Raspberry Pi WSJT-X WSPR
It's a simple matter of updating your source.list and installing WSJT-X from the package and it was up and running in no time. Installing from the package is easier than compiling. Sometimes I find it worth it and other times it doesn't make much difference.
I've been using WSJT-X on my Raspberry Pi. It runs very smooth and I haven't had any glitches. I run 5 watts or 2 watts on WSPR. Less is better.
What is WSPR? WSPR (pronounced "whisper") stands for "Weak Signal Propagation Reporter". It is a computer program used for weak-signal radio communication between amateur radio operators. - Wikipedia
If you get a Raspberry Pi 3 and install Raspbian, this is how you can install WSJT-X.
You can buy a Raspberry Pi on Ebay.
Raspberry Pi WSJT-X, WSPR, JT65 Setup and QSO!
UPDATE 4/24/17: See this PDF file, WSJT-X Install Raspberry Pi then proceed to the bullets below.
- Set the clock to UTC and localisation settings under Preferences and Raspberry Pi 3
Configuration.
- Connect your cables to your radio or Signalink.
- Open WSJT-X. It will be under the Sound & Video Program Group.
- Go to File and Settings. On the General tab you can enter your Station Details.
- On the Radio tab you can enter your Rig, CAT Control and misc settings (see the video). I’m using the IC-7300 and the Prolific CI-V cable.
- On the Audio tab select your Soundcard and that should do it just to get the program receiving and transmitting.
Visit WSJT-X User Guide and read the information on that page. You'll find it very useful.
UPDATE: 3/2/2019: If you have an older version of WSJT-X, to update and run WSJT-X 2.0 you will need to upgrade to Stretch on the Raspberry Pi:
- Run "sudo apt-get update" from the terminal.
- Run "sudo apt-get dist-upgrade -y" from the terminal.
- Download the latest Debian package using Chromium and install. As of this update it is wsjtx_2.0.1_armhf.deb.
- You may also need to execute the following command in a terminal:
"sudo apt install libqt5multimedia5-plugins libqt5serialport5 libqt5sql5-sqlite libfftw3-single3" - Visit the WSJT-X User Guide if you need to copy and paste from the Chromium window on the RPi3.
Below is a short video walking you through the install and basic setup. However it shows installing WSJT-X from the GUI and not command line. If your sources.list is updated and you have run update, this is fine.
It takes a month or more to get registered on WSPR Net, so visit and get registered as soon as possible. It's a fun site with a map of WSPR activity as well as a forum.
I hope you find this informative and useful. If you have any comments or questions, please make them below. Have a great day, best 73 and good DX. - Rich, K0PIR
Sources:
WSPRNET.ORG DEBIAN INSTALLATION
WSPR via WSJTX on Raspberry Pi 3
Hello Rich,
I have pretty much followed the above steps, installing WSJTX on my Raspberry PI 3 / Rasbian software. It seems to load everything up and puts an ‘icon’ on my ‘applications’ list. However, when I click to run it, the ‘little arrow’ will spin and spin and then disappear. When I look at the terminal window, it says something about ‘unable to (access) or (open) something and the program will not run. I will try again and make note of what the ‘error’ message(s) are and post a ‘more informative’ comment here.
I did the same with fidigi with NO problems. I am just curious if anyone else has had ‘issues’ getting WSJTX to run on the RPi 3.
Thanks and 73,
de Larry
Hi Larry,
Great to hear from you. What version of WSJT-X is it loading?
Restart the Pi too.
Rich
Hi Rich,
Thanks for the reply. Well, I am not really sure. I just got my raspberry Pi 3 and from the terminal window I did the “update important” thing and then did the install. I ‘presume’ it is the latest version. Also, I went to K1JT’s website and followed instructions on how to install 1.7.0. Everything seems to ‘load’ just fine, the install puts the ‘application’ in the Sounds and video “folder” just like it says. When I run it, same thing, after a brief period of the ‘spinning pointer’ NOTHING.
I’ve tried restarting the Pi, throwing salt over my shoulder, etc. ALL to no avail.
Beats me!
de Larry
Could be the Audio Device. When you open preferences go to Audio Device Settings. When clicking on Audio Device Settings, what comes up? My Sound card listed is ALSA (Also mixer) (Default).
