Tutorial: How to install satnogs groundstation for Newbie & PRO (for STATIC and ROTATOR)

bali · December 26, 2025, 1:40pm

who need this tutorial? for those who are dizzy, confused, or desperate about how to install and run the latest version of SatNOGS ground station on a Raspberry Pi

minimum setup

rtl-sdr
raspberry pi 3/4.
internet over lan cable

I recommend Raspberry Pi OS Lite (bookworm version), because trixie not supported yet by satnogs

Download bookworm image here

extract and flash to memory card (cautious: change /dev/sdx with your sd card location. you can use sudo fdisk -l command for make sure)
sudo dd if=2025-05-13-raspios-bookworm-arm64-lite.img of=/dev/sdx bs=1M conv=fsync status=progress
or or for hassle free you can use raspberry pi imager

SDR setup

login to raspberry console

sudo nano /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist-sdr.conf

copy paste this

blacklist rtl2832_sdr
blacklist dvb_usb_rtl28xxu
blacklist rtl2832
blacklist airspy
blacklist hackrf
blacklist msi001
blacklist msi2500

save with ctrl+x

sudo nano /etc/udev/rules.d/rtl-sdr.rules

copy paste this

#
# Copyright 2012-2013 Osmocom rtl-sdr project
#
# This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
# it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
# the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
# (at your option) any later version.
#
# This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
# but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
# MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
# GNU General Public License for more details.
#
# You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
# along with this program.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
#

# original RTL2832U vid/pid (hama nano, for example)
SUBSYSTEMS=="usb", ATTRS{idVendor}=="0bda", ATTRS{idProduct}=="2832", ENV{ID_SOFTWARE_RADIO}="1", MODE="0660", GROUP="plugdev"

# RTL2832U OEM vid/pid, e.g. ezcap EzTV668 (E4000), Newsky TV28T (E4000/R820T) etc.
SUBSYSTEMS=="usb", ATTRS{idVendor}=="0bda", ATTRS{idProduct}=="2838", ENV{ID_SOFTWARE_RADIO}="1", MODE="0660", GROUP="plugdev"

# DigitalNow Quad DVB-T PCI-E card (4x FC0012?)
SUBSYSTEMS=="usb", ATTRS{idVendor}=="0413", ATTRS{idProduct}=="6680", ENV{ID_SOFTWARE_RADIO}="1", MODE="0660", GROUP="plugdev"

# Leadtek WinFast DTV Dongle mini D (FC0012)
SUBSYSTEMS=="usb", ATTRS{idVendor}=="0413", ATTRS{idProduct}=="6f0f", ENV{ID_SOFTWARE_RADIO}="1", MODE="0660", GROUP="plugdev"

# Genius TVGo DVB-T03 USB dongle (Ver. B)
SUBSYSTEMS=="usb", ATTRS{idVendor}=="0458", ATTRS{idProduct}=="707f", ENV{ID_SOFTWARE_RADIO}="1", MODE="0660", GROUP="plugdev"

# Terratec Cinergy T Stick Black (rev 1) (FC0012)
SUBSYSTEMS=="usb", ATTRS{idVendor}=="0ccd", ATTRS{idProduct}=="00a9", ENV{ID_SOFTWARE_RADIO}="1", MODE="0660", GROUP="plugdev"

# Terratec NOXON rev 1 (FC0013)
SUBSYSTEMS=="usb", ATTRS{idVendor}=="0ccd", ATTRS{idProduct}=="00b3", ENV{ID_SOFTWARE_RADIO}="1", MODE="0660", GROUP="plugdev"

# Terratec Deutschlandradio DAB Stick (FC0013)
SUBSYSTEMS=="usb", ATTRS{idVendor}=="0ccd", ATTRS{idProduct}=="00b4", ENV{ID_SOFTWARE_RADIO}="1", MODE="0660", GROUP="plugdev"

# Terratec NOXON DAB Stick - Radio Energy (FC0013)
SUBSYSTEMS=="usb", ATTRS{idVendor}=="0ccd", ATTRS{idProduct}=="00b5", ENV{ID_SOFTWARE_RADIO}="1", MODE="0660", GROUP="plugdev"

# Terratec Media Broadcast DAB Stick (FC0013)
SUBSYSTEMS=="usb", ATTRS{idVendor}=="0ccd", ATTRS{idProduct}=="00b7", ENV{ID_SOFTWARE_RADIO}="1", MODE="0660", GROUP="plugdev"

