Build SDR++ on Raspberry Pi 5

Introduction

Here is another post for a promising program to use with the RTL-SDR Blog V4. Like similar posts, I am going to stitch other posts in so that as the software changes, I only have to update in one location.

If you are going to be using the RTL-SDR Blog device, start with installing the drivers following this post.

RTL-SDR Blog V4 on Raspberry Pi OS

(ref: https://github.com/AlexandreRouma/SDRPlusPlus/blob/master/readme.md)

Dependencies

The developer provides a list of generic dependencies. It is up to us to figure out the necessary packages for our particular version of Linux and hardware in use. I will try to decode the packages for the Raspberry Pi 5.

List Provided by Developer	Aptitude Package Name
cmake	cmake
fftw3	libfftw3-dev
glfw	libglfw3-dev
libvolk	libvolk2-dev
zstd	libzstd-dev
Not listed	libairspy-dev
Not listed	libairspyhf-dev
Not listed	librtaudio-dev
Not listed	libhackrf-dev
Not listed	libiio-dev
Not listed	libad9361-dev

Add the appropriate package names to the apt install command to get the correct dependencies installed.

sudo apt install -y cmake libad9361-dev libairspy-dev libairspyhf-dev libfftw3-dev libglfw3-dev libhackrf-dev libiio-dev librtaudio-dev libvolk2-dev libzstd-dev

Building

cd ~/Downloads

Download the nightly archive.

wget https://github.com/AlexandreRouma/SDRPlusPlus/archive/refs/heads/master.zip

Unzip the archive.

unzip master.zip

Change into the unzipped directory.

cd ~/Downloads/SDRPlusPlus-master

The next commands are the usual for building.

mkdir build

cd build

Add in options if necessary to the next command. Available options are listed at the developer’s GitHub page, https://github.com/AlexandreRouma/SDRPlusPlus/blob/master/readme.md#module-list.

cmake ..

make -j4

Create a New Root Directory

cd ..
sh ~/Downloads/SDRPlusPlus-master/create_root.sh

Install SDR++

cd ~/Downloads/SDRPlusPlus-master/build

sudo make install

Running SDR++

In the GUI:
On the applications menu, I have seen it in Other or Hamradio, select SDR++.

On the CLI:
type sdrpp

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Select the device under Source you intend to use. Under Radio, I am using WFM since I am going to use a local FM radio station to test.

When the settings are where you want them and you are ready to listen, select the Play button at the top of the screen on the left. It looks like a triangle. If the icon looks like a square, then audio should be playing and this becomes the stop button.

There should be activity in waveform in the top window as well as a waterfall. Point to where there is activity and the software will tune. You can use the mouse wheel to fine tune up and down, if necessary.

Conclusion

At first glance, this software looks great! I will give a try for a little while and may post follow-up opinions. In the meantime, if you found this helpful or not, please take the time to let me know!

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