From Zero to APRS in 10 minutes!

Let's build an APRS packet igate in under 10 minutes for just 99 dollars. This receive-only igate leverages a Raspberry Pi, Software Defined Radio, an LCD display and a rollup antenna. APRS igates relay radio packet information to the Internet for further processing and transmission. We can always use more igates, plus it's fun to visualize the traffic in real time. Texting, weather, beacons, positions and objects are displayed in this cheap-and-easy igate for just 99 bucks.

PARTS LIST____________________________________________________________________

____
$99

INSTALL SOFTWARE_____________________________________________________________

sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install direwolf rtl-sdr git python3-pip fonts-dejavu python3-pil python3-pyinotify python3-numpy

sudo pip3 install --break-system-packages adafruit-circuitpython-rgb-display
sudo pip3 install --break-system-packages aprslib

CONFIGURATION FILES____________________________________________________________

#dtparam=spi=on
(reboot)

""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
MYCALL NOCALL
IGLOGIN NOCALL 12345
PBEACON sendto=IG compress=1 delay=00:15 every=30:00 symbol="igate" overlay=X lat=39.911 long=-122.935 comment="Direwatch Rx-only igate"
AGWPORT 8000
KISSPORT 8001
ADEVICE null
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""

LAUNCH IGATE_____________________________________________________________________

cd direwatch

(note: replace X with a greaterthan sign - sorry, youtube doesn't allow greaterthan signs .

[qfour]

Fantastic video! I love the content you chose to cover and really like how you present the information. Thank you, and I will be watching the rest of your videos.

[Voodo]

this is a great project. if you keep this up i'm going to have more pi's than i have HT's.

[metroatlantahamradio]

This channel has really had positive influences on my life. I thoroughly enjoy this content, and I learn a lot. Sincerely, it's life changing information. I learned Linux from doing these little projects.

[hjlp]

Great video, thank you! Just one comment: apt-get update does NOT update your system, it just updates the local (on your RPi) database of available packages. After apt-get update, run apt-get upgrade for the actual update/upgrade of your installed software. Always do this first after installing a new RPi, or before installing new software when you haven't upgraded for a while (couple of days). Thanks again, greetings from Finland.

[daviesgeek]

0:26 came for the radio content, stayed for the sick riffs 🤘

[MegaChiliMac]

this is exactly what I was planning to do. Thanks for showing the way!

[ghostmandka]

Thumbs up for the video. Two thumbs up for the bumper music!

[mikedmann]

Love the tunez, love the videos, but damn I am.to cheap. Time for a give away.. You ROCK!

[KennetKrutysza]

Nice project !
But how do I make it to autostart when powered on ?

[hazer]

already have all the parts! Looks like a fun build

[Dennis-tfcs]

Well... Maybe 10 min for you but I've spent a lot of time just getting the PI where I have an OS on it and I'm able to Putty into it. Still working on the rest, hopefully it goes faster. I'm not a "Pi" guy, very new to all of this. Thanks!

[billystallings]

Will these same programs work the same if I use a PI 3B and a larger screen? Thanks for the video!!!

[Siskiyous]

There is always a need for, more APRS iGates. This is nice since no license is needed.

[msawyers]

after first run does this auto boot and go into aprs igate automatically after startup? or is there commands that need to be ran at startup?

[pgrundle]

I have all the parts with the exception of the screen. Should I wait until I get the screen or can the igate function without it?

[StephenWSKC]

Very cool, glad I found your channel!!!

[MINI-X-RADIO]

Does it matter what version of PI OS..?? 32 or 64 bit or Legacy 32bit..?? Thanks

[Dennis-tfcs]

Is there a log file that is stored on the Pi so I can take a historic look at the activity that has been processed via my iGate? if so, how do I look at it?

[chublez]

I like the price. I think I'd rather spend a bit more to get a 2 way i-gate though if I'm going to the trouble. As a self respecting HAM/electronics nerd I do have all the bits laying around to make this happen for no out of pocket though so it's still tempting for fun.

[Dennis-tfcs]

The Pi loses network/WiFi connectivity whenever I plug in the small screen, any ideas on why this may be happening? WiFi works perfectly without the screen plugged in.