Hampi scripts supporting PMON - An Independent Pactor/Winlink Monitor for the Raspberry Pi

Version 20191020

Background

This GitHub repository contains a script and menu item that makes PMON easier to use with the Hampi image.

From the PMON website:

"PMON allows the thorough observation and documentation of all presently available PACTOR-1/2/3 transmissions (PACTOR-4 will follow in early 2020). PMON covers all PACTOR levels with the appropriate Speedlevels and packet variations. PMON will read in parallel PACTOR-2 and PACTOR-1. The very wide receiving range (frequency offset ±200 Hz), as well as the automatic sideband recognition, ease routine operation of PMON with PACTOR-2 and PACTOR-3 considerably.

PMON automatically decompresses LZHUF compressed messages on the fly. This is very useful for monitoring Winlink email transfers."

Prerequisites

• Raspberry Pi 3B, 3B+ or 4 (NOTE: I have only tested this image with 3B and 3B+.) running the Hampi image

Installation

Pick either Easy or Manual Installation below.

Easy Installation and Upgrading (Hampi Only)

1. Click Raspberry > Hamradio > Update Pi and Ham Apps.
2. Check pmon, click OK.

Manual Installation and Upgrading

1. Open a Terminal and run these commands:

   • Run these commands the first time you install pmon. They add the pmon repository to your Pi:

       echo "deb https://www.scs-ptc.com/repo/packages/ buster non-free" | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/scs.list > /dev/null
       wget -q -O - https://www.scs-ptc.com/repo/packages/scs.gpg.key | sudo apt-key add -
       sudo apt update
       sudo apt install pmon
     

   • Thereafter, run these commands to keep pmon updated:

       sudo apt update
       sudo apt upgrade pmon
     

   • Run these commands the first time you install pmon and whenever you want to update the Hampi pmon script and menu item:

       cd ~
       rm -rf pmon/ 
       git clone https://github.com/AG7GN/pmon  
       sudo cp pmon/*.sh /usr/local/bin/
       sudo cp pmon/pmon.desktop /usr/local/share/applications/
       rm -rf pmon/
     

2. Close the Terminal by clicking File > Close Window or typing exit and press Enter in the Terminal window.

Running pmon

1. To run pmon, click Raspberry > Hamradio > PMON. Follow the instructions on the screen.

Operational Notes

pmon does not work with PulseAudio, which Hampi uses extensively to support 2 radios with Fldigi and Direwolf and other ham applications. The pmon.sh script in this repository, when used to start pmon, temporarily suspends PulseAudio's use of the Fe-Pi sound card, thereby giving pmon the exclusive use of the card. When you quit pmon, PulseAudio automatically regains control of the sound card.

I recommend always starting pmon from the menu, and always stop all other applications that use the sound card prior to running pmon.