Phantom SDR Plus & RX888 - setup

[Bas ON5HB]

You start with ./start-rx888.sh but then the software is not outputting anything to the screen, as it's run in the background.

So if you want to run it in the forground, like I gave you an example, you must be sure it's killed else you get errors like port in use.

To stop all by hand, run ./stop-websdr and it kills all previous running instances.
You can edit these scripts with nano (very simple editor).

If linux is too hard for you, simple tool makes your life better: apt install mc
Then run 'mc' and you have a norton-commander-like tool.

Transport errors are normal, when people e.g. drop the page or internet is too slow or so.

To make all .sh scripts executable: chmod +x *.sh

The *.sh scripts are there to get you going and they are easy to read. Just like a batch-file but then linux-style

[Martin G8JNJ]

Hi Bas,

OK thanks.

I'm not trying to see the GUI on the machine itself, I'm either SSH'ing in to access the OS, or trying to view it on a separate machine and web browser. So I assume it is supposed to run as a background service, but is this correct, does it need to be run in the foreground for the webserver to run ? Once again, your interpretation of the terminology, and mine may differ.

I'm familiar with navigating around Linux, the basic commands and use of Nano. Although I sometimes use WinSCP to get a better visual idea of the directory structure.

The chmod +x *.sh has to be run as Sudo or SU to obtain the correct permissions.

I understand the .sh files and some of their content. But they only seem to kill processes rather than start any new ones.

Should the RX888 have a service running to stream data to PhantomSDR-Plus.

What about spectrumserver: no process found and rx888_stream: no process found. Should these be running as services and do they need to be started separately ? They don't seem to be identified if I list all the services.

This is undoubtably very easy if you use Linux on a daily basis, however for me, it is simply a means to an end, and although I'm happy to learn and understand what to do, it is like wading through treacle, especially with Linux as there are many ways to do the same thing, and everyone has their own preferred method, so it's not easy to mix and match suggestions from different people.

The simple solution would probably be for me to make port 22 available and then folks could have a poke around, but that wouldn't help me understand what I'm doing wrong.

As I said, if I do get it going, I intend to write an idiot's guide, at least for myself, if no one else.


Regards,

Martin

You start with ./start-rx888.sh but then the software is not outputting anything to the screen, as it's run in the background.

So if you want to run it in the forground, like I gave you an example, you must be sure it's killed else you get errors like port in use.

To stop all by hand, run ./stop-websdr and it kills all previous running instances.
You can edit these scripts with nano (very simple editor).

If linux is too hard for you, simple tool makes your life better: apt install mc
Then run 'mc' and you have a norton-commander-like tool.

Transport errors are normal, when people e.g. drop the page or internet is too slow or so.

To make all .sh scripts executable: chmod +x *.sh

The *.sh scripts are there to get you going and they are easy to read. Just like a batch-file but then linux-style

[Bas ON5HB]

Martin,

Sorry I do not give SSH support.

You have to do it yourself and learn the stuff.

Else you will ask me to solve everything you encounter.

As for commands, I assume you run as root....else I assume you know what to do.

It took me as Linux-nerd several days to understand all of it, and many more to understand the code...sources.

All the scripts are there, easy to read....but I think the piping from the 'driver' to the 'server' causes problems for many.

As you need to instruct the driver (via the script) and change the TOML at the same time.

It is not that hard....you just look toooooooo far into it....the scripts are very simpel and must match the TOML.

Not much more too it. Sorry.

[magicint1337]

G8JNJ I think the errror you posted earlier is caused by multiple instances being started and the rx888 not being recognized. Please restart your machine and post the output of the command lsusb

PhantomSDR runs like a program, not a service. Think of it like a command line application on windows that would be minimized. I would try to do it like in the wiki that i wrote without using the scripts. That way you can see the output better.

[magicint1337]

https://github.com/Steven9101/PhantomSDR-Plus/wiki/Config-examples

Try this and post the output.

[Martin G8JNJ]

Hi Bas,

Please read my reply again, I was not asking for SSH support, as I wanted to learn for myself what was required.

Plus, thanks for the admission that, as someone who is proficient in Linux, it still took you sometime to figure out what was going on.

