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by PenguinCoder 1423 days ago
> Raspberry Pi Zero 2W: ham radio-related software for portable use (e.g. WSJT-X, etc.) using cell phone via WiFi as display/input via RDP

I would be interested in a write up about this or hearing more. I let my HAM lapse, but recent got into GMRS. No test required for the license, and way more 'simple'.

1 comments

The very basics of it are that I'm trying to operate portable using HF (<30MHz, long range), including for digital comms such as FT8. Typically a computer generates the audio-band signals which are transmitted as RF by the radio. Skipping the laptop (less to carry/power), I've installed a few of these ham apps on the Pi, power it from the radio's battery, and use an adapter (Digirig) to give me serial and audio to the radio. I turn on my phone's hotspot, the Pi connects via WiFi, and I use RDP to remote into the Pi, using my phone as the input and display. The Pi Zero 2W is a little under-powered (mostly needs more RAM), but it does the trick.

The simplicity of GMRS can be good, but for me I rarely use a radio to talk locally on repeaters. I like the idea of communicating as far as possible on very little power (QRP) with a small footprint, and the experimentation angle of it all.