I would try installing or reinstalling the ALSA driver. Go to Preferences> Add/Remove Software. Search for ALSA. Scroll down to near the bottom and you’ll see PulseAudio sound server, pulseaudio-5.0-13. If it has a checkmark, uncheck it and click “Apply” button. Then check it and “Apply” again to reinstall it.
Rich, K0PIR
K0PIR.us
Thanks Rich,
Well, when I opened up the audio preferences, the ‘default’ device was indeed ‘ALSA’, specifically “bcm2835 ALSA (Alsa mixer). My only other choice (drop down box) was “USB Audio CODEC (Alsa mixer)” which is my SignaLink USB. I selected the Signalink, made it my ‘default’ sound card and ran WSJTX again. Same results, as in nuttin’.
OH,, when I select “Select Controls” the only ‘option'(?) that comes up is ‘PCM’ which has a box next to it, unchecked. (It appears to be for adjusting audio ‘levels’)
Rich, I am certainly NOT a Linux ‘guru’. In fact, I could be considered a Linux “newbie” although I have Linux Mint installed on a laptop. Course, Linux Mint is as easy to run as Windows, one really does not have to know much about ‘compiling’ to get programs to work. I am just really stymied by my lack of ability to get WSJTX to run on my Pi. I have followed instructions from various web sites, ‘to the letter’ and it just won’t run.
In any case, I truly appreciate your help!
Thanks,
Larry
It is frustrating sometimes.
Try this Larry. Run wsjtx from the command line. Just open a terminal and type in wsjtx and see what the error is.
Rich, K0PIR
Hey Rich,
Can I call you, or you may call me if you like? BTW, same result running from terminal, but, I can at least see all the ‘error’ messages, HAR!
Thanks,
Larry
Sure Larry, I’ll try to help, but I don’t know that much either. Post the error here and I’ll look at them ahead of time.
Let me finish work and some errands for my YL.
E-mail me your number: Rich at k0pir dot us
OK Rich, there are a TON of messages, but the first one starts out:
” ALSA lib confmisc.<:1286::(snd_func_refer ) Unable to find definition 'cards.bcm2835.pcm.front.0"CARD=0 "
And there are a slew of others, the LAST four being:
" ALSA lib pulse.<:243:(pulse_connect) PulseAudio: Unable to connect: Connection refused "
" Cannot connect to server socket err = No such file or directory "
" Cannot connect to server request channel "
" jack server in not running or cannot be started "
Again, there are a TON of 'messages' between the first and the last!
Larry
In a terminal window run this:
sudo apt-get install alsa-utils
See if it installs anything, it may say that it is already installed and the newest version.
Hi Rich,
Yup, it sez, “newest version already installed”. Please feel free to call me if you like. I am here in the shack.
Thanks,
Larry
Hi Larry,
I am still at work. I tried my WSJT-X and installed the also-utils, which broke my rig control with it..Hi Hi… It opens just no rig control and haven’t had time to look at it anymore.
I’ll e-mail you.
Rich, K0PIR
Running the apt-key command it throws a GPG error:
pi@rpi3:~ $ sudo apt-key adv –keyserver keyserver.ubuntu.com –recv-keys 862549F9
Executing: gpg –ignore-time-conflict –no-options –no-default-keyring –homedir /tmp/tmp.W9ABdM973m –no-auto-check-trustdb –trust-model always –keyring /etc/apt/trusted.gpg –primary-keyring /etc/apt/trusted.gpg –keyserver keyserver.ubuntu.com –recv-keys 862549F9
usage: gpg [options] [filename]
Then when I run “sudo apt-get update # important” I get a GPG error because the key’s not installed:
W: GPG error: http://ppa.launchpad.net trusty InRelease: The following signatures couldn’t be verified because the public key is not available: NO_PUBKEY 5794D54C862549F9
Hi David,
After you corrected it, did you get the latest version of WSJT-X? How’s it working? Thank you again!
OK figured it out. Two things:
1. When I copied the text from your blog, the dash character got copied as an em-dash and the command line is expecting an en-dash.
