OP25 OP25 Setup with Ubuntu

[kg6nlw]

So I'm trying to install OP25 on Ubuntu 20.04.3 LTS...I have got things downloaded from @boatbod's GitHub. I followed the README and checked a few things over per @Outerdog's suggestion. I do not have a gr.38-patch readme, but for some reason when I run ./op25.sh terminal sits there for a few seconds then returns to the command line with *NOTHING* starting up. I am using Oracle VirtualBox (the most recent version). Following this video (as far as I can considering it's an older version) among others, I'm still lost.

The *ONLY* line my stderr.2 file has is /home/user/op25/op25/gr-op25_repeater/apps/op25.sh: line 1: ./rx.py: No such file or directory but it is confirmed that file is in the folder.

Does anyone have an answer as to which way I should go to make things work right? I would like to test OP25 out when I head back into the heart of the bay on Monday.

Regards,

-Frank C.

 

[wgbecks]

You haven't provided much information needed to help assist you in getting op25 up and running. I will tell you there's no gr-3.8.patch to execute. The boatbod installer determines Python and GNURradio versions at runtime then completes specific installation tasks according to values found in your particular Linux OS.

You still must edit the default op25.sh to customize parameters according to your SDR device and P25 specific configuration files before rx.py will
execute without aborting at startup as it appears it's doing in your case.

I might suggest that you mention what P25 system you intend to monitor and to post your op25.sh (rx.py command line) and associated
configuration (trunk.tsv) file(s) that someone here may be better able to assist. Just as important, the default op25.sh file creates a logfile
named "stderr.2" each time you execute rx.py that will be especially useful to determine what exactly is causing rx.py to abort at startup.

 

[kg6nlw]

@wgbecks my apologies! I thought I had enough. I am used to DSD+FL/FMP setup but want to try out OP25 and I know just enough about Linux to get me into trouble. Screenshots of my op25.sh file and trunk.tsv file are attached as well as long as both stderr.2 file screenshots.

op25.sh file: ./rx.ph --nocrypt --args rtl=0 --gains -N 'lna:36' -f 770.20625 -S 960000 -X -q 0 -v 1 -2 -V -U -T trunk.tsv 2> stderr.2

System I want to test OP25 on: California Radio Interoperable System (CRIS) Trunking System, Multiple, California - Scanner Frequencies
System I want to run OP25 on: East Bay Regional Communications System (EBRCS) Trunking System, Multiple, California - Scanner Frequencies

Regards,

-Frank C.

 

[boatbod]

op25.sh file: ./rx.ph --nocrypt --args rtl=0 --gains -N 'lna:36' -f 770.20625 -S 960000 -X -q 0 -v 1 -2 -V -U -T trunk.tsv 2> stderr.2

Not sure if that is maybe a transcription error, but it should read "rx.py" not "rx.ph"
For the absolute simplest startup with minimal configuration, try this command sequence where we assume 770.20625 is the control channel frequency:

./rx.py --args rtl=0 --gains -N 'lna:36' -f 770.20625 -S 1000000 -X -q 0 -v 1 -2 -U 2> stderr.2

In a separate terminal window it's nice to watch the log in real time:

tail -f stderr.2

 

[kg6nlw]

Not sure if that is maybe a transcription error, but it should read "rx.py" not "rx.ph"

Thanks @boatbod it was a transcription error! The screenshot shows it correctly! I will try the code you suggest and report back in a bit.

Regards,

-Frank C.

 

[kg6nlw]

So update...I'm now getting the -h help file listed when things fail...Nothing else is happening though. the sderr2 file isn't updating either...

Regards,

-Frank C.

 

[a417]

can you please show us the content of ./op25.sh

 

[lwvmobile]

Maybe a dumb question, but maybe shouldn't be overlooked, but did you run the install.sh script in the op25 root folder before trying to run any of this stuff?

 

[kg6nlw]

can you please show us the content of ./op25.sh

It is listed above but I will re-screenshot it with boatbods update command line.

Maybe a dumb question, but maybe shouldn't be overlooked, but did you run the install.sh script in the op25 root folder before trying to run any of this stuff?

Definitely not a dumb question! Dumb question is...Where was that in the README/README_CONFIG or was I just blind!?!

Regards,

-Frank C.

 

[lwvmobile]

Definitely not a dumb question! Dumb question is...Where was that in the README/README_CONFIG or was I just blind!?!

op25/README-installation at master · boatbod/op25

Fork of osmocom OP25 by boatbod. Contribute to boatbod/op25 development by creating an account on GitHub.

github.com

 

[kg6nlw]

op25/README-installation at master · boatbod/op25

Fork of osmocom OP25 by boatbod. Contribute to boatbod/op25 development by creating an account on GitHub.

github.com

Thank you for that. I must've somehow missed that but I was also going off YouTube videos and various forum posts to install! Running the install.sh file now!