# Terratec BR DAB Stick (FC0013)
SUBSYSTEMS=="usb", ATTRS{idVendor}=="0ccd", ATTRS{idProduct}=="00b8", ENV{ID_SOFTWARE_RADIO}="1", MODE="0660", GROUP="plugdev"

# Terratec WDR DAB Stick (FC0013)
SUBSYSTEMS=="usb", ATTRS{idVendor}=="0ccd", ATTRS{idProduct}=="00b9", ENV{ID_SOFTWARE_RADIO}="1", MODE="0660", GROUP="plugdev"

# Terratec MuellerVerlag DAB Stick (FC0013)
SUBSYSTEMS=="usb", ATTRS{idVendor}=="0ccd", ATTRS{idProduct}=="00c0", ENV{ID_SOFTWARE_RADIO}="1", MODE="0660", GROUP="plugdev"

# Terratec Fraunhofer DAB Stick (FC0013)
SUBSYSTEMS=="usb", ATTRS{idVendor}=="0ccd", ATTRS{idProduct}=="00c6", ENV{ID_SOFTWARE_RADIO}="1", MODE="0660", GROUP="plugdev"

# Terratec Cinergy T Stick RC (Rev.3) (E4000)
SUBSYSTEMS=="usb", ATTRS{idVendor}=="0ccd", ATTRS{idProduct}=="00d3", ENV{ID_SOFTWARE_RADIO}="1", MODE="0660", GROUP="plugdev"

# Terratec T Stick PLUS (E4000)
SUBSYSTEMS=="usb", ATTRS{idVendor}=="0ccd", ATTRS{idProduct}=="00d7", ENV{ID_SOFTWARE_RADIO}="1", MODE="0660", GROUP="plugdev"

# Terratec NOXON rev 2 (E4000)
SUBSYSTEMS=="usb", ATTRS{idVendor}=="0ccd", ATTRS{idProduct}=="00e0", ENV{ID_SOFTWARE_RADIO}="1", MODE="0660", GROUP="plugdev"

# PixelView PV-DT235U(RN) (FC0012)
SUBSYSTEMS=="usb", ATTRS{idVendor}=="1554", ATTRS{idProduct}=="5020", ENV{ID_SOFTWARE_RADIO}="1", MODE="0660", GROUP="plugdev"

# Astrometa DVB-T/DVB-T2 (R828D)
SUBSYSTEMS=="usb", ATTRS{idVendor}=="15f4", ATTRS{idProduct}=="0131", ENV{ID_SOFTWARE_RADIO}="1", MODE="0660", GROUP="plugdev"

# HanfTek DAB+FM+DVB-T
SUBSYSTEMS=="usb", ATTRS{idVendor}=="15f4", ATTRS{idProduct}=="0133", ENV{ID_SOFTWARE_RADIO}="1", MODE="0660", GROUP="plugdev"

# Compro Videomate U620F (E4000)
SUBSYSTEMS=="usb", ATTRS{idVendor}=="185b", ATTRS{idProduct}=="0620", ENV{ID_SOFTWARE_RADIO}="1", MODE="0660", GROUP="plugdev"

# Compro Videomate U650F (E4000)
SUBSYSTEMS=="usb", ATTRS{idVendor}=="185b", ATTRS{idProduct}=="0650", ENV{ID_SOFTWARE_RADIO}="1", MODE="0660", GROUP="plugdev"

# Compro Videomate U680F (E4000)
SUBSYSTEMS=="usb", ATTRS{idVendor}=="185b", ATTRS{idProduct}=="0680", ENV{ID_SOFTWARE_RADIO}="1", MODE="0660", GROUP="plugdev"

# GIGABYTE GT-U7300 (FC0012)
SUBSYSTEMS=="usb", ATTRS{idVendor}=="1b80", ATTRS{idProduct}=="d393", ENV{ID_SOFTWARE_RADIO}="1", MODE="0660", GROUP="plugdev"

# DIKOM USB-DVBT HD
SUBSYSTEMS=="usb", ATTRS{idVendor}=="1b80", ATTRS{idProduct}=="d394", ENV{ID_SOFTWARE_RADIO}="1", MODE="0660", GROUP="plugdev"

# Peak 102569AGPK (FC0012)
SUBSYSTEMS=="usb", ATTRS{idVendor}=="1b80", ATTRS{idProduct}=="d395", ENV{ID_SOFTWARE_RADIO}="1", MODE="0660", GROUP="plugdev"

