Frequently Asked Questions

Installation & Setup

Q: What operating systems does WsprDaemon support?

A: WsprDaemon runs on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS (recommended), Ubuntu 22.04 LTS, Linux Mint, and Debian-based systems. It works on x86_64, ARM64, and Raspberry Pi 4/5 platforms.

Q: Can I run WsprDaemon on a Raspberry Pi?

A: Yes, but with limitations. Pi 4/5 can handle multiple WSPR bands but cannot support the full bandwidth of an RX888 plus WsprDaemon processing. It works well with RTL-SDR, FUNcube Dongle, and AirspyR2.

Q: What hardware do I need to get started?

A: Minimum requirements:

Antenna system with appropriate filtering and LNA
SDR receiver (KiwiSDR, RX888, RTL-SDR, etc.)
Computer with sufficient CPU/memory (Ryzen 5800+ recommended for RX888)
Network connection
For RX888: USB 3.0 port and appropriate low-pass filter

Q: Do I need sudo privileges to run WsprDaemon?

A: Yes, installation and proper operation require sudo access. WsprDaemon automatically configures passwordless sudo for the user account.

Configuration

Q: How do I configure multiple receivers?

A: Define each receiver in the RECEIVER_LIST array in wsprdaemon.conf. You can merge spots from multiple receivers on the same band, and WsprDaemon will report only the best SNR to wsprnet.org.

Q: Can I schedule different bands at different times?

A: Yes, WsprDaemon supports sophisticated scheduling including:

Time-based band switching
Sunrise/sunset relative scheduling
Different schedules for different receivers
Seasonal schedule variations

Q: How do I set up noise measurement and graphing?

A: Enable noise measurement in your configuration and WsprDaemon will automatically:

Record background noise levels
Generate calibrated noise graphs
Upload data to graphs.wsprdaemon.org (if configured)
Create local noise plots

Operation & Troubleshooting

Q: How do I start and stop WsprDaemon?

A: Use these commands:

Start: ./wsprdaemon.sh -a (or systemctl start wsprdaemon)
Stop: ./wsprdaemon.sh -z (or systemctl stop wsprdaemon)
Status: ./wsprdaemon.sh -s
Restart: Stop, then start

Q: Where are the log files located?

A: Log files are in:

Main logs: /tmp/wsprdaemon/ and ~/wsprdaemon/
Individual receiver logs: /tmp/wsprdaemon/recording.d/RECEIVER/BAND/
Decoding logs: /tmp/wsprdaemon/decoding.d/RECEIVER/BAND/

Q: My RX888 disappeared from USB - what do I do?

A: This is a known issue. Solutions:

Power cycle the computer and RX888
Set up network-controlled power management for remote recovery
Check USB 3.0 connection quality
Verify adequate power supply

Q: WsprDaemon won’t start - what should I check?

A: Common issues:

No receivers defined in configuration
No schedule defined
Hardware radio not accessible
Network connectivity issues
Insufficient permissions
Check logs: ./wsprdaemon.sh -s and examine error messages

Q: How do I know if my spots are being uploaded successfully?

A: Check:

Upload logs in /tmp/wsprdaemon/uploads.d/
Your callsign on wsprnet.org
WsprDaemon status: ./wsprdaemon.sh -s
Look for “SUCCESS” messages in posting logs

Performance & Optimization

Q: How many bands can I run simultaneously?

A: Depends on your hardware:

Ryzen 5800+: 10+ bands with RX888
Pi 4/5: 6-8 WSPR bands (no RX888)
Intel systems: Varies by CPU generation and cores

Q: Can I run radiod and WsprDaemon on separate computers?

A: Yes, using RTP multicast streams. Requirements:

Set ttl = 1 in radiod@.conf
Use IGMP-aware ethernet switch
Avoid WiFi for multicast traffic (causes network congestion)

Q: How do I optimize performance for high-throughput sites?

A: Best practices:

Use tmpfs (RAM disk) for temporary files
Adequate CPU cooling
Fast storage for permanent logs
Sufficient RAM (8GB+ recommended)
Optimize network settings for multicast

Data & Reporting

Q: What data does WsprDaemon collect beyond basic WSPR spots?

A: Additional data includes:

Doppler shift measurements
Background noise levels
Signal-to-noise ratios
Frequency accuracy
Timing information
Receiver performance metrics

Q: Where does my data go?

A: Depending on configuration:

wsprnet.org (WSPR spots)
wsprdaemon.org (enhanced spot data)
pskreporter.info (FT4/FT8 spots)
HamSCI GRAPE system (WWV/CHU recordings)
Local storage and graphs

Q: Can I access historical data?

A: Yes, WsprDaemon maintains:

Local log archives
Noise measurement history
Spot databases
Performance statistics
Upload to external databases for long-term storage

Advanced Features

Q: What is GRAPE integration?

A: GRAPE (Global Radio Array for Propagation Enhancement) records WWV and CHU time signals for ionospheric research. WsprDaemon can automatically record and upload these signals to HamSCI.

Q: How does spot merging work with multiple receivers?

A: When multiple receivers monitor the same band:

Each receiver decodes independently
WsprDaemon compares SNR values
Only the best SNR spot is reported to wsprnet.org
All spots are logged locally for analysis

Q: Can I integrate with external monitoring systems?

A: Yes, WsprDaemon provides:

JSON status outputs
Log file monitoring
Performance metrics
Alert mechanisms
API endpoints for custom integration

Getting Help

Q: Where can I get support?

A: Resources include:

GitHub issues: Report bugs and feature requests
Documentation: https://wsprdaemon.readthedocs.io
WSPR community forums
Email: rob@robinett.us

Q: How do I report a bug?

A: Include:

WsprDaemon version (./wsprdaemon.sh -V)
Operating system and version
Hardware configuration
Configuration files (sanitized)
Relevant log excerpts
Steps to reproduce the issue

Q: Can I contribute to WsprDaemon development?

A: Yes! Contributions welcome:

Bug reports and fixes
Documentation improvements
Feature enhancements
Testing on different platforms
Performance optimizations