Andys Ham Radio Linux

What Is It?

The first question you might have is, what exactly is Andy's Ham Radio Linux? KB7OIQ has put together a nice Linux distribution with a myriad of useful tools that you can use to run your ham shack. There's a lot of work that's been put into curating a long list of useful tools, so it's nice to have it all gathered in one place. The default interface is super retro, so that can make it a bit clunky to deal with. But nice for a "set it up in the corner and do simple repeated tasks with it" kind of operating system.

Installing

Obtaining

The first step to install is to obtain. You can find an iso file at SourceForge.

https://sourceforge.net/projects/kb1oiq-andysham/files/

Andy's Ham Radio Linux on a Jump Drive

You can flash the iso file onto a jump drive, and have Andy's Ham Radio Linux to go.

More on the process at Ubuntu Live USB - you can drop in the Andy's Ham Radio Linux iso in place of the Ubuntu iso.

The result will be a live USB drive that you can stick into a computer, boot from the USB, and be in Andy's Ham Radio Linux. Alternatively, if you want to install it on a computer, you can use the Live USB to install the distribution as well.

Notes on Using Live USB

There seems to be a problem using it as a live USB. Format is not recognized by Linux computers.

Projects

Interesting FL repeater: https://www.repeaterbook.com/repeaters/details.php?state_id=12&ID=9573

Software

List of programs available on Andy's Ham Radio Linux:

All teh s0ftw4rez

Antenna

fl moxgen

rigexpert analyzer

xnec2c

xnec2c examples

CW

mwwav

ebook2cw

flwkey

• software for interfacing with winkey, specific brand of cw keyers.

microfox

• software for the Micro-Fox 10-15 mW foxhunt transmitter for 2 m: http://www.byonics.com/mf

qrq

xcwcp

• part of the unixcw project (http://unixcw.sourceforge.net/).
• cw, cwgen, cwcp, and xcwcp

Digital Modes

adsb

• ADS-B is used by plane navigation systems
• Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast
• project/circuit diagrams for adb-s receiver: http://www.lll.lu/~edward/edward/adsb/VerySimpleADSBreceiver.html
• squittering: http://www.garmin.com/us/intheair/ads-b/squit/
• extended squittering can send 49 individual parameters can be sent over the extended squitter, compared to three for Mode C and seven for basic non-extended Mode S
• uses 947-1090 MHz
• extensive information here: http://www.sprut.de/electronic/pic/projekte/adsb/adsb_en.html#1090

direwolf

• Main page: Direwolf

echolink

• Main page: Echolink
• connect to repeaters and TX/RX via the internet
• had a ham at the Defcon ham exams, Larry, show me a nifty EchoLink phone app on his Android phone, which allowed RX and TX on any repeater hooked into the EchoLink system and no need for an actual radio. He linked into a repeater in Clearwater, FL.

freedv

flamp

flarq

fldigi

• Main page: Fldigi
• sound card modem for various digital modes, hook up your digital mode receiver sound to the audio in and voila! you can work digital modes.
• saw someone using this program as part of the Defcon OpenCTF challenge. I was very pleased to see that ham radio, sdr, and digital modes were making their way into challenges as diverse as the Defcon Darknet CTF, the Defcon OpenCTF, and the Defcon Wireless CTF.

flmsg

• Main page: Flmsg

flwrap

glfer

pskmail

pskmailserver

qsstv

• Main page: Qsstv
• program for slow scan television - see SSTV
• for details of installing/receiving/transmitting, see Qsstv page

tinytrak3

• Main page: Tinytrak
• This is replacement hardware for a full-on TNC modem.
• Ideal for embedded APRS solutions, weather stations, etc.

wsjt

wsjtx

xastir

xwefax

Packet

linamc

linpac

Education

gresistor

Electronics Design

documentation

gerber viewer

kicad

netlist

pcb layout

resistors

schematic

spice (cmd)

easy spice

gspice gui

smith chart

HF Propagation

beacons

dx cluster

ggrid

sunclock

splat

voacap

Logging

cqrlog

fllog

flnet

tqsl

xlog

Rig Control

chirp

grig

flrig

owx

Satellites

earthtrack (BROKEN)

fox-1a telemetry (BROKEN)

hamfax

predict (BROKEN)

gpredict

apt wx sats

Science

Astronomy

xplanet

Electronics

easyspice

gchem

gspiceui

gwave

kicad

pcb (gtk interface)

Geoscience

gpsman

sunclock

Mathematics

gnuplot

xcalc

SDR

drkeam

grc

grc examples

gqrx

guisk

Sound

audacious

paman

pavucontrol

pavumeter