# KWorld KW-UB450-T USB DVB-T Pico TV (TUA9001)
SUBSYSTEMS=="usb", ATTRS{idVendor}=="1b80", ATTRS{idProduct}=="d397", ENV{ID_SOFTWARE_RADIO}="1", MODE="0660", GROUP="plugdev"

# Zaapa ZT-MINDVBZP (FC0012)
SUBSYSTEMS=="usb", ATTRS{idVendor}=="1b80", ATTRS{idProduct}=="d398", ENV{ID_SOFTWARE_RADIO}="1", MODE="0660", GROUP="plugdev"

# SVEON STV20 DVB-T USB & FM (FC0012)
SUBSYSTEMS=="usb", ATTRS{idVendor}=="1b80", ATTRS{idProduct}=="d39d", ENV{ID_SOFTWARE_RADIO}="1", MODE="0660", GROUP="plugdev"

# Twintech UT-40 (FC0013)
SUBSYSTEMS=="usb", ATTRS{idVendor}=="1b80", ATTRS{idProduct}=="d3a4", ENV{ID_SOFTWARE_RADIO}="1", MODE="0660", GROUP="plugdev"

# ASUS U3100MINI_PLUS_V2 (FC0013)
SUBSYSTEMS=="usb", ATTRS{idVendor}=="1b80", ATTRS{idProduct}=="d3a8", ENV{ID_SOFTWARE_RADIO}="1", MODE="0660", GROUP="plugdev"

# SVEON STV27 DVB-T USB & FM (FC0013)
SUBSYSTEMS=="usb", ATTRS{idVendor}=="1b80", ATTRS{idProduct}=="d3af", ENV{ID_SOFTWARE_RADIO}="1", MODE="0660", GROUP="plugdev"

# SVEON STV21 DVB-T USB & FM
SUBSYSTEMS=="usb", ATTRS{idVendor}=="1b80", ATTRS{idProduct}=="d3b0", ENV{ID_SOFTWARE_RADIO}="1", MODE="0660", GROUP="plugdev"

# Dexatek DK DVB-T Dongle (Logilink VG0002A) (FC2580)
SUBSYSTEMS=="usb", ATTRS{idVendor}=="1d19", ATTRS{idProduct}=="1101", ENV{ID_SOFTWARE_RADIO}="1", MODE="0660", GROUP="plugdev"

# Dexatek DK DVB-T Dongle (MSI DigiVox mini II V3.0)
SUBSYSTEMS=="usb", ATTRS{idVendor}=="1d19", ATTRS{idProduct}=="1102", ENV{ID_SOFTWARE_RADIO}="1", MODE="0660", GROUP="plugdev"

# Dexatek DK 5217 DVB-T Dongle (FC2580)
SUBSYSTEMS=="usb", ATTRS{idVendor}=="1d19", ATTRS{idProduct}=="1103", ENV{ID_SOFTWARE_RADIO}="1", MODE="0660", GROUP="plugdev"

# MSI DigiVox Micro HD (FC2580)
SUBSYSTEMS=="usb", ATTRS{idVendor}=="1d19", ATTRS{idProduct}=="1104", ENV{ID_SOFTWARE_RADIO}="1", MODE="0660", GROUP="plugdev"

# Sweex DVB-T USB (FC0012)
SUBSYSTEMS=="usb", ATTRS{idVendor}=="1f4d", ATTRS{idProduct}=="a803", ENV{ID_SOFTWARE_RADIO}="1", MODE="0660", GROUP="plugdev"

# GTek T803 (FC0012)
SUBSYSTEMS=="usb", ATTRS{idVendor}=="1f4d", ATTRS{idProduct}=="b803", ENV{ID_SOFTWARE_RADIO}="1", MODE="0660", GROUP="plugdev"

# Lifeview LV5TDeluxe (FC0012)
SUBSYSTEMS=="usb", ATTRS{idVendor}=="1f4d", ATTRS{idProduct}=="c803", ENV{ID_SOFTWARE_RADIO}="1", MODE="0660", GROUP="plugdev"

# MyGica TD312 (FC0012)
SUBSYSTEMS=="usb", ATTRS{idVendor}=="1f4d", ATTRS{idProduct}=="d286", ENV{ID_SOFTWARE_RADIO}="1", MODE="0660", GROUP="plugdev"

# PROlectrix DV107669 (FC0012)
SUBSYSTEMS=="usb", ATTRS{idVendor}=="1f4d", ATTRS{idProduct}=="d803", ENV{ID_SOFTWARE_RADIO}="1", MODE="0660", GROUP="plugdev"

save with ctrl+x

if you use other than rtl-sdr, look here rules for other device or just run lsusb to find current device idvendor and idproduct (look this link for howto)

restart raspberrypi
sudo reboot

Install docker

sudo apt update
sudo apt install docker-compose docker.io

create station directory.
adjust the directory name, according to your station name.

