, not cure the symptoms! Once the Pi is running reliably, then turn on the watchdog if it is mission critical.
> > >
> > > Max KG4PID
> > >
> > > On Friday, January 28, 2022, 10:10:31 AM CST, Teton Amateur Radio Repeater Association (TARRA) wrote:
> > >
> > >
> > > Sounds like a situation where a watchdog would help.
> > >
> > > Mick - W7CAT
> > >
> > > ----- Original Message -----
> > > From: "James Bennett / K7TXA via groups.io"
> > > To: [email protected]
> > > Sent: Friday, January 28, 2022 08:29:12 AM
> > > Subject: [RaspberryPi-4-HamRadio] New Member Question
> > >
> > > > Hi Folks - new member here. I've had several RPis over the past few years and gradually grew away from them, mostly due to unreliability. They seemed to go off into the weeds when left on for days at a time with no use. However I recently bought one of the new RPi 400 units for misc. tasks around my garage woodworking shop and possibly connection to an Icom IC-705. I have yet to connect it and power it up, but expect that'll happen later today or tomorrow.
> > > >
> > > > Thanks in advance,
> > > >
> > > > Jim / K7TXA (ex-W6JHB)
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > >
> > > --
> > >
> >
>
> Nigel A. Gunn, ///shoulders.outwards.resolutions tel +1-937-971-0366
> Amateur Radio G8IFF W8IFF and GMRS WRBV701, e-mail nigel@... www
>
>
>
>
>
>

--

Re: New Member Question

#14195

开云体育

A watchdog is often used for a remote computer. So if it hangs up it will cause an action to take place. A watchdog is setup in a few different ways. The way I have mine setup, it monitors an internet connection. If it isn't making a connection, then the first thing is does is to restart the network interface. If it still doesn't help and after a little more time, it will cause the computer to reboot.

Mick - W7CAT

Show quoted text

----- Original Message -----
From: "Dr. Mikeal Hughes via groups.io"
To: [email protected]
Sent: Friday, January 28, 2022 09:18:36 AM
Subject: Re: [RaspberryPi-4-HamRadio] New Member Question

> What is the “Watchdog”?
>
> Mikeal R. Hughes, BA., MA., D.Min., Th.D., Ph.D.
> Amateur Extra, GROL, MOS, Comp Tia A+, Network+, Security+, CEH
>
> > On Jan 28, 2022, at 10:16, Max via groups.io wrote:
> >
> > ?
> > I rather fix the problem, not cure the symptoms! Once the Pi is running reliably, then turn on the watchdog if it is mission critical.
> >
> > Max KG4PID
> >
> > On Friday, January 28, 2022, 10:10:31 AM CST, Teton Amateur Radio Repeater Association (TARRA) wrote:
> >
> >
> > Sounds like a situation where a watchdog would help.
> >
> > Mick - W7CAT
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: "James Bennett / K7TXA via groups.io"
> > To: [email protected]
> > Sent: Friday, January 28, 2022 08:29:12 AM
> > Subject: [RaspberryPi-4-HamRadio] New Member Question
> >
> > > Hi Folks - new member here. I've had several RPis over the past few years and gradually grew away from them, mostly due to unreliability. They seemed to go off into the weeds when left on for days at a time with no use. However I recently bought one of the new RPi 400 units for misc. tasks around my garage woodworking shop and possibly connection to an Icom IC-705. I have yet to connect it and power it up, but expect that'll happen later today or tomorrow.
> > >
> > > Thanks in advance,
> > >
> > > Jim / K7TXA (ex-W6JHB)
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > --
> >
> >
>
>
>
>
>
>

--

Re: New Member Question

#14194

Guys,

Thanks for the replies! Based on what's been posted, I'll keep to the default 32 bit OS that came with the '400.?

- The power supply it came with is 5.1v @ 3A, so I ought to be good there.
- I am well aware what happens with power is rudely yanked out from any sort of computer ! :-) :-)
- I've been using SanDisk 32GB cards in the past - hopefully that isn't an issue as Ive had very good luck through the years with their cards in other devices.
- Will need to consider en external drive type device for logging, etc.
- Yep, patching is a necessary evil, but one I tend to keep up with

Looking forward to fun with this new machine...!