I agree that piping from the Driver to the Server is problematic, and it's not clear to me if the toml scripts are supposed to start all the required process up, or if they have to be done manually in some sort of pre-determined sequence, or if the should automatically start at boot or if some other intervention is required.

I don't know if you have heard of the game of Mao ?

The players of Mao don't tell you the rules, and you only find out when you break one. My experience of trying to get Linux based projects up and running is very much like that, you almost need to know the answer, before understanding what questions to ask.

I know this may seem like a rant, but I'm just simply trying to get the ***** thing up and running, which must be a path others have already taken, but there seem to be a lot of obstacles in my way, and from my perspective folks aren't really helping to clear them. They are just standing there saying "you need to move them" which I already know, and I'm trying my best to achieve.

Not a great analogy, but the best I could come up with :-)

Regards,

Martin

Martin,

Sorry I do not give SSH support.

You have to do it yourself and learn the stuff.

Else you will ask me to solve everything you encounter.

As for commands, I assume you run as root....else I assume you know what to do.

It took me as Linux-nerd several days to understand all of it, and many more to understand the code...sources.

All the scripts are there, easy to read....but I think the piping from the 'driver' to the 'server' causes problems for many.

As you need to instruct the driver (via the script) and change the TOML at the same time.

It is not that hard....you just look toooooooo far into it....the scripts are very simpel and must match the TOML.

Not much more too it. Sorry.

[Martin G8JNJ]

 rx888_stream -f ./rx888_stream/SDDC_FX3.img -s 64000000 -g 90 -m low -d --pga -o - | build/spectrumserver --config config.toml
bash: build/spectrumserver: No such file or directory
thread 'main' panicked at src/main.rs:216:59:
Could not open firmware file: Os { code: 2, kind: NotFound, message: "No such file or directory" }
note: run with `RUST_BACKTRACE=1` environment variable to display a backtrace

https://github.com/Steven9101/PhantomSDR-Plus/wiki/Config-examples

Try this and post the output.

[Martin G8JNJ]

After modifying the toml file as per the Configuration example.


root@phantom:/home/wessex# rx888_stream -f ./rx888_stream/SDDC_FX3.img -s 64000000 -g 90 -m low -d --pga -o - | build/spectrumserver --config config.toml
bash: build/spectrumserver: No such file or directory
thread 'main' panicked at src/main.rs:214:10:
Could not find or open bootloader
note: run with `RUST_BACKTRACE=1` environment variable to display a backtrace

[Martin G8JNJ]

Still the same issue

root@phantom:/home/wessex/PhantomSDR-Plus# ./start-rx888mk2.sh
spectrumserver: no process found
rx888_stream: no process found
root@phantom:/home/wessex/PhantomSDR-Plus# thread 'main' panicked at src/main.rs                                             :214:10:
Could not find or open bootloader
note: run with `RUST_BACKTRACE=1` environment variable to display a backtrace

[Martin G8JNJ]

OK, so no device found.

root@phantom:/home/wessex/PhantomSDR-Plus# lsusb
Bus 002 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0003 Linux Foundation 3.0 root hub
Bus 001 Device 008: ID 03f0:0024 HP, Inc KU-0316 Keyboard
Bus 001 Device 007: ID 0000:0538   USB OPTICAL MOUSE
Bus 001 Device 006: ID 13d3:3410 IMC Networks Bluetooth Radio
Bus 001 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0002 Linux Foundation 2.0 root hub


root@phantom:/home/wessex/PhantomSDR-Plus# ./stop-websdr.sh
rx_sdr: no process found
rx888_stream: no process found
rtl_sdr: no process found
Failed to stop sdrplay.service: Unit sdrplay.service not loaded.

[magicint1337]

Yes the device has to be listed in lsusb otherwise you get the bootloader error.

[magicint1337]

For now it seems good as its only the bootloader error we just need to get the device to see in lsusb

[Martin G8JNJ]

Agreed, I assume I need a suitable Cypress USB FX3 driver from somewhere and then understand how to install it.

For now it seems good as its only the bootloader error we just need to get the device to see in lsusb

[magicint1337]

The rx888_stream tool loads the driver but the device is not detected

[magicint1337]

Try different usb ports and double check all connections to the sdr