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fmlist_scanner:problems_and_solutions

6. Problems and possible solutions

  • Nothing happens:
    • Check power supply. Test with another (USB) cable
    • Remove the SD card and insert it again
  • at start, it beeps a few times (long long long), the red LED flashes and everything repeats again
    • Unplug the RTL-SDR and connect it again
      • if the problem persists, unplug and reconnect power
  • New results aren't written, it is defective
    • exchange the storage medium, recommended is an SD card - used through an USB adapter
      • format with the Flash Friendly File System to extend its lifetime: scanner_format_f2fs.sh
  • Raspberry Pi is no longer accessible after pressing the reboot knob
    • sometimes the system hangs on reboot. Remove power and reconnect
  • Bad reception quality
    • check the antenna connection and plug as well as the location of the antenna!
    • is the gain set correctly?
    • metallized vehicle window pane?
  • the scanner freezes after a while
    • apparently, the RTL dongle is not particularly stable
    • automatic reboot with the setting FMLIST_SCAN_DEAD_REBOOT = “1”
      • if necessary, also the setting FMLIST_SCAN_DEAD_TIME reduce, e.g. to 240.
  • Stations are not recognized or decoded. There can be various reasons for this. The best way to assess the specific cause is based on a recording.
    • utilities for recording are recWFMchunk.sh and recDAB.sh. Please use these to create and provide recordings of 10 to 30 seconds.
  • the buzzer is too loud and may be annoying too often
    • configure the cases, which should be signalled - or not.
    • the buzzer's hole can be partially or completely glued with an adhesive tape
    • if you don't want to hear anything, it is simple to pull off one of the 2 pins
      • pay attention to the polarity when re-attaching: (+) symbol on the piezo
  • after disconnecting the Ethernet cable, the WiFi SSH / PuTTY session also freezes
    • that is a known issue. do not use the Ethernet cable for WiFi operation
  • the Raspberry Pi reboots quite often
    • check the power supply unit or try another sufficiently dimensioned power supply

For other or persistent problems, please check the mailing list first: https://groups.io/g/fmlist-scanner
Register and mail to fmlist-scanner@groups.io

This list will also be used to provide further information about new versions / updates or questions / answers on your part in the future. Additional photos, links and wiki pages are also available via the mailing list website.

fmlist_scanner/problems_and_solutions.txt · Last modified: (external edit)