Re: D-RATS 0.3.9 on Linux Mint 20 - Python Dependency Issue
Good idea.? However, in Ubuntu 20.04, here's the result: 
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Re: D-RATS 0.3.9 on Linux Mint 20 - Python Dependency Issue
Randy-W4LKS: D-Rats is not in the standard repositories for Linux Mint.? I did try to add the Ubuntu-Hams PPA, but it is so out of date that mint will not add it.
Bobby-KN4I
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Re: D-RATS 0.3.9 on Linux Mint 20 - Python Dependency Issue
Try installing the old D-RATS from the standard repositories.?
That should put the necessary dependencies in place. Then install
the new version from source.? Delete the old version if you want.?
Not necessary tho.
Randy Wilkinson, W4LKS
Washington Digital Radio Enthusiasts
Spokane, WA
On 7/23/2020 15:08, Bobby Goins wrote:
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Recently, I did a fresh install of linux mint 20 over release
19.3.? While installing some of the software I use, I ran across
some python dependencies issues while trying to build/install
D-RATS-0.3.9.? (Note that I previously had D-RATS-0.3.5c installed
under linux mint 19.3 without any problems.)
The dependencies that I cannot locate are: python-glade2,
python-serial, and python-libxslt1.? (Lets add in python-gtk2 for
good measure.)? It seems that these dependencies exist in the
debian repositories, but not the linux mint 20 repositories.
?
Does anyone have any suggestions?
Bobby - KN4I?
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Re: D-RATS 0.3.9 on Linux Mint 20 - Python Dependency Issue
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Show quoted text
Recently, I did a fresh install of linux mint 20 over release
19.3.? While installing some of the software I use, I ran across
some python dependencies issues while trying to build/install
D-RATS-0.3.9.? (Note that I previously had D-RATS-0.3.5c installed
under linux mint 19.3 without any problems.)
The dependencies that I cannot locate are: python-glade2,
python-serial, and python-libxslt1.? (Lets add in python-gtk2 for
good measure.)? It seems that these dependencies exist in the
debian repositories, but not the linux mint 20 repositories.
?
Does anyone have any suggestions?
Bobby - KN4I?
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D-RATS 0.3.9 on Linux Mint 20 - Python Dependency Issue
Recently, I did a fresh install of linux mint 20 over release 19.3.? While installing some of the software I use, I ran across some python dependencies issues while trying to build/install D-RATS-0.3.9.? (Note that I previously had D-RATS-0.3.5c installed under linux mint 19.3 without any problems.)
The dependencies that I cannot locate are: python-glade2, python-serial, and python-libxslt1.? (Lets add in python-gtk2 for good measure.)? It seems that these dependencies exist in the debian repositories, but not the linux mint 20 repositories.
?
Does anyone have any suggestions?
Bobby - KN4I?
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Because of a Domain Name Server issue, k3pdr.dstargateway.org is not currently available.
If you wish to access this Ratflector, edit the Radio connection and replace?k3pdr.dstargateway.org with 50.199.92.162.
I hope to see you there soon.
