I am now fully converted over to Raspberry Pi FR Stack (Pi FRS). ? ?Pi FRS runs in the "background" and I do not have to remember to turn it on for it to work.?
All of my data and control needs to and from the Flex Server are through Pi FRS. ?Also, Pi FRS runs in the background to add functionality to my PG-XL amplifier and SteppIR controller, outside of Node-Red.
I always run two clients in my shack (multiplex). ?A desktop Smart SDR for my satellite station and a second client on a Maestro for HF. ?Here are my Dashboards and explanation of the use of Pi FRS. ?
This is my "station control" dashboard with Pi FRS derived items circled:
1- Client Chooser. ?I added buttons to choose my most used clients so I can quickly toggle between the clients. ?Also, I use the pull-down client selector for any other clients that I may use from time to time (i.e. my iPad). ?The backgrounds change color if selected and confirmed command receipt by Pi FRS.
?Tune Button. ?Toggles between Tune Off and Tune On. ?Changes background color from red to green based on command receipt from the PG-XL. ?Puts the PG-XL into standby.
2- Stepp IR controls. ? Can use in full CAT or manual frequency entry. I have buttons necessary for a BigIR Vertical antenna. ?Button backgrounds change color when a proper response is sent back from the SDA100 antenna controller.
2 and 4 - Flex meters via Pi FRS.
Here is my Satellite Station Node-Red Dashboard:
1- "Mini" client selector" with Mode, Mic, and TX Band of the selected client's TX slice.
2- Instead of using Flex USB cables to control satellite antenna selections and pre-amp sequencing, I now use Pi FRS to derive the same data. ?I have found this more favorable because, 1- The USB cables would "bind" to the last client to MOX, and was not always aligned to my Satellite Client, and 2 - I found the use of USB cables somewhat problematic as the Flex Server would "shutdown" at any hint of overload or signal problems. ?That is not the case with TCP connections.
Pi FRS also provide some additional capability to my PG-XL amplifier:
1- When I "Tune", the PG-XL is put into standby. ?Returns to operate when tuning is done.
2- Limits RX power to 50% when PG-XL is in operate
3- Sets RX power to 100% when PG-XL is in standby
Alan
WA9WUD