Re: New Member Question

#14193

Michael - you are correct! After I posted that reply I checked the IP address of one Mini with Ethernet, then turned on WiFi and looked at it's address. By George they are both on the same subnet, so there is no need to do all that hoo-ha!

I'm still being moderated, so please excuse the late replies to this thread from me.

Jim

Re: New Member Question

#14192

开云体育

Google is your friend.

?

Melinda J Pethel

Instructional Technology Specialist

Office of Technology and Instructional Services

706-542-4864 | melinda.pethel@...

?

Show quoted text

From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of Dr. Mikeal Hughes via groups.io
Sent: Friday, January 28, 2022 11:19 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [RaspberryPi-4-HamRadio] New Member Question

?

[EXTERNAL SENDER - PROCEED CAUTIOUSLY]

What is the “Watchdog”?

Mikeal R. Hughes, BA., MA., D.Min., Th.D., Ph.D.

Amateur Extra, GROL, MOS, Comp Tia A+, Network+, Security+, CEH

On Jan 28, 2022, at 10:16, Max via groups.io <kg4pid@...> wrote:

?

I rather fix the problem, not cure the symptoms! Once the Pi is running reliably, then turn on the watchdog if it is mission critical.

?

Max KG4PID

?

On Friday, January 28, 2022, 10:10:31 AM CST, Teton Amateur Radio Repeater Association (TARRA) <tarra@...> wrote:

?

?

Sounds like a situation where a watchdog would help.

Mick - W7CAT

----- Original Message -----
From: "James Bennett / K7TXA via groups.io"
To: [email protected]
Sent: Friday, January 28, 2022 08:29:12 AM
Subject: [RaspberryPi-4-HamRadio] New Member Question

> Hi Folks - new member here. I've had several RPis over the past few years and gradually grew away from them, mostly due to unreliability. They seemed to go off into the weeds when left on for days at a time with no use. However I recently bought one of the new RPi 400 units for misc. tasks around my garage woodworking shop and possibly connection to an Icom IC-705. I have yet to connect it and power it up, but expect that'll happen later today or tomorrow.
>
> Thanks in advance,
>
> Jim / K7TXA (ex-W6JHB)
>
>
>
>
>
>

--

Re: New Member Question

#14191

It's electronic hardware added to a system that will periodically check to see if the system is working and, if not, issue a warning and probably reboot the system.

On 28/01/2022 11:18 Dr. Mikeal Hughes via groups.io <macmikeal@...> wrote:

What is the “Watchdog”?

Mikeal R. Hughes, BA., MA., D.Min., Th.D., Ph.D.
Amateur Extra, GROL, MOS, Comp Tia A+, Network+, Security+, CEH

On Jan 28, 2022, at 10:16, Max via groups.io <kg4pid@...> wrote:

I rather fix the problem, not cure the symptoms! Once the Pi is running reliably, then turn on the watchdog if it is mission critical.

Max KG4PID

On Friday, January 28, 2022, 10:10:31 AM CST, Teton Amateur Radio Repeater Association (TARRA) <tarra@...> wrote:

Sounds like a situation where a watchdog would help.

Mick - W7CAT

 ----- Original Message ----- 
 From: "James Bennett / K7TXA via groups.io" 
 To: [email protected] 
 Sent: Friday, January 28, 2022 08:29:12 AM 
 Subject: [RaspberryPi-4-HamRadio] New Member Question 

 > Hi Folks - new member here. I've had several RPis over the past few years and gradually grew away from them, mostly due to unreliability. They seemed to go off into the weeds when left on for days at a time with no use. However I recently bought one of the new RPi 400 units for misc. tasks around my garage woodworking shop and possibly connection to an Icom IC-705. I have yet to connect it and power it up, but expect that'll happen later today or tomorrow. 
 > 
 > Thanks in advance, 
 > 
 > Jim / K7TXA (ex-W6JHB) 
 > 
 > 
 > 
 > 
 > 
 > 