mkdir ~/station4365
cd ~/station4365

nano docker-compose.yml

copy paste this

version: '3.8'
services:

  rigctld:
    image: librespace/hamlib:latest
    user: '500'
    read_only: true
    environment:
      MODEL: '1'
      PORT: '4532'
    restart: 'unless-stopped'
    command: 'rigctld'

  satnogs_client:
    image: librespace/satnogs-client:master-unstable
    user: '500'
    read_only: true
    init: true 
    env_file:
      - ./station.env
    environment:
      SATNOGS_RIG_IP: 'rigctld'
      SATNOGS_RIG_PORT: '4532'
    command: 'satnogs-client' 
    device_cgroup_rules:
      - 'c 189:* rwm'
    devices:
      - '/dev/bus/usb'
    volumes:
      - type: 'tmpfs'
        target: '/tmp'
      - type: 'volume'
        source: 'satnogs-client-latest'
        target: '/var/lib/satnogs-client'
    restart: 'unless-stopped'
    stop_grace_period: 1s

volumes:
  satnogs-client-latest:

nano station.env

copy paste this

SATNOGS_API_TOKEN=xxx
SATNOGS_ARTIFACTS_API_TOKEN=xxx
SATNOGS_STATION_ELEV=0
SATNOGS_STATION_ID=xxx
SATNOGS_STATION_LAT=xxx
SATNOGS_STATION_LON=xxx
SATNOGS_ARTIFACTS_ENABLED=True
SATNOGS_SOAPY_RX_DEVICE=driver=rtlsdr
SATNOGS_ANTENNA=RX
#SATNOGS_LOG_LEVEL=DEBUG
SATNOGS_LOG_LEVEL=INFO

SATNOGS_RX_SAMP_RATE=2.048e6
#Supported gain values: 0.0 0.9 1.4 2.7 3.7 7.7 8.7 12.5 14.4 15.7 16.6 19.7 20.7 22.9 25.4 28.0 29.7 32.8 33.8 36.4 37.2 38.6 40.2 42.1 43.4 43.9 44.5 48.0 49.6
SATNOGS_RF_GAIN=15.7
SATNOGS_PPM_ERROR=0

GR_SATELLITES_ENABLED=true
GR_SATELLITES_APP=gr_satellites
GR_SATELLITES_KEEPLOGS=true

UDP_DUMP_HOST=0.0.0.0

please change xxx value with your satnogs account.

API_TOKEN get here (API KEY):

ARTIFACTS_API_TOKEN get here

STATION_ID

you get after click and complete

run satnogs-client docker:

cd ~/station4365
sudo docker-compose down && sudo docker-compose up -d

open your browser, and check your satnogs dashboard
it should be green or orange label (testing mode)

rotator:

if your station using rotator, add this additional line to your docker-compose.yml (put between rigctld: and satnogs_client: ), if no or static antenna, just ignore this.
nano docker-compose.yml

copy paste this

  rotctld:
    image: librespace/hamlib:latest
    user: '500'
    read_only: true
    ports:
      - '4533'
    devices:
      - /dev/ttyUSB0
    restart: 'unless-stopped'
    command: 'rotctld -m 601 -r /dev/ttyUSB0 -s 9600 -T 0.0.0.0'

