Author Topic: ACARSD on Ubuntu  (Read 16360 times)

Offline SQWK7700

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ACARSD on Ubuntu
« on: November 21, 2011, 04:41:46 PM »
Hi all, just wondering if anybody has any experience setting up ACARSD on Ubuntu linux. I'm using a Dell d810 laptop and have the software installed but are unable to decode and traffic. Tried different radio's etc but still not luck. Not sure if its a audio drive problem or what. Has anybody any experience that may be of assistance.
Cheers
Darrin



Offline dave

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Re: ACARSD on Ubuntu
« Reply #1 on: November 21, 2011, 04:58:12 PM »
I used to have an acarsd instance running in Boston.  What are you using as your sound device?  And are you sure you have the right device in the acarsd config file?  It would be useful if you could post your config here.

Offline bbrasmussen

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Re: ACARSD on Ubuntu
« Reply #2 on: November 30, 2011, 05:31:30 PM »
I'm having the same problem.  I just installed ACARSD on Ubuntu 9.10 (I'm using this version which has OSS audio support for another audio program.) The ACARSD program is up and running with mostly default settings, including leaving the soundcard selection blank in my conifig file.  ACARSD shows the soundcard audio level changes when I change volume levels on my scanner, so I know there's some audio getting into the soundcard.  However, I get absolutely 0 decodes.  I'm fairly new to Linux, so I'm sure there's some setting somewhere I must be missing.

When I plug the audio cable into my ACARSD setup on my Windows XP machine, it decodes perfectly.  I'd really like to get ACARSD working on my Ubuntu machine so I could free up audio ports on my Windows computer.

Offline dave

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Re: ACARSD on Ubuntu
« Reply #3 on: November 30, 2011, 05:44:10 PM »
Can you post your acarsd.ini file or send it to me?  I just got acarsd back up and running at my Boston receiver site - just experimenting with it again.  Decodes fine.

Offline bbrasmussen

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Re: ACARSD on Ubuntu
« Reply #4 on: November 30, 2011, 06:44:39 PM »
Here's my acarsd.ini file attached.

Offline bbrasmussen

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Re: ACARSD on Ubuntu
« Reply #5 on: December 08, 2011, 01:57:40 AM »
I'm still trying to get this to work with no luck.  It seems to hang while trying to access the network looking for the aircraft library.  Perhaps that's what's keeping it from decoding?

Offline dave

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Re: ACARSD on Ubuntu
« Reply #6 on: December 09, 2011, 08:56:20 AM »
Try uncommenting this line:

Sample44kHz

and let us know how you do.

And your sound device is /dev/dsp?  That is the default - and if you are seeing level reporting then you probably have that correct.  Aim for volume level in the 5-15 range as reported in acarsd, no more.


Offline bbrasmussen

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Re: ACARSD on Ubuntu
« Reply #7 on: December 11, 2011, 12:54:52 PM »
I checked, and my device was /dev/dsp. However, my mixer had multiple input options beyond the 2 on the sound card. After having no luck with the sample rate, I changed software audio input settings and got things working!  Thanks for your help!

Brandon

Offline SQWK7700

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Re: ACARSD on Ubuntu
« Reply #8 on: December 14, 2011, 02:41:40 AM »
Apologies for posting-and-running was sent inter-state for work. Back at the home base now. I'll post the setup file this evening (I'm UTC+11). Cheers Darrin

Offline SQWK7700

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Re: ACARSD on Ubuntu
« Reply #9 on: December 14, 2011, 05:03:31 AM »
Hi Again. I'm running Ubuntu 11.04 Natty on a Dell Latitude D810 and ACARSD 1.65. The receiver I am using is a Uniden UBCT8. I have run ACARDS on a XP box with this receiver and successfully decoded messages so I know the receiver output is OK. When I try running under Ubuntu using many different volume settings and also sound card options in the acarsd,ini file I have yet to decode anything. The sound card driver I am using is /dev/snd/pcmC0D0c I belive this is correct as when I open the system soundcard options are can see deflection on the line in Vu meter. Attached is the acarsd.ini file. In this version Sample44kHz is enabled as I was trying that option as mentioned in previous posts here. As a last ditch attempt to get this working I was going to install Suse linux on the Dell and try again but I am running Ubuntu on the box that supplies the LiveATC feed and also the CWOP feed so I would prefer to have the same OS on both that lappy and the ACARS lappy.
Cheers
Darrin

Offline dave

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Re: ACARSD on Ubuntu
« Reply #10 on: December 14, 2011, 09:18:33 PM »
Attached is the acarsd.ini file that I am using on an experimental node in Boston, MA.  Though it decodes very effectively, I am not happy with ACARSD on Linux - not stable, crashes a lot.  I used to run an ACARSD node on Windows, and it was much more stable on that platform.

I am not motivated enough about ACARS to put a separate machine there for ACARS.  Furthermore, the acarsd software does not appear to be a maintained project any longer.

It's always fun to dabble with, perhaps I will bring a node up here at home to pick up airborne stuff, but probably not.  :-)  Too many other projects that are more interesting and useful.

Hope the .ini file helps you get decoding.

-Dave


Offline SQWK7700

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Re: ACARSD on Ubuntu
« Reply #11 on: December 15, 2011, 04:50:12 AM »
Hi Dave, appears from the ini that your configuration uses /dev/dsp1 which is the alternate version of the sound card drivers. I think this may be the source of my issues. I think I can download these for Ubuntu as they are not delivered by default anymore by Ubuntu. Thanks for the information. I'll update as I discover more. Cheers Darrin

Offline dave

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Re: ACARSD on Ubuntu
« Reply #12 on: December 17, 2011, 08:32:56 AM »
Hi Dave, appears from the ini that your configuration uses /dev/dsp1 which is the alternate version of the sound card drivers. I think this may be the source of my issues. I think I can download these for Ubuntu as they are not delivered by default anymore by Ubuntu. Thanks for the information. I'll update as I discover more. Cheers Darrin

Yes but that shouldn't matter - although maybe it does.  Perhaps acarsd is old enough to not support ALSA drivers.

You need to get the alsa-oss stuff.

Offline SQWK7700

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Re: ACARSD on Ubuntu
« Reply #13 on: December 19, 2011, 08:23:55 PM »
Hi Dave. Finally found a solution. I have used the Pulse Audio OSS adapter that is delivered with Ubuntu. After going into the sound settings I could see the adapter binding to the sound card. Turning up the volume in the control panel and we are now happily decoding ACARS here in YMML. Pity ACARSD is no longer being updated as their appears few other options for Linux ;(

Thanks to everybody for you suggestions. Love the community.

I'm reorganising racks at the moment and are looking at putting up a YMML ACARS online that people can connect to. Will update when I get around to it.

Cheers Darrin