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D-RATS Details with dates
Do you have D-RATS installed and working but are still looking to learn about the interesting details beyond the basic chat capabilities? Things such as the mapping capabilities, forms, filters, and QSTs. If so, please send a separate email to Lew Maxwell, KB5HPT at arrl.net The current plans are to have three or four one hour sessions to practice the various features, especially the new ones available in the latest release. These are very interactive exercises, so this session will be limited to about 15 participants. Current plans are to start Friday July 24th with a 7:00-8:00 PM MDT session, continuing on Saturday July 25th from 3:00-4:00 PM MDT and then again on Sunday July 26th from 3:00-4:00 PM MDT. The third session on maps is fairly long so a fourth session the following weekend on Sunday August 2nd from 3:00-4:00 PM MDT is likely. Final details will be sent out to those registered. If you don't have the latest version of D-RATS installed, or are new to the program, you need to get it installed ahead of time. There are two good places to get the distribution files, one is at /g/d-rats while the other is on the github web site.There is one file for Windows and another source code file for Linux installations. On the groups.io site you need to have an account, be logged in, and be a member of the "d-rats" group to access the files in the folder "D-RATS Program Files". So if needed, create an account and then join the d-rats group. There are other files and folders in the file section with helpful reference documents as well. The current developers are maintaining files on GitHub, browse to: There is an installation guide as part of the distribution - look for a Readme.md file, and a wiki on the github web site with more details. These are the latest releases of the programs and include many repaired features as well as some new features. Windows 10 and Linux are well supported and the Python source code is there if you want to try other platforms. The original programming by Dan Smith KK7DS has been updated by Maurizio Andreotti IZ2LXI with help from others. They have also started a wiki on the github site, with lots of useful information. Once you get the program installed then just enter your call sign - the preferences are fairly detailed and Lew will be going over how to set everything up. Now, please send that email to Lew. 73, Richard Browning AD5RB
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For anyone planning to print forms from a Raspberry Pi version of D-Rats
For anyone interested in printing forms, emails, radiograms, etc. from D-Rats using a Raspberry Pi, you are going to have to overcome a few challenges.? First, the Raspberry Pi OS distribution as it comes from RaspberryPi.org does not have printer support built in.? You have to add it manually.? You can go to the following website and follow the instructions to install CUPS the Common Unix Printing System onto your Pi:
be sure to also follow the directions on setting the default printer for your system.? Got that done?? Good.? But we're not done yet.? As delivered, the D-rats Linux version looks for a specific browser to send the print image to for rendering.? It does not print it directly.? The browser handles that.? It is not looking for the browser that comes standard with the Raspberry Pi OS.? It is looking for Firefox!? If Firefox is not on your Pi, D-Rats will crash hard every time you hit the print button out of a mail window.? To load Firefox click on the Raspberry Icon in the upper left corner of the Pi's desktop, go to preferences and select Add / Remove Software.? Enter the word Firefox into the search box and then select the various items you will need out of the list to get Firefox installed.? At a minimum, you will need the following items:
1.? Mozilla Firefox web browser - Extended Support Release (ESR)
2.? TrueType versions of some TeX fonts used by LyX
3.? The language files of your choice.? You could hit the selection to pull them all in, but why waste the space.
4?? multimedia plugin for web browsers based on VLC? (just in case someone sends you a video in some odd codec)
After installing all of this on top of the D-Rats build, BEHOLD printing ensued with no crashing!
If you want to really get fancy and have access to one of those inexpensive GPS/Glonass U-blox 7 GPS dongles, you can set it up to not only provide your GPS position, it can also pull an accurate time from the satellites.? This is particularly useful since the Pi does not have a Real Time Clock installed.? Jason, KM4ACK, has done a series of how-to videos on setting up the Raspberry Pi with all sorts of software that will have you running Winlink via Packet or HF ARDOP, APRS, JS8Call, WSJT-X for FT8 and more with his Build-a-Pi series, now at version 3.0.2.? However, if you are interested in just getting the GPS to work, take a look at this YouTube video.? All the commands needed to install the software needed to run the GPS is listed in the description below the video:
I hope some of this makes your setup of D-Rats on the Pi more enjoyable, because us older guys have to avoid pulling our hair out as often as possible.? For some of us, it wants to do that all on its own without any added help from getting frustrated over a computer.? 73
KG5CEN - Glen
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Re: Persistent chat buffers when remote stations re-connect
Hello Jack,
I very much appreciate D-rats's file transfer mechanism and it's
both intuitive and reliable.? With that said, the file transfer
mechanism in D-rats needs an option to select from multiple
"performance modes" per configured "radio" .? The current solution
might well for Dstar's original slow DV-Data bandwidth but it
seriously impedes the performance with higher performance systems
like NPR-70, D-star 1.2Ghz DD-Data, and Internet-based Drats
clients.? I posted some discussions about this on this email list a
few weeks ago:
??