2. GPG is expecting a double-dash for keyserver and recv-keys. Command should be “sudo apt-key adv –keyserver keyserver.ubuntu.com –recv-keys 862549F9”
…dtw
Hi David,
Thank you for the heads up. I just edited this the other day to emphazize the “Update sources.list”, because that part is so important. I think you can get away without the key though and with the GPG error, I believe I did at first, but I could be wrong. In my WordPress editor everything looks correct, but when I look at the webpage it isn’t. Thank you so much! I’ll have to look at this closer, it’s not letting me fix it. As you said the correct command should have double dashes (- -) before recv-keys and before keyserver. Thanks again for catching this and especially for commenting to let me and others know. Have a great day and best 73. – Rich K0PIR
UPDATE:
Larry got it working last week! It is the updating sources list that is so important.
From above:
“Run command> sudo nano /etc/apt/sources.list
Add the following to the end of the sources.list file: deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/ki7mt/wsjtx-next/ubuntu trusty main
Ctrl-X to save and exit.
Run command> sudo apt-get update # important”
Hi Rich,
Tried all the above, this is what i get running in terminal
pi@raspberrypi:~ $ wsjtx
ALSA lib pcm.c:2239:(snd_pcm_open_noupdate) Unknown PCM cards.pcm.front
ALSA lib pcm.c:2239:(snd_pcm_open_noupdate) Unknown PCM cards.pcm.rear
ALSA lib pcm.c:2239:(snd_pcm_open_noupdate) Unknown PCM cards.pcm.center_lfe
ALSA lib pcm.c:2239:(snd_pcm_open_noupdate) Unknown PCM cards.pcm.side
ALSA lib pcm.c:2239:(snd_pcm_open_noupdate) Unknown PCM cards.pcm.surround21
ALSA lib pcm.c:2239:(snd_pcm_open_noupdate) Unknown PCM cards.pcm.surround21
ALSA lib pcm.c:2239:(snd_pcm_open_noupdate) Unknown PCM cards.pcm.surround40
ALSA lib pcm.c:2239:(snd_pcm_open_noupdate) Unknown PCM cards.pcm.surround41
ALSA lib pcm.c:2239:(snd_pcm_open_noupdate) Unknown PCM cards.pcm.surround50
ALSA lib pcm.c:2239:(snd_pcm_open_noupdate) Unknown PCM cards.pcm.surround51
ALSA lib pcm.c:2239:(snd_pcm_open_noupdate) Unknown PCM cards.pcm.surround71
ALSA lib pcm.c:2239:(snd_pcm_open_noupdate) Unknown PCM cards.pcm.iec958
ALSA lib pcm.c:2239:(snd_pcm_open_noupdate) Unknown PCM cards.pcm.iec958
ALSA lib pcm.c:2239:(snd_pcm_open_noupdate) Unknown PCM cards.pcm.iec958
ALSA lib pcm.c:2239:(snd_pcm_open_noupdate) Unknown PCM cards.pcm.hdmi
ALSA lib pcm.c:2239:(snd_pcm_open_noupdate) Unknown PCM cards.pcm.hdmi
ALSA lib pcm.c:2239:(snd_pcm_open_noupdate) Unknown PCM cards.pcm.modem
ALSA lib pcm.c:2239:(snd_pcm_open_noupdate) Unknown PCM cards.pcm.modem
ALSA lib pcm.c:2239:(snd_pcm_open_noupdate) Unknown PCM cards.pcm.phoneline
ALSA lib pcm.c:2239:(snd_pcm_open_noupdate) Unknown PCM cards.pcm.phoneline
ALSA lib pulse.c:243:(pulse_connect) PulseAudio: Unable to connect: Connection refused
ALSA lib pulse.c:243:(pulse_connect) PulseAudio: Unable to connect: Connection refused
Cannot connect to server socket err = No such file or directory
Cannot connect to server request channel
jack server is not running or cannot be started
Uninstalled pulse, rebooted then reinstalled.
Interesting the CPU shows 25% usage but no action.
Nigel, ZL1NAY
Hi Nigel,
Nice to hear from you and thanks for commenting.
Are you on a RPi3 and trying to connect to the Icom 7300?
