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Callsign: Doc. For my wild hair and DeLorean
OH, USA
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Posted: 3/24/2024 4:40:49 PM EDT
Putting together a basic packable setup powered off an 18650 cell block, Raspberry Pi for digital modes, and the ability to swap in a 2m HT for ultra mobility, or a more powerful VHF/UHF mobile or even HF rig. Trying to think of different ways to integrate all this into my pack, wondering what you all have tried/learned along those lines.
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"We're all new here, kid. The old ones are either dead or in the hospital. What the hell did you expect, a two week pass to Paris? Get in line and do what you're told, or you'll be dead before sunup."
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One thing I learned is to not use a Pi. Once you add a display and keyboard you might as well use a micro-laptop. It's neater, cleaner, more reliable and much, much faster.
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Callsign: Doc. For my wild hair and DeLorean
OH, USA
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I'm trying to keep cost low for a basic setup. Suggestions for a low cost micro laptop? Haven't had one since the eeepc came out.
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"We're all new here, kid. The old ones are either dead or in the hospital. What the hell did you expect, a two week pass to Paris? Get in line and do what you're told, or you'll be dead before sunup."
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The Evolv Maestro is pretty good. I've been using one for a while. 12v charging too. Runs windows. I wanna say they are right around $100.
I also agree on Pi. I tried to run one portable. Don't get me wrong. It worked. But it wasn't great. I was using logging software, WSJTX so on. But it's way easier to just use a windows laptop. |
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There's no end of cheap micro laptops on AliExpress. Plenty of YouTube reviews of same. Just do a little searching. You should be able to handily beat a Pi build for only $200 or so.
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“Evil is powerless if the good are unafraid.” Ronald Reagan
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If my laptop dies no big deal. I can do POTA another day. I'll go grab lunch.
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Originally Posted By K9-Bob: Evolve III Maestro 11.6" Laptop Computer This is the potato laptop I would buy. View Quote Nice! |
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If you want, you could find a compatible portable and pair it with Armoloq rails to protect it. Most of them will fit within a PRC-117 pouch.
The same guy who makes Armoloq also has battery pack covers. If you want to do digital modes with it, rather than use a pi, you could get a Mobilinkd, which would pair with your phone via bluetooth and you can use apps on there for it. Otherwise a Digirig would work for a TNC hookup and any mini-laptop of your choice as has been detailed here. |
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[Unedited] TTP Manpack Prototype for the FT-857D The Tech Prepper has some interesting ideas for pack radios. |
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“Evil is powerless if the good are unafraid.” Ronald Reagan
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Originally Posted By RocketmanOU: I'm trying to keep cost low for a basic setup. Suggestions for a low cost micro laptop? Haven't had one since the eeepc came out. View Quote The evolve III maestro is better than a pi. and after putting everything together, it is cheaper. Micro center has them for less than 100 bucks. There are kits that integrate a pi into a 10" touch screen that is powered by 12v and internally supplies the pi with 5v. If you already have the pi, the kit runs around 100 bucks. If my maestro dies, I will consider that route. I am tired of windows, and there are some ham specific linux packages that are pretty simple to install, configure and use. Lots of folks have put mint on the evolve laptops, and claim it improves battery use. Pi 4 Versus Evolve Maestro Laptop |
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World ain't what it seems, is it Gunny?
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I got a Maestro for $35 at microcenter as an "open box". Immediately ran a Windows de-bloat script on it to kill all the bloat. Runs fine. Mouse pad sucks ass. Its bad. 100% recommend as a throw away field laptop for fun radio, hobby level use. As stated, can charge straight from w 12V source.
FYI; if you kill windows on them and run linux you will likely never get the internal sound card drivers to work again. Not a big deal for Ham stuff, but it is some weird thing where the sound drivers are baked into the original Windows install and lost forever if you to another route. The judge/jury has already ruled Pis are not reliable enough for field computing. Everyone has tried and been left wanting more. |
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This guy has pretty much the basics on installing mint. Adam in the other video does the same in a series of videos. He is more ham related. This guy talks a bit about audio, and has a different video where he discusses it.
How To Install Linux Mint & WiFi Drivers Guide For Evolve III Maestro Laptop |
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World ain't what it seems, is it Gunny?
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Callsign: Doc. For my wild hair and DeLorean
OH, USA
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Have a pi4 on hand that runs fldigi no problem, so I'm starting with that - may go down the path of a laptop if I have to, but we'll see - trying to use what I've got on hand. For the moment, I'm using a conductive aluminum case for heat transfer so the pi can stay in the bag, and using a phone with vnc and a waterproof case to do the typing and mouse work.
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"We're all new here, kid. The old ones are either dead or in the hospital. What the hell did you expect, a two week pass to Paris? Get in line and do what you're told, or you'll be dead before sunup."
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As an alternative power option, I've started using power tool adapters and as 12V voltage stabilizer (so a 24-9V DC-DC converter with 12V output).
This lets me throw my Makita power packs into the adapter and run the whole show and makes "recharging" a breeze with a pack swap. |
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Callsign: Doc. For my wild hair and DeLorean
OH, USA
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Originally Posted By seek2: As an alternative power option, I've started using power tool adapters and as 12V voltage stabilizer (so a 24-9V DC-DC converter with 12V output). This lets me throw my Makita power packs into the adapter and run the whole show and makes "recharging" a breeze with a pack swap. View Quote That's precisely what I'm using right now. |
"We're all new here, kid. The old ones are either dead or in the hospital. What the hell did you expect, a two week pass to Paris? Get in line and do what you're told, or you'll be dead before sunup."
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Originally Posted By RocketmanOU: Have a pi4 on hand that runs fldigi no problem, so I'm starting with that - may go down the path of a laptop if I have to, but we'll see - trying to use what I've got on hand. For the moment, I'm using a conductive aluminum case for heat transfer so the pi can stay in the bag, and using a phone with vnc and a waterproof case to do the typing and mouse work. View Quote |
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