What do I need to do? Direwolf/APRS/Packet configurations

[Matt Cenatiempo]

I'll preface this with the knowledge that even though my mom was a computer science teacher, I still have trouble plugging in a toaster.  I could use some assistance, and if this is the start of a "Digipi for Dummies" thread, let me be the guinea pig.

FInally got wifi sorted, now I am working my way through APRS and Packet.  Not being a Command Line Commando, what should I be looking for and adjusting in Direwolf to get the most of DIgipi?

As reference, Webchat hates me.  Nothing but thumbs down on any attempt to communicate with WXBOT.  Also, when I send position reports, aprs.fi shows my call somewhere out west.  Nothing against it, but I'd like to at least be closer to my grid square.  Can't comment on packet in the Houston area, so don't know if I'm getting out.

My end goal is to use this when I operate portable.  This is hooked up to my 857d with a DigiRig Mobile.  When I get APRS/Packet sorted out, then I'll badger the group with questions about the HF stuff.  

Also, can someone recommend a battery monitoring program to run in the background?  I have a couple of 21700 rechargeables attached to the Rpi4B.  

Thanks!

[Craig]

Hi Matt, there's a lot to unpack here :). inline,

On 10/23/25 6:01 PM, Matt Cenatiempo wrote:

I'll preface this with the knowledge that even though my mom was a computer science teacher, I still have trouble plugging in a toaster.  I could use some assistance, and if this is the start of a "Digipi for Dummies" thread, let me be the guinea pig.

we have a wiki, i bet that'd help get people online faster.

FInally got wifi sorted, now I am working my way through APRS and Packet.  Not being a Command Line Commando, what should I be looking for and adjusting in Direwolf to get the most of DIgipi?

If you have to use the command line, I have failed you.  But I encourage hacking/learning!

As reference, Webchat hates me.  Nothing but thumbs down on any attempt to communicate with WXBOT.  Also, when I send position reports, aprs.fi shows my call somewhere out west.  Nothing against it, but I'd like to at least be closer to my grid square.  Can't comment on packet in the Houston area, so don't know if I'm getting out.

your location is your latitude/longitude position you entered during Initialize .    Does aprs.fi
show a little "laptop icon"?  that's the webchat beacon, if you see that, you know you have
a good RF path.

My end goal is to use this when I operate portable.  This is hooked up to my 857d with a DigiRig Mobile.  When I get APRS/Packet sorted out, then I'll badger the group with questions about the HF stuff.  

Also, can someone recommend a battery monitoring program to run in the background?  I have a couple of 21700 rechargeables attached to the Rpi4B.  

Thanks!

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[Matt Cenatiempo]

Doom on me for not taking my time and doing this the right way.  I’m glad version 2 is out, and I have plenty of spare Rpis lying around.  I’ll dive deeper into the wiki and pay more attention to what I’m doing on this next go around.  Hacking and experimenting are why I use raspberry pi’s almost exclusively for ham radio applications.  I believe it’s in the spirit of ham radio to tinker about with things like this.  

I’ll give it another whack and let you know how I progress.  And again, does anyone know of a decent battery monitoring program i can add to this when I finally get around to operating off grid?

Regards

KC5RIL

R. Matt Cenatiempo 

From my iPad 

On Oct 25, 2025, at 10:56 AM, Craig <km6...@gmail.com> wrote:

 Hi Matt, there's a lot to unpack here :). inline,

[Jack Murosko]

Where is this wiki of which you speak? 

Jack KC3NOH

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/digipi/b7757339-8059-415c-9420-a5e392d960d4%40gmail.com.

[The4Chavez]

Howdy,

I am trying digipi and for some reason I can’t send messages via rf. I am trying winkink and it goes nowhere:

Not sure what I am doing wrong.

I set everything, using a retrvis rt3s with an AIOC and a comet GP-3 base antenna. 

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/digipi/CADRrU1Uomct2E52dGEudBMeUip937wL_nLaRXf_xJrMKZ9x66w%40mail.gmail.com.

[Craig]

Hi The4Chavez,  just a couple questions,

are you sure you're transmitting?  (radio turns red or something)?
are you sure you're not transmitting silence?
are you sure those are Winlink servers?  most of them end in -10

The cool part is that you're receiving and direwolf is transmitting an AX.25 connection request,
we just need to see if it's really on RF and the right callsign is listening.

-craig
KM6LYW