Configuration of a **Packet Radio ROSE / FPAC / NetRom** switch and an **F6FBB BBS** on a **Linux** distribution for **RaspBerry Pi**

This page was created by **Bernard F6BVP / AI7BG** on August 22, 2020 and updated on November 4, 2025.

The website http://f6bvp.org runs on a RaspBerry Pi 3B.

Command Section

Continuation of the AX25 configuration for the BBS and ROSE/FPAC

(see on the website f6bvp.org)

Linux System Information

• The **latest Linux kernel** available as of this documentation is used.
• The upgrade facility included in your Raspbian system will allow you to obtain the latest kernel and package versions.
• Usual amateur radio interface drivers: **`ax25`**, **`rose`**, **`mkiss`**, **`6pack`**, **`bpqether`**, **`netrom`**.
• Several examples of device types are initialized in the default script **`/etc/ax25/ax25-up`**. [List obtained by executing the command **`ifconfig`**].
• Other scripts named **`ax25-up-xxxxxxx`** are available in **`/etc/ax25`**.
• AX.25 port names are declared, as usual, in **`/etc/ax25/axports`**.

List of Applications Starting at Boot

List of active applications on startup:

• **F6FBB BBS** version 7.0.8.
• **AX.25 packet radio switch FPAC** (NetRom and ROSE protocols).
• **aprslist** (APRS beacon and repeater).
• **Dx spots relay DX Cluster**.
• **Web server lighthttpd** (/var/www/index.lighttpd.html).
• **watchdog** (the RPi reboots in case of a Linux kernel failure).
• **beacon** (AX.25 radio beacons).
• **mheardd daemon** (the client is mheard).
• **dxget** (DX spots dissemination on AX.25 ports).
• **ax25ipd** for AX.25 frame encapsulation to IP (and vice-versa).
• **ax25d**: daemon redirecting incoming frames to the appropriate software.
• **xastir**. Graphical APRS application to be launched from the Graphical User Interface.

All communication applications are already configured to use a TNC-Pi connected to the RaspBerry Pi I/O connector.

First Steps of Configuration and Administration

• Execute the command **ifconfig eth0** and note the **RPi MAC code** (e.g., HWaddr B8:27:EB:9E:15:06). You will need it later.
• Memorize the temporary local address assigned to your RPi by your router. [The local IP address is of the type **192.168.0.xxx** (link)].

On startup, the script */etc/init.d/ax25* automatically launches */etc/ax25/ax25-up* which initializes interfaces and starts the applications (BBS, FPAC node, etc.).

• The FPAC node will default to initiating a connection to the FPAC network via F6BVP.
• The BBS will also try to exchange routing messages with the default F6BVP-1 BBS.
• The APRS beacon/repeater is active (modify your Latitude/Longitude coordinates in */etc/ax25/aprslist.conf*).
• The DX Cluster is active. The local client can be started by executing the command **clu**.
• Your RPi Web server is online (default page: /var/www/index.html).
• To **stop** the AX.25 applications, execute **/etc/ax25/ax25-down**
• To **restart** AX.25: **/etc/init.d/ax25 start**
• The Dxget application can disseminate DX spots on an AX.25 port (start with /etc/ax25/rc.dxget).

For the next configuration steps, you must obtain supervisor privileges.

• If you are not already a supervisor, switch to the su account by executing the command **sudo su** to gain Super User privileges.
• It is highly recommended to now execute the command **raspi-config** and select option *1 "Expand Filesystem"* to expand the root partition.
• You will also want to change the user password (option 2), execute the internationalization options (option 3), execute the Advanced Option A2 Hostname, etc.
• Restart the RPi via the command **reboot**.

Network Access and Port Redirection

• **Configure the redirection of the following ports** on your router to the IP address of your RPi: **80**, **6300**, **7300**, **8000**, **10092**. The external and internal port numbers **must be the same**.
• Ports **21**, **22**, **23** must also be redirected, but the external ports can have different numbers for security reasons (Example: redirect external port **32222** to internal port **22** of your RPi).
• To access your RPi via the local network or remotely via the Internet, you can use the applications **telnet** or, preferably, **ssh** (more secure).
• From a Windows PC, you can use **TeraTerm Pro** Web 3.1.3 (downloadable from http://www.ayera.com/teraterm/). Configure **ssh2** with the user **`pi`** and the password **`raspberry`**.
• From a Linux computer, the applications **telnet** and **ssh** are directly available.
• You can start the RPi without a monitor, keyboard, or mouse (connection only via Ethernet).

Command Shortcuts

Once connected to your RPi, a number of command shortcuts are available:

**monitor -chat** (displays AX.25 traffic on all ports)
**st** (shortcut for netstat --ax25)
**ne** (shortcut for netstat --netrom and --rose)
**bbs** (opens a console BBS client)
**fpac** (script to start an fpacnode client)
**px** (shortcut for ps -ax)
**df -h** (displays used/free disk space)
        

• **fbblog**: lists the current week's BBS log.
• **fpaclog**: lists the FPAC startup log file.
• **listen -chat**: displays AX.25 traffic on all ports (Exit: CTRL+C).
• **ALT+F5**: opens terminal 5 displaying the Dx Spider service message.
• **ALT+F6**: opens terminal 6 displaying packet radio traffic on AX.25 ports.

In SU mode, the alias **`ll`** is a shortcut for **`ls -la`**.

All the "batches" above, located in */usr/local/bin*, can be called from any Linux directory.

Note: Unlike Windows, on Linux, you have multiple virtual terminals available simultaneously. Use **ALT+F1**, **ALT+F2**, etc. to open a terminal. **ALT+F7** returns to the graphical interface (if launched with **startx**).

