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Uniden Remote Head Project
- Thread starter MA-radio-guy
- Start date
So apparently I'm now learning Python and what ever else.
Great...
Any interest beyond attaboy clicks? Maybe crowd push this into something useful for the masses? Obviously Uniden is MIA with no additional development. Maybe start a groups.io for it? A repository for info. I have lots of **** strewn across gigs of hard drives; drawings, schematics, photos of notes, hours of nicotine and frustration.
I'll go start one.... will report back when done once I figure it out.
I'm thinking a base coding group with guys to work on special fonts [there are a few of them], hardware guys that get serial and USB stuff, Python guys, that guy that said he had a way to custom cut housings with a laser or water (I have 65+ of the gray ABS ones in my garage right now my wife is stacking vegetables on, no BS I would like to get them out of here and so would she). I know there are some 3D printer guys that can draw up some nice housings. Let's do it.
At this point there are several tracks. The original OP that diappeared unforunately, the Adfruit graphics board, Nextion and 4DSystems Arduino / Linux. If there was enough effort we explore them to see what is best but it seems the Linux Armadillo is the newest to explore and likely the most bang for the buck.
Great...
Any interest beyond attaboy clicks? Maybe crowd push this into something useful for the masses? Obviously Uniden is MIA with no additional development. Maybe start a groups.io for it? A repository for info. I have lots of **** strewn across gigs of hard drives; drawings, schematics, photos of notes, hours of nicotine and frustration.
I'll go start one.... will report back when done once I figure it out.
I'm thinking a base coding group with guys to work on special fonts [there are a few of them], hardware guys that get serial and USB stuff, Python guys, that guy that said he had a way to custom cut housings with a laser or water (I have 65+ of the gray ABS ones in my garage right now my wife is stacking vegetables on, no BS I would like to get them out of here and so would she). I know there are some 3D printer guys that can draw up some nice housings. Let's do it.
At this point there are several tracks. The original OP that diappeared unforunately, the Adfruit graphics board, Nextion and 4DSystems Arduino / Linux. If there was enough effort we explore them to see what is best but it seems the Linux Armadillo is the newest to explore and likely the most bang for the buck.
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byndhlptom
Member
Mouser carries most of the 4D line. We have ordered from them several times..... saves Overseas shipping.
$.02
$.02
JSTARS03
Monitor
These may help you get started in Python at least looking in the right direction:
[/URL]
github.com
I wish I could be of some help. I have always wanted to teach myself Python but working full time with two part-time jobs and going to school for my Masters., I barely have time for sleep. So I understand your position.
The first two have always interested me. On my list to do when I get some time.
[/URL]
GitHub - suidroot/pyUniden: Python Library for the Uniden BCT15X and BCD996P2
Python Library for the Uniden BCT15X and BCD996P2. Contribute to suidroot/pyUniden development by creating an account on GitHub.
github.com
I wish I could be of some help. I have always wanted to teach myself Python but working full time with two part-time jobs and going to school for my Masters., I barely have time for sleep. So I understand your position.
The first two have always interested me. On my list to do when I get some time.
eorange
♦RF Enabled Member♦
My thoughts on architecture choices. This is by no means exhaustive or comprehensive; these are introductory high-level concepts:
Microcontroller-based (Arduino & similar controllers)
Pro
- No operating system overhead
- Straightforward implementation
- Better performance
- Less language support for helper libraries
- Monolithic solution (i.e. 1 big file) impedes collaboration
- Limited memory for software; could be an issue for complex solution
Pro
- Full Support for Python and similar languages = easier to develop & collaborate (github)
- Virtually unlimited storage compared to microcontrollers (think logging, etc)
- Easy hardware support (filesystems, wifi, BT)
- Operating system know-how (updates & patches, installing packages, file permissions)
- Yanking power without graceful shutdown can cause problems
The only thing that is a potential gotcha for the Armadillo is touch-screen support at a programming level. IF you go with Python and IF you choose to use PyGame as your UI library...there's a longstanding issue where PyGame cannot accurately report the (x,y) of the touch. See this post by me: Uniden Remote Head Project
I'll have to check which version if PyGame I'm running, and if it's fixed in PyGame 2.0. That would be great.
PyGame is a solid library for graphics and games (collision detection, cameras, scrolling, etc), but honestly it's overkill for a remote head application. It would be nice if there was a simpler graphics library for Python that supported touchscreen, fonts, and simple graphics.
