Looking for ideas for a pack radio build - Page 1

Looking for ideas for a pack radio build

RocketmanOU Callsign: Doc. For my wild hair and DeLorean Joined Apr 2010 Posts 14436 EE 100% (45) OH, USA	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.
	"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."

aa777888-2 Member Joined Nov 2001 Posts 12715 EE 100% (1) USA	Posted: 3/24/2024 7:32:25 PM EDT [#1] 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.

RocketmanOU Callsign: Doc. For my wild hair and DeLorean Joined Apr 2010 Posts 14438 EE 100% (45) OH, USA	Posted: 3/24/2024 7:53:49 PM EDT [#2] 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.
	"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."

ManiacRat Member Joined May 2005 Posts 10684 EE 100% (8) TX, USA	Posted: 3/24/2024 8:07:50 PM EDT [Last Edit: ManiacRat] [#3] 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.

aa777888-2 Member Joined Nov 2001 Posts 12716 EE 100% (1) USA	Posted: 3/24/2024 8:11:58 PM EDT [#4] 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.

K9-Bob Member Joined Jul 2004 Posts 11430 EE 100% (45) USA	Posted: 3/24/2024 8:19:29 PM EDT [#5] Evolve III Maestro 11.6" Laptop Computer This is the potato laptop I would buy.
	“Evil is powerless if the good are unafraid.” Ronald Reagan

Sinister

Member

Joined Jan 2002
Posts 7463
EE 100% (57)

GA, USA

Posted: 3/24/2024 8:40:25 PM EDT

[Last Edit: Sinister] [#6]

A caution for guys planning to use laptop or palmtop computers as field radios:

1) Make sure it's waterproof. It rains outside;

2) ensure your screen works in the cold.

Having been on the bleeding edge of lightweight high-speed / low drag military radios i can tell you from experience that a screen that doesn't work below freezing is dead weight. Ditto one that dies when exposed to any kind of moisture.

The Achilles heel of this radio system was the notebook computer. It was worse than useless (because it cost you, as the taxpayer, wasted money):

ManiacRat Member Joined May 2005 Posts 10685 EE 100% (8) TX, USA	Posted: 3/24/2024 8:41:30 PM EDT [#7] If my laptop dies no big deal. I can do POTA another day. I'll go grab lunch.

aa777888-2 Member Joined Nov 2001 Posts 12719 EE 100% (1) USA	Posted: 3/24/2024 8:47:17 PM EDT [#8] Quote History Originally Posted By K9-Bob: Evolve III Maestro 11.6" Laptop Computer This is the potato laptop I would buy. View Quote Nice!

swampfoxoutdoors 73 Joined Feb 2015 Posts 12093 EE 100% (101) GA, USA	Posted: 3/24/2024 8:50:11 PM EDT [#9] Quote History Originally Posted By ManiacRat: If my laptop dies no big deal. I can do POTA another day. I'll go grab lunch. View Quote But some people demand SHTF ruggedness and quality. That’s why so many use the Raspberry Pi. lol

Hayashi_Killian

Joined Dec 2009
Posts 1480
EE 0% (0)

TX, USA

Posted: 3/24/2024 9:04:06 PM EDT

[#10]

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.

K9-Bob Member Joined Jul 2004 Posts 11432 EE 100% (45) USA	Posted: 3/24/2024 9:12:35 PM EDT [#11] [Unedited] TTP Manpack Prototype for the FT-857D https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZMgE1JgkI-o The Tech Prepper has some interesting ideas for pack radios.
	“Evil is powerless if the good are unafraid.” Ronald Reagan

lorazepam

Member

Joined Apr 2010
Posts 31782
EE 100% (7)

WI, USA

Posted: 3/24/2024 9:48:58 PM EDT

[Last Edit: lorazepam] [#12]

Quote History

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

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dcu64aAzBgs

World ain't what it seems, is it Gunny?

Shootindave

Lost Raider

Joined Apr 2007
Posts 13913
EE 99% (90)

MO, USA

Posted: 3/24/2024 9:55:35 PM EDT

[Last Edit: Shootindave] [#13]

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.

ManiacRat Member Joined May 2005 Posts 10688 EE 100% (8) TX, USA	Posted: 3/24/2024 10:03:46 PM EDT [#14] Quote History Originally Posted By swampfoxoutdoors: But some people demand SHTF ruggedness and quality. That's why so many use the Raspberry Pi. lol View Quote

lorazepam Member Joined Apr 2010 Posts 31783 EE 100% (7) WI, USA	Posted: 3/24/2024 10:30:00 PM EDT [#15] 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 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=moCaidVEM5w
	World ain't what it seems, is it Gunny?

RocketmanOU

Callsign: Doc. For my wild hair and DeLorean

Joined Apr 2010
Posts 14439
EE 100% (45)

OH, USA

Posted: 3/25/2024 6:37:47 AM EDT

[Last Edit: RocketmanOU] [#16]

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.

"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."

seek2 Member Joined Mar 2011 Posts 17467 EE 100% (1) AZ, USA	Posted: 3/25/2024 3:44:12 PM EDT [#17] 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.

RocketmanOU

Callsign: Doc. For my wild hair and DeLorean

Joined Apr 2010
Posts 14442
EE 100% (45)

OH, USA

Posted: 3/25/2024 6:57:32 PM EDT

[#18]

Quote History

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."

misplayedhand

Joined Aug 2014
Posts 1942
EE 0% (0)

MI, USA

Posted: 3/26/2024 10:41:42 AM EDT

[#19]

Quote History

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

There are worthwhile things one can learn from these type of projects. If I were to start this project today I would opt for a rugged Android 13 tablet instead of the Beaglebone Black thing I worked up back in the day. Of course I obviously have a history of questionable decisions as evidenced by choosing the Beaglebone over the fledgling Pi.

Looking for ideas for a pack radio build

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