-- 
Nigel A. Gunn, ///shoulders.outwards.resolutions tel +1-937-971-0366
Amateur Radio G8IFF W8IFF and GMRS WRBV701, e-mail nigel@... www 

Re: New Member Question

#14190

David,

When I say it went into the weeds, I meant it was completely frozen. No amount of keyboarding or mouse movement would get it going. Could not get to it from any other computer - it was frozen, big time. I noticed this sort of issue would happen with the machine having sat for days and days on end with no human interaction. Now, I will say that it WAS doing something at one point - I was running an application called BOINC Manager - an app that allows multiple packages to run in the background, like the old SETI, Rosetta, etc.?

It seems that if I messed with the RPi on a daily (or so) basis, it would be fine. But if I left it alone for a long period of time, I guess it got lonely and thought I'd abandoned it!

Anyway, with the new one I plan on shutting it down at the end of the day and not letting it get the chance to ding me like the old one!

Re: New Member Question

#14189

开云体育

What is the “Watchdog”?

Mikeal R. Hughes, BA., MA., D.Min., Th.D., Ph.D.

Amateur Extra, GROL, MOS, Comp Tia A+, Network+, Security+, CEH

Show quoted text

On Jan 28, 2022, at 10:16, Max via groups.io <kg4pid@...> wrote:

?

I rather fix the problem, not cure the symptoms! Once the Pi is running reliably, then turn on the watchdog if it is mission critical.

Max KG4PID

On Friday, January 28, 2022, 10:10:31 AM CST, Teton Amateur Radio Repeater Association (TARRA) <tarra@...> wrote:

Sounds like a situation where a watchdog would help.

Mick - W7CAT

----- Original Message -----
From: "James Bennett / K7TXA via groups.io"
To: [email protected]
Sent: Friday, January 28, 2022 08:29:12 AM
Subject: [RaspberryPi-4-HamRadio] New Member Question

> Hi Folks - new member here. I've had several RPis over the past few years and gradually grew away from them, mostly due to unreliability. They seemed to go off into the weeds when left on for days at a time with no use. However I recently bought one of the new RPi 400 units for misc. tasks around my garage woodworking shop and possibly connection to an Icom IC-705. I have yet to connect it and power it up, but expect that'll happen later today or tomorrow.
>
> Thanks in advance,
>
> Jim / K7TXA (ex-W6JHB)
>
>
>
>
>
>

--

Re: New Member Question

#14188

Pardon my ignorance. You have a local network within your house with just your stuff on it. You have the Macs in your shack and the RPi in the garage. The Macs are on Ethernet and the RPi is wireless. Aren't they all on the same router? Wouldn't that be on the same subnet? Why the hassle of VPN between computers on the same local network? Wouldn't normal connectivity/file sharing protocols work just fine? With almost a dozen devices on my local network, about equally distributed between wired and wireless, I have no issues communicating between them. Not understanding the problem.

Michael WA7SKG

James Bennett / K7TXA via groups.io wrote on 1/28/22 7:29 AM:

Show quoted text

Hi Folks - new member here. --> I have a couple Mac Mini's in the shack that have gigabit Ethernet connectivity. Can I assume I can't VPN into them from the RPi if the RPi is only wireless - they have to be on the same network, right? Getting Ethernet to the RPi would mean poking a hole in the wall to the garage and I'm not sure the XYL would smile on that. I would like to VPN to the Macs because I have various files there that I'd like to see/use on the RPi.
Thanks in advance,
Jim / K7TXA (ex-W6JHB)
_._,_._,_

Re: New Member Question

#14187

For reliability and speed  use a USB SSD rather than an SD card.

On 28/01/2022 10:29 James Bennett / K7TXA via groups.io <w6jhb@...> wrote:

Hi Folks - new member here. I've had several RPis over the past few years and gradually grew away from them, mostly due to unreliability. They seemed to go off into the weeds when left on for days at a time with no use. However I recently bought one of the new RPi 400 units for misc. tasks around my garage woodworking shop and possibly connection to an Icom IC-705. I have yet to connect it and power it up, but expect that'll happen later today or tomorrow.