Remote Access (Telnet/SSH)

• From a Windows PC with TeraTerm Pro, use SSH2 with the user **fpacuser** instead of **pi**, and the password **fpac** for FPAC node access.
• From a Linux computer: **ssh fpacuser@192.168.0.xxx -p 10092** (+ password **fpac**).
• From a Linux computer, the command **telnet <RPi IP address> 6300** gives you access to the BBS.
• Local RPi access with SSH: **ssh <local RPi IP address> -p 22**.
• Connection to the Dx spots Spider server: **telnet <RPi IP address> 7300** (remote) or **telnet localhost 7300** (local).
• Web Access: The local or Internet IP address opens the RPi example page.
• To transfer files: **sftp pi@<your RPi IP>** (password **raspberry**).

Callsign Customization

It is now time to personalize the amateur radio applications with your personal information.

• Open a supervisor session with **sudo su**. The supervisor password must be changed via **passwd**.
• You will need to edit a number of files listed on this page. Fortunately, the callsign change can be done quickly via the command line.

Go to the */etc/ax25* directory with **cd /etc/ax25** and execute the following commands, replacing F6XYZ or f6xyz in this example with your callsign:

grep -rl F6XYZ * | xargs sed -i 's/F6XYZ/YOURCALL/g'
grep -rl f6xyz * | xargs sed -i 's/f6xyz/yourcall/g'
        

• The last command **must be executed** again after changing the directory: **cd /usr/local/bin**
• The same command **must also be executed** after changing the directory: **cd /spider/connect**

To personalize other parameters in the * /etc/ax25/*.conf* files, use the simple editor: **nano**. For example: **nano /etc/ax25/fbb.conf**

Another available editor is **`vim.tiny`**.

Updating AX.25 Libraries and Applications

HOW TO UPDATE the AX.25 libraries, applications, tools, and FPAC on your Raspbian system:

• Update Linux itself with the commands **apt-get update** and **apt-get upgrade**.
• To ensure the necessary development tools are installed, execute the command:

apt-get install dh-autoreconf libncurses5-dev gftp host watchdog chkconfig
        

Then, to update the AX.25 system, you can execute the instructions given on this link.

FPAC Configuration

The command **source fpacdir** is a shortcut to change directory to the fpac source directory.

• In the file **/etc/ax25/fpac.conf**, do not change the SSIDs -8 and -9. **Change the DNIC parameter** (e.g., 3100 for the USA). **Change the Address** = 194501 to your own 6-digit address.
• **Please edit the script** ***/usr/local/bin/fpac*** **and replace "f6bvp" with your own callsign!**
• Verify that the **Inetport** number is the same as **Socket udp** in **/etc/ax25/ax25ipd.conf** (**10092** by default).
• **Send an email to F6BVP** (and your future adjacent Sysops) with your **IP address**, your **L2** and **L3 callsigns**, and your **ROSE address**.
• The file **/etc/ax25/fpac.nodes** configures the neighboring FPAC nodes.

NetRom Configuration

NetRom protocol configuration for Node, BBS, and DX Cluster:

• Edit **/etc/ax25/nrports** to define your own alias.
• **/etc/ax25/nrbroadcast** must be edited.
• **ax25d.conf** must include entries for NetRom ports redirecting to the FPAC node and for the Dx cluster Spider client.

BBS Configuration

• Personalize your *Callsign* and *password* in **/etc/ax25/bbs/passwd.sys** and **/usr/local/bin/bbs**.
• **Send an email to F6BVP** with your **BBS callsign-ssid**, your **IP** or **symbolic address**, and the **external telnet port number** redirected to port 6300.
• Shortcut for the FBB source directory: **source fbbdir**.

DX Cluster (Spider) Configuration

• Log in to your Raspberry Pi using the sysop login.
• Personalize the cluster file **/spider/local/DXVars.pm**.
• After editing, execute the script **/spider/perl/create_sysop.pl**.
• **rename file startup.txt startup**
• Execute **/spider/src/client <sysop alias>** and enter the commands: **set/spider f6bvp-3** and **connect f6bvp-3**.
• Send an email with your Spider callsign to receive DX spots from F6BVP.
• A symbolic link has been created to regularly clean up old cluster data. [The script */etc/cron.weekly/clear_log.sh*] must be executable.

Documentation Links

• Useful links (previous page) for general RaspBerry Pi documentation.
• **Online BBS Documentation**.
• K4GBB wrote a new version of the BBS user documentation for Linux.
• **FPAC HowTo online**.
• **Dx Cluster Installation and User Manuals**.
• A document dedicated to the installation of Spider on Raspberry Pi is available (*Install of DXSpider on Raspberry Pi-v1.0x.pdf* file).

TNC-Pi and Serial Connections

Raspberry Pi Serial Connections

The distributed system is already configured to use a TNC-Pi via the 2x13 (or 2x20) pin connector.

• http://elinux.org/RPi_Serial_Connection
• http://www.hobbytronics.co.uk/raspberry-pi-serial-port

TNC-Pi Terminal Node Controller for AX.25

I used a TNC-Pi kit.
I had to remove the top layer of the Pibow case to insert the TNC-Pi onto the connector.
I chose the serial port. In case of difficulties, read the TNC-Pi instruction manual carefully.

The distributed Raspbian AX.25 is already configured to use the TNC-Pi via the GPIO bus

The Kiss parameters have been defined. The serial connection is on **/dev/ttyAMA0**. The ttyAMA0 device has been attached to the ax25 port.