Installing and configuring WPSD

The first step is to download the right WPSD disk image for your Raspberry Pi. WPSD offers different images depending on your Pi model.

1.1 - Go to the official website

1. Open your web browser
2. Go to the official website: https://w0chp.radio/wpsd/
3. Scroll down to the "Download" section

1.2 - Choose the right image

Select the image that matches your hardware:

1.3 - Check the download

• Make sure the file has downloaded completely (check its size)
• The file must have the .img.xz extension
• Do NOT decompress the file manually (Etcher will do it automatically)

We will now write the WPSD image to your microSD card. This step erases ALL the data on the card, so make sure you have backed up anything important.

2.1 - Installing Balena Etcher (recommended)

Balena Etcher is the simplest and most reliable tool for writing the image to the SD card.

1. Download Balena Etcher from https://www.balena.io/etcher/
2. Install the software on your computer (Windows, macOS or Linux)
3. Launch Balena Etcher

2.2 - Writing the image

1. Insert your microSD card into your computer's card reader
2. Open Balena Etcher
3. Click "Flash from file" and select the downloaded WPSD file (.img.xz)
4. Click "Select target" and choose your SD card

   ⚠️ Double-check: Make sure you select the RIGHT SD card and not another drive on your computer!

5. Click "Flash!" to start writing
6. Wait for the process to finish (about 5-10 minutes)
7. Balena Etcher will automatically verify that the image was written correctly

Alternative: Raspberry Pi Imager

If you prefer to use Raspberry Pi Imager:

1. Download Raspberry Pi Imager from https://www.raspberrypi.com/software/
2. Launch the tool
3. Choose "Use custom" and select your WPSD image
4. Select your SD card
5. Click "Write"

Now that your SD card is ready, we will boot your WPSD hotspot for the first time and connect it to your network.

3.1 - Assembling the hotspot

• Insert the microSD card into the Raspberry Pi's slot
• Connect your MMDVM modem (ZUMSpot, DVMEGA, etc.) to the Raspberry Pi
• Plug the power supply into the Raspberry Pi
• The Raspberry Pi boots automatically (red LED steady, green LED flashing)

3.2 - Connecting to the temporary WiFi network

After about 5 minutes, WPSD automatically creates a temporary WiFi network for the initial configuration.

1. On your computer or smartphone, open the list of available WiFi networks
2. Look for the network called "WPSD-Setup"
3. Connect to this network
   • Password: raspberry

3.3 - Accessing the dashboard

1. Once connected to the WPSD-Setup network, open your web browser
2. In the address bar, type: http://wpsd.local
3. Press Enter
4. The WPSD dashboard should appear!

3.4 - Setting up permanent WiFi

You now need to connect your hotspot to your permanent home WiFi network.

1. On the WPSD dashboard, click "Configuration" in the top menu
2. Log in if asked:
   • Username: pi-star
   • Password: raspberry
3. Scroll down to the "Wireless Configuration" section
4. Click the "Scan" button to detect the available networks
5. Select your WiFi network from the list
6. Enter your WiFi password in the "PSK" field
7. Click "Save" then "Connect"
8. Wait a few seconds for the connection to be established

3.5 - Restarting and reconnecting

1. Scroll back to the top of the page and click "Power" in the menu
2. Select "Reboot"
3. The hotspot will restart (about 2-3 minutes)
4. Reconnect your computer to your usual WiFi
5. Open your browser and go to http://wpsd.local again

Now that your hotspot is connected to the Internet, we will carry out the initial system configuration and update WPSD to the latest version.

4.1 - Updating the system (crucial!)

1. In the dashboard, click "Admin" in the menu
2. Click "Update"
3. The update process starts automatically
4. Wait for the update to finish (5-15 minutes depending on your connection)
5. The system will restart automatically if necessary

4.2 - General configuration

Go to the main configuration page:

1. Click "Admin" then "Configuration"
2. In the "General Configuration" section, fill in the following information:

4.3 - Configuring the MMDVM modem

In the "Radio/MMDVMHost Modem Configuration" section:

1. Modem Type: Select your modem type from the drop-down list
   • ZUMspot: MMDVM_HS - Raspberry Pi Hat (GPIO)
   • DVMEGA: DVMega
   • Other: See your modem's documentation
2. Radio Mode: Select Simplex to start with
3. Node Type: Leave it on Private (personal hotspot)

4.4 - Saving the configuration

1. Scroll right down to the bottom of the page
2. Click the big blue "Apply Changes" button
3. Wait for the services to restart (about 30 seconds)
4. You will be redirected to the dashboard

This is where the magic happens! You will now configure the digital voice modes you want to use. WPSD supports DMR, D-STAR, YSF, P25, NXDN and M17. We will look at how to configure the most popular ones.

