pi testing

Help with Raspberry Pi Foundation Boards (Raspberry Pi, Pi Zero, Pi Zero W, Pi A, Pi B, Pi B+, Pi2 B, Pi3 B, Pi 3 B+)
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W0RMT
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Joined: Wed Apr 11, 2018 12:00 pm
Location: Louisville, CO

pi testing

Post by W0RMT »

For those who are interested, I did some testing comparing the pi-zero, pi-3A+, and pi-3B+ and wrote it up in a blog post. You can access it here:

http://coloradodigital.net/03-11-2019.html

Feedback welcomed!
Robert (Bud) M. Talbot III
W0RMT
Colorado Digital system admin
http://coloradodigital.net
DMR: BM 31088
DSTAR: XRF/DCS303D
YSF: 99256
NXDN: 31088
P25: 31088
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KE0FHS
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Location: Colorado, USA
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Re: pi testing

Post by KE0FHS »

Excellent article, Bud!

Previously, I had been replacing my RPi Zero W-based hotspots with the new RPi 3A+ in order to take advantage of its better performance while still enjoying its relatively compact form factor. Based on what I learned from reading your article, I was inspired to go ahead and try replacing the RPi 3B+ in one of my main hotspots that I use for nets (running Pi-Star 4.0.0-RC3) with the RPi 3A+, too. My results were excellent. Previously, that hotspot was running quite warm when I used it on a longer net (~59 C). Yesterday afternoon, I had it linked to a very busy talkgroup for several hours, then switched to the Colorado Hotspot Discussion net (via BM TG 31088) yesterday evening, and averaged ~45 C with no noticeable change in performance. The only downside of the RPi 3A+ is no Ethernet port, but since I always run over WiFi, that's fine for me.

Thanks again for the great article!

Edit: My observations are all with the Pi-Star dashboard open in a browser. I really like having the dashboard open, especially when I participating in a net.
Last edited by KE0FHS on Sat Mar 16, 2019 2:54 pm, edited 1 time in total.
73, Toshen, KE0FHS
Playing with Pi-Star (unofficial notes about setting up and using Pi-Star):
https://amateurradionotes.com/pi-star.htm
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W0RMT
Posts: 36
Joined: Wed Apr 11, 2018 12:00 pm
Location: Louisville, CO

Re: pi testing

Post by W0RMT »

Thanks, Toshen. And thanks for sharing your findings about the operating temperature. Yes, the lack of Ethernet Port is s bummer for more permanent benchtop uses, but not a dealbreaker, I think.

One other thing of note from some testing this morning on the processes running on a pi-star based hotspot:

- pi-zero W w/N5BOC duplex board, no display attached

WIth the dashboard open and being served by the hotspot, 1' load average are over 1.4. With the dashboard *not* open and no dash being served, 1' load averages are about 0.9. the php processes are really taxing the system in order to serve up the dashboard. Take home message: don't have your dash up if you don't need it!
Robert (Bud) M. Talbot III
W0RMT
Colorado Digital system admin
http://coloradodigital.net
DMR: BM 31088
DSTAR: XRF/DCS303D
YSF: 99256
NXDN: 31088
P25: 31088
dh3ybe
Posts: 84
Joined: Sun Aug 26, 2018 9:02 pm
Location: Germany

Re: pi testing

Post by dh3ybe »

Hello Toshen and Robert,

thanks for your testing AND presenting to us the really interesting outcome.

Best Regards
Kai
dh3ybe
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