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.