Are you sure the following was saved properly?
Run command> sudo nano /etc/apt/sources.list
Add the following to the end of the sources.list file: deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/ki7mt/wsjtx-next/ubuntu trusty main
Ctrl-X to save and exit.
Finally, can you see what version of WSJT-X you have? If it wasn’t updated then it will be less than v1.7.
Let me know and thank you again for visiting.
Rich, K0PIR
Thanks Rich, will try again this morning, sorry to bother you with this but its hard to find who compiled it in the first place, or their details at least.
Yes it is a pi 3 with a brand new pixel iso which has been updated.
Strangely the other version above this one does open although pegs the cpu at 100% until the poor pi gets too hot 😉
I have been following your endeavors for a while and had similar issues to the others, usually i just dump the software and move on but you getting yours running is a glimmer of hope 🙂
At this time i am not trying to connect to any radio, not sure if this is the issue or not.
When i do it will be the yaesu ft857 or my qrp rig which will emulate the icom series.
Also tried my growing collection of usb audio dongles which at least one usually works.
Will try your sugestion this morning and let you know either way. I know im close, just these darn audio permissions.
Nigel ZL1NAY
Hi Rich,
We are good to go 🙂
I will list what I did so as to help others who may be in the same situation.
Your instruction are clear but it also depends on the version of pixel OS.
On the very latest pixel OS as of 3/4/17 the GEDIT or NANO text editor is not installed by default, but LEAFPAD is.
So we run
sudo leafpad /etc/apt/sources.list
uncheck the hash which is explained in the file, you cant miss it,
insert the extra line
deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/ki7mt/wsjtx-next/ubuntu trusty main
save and exit.
Note here that Rich has the ¨deb¨ part on the previous line on his explanation because of a formatting error.
Now type at the command prompt
sudo apt-get update
After this has downloaded and installed i would do a reboot.
Now go to preferences then add/remove software
click on options and then check for updates.
Now, your new WSJTX should be in the list to download and install amongst other stuff.
All is essentially the same as Richards method but for a newby like me it can take a while to sort through it all.
Thanks heaps Rich we got there in the end. Now to have a play 🙂
Nigel ZL1NAY
FB Nigel! That is awesome it’s working. Thank you for the update and ultimately it will help others.
Hope to hear you on the air. I am on 40 Meters right now! 7.076MHz 🙂
Best 73 and good DX,
Rich, K0PIR
P.S. Looks like I’m due for an update.
Hi Rich,
Tried all day to get this to run on the new raspberry pi zero W. All the features of its big brother with half the RAM.
Its a no go, think it may just be a memory issue as the zero has only 500mb of ram.
Not sure if it would run on the first rpi as i dont have one to try. If it does I may revisit as i had plans for a portable unit for qrp field tests that i can SSH into with my mobile phone.
Although there is a script out there called WSPRRY that uses the pi as a crude TX with the addition of a simple LPF on 2 of the GPIO pins. This is still a go maybe and makes it free up your radio.
Will keep testing 🙂
Nigel ZL1NAY
Hi Nigel,
That’s a good possibility. On a Mac the shared memory has to be increased before it will run. I don’t know how it works on Linux though.
Yes, I saw that project to turn the Pi into a TX. I thought that would be pretty fun for WSPR.
Keep me updated and thanks again. Hope to hear you one the air.
Best 73 and good dx,
Rich, K0PIR
Hi Rich,
No go on the pi zero or the pi 1, i had a pi1 and it was one of the first ones off the line but gave it to a young fella doing robotics at high school, anyhow, managed to borrow it back to make a test. Adjusting the ram usage didnt make any difference. The program just wont load.
Im sure some linux guru out there could make it chooch. Beyond my capabilities though.
Nigel ZL1NAY
Hi Nigel,
Yeah there a lot of fun projects to do with the pi zero and pi 1, it’s too bad about WSJT-X. They are so inexpensive. On the iMac we have to change the shared memory for WSJT-X to work.
Thanks for coming back and commenting. It helps me and adds value for everyone to see. Hope to hear you on the air. Best 73 – Rich, K0PIR
This command no longer works in raspberry pi (Raspbian Stretch) fresh installs.
