Nowadays, the SBC(single board computer) is more powerful than ever before. The single board computers, mainly represented by Raspberry Pi, have won the popularity all over the world. In recent years, thanks to the cross-platform softwares, the use of Raspberry Pi in Ham Radio digital mode communication has been widely spreaded. For the recent models of radio transceiver(FT-991, IC-7300, IC-705... etc.) in these years, you could control your radio and work the digital modes via the USB port, which is able to pass the CAT control protocal and audio signal to your Raspberry Pi. However, for the old radio transceivers like FT-817, FT-857 or Elecraft KX3, which are still have huge owners, there is no USB port on them. But, they have ACC and Data ports instead, so you can use these ports for the connection to your Pi, with the help of a USB sound card, you could also enjoy the digital modes via Raspberry Pi. However, you have to build the connection cables and adapters, it is not so complicated, but it does take time. As a result, we decide to design a Pi-HAT to solve this. The digi Pi HAT integrates the sound card, PTT trigging circuitry, CAT control and various connection ports of the models of old popular radio transceivers. These ports are opto isolated or isolated by transformers.

It features with a optional GPS module, which could be used in APRS applications. It comes with a KX3 remote switching ON/OFF port, which is controlled by a GPIO, with an additional external 9V battery, you can remotely switch your KX3 on or off easily (a simple python script and kx3 configuration are requried). With this digi Pi-HAT, you do not need anything else except cables to work those popular ham radio digital modes on your raspberry Pi. With those features above, the digi Pi should be a great companion for your radio Go-box.

NOTE:

1--A Raspberry Pi is not included in the kit, and we recommend to use a raspberry Pi 4 to work with your digi Pi.

2--You CAN'T use the GPS while you are controlling your rig with CAT, because it shares a single serial port, so the switch X1 is used for switching between GPS and CAT.

3--Software Consideration: The "Ham Pi" image is the best companion for working with 'digi Pi', see https://github.com/dslotter/HamPi/, however some configurations for the built-in sound card are still needed. Click to read the presentations of HamPi.

4--If you do not want to use the 'HamPi' image, and you would like to install softwares by yourself, here is a link as a reference, click to see, thanks to DL1GKK.

5--You need to have a 9V battery for the elecraft KX3 remote ON/OFF. See here(https://www.remotetx.net/elecraft-kx3-power-control/), we have built the ON/OFF circuitry on board, so a relay is not needed for digi-Pi.

6--THIS KIT DOES NOT INCLUDE the Raspberry Pi.

FEATURES:

1.Built-in Sound Card 2.PTT and CW control 3.CAT control 4.Ports isolated with opto or transformer 5.Optional GPS module for APRS or GPSd applications

KIT ITEMS:

1.digi Pi HAT Board x 1

2.Cable for Your Rig (optional) x 1

3.GPS Module (optional) x 1

4.Black Acrylic Plates(Top and Bottom) x 2

5.Screws and Nuts Set x 1

--IF YOU DO NOT WANT TO DOWNLOAD THE HAMPI IMAGE OR YOU ALREADY HAVE A LINUX INSTALLED ON THE TF CARD OF YOUR RASPBERRY PI, PLS JUST USE THE FOLLOWING COMMANDS TO ADD THE SOFTWARES IN HAMPI TO YOUR EXISTING SYSTEM:

wget -O- install.ham-pi.com | sudo bash