/g/d-rats/topic/transfer_settings/74828534?p=,,,20,0,0,0::recentpostdate%2Fsticky,,,20,2,0,74828534
There, the fastest transfer I could get was about 27Kbps and most of
this was due to self-imposed delays and not the actual transfer of
bits.? I know there might not be any perfect solution here as some
stations behind a Ratflector might actually be slow but ideally,
this would be negotiated and not be a lowest common denominator
approach.
--David
KI6ZHD
On 07/13/2020 01:37 PM, Jack Spitznagel
(KD4IZ) wrote:
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Hi David,
?
Agreed.
?
Another
serious “need” is to establish more transparent and robust
file upload security. Right now, file upload is either on or
off. The single password system that exists in the current
version is too easily compromised. One approach would be to
have a “public” files upload area that will be automatically
quarantined and scanned by AV/AM software immediately upon
completion of the upload.
?
?
Jack
Spitznagel – KD4IZ
Trustee for
NR3DT
The Museum Ship
USCGC Taney WHEC-37 Amateur Radio Group
?
?
Hello
Everyone,
One really great feature in modern communications clients
like Slack, Teams, etc. is when you connect to a chat, you
can see all of the *previous* chat messages.? Having
something like this would be hugely helpful when stations
temporarily loose connection and then re-establish yet they
missed various chats.? I imagine this "previous" state would
be best offered via an enhanced D-rats Ratflector and would
need to be configurable so it cannot consume too much
resources on the Ratflector.
Thoughts?
--David
KI6ZHD
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Re: Persistent chat buffers when remote stations re-connect
Hi David, ? Agreed. ? Another serious “need” is to establish more transparent and robust file upload security. Right now, file upload is either on or off. The single password system that exists in the current version is too easily compromised. One approach would be to have a “public” files upload area that will be automatically quarantined and scanned by AV/AM software immediately upon completion of the upload. ? ? Jack Spitznagel – KD4IZ Trustee for NR3DT The Museum Ship USCGC Taney WHEC-37 Amateur Radio Group ?
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From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of David Ranch
Sent: Monday, July 13, 2020 14:52
To: [email protected]
Subject: [d-rats] Persistent chat buffers when remote stations re-connect? Hello Everyone,
One really great feature in modern communications clients like Slack, Teams, etc. is when you connect to a chat, you can see all of the *previous* chat messages.? Having something like this would be hugely helpful when stations temporarily loose connection and then re-establish yet they missed various chats.? I imagine this "previous" state would be best offered via an enhanced D-rats Ratflector and would need to be configurable so it cannot consume too much resources on the Ratflector.
Thoughts?
--David
KI6ZHD
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Persistent chat buffers when remote stations re-connect
Hello Everyone,
One really great feature in modern communications clients like
Slack, Teams, etc. is when you connect to a chat, you can see all
of the *previous* chat messages.? Having something like this would
be hugely helpful when stations temporarily loose connection and
then re-establish yet they missed various chats.? I imagine this
"previous" state would be best offered via an enhanced D-rats
Ratflector and would need to be configurable so it cannot consume
too much resources on the Ratflector.
Thoughts?
--David
KI6ZHD
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Message reception with 0.3.10beta1 is broken and results in 0 byte files that crashes the D-rats client
Hello Everyone,
I was playing around with D-rats 0.3.10-Beta1 and kept getting
crashes after receiving a message.? It turns out this is a new
issue in the beta so I reverted to the 0.3.9 release and the issue
went way.? I've created an issue to track this:
??