Tinkerwave
Member
- Joined
- Nov 22, 2019
- Messages
- 39
I believe managing power of OS-based devices like Raspberry Pi can easily be done. This project is one approach:
Raspberry Pi PowerHAT - Powering Your Pi, Simplified
Raspberry Pi PowerHAT - Powering Your Pi, Simplified: The Raspberry Pi single board computer is awesome at what it does, but it requires a lot of power to do so. I think we've all been there - the Raspberry Pi isn't exactly the easiest thing to supply power to, as it's power draw fluctuates a...
www.instructables.com
Another is using Geekworm Raspberry Pi shields and kits, such as their X708:
Amazon.com: Geekworm Raspberry Pi UPS HAT X708, Raspberry Pi 4B/3B+/3B X708 (Max 5.1V 8A) UPS HAT& Power Management Board with Power Loss Detection & Safe Shutdown & Auto Power On Function: Computers & Accessories
Amazon.com: Geekworm Raspberry Pi UPS HAT X708, Raspberry Pi 4B/3B+/3B X708 (Max 5.1V 8A) UPS HAT& Power Management Board with Power Loss Detection & Safe Shutdown & Auto Power On Function: Computers & Accessories
www.amazon.com
- safe shutdown software. Can shut down automatically based on temperature, available battery power battery power
- fan
- auto power on to RPi
- 5.1V 8A power
Other units and kits include variable speed fan(s), RTC, heat sink(s), case, display, etc. Additional specs about Geekworm's items are here:
X708 - Geekworm
eorange
♦RF Enabled Member♦
Right. But this discussion is currently leaning towards the 4D Armadillo, which is an integrated solution and wouldn't be able to accomodate additional hardware.
As for the armadillo, I just ran across a post on their forum saying it's being discontinued. Of course I see this now after I ordered. They have another that is made to adapt to Pi's with a header board and what not. It is the GEN4-4DPI-43T. Can someone take a look and see what you think about that one?
God points above. I'm still conflicted as to what to go with though. Stay with their HMI stuff or move to Pi based? The Pi is more complicated but Pi W is tiny and really powerful, but is it overkill?
God points above. I'm still conflicted as to what to go with though. Stay with their HMI stuff or move to Pi based? The Pi is more complicated but Pi W is tiny and really powerful, but is it overkill?
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Tinkerwave
Member
- Joined
- Nov 22, 2019
- Messages
- 39
They're cancelling the Armadillo? Damn that sucks. Sorry to hear that. Maybe, given that it's RPi-based, it's still an effective low cost test bed? And if you stick with Pi with touchscreens, and additional capabilities are needed down the road, it'll almost certainly be able to handle them.
I was concerned about Pi boot times, and read articles showing tips to keep it under 5 seconds. And I found a few more power management hardware to automate graceful startup and shutdown, that aren't bound to the Geekworm framework... They're all small, extremely low power usage, and have auto graceful on/off software, so radio can be powered on and off via the 4D. Just for reference, for later on
uk.pi-supply.com
$30. Includes 5000mAh battery
shop.pimoroni.com
$15. Add batteries and charger.
$45. Add batteries and charger.
I was concerned about Pi boot times, and read articles showing tips to keep it under 5 seconds. And I found a few more power management hardware to automate graceful startup and shutdown, that aren't bound to the Geekworm framework... They're all small, extremely low power usage, and have auto graceful on/off software, so radio can be powered on and off via the 4D. Just for reference, for later on
PiJuice HAT - A Portable Power Platform For Every Raspberry Pi
PiJuice is an uninterruptible power supply solution (UPS) for the Raspberry Pi with smart features that will keep your Raspberry Pi running. Designed for the Raspberry Pi A+, B+, 2B, 3B and 3B+ and also compatible with Raspberry Pi Zero v1.3 and Raspberry Pi Zero Wireless.
uk.pi-supply.com
LiPo SHIM for Raspberry Pi – Pimoroni
The tiny little LiPo/LiIon power supply shim for all versions of the Raspberry Pi!
shop.pimoroni.com
Sleepy Pi 2 - Micro USB B - Spell Foundry
The Sleepy Pi 2 is a Smart Battery Power and I/O board for the Raspberry Pi. Virtual low power mode allows the Raspberry Pi to maximise battery life.
spellfoundry.com
Tinkerwave
Member
- Joined
- Nov 22, 2019
- Messages
- 39
It's true that the Armadillo is an integrated device, but section 4.3 of their manual "Armadillo-43T Datasheet" says:
4.3. Powering Up The Armadillo can be powered up in 3 different ways. It features a DC Barrel Jack, a microUSB socket, and power pins on the H1 header (2.54mm / 0.1” pitch header). Any of these can be used to power the Armadillo-43T. The DC Barrel Jack is designed for a fine pitch DC Jack, 2.35mm in diameter, with a centre hole of 0.7mm, and barrel length of 8mm or more. A suitable 1 Amp 5.0V DC Adaptor is available from the 4D Systems website.
