Now that we have switched to the
RPi-2, we've had inquiries about using other single board
computers.
The UDRX will ship fully assembled
and tested with the RPi-2, but that doesn't mean you can't
remove it and use a different SBC. Just be prepared to do
a lot of work, with no guarantee of success, and no
warranty for the result. Oh and you won't save any money
either. because we won't ship units sans pi as there's no
way to test it.
The RF Deck has a 40 pin socket and
standoffs to mount the Pi upside down on the RF deck which
makes it right side up when you flip the unit over. So if
your MFC (My Favorite Computer) has the same form factor
and pinout as the RPi-2 then you're half way there. If not
then you'll have to figure out how to wire it up (see here for
a suggestion).
Here's what you need to consider
before "Hot-Rodding" your UDRX.
Hardware Interfaces Required:
- I2C - Temperature and Gate Drive
- UART with RTS CTS - Console Port or PiDV interface
- I2S Bidirectional - IQ Transmit Receive (some boards
are output only)
- SPI with 5 Chip Selects - Configuration and ADC
- 5V Operation
Software Issues:
The kernel package for NWDR’s Linux
Distro, Compass Linux, a derivative of Raspbian, will be
available in our Apt repository. We will probably
include at least ircDDBGateway and APRX in
Compass via redirects in our repository. Source will be
available on GitHub.
The MODEMs, control software, and
GUI Interface etc, written by NWDR, will be distributed as
binaries in Compass Linux. The source will be available on
GitHub.
Now I can't think of a good reason
for actually doing this, beyond your personal desire. If
anyone actually has something that the UDRX could do with
the MFC that it couldn't do with a Raspberry Pi-2, then
by all means let us know.
Hope to see some of you at Microhams next
month.
