Project mini-shack

An interesting trend is occurring in home labs and networking. It is epitomized in Jeff Geerlings’ Project mini-rack, which is mainly built around the 10-inch rack mount “standard.” Between commercial and 3d printed racks and accessories, we have a base for my parallel project:

Project mini-shack!

This was also inspired by my purchase of the zBitx radio, which compresses this into a single box you can take anywhere! This shack-in-my-coat-pocket is the subject of another thread, but I digress slightly.

My first project is a two-radio shack for QRP digital modes on VHF and HF. I have always fussed over station setup and never had what I would consider a core station that I can operate without tweaking. This project combines computing and radios into a compact profile I can access anywhere in the house and beyond.

I chose QRP because I love how we can use HF digital modes to communicate over long distances with low power. It also helps that we have a great solar cycle to play with right now.

For the computing part of the system, I am using two Raspberry Pi 2W SBCs, each with a 1.3-inch display. They run DigiPi software by Craig KM6LYW. DigiPi is the heart and soul of this system. It virtually eliminates the issues of connecting computers to radios. You operate DigiPi from the comfort of an easy chair and virtually any portable computing device with a web browser!

For the VHF packet radio, I am using a Wouxun KG-UV9D handi-talkie. I am re-learning what I can do with APRS, so the combination with an external antenna is a nice balance.

I am using a new XEIGU G90 for HF, and even though the radio is a bit long, it offers more flexibility, an internal tuner, and more features. I am waiting on the right cable for the G90.

The rack does not contain a power source, which is 12 Vdc. There are two 5V buck converters for the Pi computers. The HT is connected to 12V via a battery eliminator. The radio and external tuner are both 12Vdc.

The rack itself is a DeskPi RackMate T0. I 3D-printed a couple of support items: a faceplate for the Pi Zeros and a shelf for the HT and Buck Converters.

I hope that this introduction helps others find ways to build a mini-shack for themselves. If you make one, there is a place to share the build on the project mini-rack GitHub page.

I will follow up with more posts on this project. I am still working on the final Pi setup for HF digital using the DigiRig Mobile.

Some thanks to others who have helped me in many ways:

Jeff Geerling
Craig KM6LYW
Steve KM9G
Frank KG9H
Josh KI6NAZ
Jason KM4ACK

73 KE9A

The zBitx can be used with just the touch screen, but there is so much more. Today, I set up my radio at home while I traveled to visit family. At my brother’s house, I used his Internet service to connect to my Tailscale network and thus directly to my radio. The following video shows the connection process and some playing around on my iPad operating the radio!

With the Tailscale system, I have a DNS name and the IP address on the extended network.

The radio is waiting for a web session to be controlled. So, using Safari, I pasted in the URL for the radio, and it popped up!

No special software, no monthly fees!

Over the past couple of years, a little Amateur Radio miracle has happened right before our eyes. TWICE!

I want you all to slow down and think about what has been built here. A one-man show has had the vision and has merged a computer front end with an SDR-based radio in a single box. The core software and hardware were developed, and the radios are in production and shipped to customers worldwide!

I am standing up and applauding everyone involved!

In some ways, these radios are modern-day tinker toys. Instead of wood parts, we have software modules, computer displays, touch screens, and more.

How many of us toss $ 200 USD on coffee every month? The LDG antenna tuner I use on my 80M horizontal loop costs more than the zBitx.

Anyone can work on the software on GitHub. If you do not like the way the software does something, do not complain; change it. If you are unwilling or unable to learn, hire someone. But give back, please! Anyone can update the Wiki on groups.io and help others through their journey.

The community needs help; provide it! Dale Carnegie training taught me not to criticize, condemn, or complain. So I am diving in,….

I will be documenting how to add Tailscale to the zBitx first, as I have one. I am also going to get JS8Call running on it.

73 KE9A