Andy's Ham V20 Virtual Machine Update

When last we left Andy's Ham, in this post, I had Andy's linux ham radio distribution installed in a virtual machine running on a Windows 10 host under Virtualbox. The installation was successful, but I still had to run some software.

The first step was to get the virtual machine to recognize my my Signalink USB. After starting up the VM, in Virtualbox, I went to "Settings/USB" and found "Burr-Brown from TI USB Audio Codec." I ticked that, and for a couple of weeks I could not get the VM to do anything but freeze up.  I was pretty sure that that was the Signalink, so I scoured the interwebs for information, to no avail. In desperation, In installed AndysHam on a different physical machine and plugged in the Signalink. The same option appeared in USB settings, and it worked. This time I notice the options for USB controller: 1.0, 2.0, and 3.0.  In both cases I had ticked 2.0.  However, the computer with the VM has some USB 3.0 ports (see this post on my upgrade). I had not noticed that I had plugged the Signalink into a 3.0 port (I just reached around to the back of the computer and plugged it in where I could). I went back and ticked 3.0 and all was well. The VM did not freeze and the Signalink showed up as an option in the software (fldigi and WSJT-X).

VirtualBox USB settings for Signalink (be sure to enable the correct USB controller)

If I have WSJT-X (e.g.) running on the host, the guest grabs the USB port for the Signalink and holds it until the VM is shut down. So, I can run the software on the guest, but not the host. On the host, the Signalink is not an option for sound card until the guest is shut down. It may be necessary to redesignate the sound card every time--however, if you plan to use the Signalink in the guest only, this is not an issue.

So, I got AndysHam to work in two environments--on a stand-alone machine and as a guest machine under Virtualbox.  There are a couple of things I need to get used to. First, JTAlert does not run on linux.  I have been enjoying the features, so I'm not sure I want to give that up. Second, I find the set up a little inflexible.  I'm sure I can do what I want to do, but it's been set up to provide most things, and for under-powered computers--which mine is not.  

I'll work with it some more, and if I have anything useful to say in the future I will post it here.

Andy's Ham Version 20 VM Installation

I have recently made progress with digital modes.  On 2 Meters, I have been successful with packet on my Alinco DR-135. I am considering a Tigertronics Signalink as sound card interface for my Ten Tec Jupiter.

Meanwhile, I need software.  I could pursue commercial options like Ham Radio Deluxe, but I decided to explore some free options.  I discovered KB1OIQ - Andy's Ham Radio Linux .  The advantage is that it includes a variety of free packages, including logging, rig control, satellite tracking, and a variety of others.

I had 3 options for installation:

1. Turn my Windows 10 system into a dual boot, and boot into linux when I want to play radio and Windows for other applications
2. Install Andy's Ham on a separate matching dedicated to playing radio
3. Install Andy's Ham as a virtual machine (VM), running under Windows

I chose option 3, because dual booting can be a pain and a separate computer can add complexity. Running a VM allows both Windows and linux to be available at the same time. To do that, I needed virtualization software. I chose VirtualBox because I have used it before at work and home.  Installation on Windows is simple: download the correct version at the link just provided, and run the .exe.  It makes sense to download the Extension Pack and install it, too (honestly, I don't know why that's an option--just always install it).

Once VirtualBox is installed:

1. run it and create a VM (follow the prompts--consult the user documentation at the download link if you need to). The only change I needed to make from defaults was disk size--it defaults to 8G but I gave it 20G--Ubuntu says it needs ~20. 
2. download Andy's Ham (link in the second paragraph above)
3. in VirtualBox, click settings, then storage for the machine you created. Next to Optical Drive on the right, click on the CD image and point it to the downloaded Andy's Ham .iso file.
   

   

   Installing Andy's Ham in a VM
4. Start the VM--follow the current instructions. For me I chose the "live" option when prompted. When asked for a user id gave it "ubuntu" and presses enter on password (no Password). Once the VM comes up, you can play with the installation, but nothing is permanent until you install to the VN's hard drive. To do that, click on "Debian"  at the lower left, an in the menu that pops up click "System" then "Install to Hard Disk."  This will take a while, but cannot run unattended because you need to respond to some prompts along the way.
5. Restart the VM (click on machine/ACPI shutdown, then double click the machine name), and you're done.  One of the prompts you responded to created a user and password--use those to log in to your new machine.

This is a nice remix of Ubuntu if all you want to do is play radio.  I'm going to have to play to see how to add back some Ubuntu features that I'm used to.  I will post again after I've had a chance to play/learn.

Install Andys Ham to hard drive after starting with "live" option

Example of how to navigate to some of the features

Interference Problem Solved

For the category "better late than never"...

Before I left for Texas for a month, I disconnected the antenna cables to my Ten Tec Jupiter HF  rig and my Yaesu FT1900R 2 meter rig.  When I got back and reconnected everything,  I had major QRN on 2 meters. People could hear me fine, but reception was spotty at best.  

I tried moving the cable around with no success.  The only difference from before the trip is that central air conditioning unit was on.  I never got motivated to get into into in detail, because HF was fine (I thought) and I use 2 meters more for mobile.

This past weekend we had an ARES drill for which I was assigned to operate my base station. I turned off the A/C--no difference on 2M.  The next suspect was the computer, but that's always been right where it is.  I shut the computer down and the static disappeared. I looked online and found that the monitor may be the problem.  I tried just turning off the monitor without shutting down--that was it.  Brain jock that I am, I ran the antenna cable behind the monitor.  I moved it, running it under my desk to the Yaesu, and that was it.

We were also operating on 40 meters.  I was getting static there in about a 3kHz range. Since the radio gods have a sense of humor, the frequency we used was right in the middle of that range.  It turns out that the source was the A/C--when the unit switched on, I got static.

Moral of the story: don't run antenna cables behind a computer monitor, and A/C has potential  to produce interference.

On the air!

As described in  this post  the antenna (G5RV Jr) was mounted yesterday. Today, we finished the connections (see photo), and hooked up the Ten Tec Jupiter.

Ladder line connected to coax via a juntion box, to the balun and off to the rig

I was able to hear a lot on 20 meters and some on 40.  It's tough to break in at times, and it's not always clear whether I'm not getting through or some one else is transmitting over me. Very often, you only hear one side of a conversation.  For example, I could hear someone in the Czech Republic clearly. At one point he was talking to someone in Connecticut, probably 200-300 miles from hear, but I could not here the Connecticut station.  Propagation is funny like that.

I did check into a marine net just to be sure I was getting out, and a relay station in Georgia confirmed the check-in. Later I spoke with someone in Portugal and someone else in Nicaragua.  This is cool. Tommorow morning I'll try ECARS (East Coast Amateur Radio Service) to see how I do on 40 meters.