change 601 with your rotator model. 601 is for Yaesu GS-232A

click here for full list supported

 Rot #  Mfg                    Model                   Version         Status        Macro                
     1  Hamlib                 Dummy                   20220531.0      Stable        ROT_MODEL_DUMMY      
     2  Hamlib                 NET rotctl              20221110.0      Stable        ROT_MODEL_NETROTCTL  
   201  Hamlib                 EasycommI               20220109.0      Stable        ROT_MODEL_EASYCOMM1  
   202  Hamlib                 EasycommII              20191206.0      Stable        ROT_MODEL_EASYCOMM2  
   204  Hamlib                 EasycommIII             20201203.0      Stable        ROT_MODEL_EASYCOMM3  
   301  XQ2FOD                 Fodtrack                20200107.0      Stable        ROT_MODEL_FODTRACK   
   401  Idiom Press            Rotor-EZ                20220109.0      Stable        ROT_MODEL_ROTOREZ    
   402  Idiom Press            RotorCard               20100214.0      Beta          ROT_MODEL_ROTORCARD  
   403  Hy-Gain                DCU-1/DCU-1X            20100823.0      Stable        ROT_MODEL_DCU        
   404  DF9GR                  ERC                     20100823.2      Stable        ROT_MODEL_ERC        
   405  Green Heron            RT-21                   20220104.0      Stable        ROT_MODEL_RT21       
   406  Hy-Gain                DCU2/DCU3/YRC-1         20100823.2      Stable        ROT_MODEL_YRC1       
   501  SARtek                 SARtek-1                20061007.0      Beta          ROT_MODEL_SARTEK1    
   601  Yaesu                  GS-232A                 20220109.0      Stable        ROT_MODEL_GS232A     
   602  Various                GS-232 Generic          20220109.0      Stable        ROT_MODEL_GS232_GENERIC                
   603  Yaesu                  GS-232B                 20220109.0      Stable        ROT_MODEL_GS232B     
   604  F1TE                   GS232/F1TE Tracker      20220109.0      Stable        ROT_MODEL_F1TETRACKER
   605  Yaesu/Kenpro           GS-23                   20220109.0      Stable        ROT_MODEL_GS23       
   606  Yaesu/Kenpro           GS-232                  20220109.0      Stable        ROT_MODEL_GS232      
   607  AMSAT                  LVB Tracker             20220109.0      Stable        ROT_MODEL_LVB        
   608  FoxDelta               GS232/ST2               20220109.0      Stable        ROT_MODEL_ST2        
   609  Yaesu                  GS-232A azimuth         20220109.0      Stable        ROT_MODEL_GS232A_AZ  
   610  Yaesu                  GS-232A elevation       20220109.0      Stable        ROT_MODEL_GS232A_EL  
   611  Yaesu                  GS-232B azimuth         20220109.0      Stable        ROT_MODEL_GS232B_AZ  
   612  Yaesu                  GS-232B elevation       20220109.0      Stable        ROT_MODEL_GS232B_EL  
   701  WA6UFQ                 PcRotor                 20081013.0      Beta          ROT_MODEL_PCROTOR    
   801  Heathkit               HD 1780 Intellirotor    20220109.0      Stable        ROT_MODEL_HD1780     
   901  SPID                   Rot2Prog                20220109.0      Stable        ROT_MODEL_SPID_ROT2PROG                
   902  SPID                   Rot1Prog                20220109.0      Stable        ROT_MODEL_SPID_ROT1PROG                
   903  SPID                   MD-01/02 (ROT2 mode)    20220109.0      Stable        ROT_MODEL_SPID_MD01_ROT2PROG                                              
  1001  M2                     RC2800                  20210129        Stable        ROT_MODEL_RC2800     
  1002  M2                     RC2800_EARLY_AZ         20201130        Stable        ROT_MODEL_RC2800_EARLY_AZ              
  1003  M2                     RC2800_EARLY_AZEL       20201130        Stable        ROT_MODEL_RC2800_EARLY_AZEL            
  1101  EA4TX                  ARS RCI AZ&EL           20200112.0      Stable        ROT_MODEL_RCI_AZEL   
  1102  EA4TX                  ARS RCI AZ              20200112.0      Stable        ROT_MODEL_RCI_AZ     
  1201  AMSAT                  IF-100                  20110531.0      Beta          ROT_MODEL_IF100      
  1301  LA7LKA                 ts7400                  20200113.0      Stable        ROT_MODEL_TS7400     
  1401  Celestron              NexStar                 20220109.0      Beta          ROT_MODEL_NEXSTAR    
  1501  DG9OAA                 Ether6 (via ethernet)   20220109.0      Stable        ROT_MODEL_ETHER6     
  1601  CNCTRK                 CNCTRK                  20220109.0      Beta          ROT_MODEL_CNCTRK     
  1701  Prosistel              D azimuth               20201215.0      Stable        ROT_MODEL_PROSISTEL_D_AZ                
  1702  Prosistel              D elevation             20201215.0      Stable        ROT_MODEL_PROSISTEL_D_EL                
  1703  Prosistel              Combi-Track az+el       20201215.0      Stable        ROT_MODEL_PROSISTEL_COMBI_TRACK_AZEL    
  1704  Prosistel              D elevation CBOX az     20221215.0      Stable        ROT_MODEL_PROSISTEL_D_EL_CBOXAZ         
  1801  Meade                  LX200/Autostar          20220109.0      Stable        ROT_MODEL_MEADE      
  1901  iOptron                iOptron                 20220109.0      Stable        ROT_MODEL_IOPTRON    
  2101  SatEL                  SatEL                   20210123.0      Stable        ROT_MODEL_SATEL      
  2201  Radant                 AZ-1/AZV-1              20210508.0      Stable        ROT_MODEL_RADANT     
  2401  BG5DIW                 GRBLTRK via Serial      20220515.0      Beta          ROT_MODEL_GRBLTRK_SER
  2402  BG5DIW                 GRBLTRK via Net         20220515.0      Beta          ROT_MODEL_GRBLTRK_NET