Couple questions... first, how will I be able to tell what OS (32 or 64 bit) was supplied with the unit?

--> If it was the 32 bit version, is the 64 bit ready for prime time or is it best to wait a while?

--> I have a couple Mac Mini's in the shack that have gigabit Ethernet connectivity. Can I assume I can't VPN into them from the RPi if the RPi is only wireless - they have to be on the same network, right? Getting Ethernet to the RPi would mean poking a hole in the wall to the garage and I'm not sure the XYL would smile on that. I would like to VPN to the Macs because I have various files there that I'd like to see/use on the RPi.

Thanks in advance,

Jim / K7TXA (ex-W6JHB)

Nigel A. Gunn, ///shoulders.outwards.resolutions tel +1-937-971-0366
Amateur Radio G8IFF W8IFF and GMRS WRBV701, e-mail nigel@... www

Re: New Member Question

#14186

开云体育

I would say that if anyone wants any level of longevity of operation on a Raspberry Pi, they must do a few key things:

?? - Use a known good / competent power supply (ideally outputs 5.1v @ 3A)
?? - Learn and understand that pulling the power / unexpected reboots on a RaspberryPi must be avoided at all costs (SD card corruption)
?? - Use larger SD cards (within reason) as it helps to spread out the wear
?? - Write all logs to a RAM drive or remote syslog server and NOT write to the SD card itself as micro-SD cards are not well suited for lots of read/write cycles
?? - Keep your PI's operating systems patched and rebooted on a regular cadence
?? - Enabling a watchdog is helpful but not as good as you might hope

There are other items but these are most of the big ones..

--David
KI6ZHD

On 01/28/2022 08:16 AM, Max via groups.io wrote:

Show quoted text

I rather fix the problem, not cure the symptoms! Once the Pi is running reliably, then turn on the watchdog if it is mission critical.

Max KG4PID

On Friday, January 28, 2022, 10:10:31 AM CST, Teton Amateur Radio Repeater Association (TARRA) <tarra@...> wrote:

Sounds like a situation where a watchdog would help.

Mick - W7CAT

----- Original Message -----
From: "James Bennett / K7TXA via groups.io"
To: [email protected]
Sent: Friday, January 28, 2022 08:29:12 AM
Subject: [RaspberryPi-4-HamRadio] New Member Question

> Hi Folks - new member here. I've had several RPis over the past few years and gradually grew away from them, mostly due to unreliability. They seemed to go off into the weeds when left on for days at a time with no use. However I recently bought one of the new RPi 400 units for misc. tasks around my garage woodworking shop and possibly connection to an Icom IC-705. I have yet to connect it and power it up, but expect that'll happen later today or tomorrow.
>
> Thanks in advance,
>
> Jim / K7TXA (ex-W6JHB)
>
>
>
>
>
>

--

Re: New Member Question

#14185

I rather fix the problem, not cure the symptoms! Once the Pi is running reliably, then turn on the watchdog if it is mission critical.

Max KG4PID

On Friday, January 28, 2022, 10:10:31 AM CST, Teton Amateur Radio Repeater Association (TARRA) <tarra@...> wrote:

Sounds like a situation where a watchdog would help.

Mick - W7CAT

Show quoted text

----- Original Message -----
From: "James Bennett / K7TXA via groups.io"
To: [email protected]
Sent: Friday, January 28, 2022 08:29:12 AM
Subject: [RaspberryPi-4-HamRadio] New Member Question

> Hi Folks - new member here. I've had several RPis over the past few years and gradually grew away from them, mostly due to unreliability. They seemed to go off into the weeds when left on for days at a time with no use. However I recently bought one of the new RPi 400 units for misc. tasks around my garage woodworking shop and possibly connection to an Icom IC-705. I have yet to connect it and power it up, but expect that'll happen later today or tomorrow.
>
> Thanks in advance,
>
> Jim / K7TXA (ex-W6JHB)
>
>
>
>
>
>

--

Re: New Member Question

#14184

开云体育

Sounds like a situation where a watchdog would help.