--David
KI6ZHD
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I fully understand the shortcomings of the small, single board computers. ?I am more of a Windows guy, but use the Pi’s for running more or less stand alone projects, like the D-Rats ratflector. ?In order for D-Rats to run on a fresh OS install, you have to manually load a few extra dependencies. ?One of the documents on this site outlining running D-Rats on a Pi tells you what needs to be loaded. ?What I was trying to say is that when something doesn’t work the way we expected, it is often not the program itself that is at fault, but the fact that a dependency piece of software is missing. ?Usually it can be picked up by update and upgrade commands. ?I often hear some of the software authors say to do an update and upgrade BEFORE installing a new piece of software, but it seems it might be more advantageous to do it AFTERWARDS. ?The Pi OS is even conscious of wanting to save storage space and will scrub or remove obsolete or no longer needed dependency software on the fly during the above operations. ??
These quirks are just something to get used to when we work with the Pi in order to have the convenience of being able to travel light and have a machine that requires no moving parts to wear out and more economical energy needs. Barring infrequent power failures or glitches that cause a shutdown of the Internet or a computer reset, I have found that the Pi will run pretty much 24/7 if it’s power and cooling needs are being met. ?The more recent versions of the Pi require a larger power supply, the installation of heat sinks and a cooling fan in order to run optimally. ?These considerations have all been pretty well addressed for most users of Mac’s and PC’s, but not the Pi.
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Hello Glen,
Linux can be "fully featured" depending on what functionality you
want.? If you're looking for high amounts of features similar to a
Windows environment, consider Mint or Ubuntu but I would argue NONE
of those are well suited for a $35 computer.? This is why "Raspbian"
and now "Raspberry Pi OS" uses a much lighter weight OS load, GUI
setup, etc. to be more suited with less CPU power, less RAM, less
I/O, etc.? You CANNOT compare even a 8GB Raspberry Pi 4 to a
multi-hundred dollar X86 system with a much higher performance CPU,
lot more RAM, much faster storage I/O, etc.
As for software, the choice is yours.? You can simply add pre-built
software either via the commands line or a GUI tool very easily but
most of that software is OLD.? Why is it old?? This is mostly
because the maintenance work to keep software up to date in the
Debian repos is done on very conservative time frame.? If you want
more bleeding edge versions of programs, you need to run a bleeding
edge version of Debian (not RaspberryPi OS).?? Read this for more
detail - Debian "testing" : (
) but understand that the OS and those programs aren't 100% tested
and stable.? Again, that URL will explain why.? Other distros are
ONLY this way such as Arch, Gentoo, etc as they are "rolling
releases".
One alternative to these approaches is to use a stable OS but
compile the bleeding edge applications.? This is what KM4ACK is
doing but he's creating some automation for you to make it easier
for new Linux users. This is sometimes the ONLY way to get newer
software as the various software applications such as D-Rats hasn't
made any official releases in a very long time and thus
Distributions won't know when to package up newer versions.?
?If you don't like the compile speed from your $35 computer and $16
storage device, you can use alternative storage to speed things up
(a UASP enabled USB3 SSDs), buy and use one of the faster SBCs than
a Raspberry Pis (
), or
learn how to do cross compiling on a much faster x86 computer and
then put the resulting binaries into your Raspberry Pi.? The choice
is yours.
Finally, to your upgrade point, those aren't three difference ways
to do an upgrade, those are the required three commands to do ONE
complete update:
?? - apt update :: this fetches the newest packet database from the
Internet.? That's it
?? - apt upgrade :: this fetches the newest packages for most of the
applications, etc.
?? - apt full-upgrade? :: this is also known as "dist-upgrade" is to
upgrade some more fundamental parts of the OS
If you wish to not use the CLI and prefer GUIs for updates, read
this URL that I found using a search like "Raspberry Pi GUI updater"
-
As you learn Linux, you'll see that packaging of programs differs
between Linux distributions be it deb-based (Debian, Raspbian, Mint,
Ubuntu, etc) which uses the "apt" or "apt-get" commands from the
command line
?RPM-based systems (Redhat Enterprise, Centos, OpenSuse, Fedora,
etc), etc.? PKG for distributions that are Arch-based, etc.? All
those groups do this for their various own reasons and it's up to
you of what Linux distribution you wish to use on your computer
hardware.? There is no "one right answer" but searching for say
"linux what is the best distribution for me" taking you to say
will help you
better understand.
