Portsdown transmitter FAQ - Revision history

G4FRE at 21:03, 8 February 2026

2026-02-08T21:03:24Z

G8GKQ at 12:23, 19 March 2023

2023-03-19T12:23:45Z

G8PEF at 10:40, 18 October 2019

2019-10-18T10:40:06Z

GI7UGV at 00:25, 20 July 2018

2018-07-20T00:25:09Z

G8GKQ at 15:56, 3 April 2018

2018-04-03T15:56:52Z

G8GKQ at 21:25, 28 March 2018

2018-03-28T21:25:23Z

G8GKQ at 12:38, 22 March 2018

2018-03-22T12:38:44Z

G8GKQ at 11:35, 21 March 2018

2018-03-21T11:35:01Z

G8GKQ at 11:34, 21 March 2018

2018-03-21T11:34:43Z

G8GKQ at 18:51, 19 March 2018

2018-03-19T18:51:10Z

@@ Line 97: / Line 97: @@
 [[PTT and band switching#Summary_of_GPIO_connections]]
-*'''The lock LED on the AD4351 board does not come on'''
+*'''The lock LED on the ADF4351 board does not come on'''
 The lock light only comes on when in Portsdown/IQ mode and you are on Transmit

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 * '''I've just changed my Callsign and now nothing works'''
 If you have entered text with spaces in the callsign field, the software will crash (I've tried to cure this, but it's a very difficult problem).  The cure is to open an SSH session (using Putty or Kitty), exit to the command line, and then do a factory reset by entering:
@@ Line 22: / Line 28: @@
 * '''Can I use the new Raspberry Pi 3+?'''
-Yes.  The "Portsdown Stretch" software build works on a Raspberry Pi 3+ or a Raspberry Pi 3.  Details here: https://github.com/BritishAmateurTelevisionClub/portsdown .  The original "Jessie build does not work on the new Raspberry Pi 3+.
+Yes.  The "Portsdown 2020" software build works on a Raspberry Pi 3+ or a Raspberry Pi 3.  Details here: https://github.com/BritishAmateurTelevisionClub/portsdown .
 * '''How do I turn the transmitter off in Touchscreen mode?'''
-In transmit, the touchscreen is used to monitor outgoing video and so the buttons are no longer visible - to turn the transmitter off, simply touch the screen in the same area as the TX button.
+In transmit, the touchscreen is used to monitor outgoing video and so the buttons are no longer visible - to turn the transmitter off, simply touch the screen anywhere.
 * '''What do I need to receive a Portsdown transmitter?'''
@@ Line 49: / Line 55: @@
 *Do not tinker with Linux commands
 If you do, we don't have time to support you and will just advise you to reformat your SD card and start again!'''
 *'''Is Portsdown MPEG-2 or MPEG-4?'''
 Both - The RPi hardware encoder runs MPEG-4 and the Portsdown software has an MPEG-2 encoder both of which are used in the Portsdown transmitter.
 * '''When I type my password, the cursor does not move.  Is this right?'''
@@ Line 89: / Line 89: @@
 *'''How Can I update my Portsdown Software?'''
-As long as you have an internet connection, you can update your Portsdown Software to the latest version from the Console Menu.  Full instructions are here: [[Updating your Portsdown Software]]
+As long as you have an internet connection, you can update your Portsdown Software to the latest version from the Console Menu or the touchscreen Menu 3.  Full instructions are here: [[Updating your Portsdown Software]]
 *'''Where can I get a diagram of all the RPi GPIO pins?'''

@@ Line 33: / Line 33: @@
 *'''Can I use another touchscreen LCD?'''
-The Portsdown project only supports the Waveshare screen - that doesn't mean to say others won't work but we can't help you if it doesn't.  The Element 14 7 inch touchscreen is the only recommended alternative.  HDMI-connected touchscreens are not suitable.
+The Portsdown project only supports the 3.5" Waveshare screen - that doesn't mean to say others won't work but we can't help you if it doesn't.  The Official Raspberry Pi 7" touchscreen (often referred to as a "7 inch Element 14 touchscreen") https://www.element14.com/community/docs/DOC-78156/l/raspberry-pi-7-touchscreen-display is the only recommended alternative.  HDMI-connected touchscreens are not suitable.
 *'''Can I use a Raspberry Pi 2?'''

@@ Line 39: / Line 39: @@
 *'''Who are the Portsdown team?'''
-The Portsdown team are just BATC members doing this as volunteers to support the ATV community.  As such, it is not their full time job and they are not being paid.  If you have a problem, question or comment, please do not contact them directly but use the [http://www.batc.org.uk/forum/viewforum.php?f=103 BATC members forum] but there may not always be an instant response!
+The Portsdown team are just BATC members doing this as volunteers to support the ATV community.  As such, it is not their full time job and they are not being paid.  If you have a problem, question or comment, please do not contact them directly but use the [https://forum.batc.org.uk/viewforum.php?f=103 BATC members forum] but there may not always be an instant response!
 And yes we are looking for people to help with the project - if you can write Linux, update Wiki pages or reply to forum posts we want to hear from you!

