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diff --git a/KrakenSDR-Troubleshooting.md b/KrakenSDR-Troubleshooting.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..3f1b9d3 --- /dev/null +++ b/KrakenSDR-Troubleshooting.md @@ -0,0 +1,68 @@ +Please note that we can only provide troubleshooting advice for our ready to use Pi 4 images. Due to the huge variation in PC and computing hardware, we are unable to provide direct support for custom installs other than through our forums. + +## Check Channel Power Levels +By default the spectrum only shows the spectrum from CH-1. If you want to check that all channels are receiving signals correctly, under `VFO Configuration`, change the `Spectrum Calculation` value from `Single Ch` to `All Ch (TEST ONLY)`. Now in the spectrum window you will see all five spectrum graphs. Check that all graphs are receiving the signal. + +Make sure you change back to `Single Ch` mode after, as the spectrum calculation mode affects how the squelcher works. + +## SSH/Terminal Login +You can log into an SSH terminal by using any Terminal software (eg. PuTTY), and connecting to IP_ADDRRESS:22. The login details are "krakenrf/krakensdr. Note that if you expose port 22 to the internet, we strongly recommend changing the default password. + +Alternatively, just connect an HDMI screen and keyboard, and the terminal will automatically login on boot. Note that there is no GUI, the OS is terminal only. + +## Enable Logging +If you have installed the software from scratch, and suspect some issue with missing packages or similar you can enable error logging to try and diagnose the problem. Edit the daq_chain_config.ini text file with `nano ~/krakensdr_doa/heimdall_daq_fw/Firmware/daq_chain_config.ini`, and change `log_level = 2`. Log files will be written to krakensdr_doa/heimdall_daq_fw/Firmware/logs. + +Also, you can enable logging on the DOA DSP software by editing the settings.json text file `nano ~/krakensdr_doa/krakensdr_doa/settings.json` and setting `logging_level = 2`. + +Remember to turn logging off again by setting the logging levels to 5 after the issue is fixed, to avoid a large log file growing on the SD card. + +## Tuner Test +Here we will confirm that all the tuners in the KrakenSDR system are seen by the computing device. + +Connect an HDMI monitor and keyboard, or SSH into the terminal as shown above. + +In a terminal window run “rtl_test -d0”. You should see a message like the following. + +``` +Found 5 device(s): + 0: Realtek, RTL2838UHIDIR, SN: 1004 + 1: Realtek, RTL2838UHIDIR, SN: 1000 + 2: Realtek, RTL2838UHIDIR, SN: 1001 + 3: Realtek, RTL2838UHIDIR, SN: 1002 + 4: Realtek, RTL2838UHIDIR, SN: 1003 + +Using device 0: Generic RTL2832U OEM +Found Rafael Micro R820T/2 tuner +Supported gain values (29): 0.0 0.9 1.4 2.7 3.7 7.7 8.7 12.5 14.4 15.7 16.6 19.7 20.7 22.9 25.4 28.0 29.7 32.8 33.8 36.4 37.2 38.6 40.2 42.1 43.4 43.9 44.5 48.0 49.6 +Sampling at 2048000 S/s. + +Info: This tool will continuously read from the device, and report if samples get lost. If you observe no further output, everything is fine. + +Reading samples in async mode... +Allocating 15 (non-zero-copy) user-space buffers + +Type “CTRL” + “C” to exit the test. +``` + +Try again with another tuner, by running “rtl_test -d1”, and so on until “rtl_test -d4”. + +If all the tuners showed similar messages, then we have confirmed that all the tuners are functional. + +## Power Supply Test +Remember that the KrakenSDR **must** be powered with a 5V/2.4A+ capable external power supply. No power is provided over the USB data port. + +Open four terminals, and in each individual terminal run rtl_test for an individual tuner + +`rtl_test -d0` +`rtl_test -d1` +`rtl_test -d2` +`rtl_test -d3` +`rtl_test -d4` + +Confirm that all tuners can be running at the same time. If there is a tuner that runs normally by itself, but fails to start when others are running then, it is likely that your power supply is providing insufficient current. + +## Other things to check + +* Ensure that you are using a high quality and short USB-C data cable. +* Double check with another USB device that the USB port on your computing device is not faulty. |