Regards,

-Frank C.

 

[lwvmobile]

Thank you for that. I must've somehow missed that but I was also going off YouTube videos and various forum posts to install! Running the install.sh file now!

Well, YouTube videos can be out of date, and also sometimes fail to mention the most rudimentary thing like installing, or make assumptions such as you already have it installed and so on. Its pretty easy for anybody, me especially, to make assumptions about a task I've done countless times and assume somebody else knows how to do it.

Anyways, make sure to report back and let the rest of us know how its gone post install.

 

[kg6nlw]

Well, YouTube videos can be out of date, and also sometimes fail to mention the most rudimentary thing like installing, or make assumptions such as you already have it installed and so on. Its pretty easy for anybody, me especially, to make assumptions about a task I've done countless times and assume somebody else knows how to do it.

Anyways, make sure to report back and let the rest of us know how its gone post install.

Did the install, even rebooted the VM just to be safe...I am still getting the help list after a few seconds as seen in the screenshot. The stderr2 file still gives just that ONE line error as seen in the background command.

EDIT ADD: I tried using ./rx.py and got the second screenshot after entering the frequency...

Regards,

-Frank C.

 

[boatbod]

So update...I'm now getting the -h help file listed when things fail...Nothing else is happening though. the sderr2 file isn't updating either...

Regards,

-Frank C.

The rx.py -h help shows when there is an unrecognized command line option. Typo, sorry... long day!

./rx.py --args "rtl=0" --gains "lna:36" -f 770206250 -S 1000000 -X -q 0 -v 1 -2 -U 2> stderr.2

 

[lwvmobile]

Well, going by the second screenshot, looks like OP25 is up and running, you get the garbage text all over the screen since you aren't redirecting the messages to a file ala 2> stderr.2 or whatever, but the first screenshot, just guessing something isn't set correctly in the op25.sh file.

Just out of curiosity, which system are you trying to monitor and what's the RR link, it would help us make sure you are sending the right arguments to rx.py

 

[kg6nlw]

@boatbod thanks for the correction! @lwvmobile looks like with boatbod's correction above I'm able to get *something* running. Doesn't look like what @Outerdog has but I'll get there...One step at a time!

See screenshot and I did include the systems in post #3.

Regards,

-Frank C.

 

[lwvmobile]

See screenshot and I did include the systems in post #3.

Oh okay, I missed it. If you have adequate signal, you should be decoding something on there. Those links show a Phase 2 system, do you know whether or not the control channel is a TDMA control channel? Or is it just Phase 2 on the voice channels?

Even with a weak signal like I got right now, you should be getting something, could just be telling OP25 what kind of system it is kind of thing. Or could be something like -D fsk4 or -D cqpsk

Here is an my example of a local Phase 2 system with TDMA control channel

./rx.py --args rtl=0 -N LNA:46 -f 854.5375e6 -o -40000 -S 2048000 -q -2.0 -D cqpsk --tdma-cc -w -V -2 2> stderr.2

 

[kg6nlw]

Oh okay, I missed it. If you have adequate signal, you should be decoding something on there. Those links show a Phase 2 system, do you know whether or not the control channel is a TDMA control channel? Or is it just Phase 2 on the voice channels?

Even with a weak signal like I got right now, you should be getting something, could just be telling OP25 what kind of system it is kind of thing. Or could be something like -D fsk4 or -D cqpsk

Here is an my example of a local Phase 2 system with TDMA control channel

./rx.py --args rtl=0 -N LNA:46 -f 854.5375e6 -o -40000 -S 2048000 -q -2.0 -D cqpsk --tdma-cc -w -V -2 2> stderr.2

From DSD+/UT it isn't TDMA on the control channel. I do know of a radio tech who is using an XTL/XTS series radio on the system...I probably need to up the LNA because in DSD+ I have to have it at 49.6. I'll add the -D cqpsk --tdma-cc and see what happens!

Regards,

-Frank C.

 

[Outerdog]

Doesn't look like what @Outerdog has but I'll get there...One step at a time!

There are two versions. You appear to be working with the boatbod fork of OP25.

The Osmocom version (original) is the one with the improved Web UI:

op25 - Osmocom OP25

git.osmocom.org

If you want to run Osmocom OP25, you will have to uninstall boatbod. They cannot easily coexist.

 

[lwvmobile]

Don't use the --tdma-cc if the control channel isn't tdma, but yeah you might try alternating on the -D, see if one or the other works