WSPR

One of the most impressive QRP modes is Joe Taylor, K1JT’s WSPR (pronounced “whisper”) mode. WSPR stands for “Weak Signal Propagation Reporter.” WSPR is designed for sending and receiving low-power transmissions to test propagation paths on the LF, MF, HF, VHF and UHF bands. The process is similar to a beacon. Users with Internet access can watch results in real time at wsprnet.org.

TAPR offers two versions of a WSPR “hat” to use with Raspberry Pi single-board computers:

1. 30m and 40m fully assembled and tested (these are being phased out and replaced with the Universal WSPR board and a partial kit of the LC components for the LPF.)
2. 160m, 80m, 20m, 15m/17m, 10m/12m partial kit – user has to solder low pass filter (supplied)

Click on the appropriate WSPR transmitter link for more information

TAPR has no connection with Raspberry Pi.

Note: Raspberry Pi, power supply, SD card and antenna not included.

Documentation and Files are available at:

WSPR Documentation and Files

We use the WsprryPi software, adapted to use the ‘shutdown’ button that we provide on the WSPR Hat board.  Unfortunately, this software is 32 bit, and we use older (Buster or before?) RPi images for the RPi 2 and 3.  We have a separate image for the RPi 4.

Please note that the WsprryPi software does NOT yet support the RPi 5.  It has a very different architecture for the peripherals when compared to its predecessors.  Right now, if you try (RPi 5, Bookworm 32 bit full or lite), you will find that the wspr executable writes lots of ‘unknown CPUId’ messages to the error log.  We are working with Lee Bussey, AA0NT, to see if we can port his WsprryPi branch to the RPi 5, 32 bit.  Afterwards, we will look at compiling an ‘arm64’ version for the 64 bit RPi OS editions (newer only.)  We believe that the current software supports the RPi 2, 3, 4, and zero.