--David
KI6ZHD
On 07/11/2020 09:20 AM, Glen Strecker
wrote:
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I have found that, unlike the Windows environment, the
Linux OS’s, especially on the Raspberry Pi’s are not full featured
OS’s in that they don’t always have the full library of
functionality software installed. ?You have to do update and
upgrades often, and it does not always immediately pick up on the
fact that some odd dependency is missing. ?Raspbian, now being
called Raspberry OS is a subset environment due to the limited
storage capacity on the device. ?It was originally recommended to
have only an 8 GB SD card. ?The new Pi-4 I just got came with a 64
GB card and I loaded it up with the full Build-a-Pi 3.02 suite by
KM5ACK and added D-Rats. ?The whole build took over 4 hours
because all the programs were being compiled from source with
added dependencies In order for everything to work. ?I have, so
far, seen three different ways to ask the machine to do an
upgrade. ?There is sudo apt upgrade, sudo apt dist-upgrade, or
sudo apt full-upgrade. ?I am not sure about the differences in
functionality between the three.
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I have found that, unlike the Windows environment, the Linux OS’s, especially on the Raspberry Pi’s are not full featured OS’s in that they don’t always have the full library of functionality software installed. ?You have to do update and upgrades often, and it does not always immediately pick up on the fact that some odd dependency is missing. ?Raspbian, now being called Raspberry OS is a subset environment due to the limited storage capacity on the device. ?It was originally recommended to have only an 8 GB SD card. ?The new Pi-4 I just got came with a 64 GB card and I loaded it up with the full Build-a-Pi 3.02 suite by KM5ACK and added D-Rats. ?The whole build took over 4 hours because all the programs were being compiled from source with added dependencies In order for everything to work. ?I have, so far, seen three different ways to ask the machine to do an upgrade. ?There is sudo apt upgrade, sudo apt dist-upgrade, or sudo apt full-upgrade. ?I am not sure about the differences in functionality between the three.
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Messages are kept in your Users/UserName/Appdata/Roaming/D-RATS-EV file/messages ?folder.? Watch out for very large (60K or larger) messages.? Some HTML messages can be very large and D-Rats does not know how to display?them. ?
Also, if this is a new setup, I found that it is not a good idea to try to link to an active email account with a large number of saved messages on the server.? D-Rats will try to reach out and download the entire database and will choke on it.? Ask me how I know, lol.
KG5CEN
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Not sure how to do this.
Thanks anyway.
Jim
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Jim,
I had something like this. It turned out to be a corrupt message. Try going into your Windows file directory C:/users/yournamehere/Appdata/Roaming/DRats/Messages
and delete everything but the .DB file (one .DB file in outbox, inbox, etc.).?
Worked for me.
Good luck.
Mike Mandell, KC3BLF?
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I have seen this happen before. In my case, I put a comma in the name of a radio connection (e.g. Austin, TX) and the config file interpreted that as an invalid field being added and then nothing worked. If you can remember what you did before it stopped working, you could manually edit the config file and remove whatever you did. Failing that, just delete the config file and D-RATS will prompt enter your callsign, just as if it was a new installation.
Patrick (N3TSZ)
On Tuesday, July 7, 2020, 07:03:22 PM EDT, Jim McCloskey <jmccloskey@...> wrote:
Patrick, I cannot even get into it now. Everytime I click file? ? perferences? just the error message comes up.
Jim
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HI!
if you want to check your logs this maybe could be of help
?
?
Il giorno mer 8 lug 2020 alle ore 01:03 Jim McCloskey < Jmccloskey@...> ha scritto: Patrick, I cannot even get into it now. Everytime I click file? ? perferences? just the error message comes up.
Jim
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Keith/KI5US
Randy-W4LKS
Ron NY3J
Patrick Connor
Glen Strecker
Jack Spitznagel (KD4IZ)