@@ Line 4: / Line 4: @@
   cp -f /home/pi/rpidatv/scripts/configs/portsdown_config.txt.factory /home/pi/rpidatv/scripts/portsdown_config.txt
-and then restarting the console menu with the command:
+If your software has not been updated since 1 February 2018, then the line that you should enter is:
   /home/pi/rpidatv/scripts/menu.sh menu

@@ Line 10: / Line 10: @@
 * '''How do I prevent regular clicks/thumps on Streamed audio?'''
 Check the following:  1.  A valid video signal must be present at the input to the EasyCap before you turn the streaming on.  2.  The supply voltage, measured on the GPIO pins, should be between 5.0 and 5.1 volts during streaming.  3.  The EasyCap should be plugged directly into the RPi or connected by a short, good quality, USB lead.
 * '''Why do I get occasional dropouts of the received or streamed picture at 16:9 or 720p?'''

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:35, 21 March 2018
Line 7:		Line 7:

	/home/pi/rpidatv/scripts/menu.sh menu		/home/pi/rpidatv/scripts/menu.sh menu
−

	* '''How do I prevent regular clicks/thumps on Streamed audio?'''		* '''How do I prevent regular clicks/thumps on Streamed audio?'''

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:34, 21 March 2018
Line 1:		Line 1:
		+	* '''I've just changed my Callsign and now nothing works'''
		+	If you have entered text with spaces in the callsign field, the software will crash (I've tried to cure this, but it's a very difficult problem). The cure is to open an SSH session (using Putty or Kitty), exit to the command line, and then do a factory reset by entering:
		+
		+	cp -f /home/pi/rpidatv/scripts/configs/portsdown_config.txt.factory /home/pi/rpidatv/scripts/portsdown_config.txt
		+
		+	and then restarting the console menu with the command:
		+
		+	/home/pi/rpidatv/scripts/menu.sh menu
		+
		+
	* '''How do I prevent regular clicks/thumps on Streamed audio?'''		* '''How do I prevent regular clicks/thumps on Streamed audio?'''
	Check the following: 1. A valid video signal must be present at the input to the EasyCap before you turn the streaming on. 2. The supply voltage, measured on the GPIO pins, should be between 5.0 and 5.1 volts during streaming. 3. The EasyCap should be plugged directly into the RPi or connected by a short, good quality, USB lead.		Check the following: 1. A valid video signal must be present at the input to the EasyCap before you turn the streaming on. 2. The supply voltage, measured on the GPIO pins, should be between 5.0 and 5.1 volts during streaming. 3. The EasyCap should be plugged directly into the RPi or connected by a short, good quality, USB lead.

@@ Line 17: / Line 17: @@
 *'''Can I use another touchscreen LCD?'''
-Maybe!  The Portsdown project only supports the Waveshare screen - that doesn't mean to say others won't work but we can't help you if it doesn't.  Some users have had success with the Element 14 7 inch touchscreen.  HDMI-connected touchscreens are not suitable.
+The Portsdown project only supports the Waveshare screen - that doesn't mean to say others won't work but we can't help you if it doesn't.  The Element 14 7 inch touchscreen is the only recommended alternative.  HDMI-connected touchscreens are not suitable.
 *'''Can I use a Raspberry Pi 2?'''
@@ Line 35: / Line 35: @@
 *'''Does Portsdown mean BATC will stop selling the DTX1 like they did DATVexpress?'''
-NO - The DTX1 is designed for those who do not want to "build their own" and will still be available in the BATC shop and supported by Antennair through the [http://www.dtx1.info/ DTX1 support website].  DATVexpress is still available from the [https://datv-express.com/ DATVexpress website] - the reason we stopped selling it in the BATC shop is because the DATV Express team wanted to offer it directly to end users.
+NO - The DTX1 is designed for those who do not want to "build their own" and will still be available in the BATC shop and supported by Antennair through the [http://www.dtx1.info/ DTX1 support website].  DATVexpress is no longer in production  - the reason we stopped selling it in the BATC shop is because the DATV Express team wanted to offer it directly to end users.
 *'''Is Portsdown MPEG-2 or MPEG-4?'''
@@ Line 60: / Line 60: @@
   /home/pi/rpidatv/scripts/menu.sh menu
 *'''When I Log-on or start the Console Menu, it goes Straight to the Exit Screen.  How do I recover?'''
-If you accidentally enter a space character when entering the frequency or symbol rate, the Menu software fails and tries to exit.  Future software versions (after 201704160) will not let you get into this situation.  You can recover by typing the command:
+If you accidentally enter a space character when entering the frequency or symbol rate, the Menu software fails and tries to exit.  You can recover by typing the command:
-  cp -f /home/pi/rpidatv/scripts/configs/rpidatvconfig.txt.factory /home/pi/rpidatv/scripts/rpidatvconfig.txt
+  cp -f /home/pi/rpidatv/scripts/configs/portsdown_config.txt.factory /home/pi/rpidatv/scripts/portsdown_config.txt
 at the Linux command line, and then restarting the console menu with the command:
@@ Line 87: / Line 83: @@
 *'''The lock LED on the AD4351 board does not come on'''
-The lock light only comes on when in IQ mode (menu page 2) and you are on Transmit
+The lock light only comes on when in Portsdown/IQ mode and you are on Transmit