The devices I mentioned supply power via the micro USB and the H1 header, and can auto power-up when the turns on, and can gracefully shut down the unit when the car is off; at least one of them can monitor the temperature, and turn it off gracefully when it's too hot.
4.3. Powering Up The Armadillo can be powered up in 3 different ways. It features a DC Barrel Jack, a microUSB socket, and power pins on the H1 header (2.54mm / 0.1” pitch header). Any of these can be used to power the Armadillo-43T. The DC Barrel Jack is designed for a fine pitch DC Jack, 2.35mm in diameter, with a centre hole of 0.7mm, and barrel length of 8mm or more. A suitable 1 Amp 5.0V DC Adaptor is available from the 4D Systems website.
The devices I mentioned supply power via the micro USB and the H1 header, and can auto power-up when the turns on, and can gracefully shut down the unit when the car is off; at least one of them can monitor the temperature, and turn it off gracefully when it's too hot.
Tinkerwave
Member
- Joined
- Nov 22, 2019
- Messages
- 39
Protection against hard shutdowns, high temperatures, shock, etc can also be done in the microSD card. Here's an 8GB for $9 (SanDisk SDSDQAF3-008G-I) that has ECC, wear leveling, and protection from shock, high/low temps, etc.
$9. "SanDisk Industrial MLC MicroSD SDHC UHS-I Class 10 SDSDQAF3-008G-I with SanDisk Adapter (8GB)"
A lot more to chose from:
This 8GB SanDisk for $15 says it has SLC but I can't verify:
Amazon.com: SanDisk Industrial MLC MicroSD SDHC UHS-I Class 10 SDSDQAF3-008G-I with SanDisk Adapter (8GB): Computers & Accessories
Amazon.com: SanDisk Industrial MLC MicroSD SDHC UHS-I Class 10 SDSDQAF3-008G-I with SanDisk Adapter (8GB): Computers & Accessories
www.amazon.com
A lot more to chose from:
This 8GB SanDisk for $15 says it has SLC but I can't verify:
I'm going to see if I can cancel or switch items at least but I doubt so.
I can't win.
I can't win.
I've been reading a lot trying to get my head around the 4D way of doing things. I bought the pro license to see what that adds as well. It doesn't seem to be as flexible as nextion although of course they claim it is. I realize some is the fact it's just a different way of doing things. The image quality is good. I uploaded a file photo of an IC-7300 display and I couldn't tell the difference from the real thing.
One thing I haven't yet understood is how to edit fonts to make custom glyphs.
One thing I haven't yet understood is how to edit fonts to make custom glyphs.
eorange
♦RF Enabled Member♦
Good. The question will still be...does it generate excessive RFI?
Not that I noticed last time I messed with it but will try to check tonight.
Just now checked, zero deficiencies with GPS and nothing much shown on other bands while sweeping with an Airspy and antenna on the back while using Spectrumspy.
eorange
♦RF Enabled Member♦
That's good news. I assume the 4D is like the Nextion where you design the UI with a separate tool and send commands to update the display.
Is the real estate on the screen roughly the same? Would you be able to fit your Nextion design?
Is the real estate on the screen roughly the same? Would you be able to fit your Nextion design?
Yes just a different way to achieve the same thing. I have one of the 4.3" Diablo displays. It's the same 480x272 resolution.
eorange
♦RF Enabled Member♦
Good, hopefully it won't be a huge amount of work to retrofit. BE SURE to save a copy of your original code! Your future self will thank you.
Oh, it's going to be an enormous amount of work. So far I'm not really sold on the 4D way of doing things but it's not like I have a choice. It's probably going to look closer to the original display but scaled down. The way the text and buttons and fields interact I'm not sure I can do the overlay thing like I did before. The touch areas want to make the changeable text disappear if touched. I need to play around with it more to be sure though. I will definitely save it multiple places.
