I finally got my Pi Zero ABS-B Image loaded and did a temp antenna setup to see if it is going to run. I basically used a splitter to feed my 1090 J-pole to both the Pi Aware R Pi 3 unit and the Pi Zero with James' ADS-BEx image. Looks like it is running fine on my local network, but I haven't been able to find my feed on the ADS-B EX site. My big concern is the CPU Load... it is getting hammered and its only been on-line for around 3 hours (at this point).. I wonder what it will do with an antenna with a clear 360 degrees view at 30' AGL... or how long the Pi Zero Processor will last...
The Zero is sturdy enough to last, don't worry, but obviously don't expect a quick reactivity to the graphic environment and be prepared to lags. Running dump1090 without oversampling and other cpu-hungry options helps to keep the load at reasonable levels.
Thank you sir! I guess I'll see how it runs... I just ordered a Heat Sink for the chip, as my case didn't come with one... although the Temps seem very steady
Well, 2 days in a row, the Pi Zero W will not stay running all day. I get home from work and it is not working. it was a fun experiment, but I'm not very hopefully to accomplish my original goal, of an outdoor receiver, antenna directly connected to the Dongle, and just a power cord run with it.
I can try to build you an image that is just dump1090 feeding adsbx - that should reduce the load. It is still going to get hot, that dashboard and all that fun stuff add a lot of overhead. Did you put heat sinks on it and have it out of the sun?
Yes sir, it was in my Garage and I added the Heatsink Monday. It locked up Tuesday during the day. it is currently off line and I am just running my RPi 3 with the original FA/ADS-BEx (ZCons-51143 feed) is still going, although I put the FA Pro Stick Plus on it and it is doing a lot better that with the original dongle
The basic FA+ADSBx image runs fine on the Pi0w. Two of my full time feeders are running that setup without issue. I do not have the cool web GUI to look at the Pi stats, but it runs fine.
I have an image made for the Zero. It is based on 1.26vlan version made by James, same adsb-config.txt file in /boot and auto expanding file system...without dashboard, statistics collector and 978 Mhz option. If you're interested to give it a try I can share it.
Sure, I will give it a try, thank you My Pi Zero is only running 1 USB port, so I may need to disable the 978 Mhz Option
I used the image shared in the how-to for "beginners". It reports to Flightaware and ADSBx. I am going to try the ADSBx only version next. You can get the multiUSB adapter from adafruit for $5ish to run multiple USB devices.
Thanks Jhonny, It is up and running again with your image. Current Setup: -Chinese made PCB Antenna -Normal RTL Dongle -R Pi Zero W -Mounted in a 4" PVC pipe, Antenna exposed out the top and plenty of vent holes -stuck with a magnet mount to my shed's roof about 7' AGL (207" Above Sea Level) for testing purposes. The feeder name is "Voodoo Air" and I am near Yuma, AZ. Keep an eye out for it... Let see how it goes. If it runs for 24-48 hours with no trouble, I'll put it in the original enclosure I made for it.
Awesome...I hope you won't have further load problems. On next days I will work on a new image for the Zero, I would like to add some simple script to check the cpu temperature and other stuff.
That would be great. I had planned to mount this one outside with very short, or even direct antenna connection to the Dongle, so monitoring temps would be have helpful.
I've uploaded a new image for the Zero: https://1drv.ms/u/s!AlrRfr8d9_-phA3R8A1JBmri0a9L - based on James' 1.26vlan version - no dashboard/statistics data collection - Zerotier vlan for remote assistance - auto expanding file system - adsb-config.txt file in /boot (if needed, dump1090 gain also can be set by the same file, see dump1090-mutability docs for valid values of GAIN parameter) - cpu temperature, message rate/positions, mlat status are forwarded via Mosquitto protocol and can be read on any smartphone (installing a suitable app) (see just 2nd part of https://www.adsbexchange.com/forum/threads/how-to-monitor-your-feeds-from-mobile-device.621696/ Mlat matrix name is built following the rule: <ADSBXNAME in adsb-config.txt><underscore><last 3 octets of MAC Address><underscore><1.26vlan> Mosquitto topic: <ADSBXNAME in adsb-config.txt>/<last 3 octets of MAC Address><underscore><1.26vlan>/<ads-b> example, with ADSBXNAME "foobar" and MAC ADDRESS f4:ec:38:a2:46:c3 the Mlat matrix name will be foobar_a246c3_1.26vlan and the Mosquitto topic will be foobar/a246c3_1.26vlan/ads-b