Mick - W7CAT

Show quoted text

----- Original Message -----
From: "James Bennett / K7TXA via groups.io"
To: [email protected]
Sent: Friday, January 28, 2022 08:29:12 AM
Subject: [RaspberryPi-4-HamRadio] New Member Question

> Hi Folks - new member here. I've had several RPis over the past few years and gradually grew away from them, mostly due to unreliability. They seemed to go off into the weeds when left on for days at a time with no use. However I recently bought one of the new RPi 400 units for misc. tasks around my garage woodworking shop and possibly connection to an Icom IC-705. I have yet to connect it and power it up, but expect that'll happen later today or tomorrow.
>
> Thanks in advance,
>
> Jim / K7TXA (ex-W6JHB)
>
>
>
>
>
>

--

Re: New Member Question

#14183

I'd stay with the 32 bit, at least for now. If you can VPN using Ethernet then wireless won't be any different as long as they are both on the same network.

The quality of the uSD card and power supply are what determine reliability. I've had a dozen different Pi's and have never experienced what you describe. Some of them have been running for more than a year without a reboot. If they were unreliable, they wouldn't be as popular as they are.

Max KG4PID

On Friday, January 28, 2022, 09:35:47 AM CST, James Bennett / K7TXA via groups.io <w6jhb@...> wrote:

Hi Folks - new member here. I've had several RPis over the past few years and gradually grew away from them, mostly due to unreliability. They seemed to go off into the weeds when left on for days at a time with no use. However I recently bought one of the new RPi 400 units for misc. tasks around my garage woodworking shop and possibly connection to an Icom IC-705. I have yet to connect it and power it up, but expect that'll happen later today or tomorrow.

Couple questions... first, how will I be able to tell what OS (32 or 64 bit) was supplied with the unit?

--> If it was the 32 bit version, is the 64 bit ready for prime time or is it best to wait a while?

--> I have a couple Mac Mini's in the shack that have gigabit Ethernet connectivity. Can I assume I can't VPN into them from the RPi if the RPi is only wireless - they have to be on the same network, right? Getting Ethernet to the RPi would mean poking a hole in the wall to the garage and I'm not sure the XYL would smile on that. I would like to VPN to the Macs because I have various files there that I'd like to see/use on the RPi.

Thanks in advance,

Jim / K7TXA (ex-W6JHB)

Re: New Member Question

#14182

开云体育

Hello Jim,

Hi Folks - new member here. I've had several RPis over the past few years and gradually grew away from them, mostly due to unreliability. They seemed to go off into the weeds when left on for days at a time with no use.

Can you define "weeds"?? Could you ping them?? Maybe log into them remotely using say SSH or VNC?

Couple questions... first, how will I be able to tell what OS (32 or 64 bit) was supplied with the unit?

Raspberry Pi OS still defaults to 32bit though a 64bit version is in long-term beta.? For general use, 32bit is perfectly fine and actually uses LESS resources than 64bit.

--> If it was the 32 bit version, is the 64 bit ready for prime time or is it best to wait a while?

Unless you're intending to do benchmarks, run your Rpi to it's absolute limit in terms of CPU, I/O, etc... I doubt there will be much difference for you.

--> I have a couple Mac Mini's in the shack that have gigabit Ethernet connectivity. Can I assume I can't VPN into them from the RPi if the RPi is only wireless - they have to be on the same network, right?

As long as the devices can reach eachother (same network or different networks with the right routing), you can setup and then SSH, VNC, Rdesktop, VPN into both types of devices no problem.

Getting Ethernet to the RPi would mean poking a hole in the wall to the garage and I'm not sure the XYL would smile on that.

To me.. wired is always the most reliable.? Period.? Yet I understand your challenges of wiring things up.? The best way is to come up from the sub-floor (if you're not on a slab) and install a nice wall jack.

I would like to VPN to the Macs because I have various files there that I'd like to see/use on the RPi.

Some remote desktop programs will allow you to automatically create VPN like visability where you can view the remote system's files, use it's printers, etc.? RealVNC which is apart of the Raspberry Pi OS has this built in.? Other programs like NoMachine, etc. have other unique features.

--David
KI6ZHD