5.1 - DMR configuration (recommended to start with)

DMR is the most popular mode and the easiest to configure to start with.

1. Go to Admin → Configuration
2. In the "MMDVMHost Configuration" section, tick the "DMR" box
3. Scroll down to the "DMR Configuration" section

BrandMeister configuration (the most popular DMR network):

5.2 - D-STAR configuration

If you also want to use D-STAR:

1. In "MMDVMHost Configuration", tick "D-Star"
2. Scroll down to "D-Star Configuration"
3. Configure the following settings:

5.3 - Yaesu System Fusion (YSF) configuration

To configure YSF (ideal if you have a Yaesu radio):

1. Tick "YSF" in MMDVMHost Configuration
2. In "Yaesu System Fusion Configuration":

5.4 - Multi-mode configuration

One of WPSD's great advantages is its ability to handle several modes at the same time!

To enable multi-mode, simply tick the boxes of all the modes you want in the “MMDVMHost Configuration” section, then configure each mode in its own section.

5.5 - Saving the mode configuration

1. Once all your modes are configured, scroll to the bottom of the page
2. Click “Apply Changes”
3. Wait for the services to restart (30-60 seconds)
4. Go back to the dashboard

Your hotspot is now configured! Time to run some tests to make sure everything works properly before making your first QSO.

6.1 - Checking the dashboard

On the main dashboard (http://wpsd.local), check the following:

• The enabled modes appear in the left-hand panel
• The mode statuses are green (connected) and not red (error)
• The “Mode Status” panel shows “Idle” or “Listening”
• No error messages appear in the logs
• The CPU temperature is normal (< 70°C)

6.2 - Configuring your radio

Before you can use your hotspot, you need to configure your radio to communicate with it.

General radio settings:

For DMR, also add:

• Color Code: 1 (or the one configured in WPSD)
• Time Slot: 2 (for most TGs)
• DMR ID: your DMR ID
• Talk Group: 228 (Switzerland) or 208 (France) for testing

6.3 - First transmit test

Now let's do a first test!

1. Place your radio about 1 metre from the hotspot (not too close!)
2. Keep the WPSD dashboard open on your computer
3. On your radio, select a test talk group (e.g. TG 9 for BrandMeister)
4. Press the PTT and speak normally for 2-3 seconds
5. Release the PTT

What should you see?

• On the dashboard, the status changes to “TX” (transmission)
• Your callsign appears in the “Last Heard” section
• The BER (Bit Error Rate) shown is < 1.0%
• After you release the PTT, the status goes back to “Listening”

6.4 - Receive test

Now let's test reception:

1. Leave your hotspot connected to an active talk group (e.g. TG 228 in Switzerland, TG 208 in France)
2. Wait for another OM to transmit
3. You should hear the transmission on your radio
4. On the dashboard, you will see the status change to “RX” and the remote OM's callsign appear

6.5 - Calibration (optional but recommended)

For optimum performance, calibrating your hotspot is recommended:

1. Go to Admin → Advanced → Expert
2. Look for “MMDVMCal” or use the built-in calibration tool
3. Follow the instructions to calibrate transmit and receive
4. Target: BER < 1% during tests

6.6 - Backing up the configuration

Now that everything works, make a backup!

1. Go to Admin → Configuration
2. Click “Backup/Restore” in the top menu
3. Click “Download Configuration”
4. Save the file on your computer

• Check that you are connected to the WPSD-Setup network or to your WiFi
• Try the IP address directly: http://192.168.50.1
• Wait 15 minutes after the first boot
• Try another browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari)
• Restart the Raspberry Pi

• Check your Internet connection
• Check that your DMR ID is correct
• Check the network settings (server, password)
• Look at the logs: Admin → View Logs
• Try another server on the same network

• Move your radio further away from the hotspot (at least 1 metre)
• Reduce your radio's power (1-5W maximum)
• Check that you are on the right frequency
• Calibrate the modem
• Check the MMDVM modem connections

• Cause no. 1: inadequate power supply → use a good-quality power supply (3A minimum for a Pi 3/4)
• Check the CPU temperature (< 70°C)
• Try another SD card (yours may be faulty)
• Check the electrical connections