Can a SBS 3 connect to a Pi

[skippyinspace]

Im wanting to run my SBS 3 24/7 but the PC is generating too much heat to do this, Can I replace the PC with a PI and if so how.

Thanks

[Anmer]

I think you have a number of options.

1. Use ModeSMixer running on an RPi (24x7) to "connect" to the SBS-3 (powered directly and connected to your loocal network via Ethernet) and then make the data available for Basestation running on the PC (when required).  This may help:

https://radarspotting.com/forum/index.php?topic=15446.msg90009#msg90009

2. Replace the SBS-3 with a suitable SDR "dongle" and install PiAware on the RPi, running 24x7.  I found this the easiest solution (and also feed FlightAware and FR24 to get free Enterprise and Business accounts) and then use ModeSMixer running on the PC to feed Basestation whenever I want to use it there.

This may help:

https://radarspotting.com/forum/index.php?topic=15775.msg101196#msg101196

There are probably alternative options/configurations that other members may suggest.  And lots of historical posts on this forum.  The key is ModeSMixer if you want to continue using Basestation,

[rikgale]

Anmer has suggested 2 alternatives there is a third and the key is ModeSMixer.

Using ModeSMixer2 running on a Pi you can connect direct via USB and then rebroadcast acorss your network in whatever message format you want (e.g. SBS, Beast).

I ran an SBS-3 wirelessly off a Pi Zero 2 for a little while. I'll try and dig out the SD Card and get it fired up and post my settings.

[skippyinspace]

Thanks all, Will have a look at this in the next month or so, after I check the 2 pis I have lying around.

[boro]

I was interested in the comments regarding running an SBS3 on a Pi instead of a PC as I would like to run the SBS3 24/7 as well. What I would like to know is, with the SBS3 running on a Pi can I still access Basestation reporter as I find it useful to check on the arr/dep from EGLF, my local airport.

Peter

[Anmer]

If you want to update your Basestation sqb database with received data you'll need to run Basestation on a PC.  Reporter is just the sqb database file viewer and editor.

Bear that in mind.

[rikgale]

Apologies for not posting up my settings for MM2/SBS3 over USB on a Pi as previously mentioned. Other aspects of the hobby (HFDL) and family have distracted me over the last week. I will endeavour to sort that this week.

[boro]

Thanks for the information, it was as I thought, I appreciate reporter is just the SQB database viewer and editor so, for the time being, I think I will just carry on running Basestation/SBS3 on the PC.

Cheers

[rikgale]

Better late than never - with pictures.

Below is the the code that I use to link a Pi to my SBS-3. I have also added a docker compose file used to create a container which as mm2 pre-installed into it and the necessary parameters to get it working with the SBS-3. The code outputs Beast/AVR format on port 30005, Basestation format on 30003 and SBS10001 format on port 10002, the website port of mm2 is set to 6081.

Code Select Expand

/usr/local/bin/modesmixer2 --inSerial /dev/ttyUSB1:3000000:none --outServer beast:30005 --outServer msg:30003 --outServer sbs10001:10002 --web 6081 --location XXXXX:YYYYYY


Docker compose for mm2 with SBS-3 as a usb input.

Code Select Expand

  mm2BS:
    image: mikenye/modesmixer2:latest
    tty: true
    container_name: mm2BS
    privileged: true
    restart: always
    devices:
      - /dev/bus/usb:/dev/bus/usb
    environment:
      - MM2_WEB=6081
      - TZ=${FEEDER_TZ}
      - MM2_LOCATION=${FEEDER_LAT}:${FEEDER_LONG}
      - MM2_INSERIAL=/dev/ttyUSB1:3000000:none
      - MM2_OUTSERVER=beast:30005;msg:30003;sbs10001:10002
    ports:
      - 30005:30005
      - 30003:30003
      - 10002:10002
      - 6081:6081


I have attached some pictures of it in action to show that only usb is connect to the SBS-3 (and and antenna cable) and that only the SBS-3 is connected to the Pi + power - Look Ma, No network cable! Of course you can plug a network cable it, but this just shows you can run an SBS-3 from whereever you have power and a wifi signal. There is also a pic of a tar1090 with the SBS-3 being fed into it and Basestation with the network details for the Pi.

[boro]

An interesting setup you have got there rikgale with the SBS3, whether I will go down that road I am not sure, but it shows what can be done. I may well get a dongle and run that off a Pi 24hrs in addition to running the SBS3. As a side issue I have still got a SBS1e which I might boot up one day to see if it is still working.

[rikgale]

It's not really a set up I use. The SBS-3 is for sale and I just plugged it in to show what is possible.

Good luck whatever route you go down.

[skippyinspace]

Brillient, Thnks for that, Ill have a look at this at some point in the next month. Working away so noy getting time to play. But looks good