“apt-key adv –recv-keys –keyserver keyserver.ubuntu.com 862549F9”
You will need to add the command this command before you try to install the key.
“sudo apt-get install dirmngr”
If not you will get this error.
Executing: /tmp/apt-key-gpghome.rhDUAIMxfg/gpg.1.sh –recv-keys –keyserver keyserver.ubuntu.com 862549F9
gpg: failed to start the dirmngr ‘/usr/bin/dirmngr’: No such file or directory
gpg: connecting dirmngr at ‘/tmp/apt-key-gpghome.rhDUAIMxfg/S.dirmngr’ failed: No such file or directory
gpg: keyserver receive failed: No dirmngr
Hi and thank you! I did not know that. Thank you for commenting and helping. I’ll update the article.
Best 73 – Rich, K0PIR
Hi,
I just installed WSJT-X on a RPI3 with a 7” touch screen. While the application installed and runs, the UI does not fit on the screen regardless of the resolution I set it to (I believe my top resolution is 1920×1080). Anyway to alter the main window to fit? I used the version on the Raspberry Pi repositories (v1.8) but I am wondering if there is a way to recompile it to alter the UI elements to fit in to the 7” LCD, and to take advantage of the touch screen.
Regards,
N0GUI
Hi Guilermo,
Good to hear from you and I had a similar problems with my touch screen. On the Amamzon website where I purchased it, a user gave instructions to fix it and it worked. It was a simple edit of the config file.
Eventually I used the driver CD that came with the LCD and that worked also.
I do not know much more and possibly the Pi forums can help. There is one on Yahoo. See Raspberry_Pi_4-Ham_RADIO
I hope this helps, best 73!
Rich, K0PIR
Hi Rich – If I don’t set the signalink to my default sound card .. ah, what do I select in wslt? I see many, many sound card options ….
If you email me, I can send you a screen shot from WSTX showing all the souces I get ….
Hi Mark,
Nice to hear from you and that’s a very good question.
One way is to disconnect the SignaLink and look at the options. Connect the SignaLink and see what shows up new. Or, just a process of elimination, hi!
Do you see a USB Audio CODEC?
My e-mail is good on QRZ.com, but I may not be of much help.
Isn’t it fun!
Best 73,
Rich, K0PIR
Hello,
I am in the process of setting up a WSPR station as follows:
RPi3B+
Signalink USB
FT-817
WSJT-X (v1.9.1)
So far, I can receive stations and see them appearing on the WSPRnet map as being heard by me. What I don’t see is my station being heard by anyone. One observation was that during receive the ‘db meter’ on the left of the screen hits about the 40db mark. When transmitting there is NO indication in that meter. My sound card settings for both input/output are “sysdefault:CARD=CODEC”.
So close, yet so far away!
Anyone have any thoughts of what I might be overlooking?
Thanks,
Michael
K6MLE
H Michael,
Nice to hear from you and thank you for commenting.
Does PTT work? Is it keying the radio, but no audio output?
Rich, K0PIR
Hello Rich,
I banged away at it a few more times since this post and now it appears to be working! With that established, my next step is to document all my various settings, so a similar setup is easily repeatable! I think my problem was solved with the change to the audio I/O settings.
Thanks again!
Michael
K6MLE
(running WSPR on 20 meters!)
That’s great Michael and thanks for commenting with your solution. I’m happy you got it working.
It’s a pretty amazing little device and a lot of fun.
Best 73,
Rich, K0PIR
Just did an install using the instructs from this site and have WSJT-X running FB, however, this version v1.9.0.rc4 has been deemed obsolete according to my Windows ver 2.0 spashscreen on my PC.
Will the Linux wsjt-x 2.0 run on my Pi 3?
I’m real new to Linux and like it simple 🙂
73
Mike N0QBH
Hi Mike,
Nice to hear from you. Yes if you are using Stretch it will work. Your Pi needs to be up-to-date.
73!
Ďoes wsjt-x v2.1 run on RPi 4 buster & rasp image for stretch: http://physics.princeton.edu/pulsar/k1jt/wsjtx_2.1.0_armhf.deb ?
Tnx, David aa0pf
that would be a no… still trying to compile this mess from source