now edit your station.conf and add following line:

copy paste this

#ROTATOR
SATNOGS_ROT_ENABLED=true
SATNOGS_ROT_MODEL=ROT_MODEL_NETROTCTL
SATNOGS_ROT_PORT=rotctld:4533
SATNOGS_ROT_MIN_AZ=0
SATNOGS_ROT_MAX_AZ=360
SATNOGS_ROT_MIN_EL=0
SATNOGS_ROT_MAX_EL=90
SATNOGS_ROT_THRESHOLD=4

SATNOGS_ROT_THRESHOLD = Rotator movement threshold, in degrees. If set, the rotator will only be commanded when the target has moved more than degrees away from the current azimuth/elevation position. Default: 4 degrees

now restart your docker station. and if you see the logs like below, congratz your rotator is working!

working rotator log example

satnogs_client_1  | INFO     satnogsclient.observer.observer Begin observation 14123674 ...
satnogs_client_1  | rot_init called         
satnogs_client_1  | initrots4_dummy: _init called 
satnogs_client_1  | rot_register (1)                                                                                                
satnogs_client_1  | rot_register (2)              
satnogs_client_1  | rot_open called        
satnogs_client_1  | network_open: hoststr=rotctld, portstr=4533
satnogs_client_1  | network_open: client port=28351
satnogs_client_1  | netrotctl_open called                                                                                           
satnogs_client_1  | rig_flush: called for network device                                                                            
satnogs_client_1  | network_flush called 
satnogs_client_1  | write_block(): TX 12 bytes, method=2
satnogs_client_1  | 0000    5c 64 75 6d 70 5f 73 74 61 74 65 0a                 \dump_state.    
satnogs_client_1  | read_string_generic called, rxmax=64 direct=1, expected_len=1              
satnogs_client_1  | read_string_generic(): RX 2 characters, direct=1                                                                satnogs_client_1  | 0000    31 0a                                               1.              
satnogs_client_1  | read_string_generic called, rxmax=64 direct=1, expected_len=1
satnogs_client_1  | read_string_generic(): RX 4 characters, direct=1                                                                satnogs_client_1  | 0000    36 30 31 0a                                         601.                                         
satnogs_client_1  | read_string_generic called, rxmax=64 direct=1, expected_len=1             
satnogs_client_1  | read_string_generic(): RX 19 characters, direct=1                                                               satnogs_client_1  | 0000    6d 69 6e 5f 61 7a 3d 2d 31 38 30 2e 30 30 30 30     min_az=-180.0000
satnogs_client_1  | 0010    30 30 0a                                            00.             
satnogs_client_1  | read_string_generic called, rxmax=64 direct=1, expected_len=1          
satnogs_client_1  | read_string_generic(): RX 18 characters, direct=1              
satnogs_client_1  | 0000    6d 61 78 5f 61 7a 3d 34 35 30 2e 30 30 30 30 30     max_az=450.00000                         
satnogs_client_1  | 0010    30 0a                                               0.              
satnogs_client_1  | read_string_generic called, rxmax=64 direct=1, expected_len=1
satnogs_client_1  | read_string_generic(): RX 16 characters, direct=1      
satnogs_client_1  | 0000    6d 69 6e 5f 65 6c 3d 30 2e 30 30 30 30 30 30 0a     min_el=0.000000.
satnogs_client_1  | read_string_generic called, rxmax=64 direct=1, expected_len=1
satnogs_client_1  | read_string_generic(): RX 18 characters, direct=1
satnogs_client_1  | 0000    6d 61 78 5f 65 6c 3d 31 38 30 2e 30 30 30 30 30     max_el=180.00000
satnogs_client_1  | 0010    30 0a                                               0.

noob tips: if you dont have rotator, but you want trying it, just plug cheap usb to ttl adapter to usb port. and if it work, the led on usb ttl will blinking, indicate command received from satnogs

troubleshoot:

check the log:

cd ~/station4365
sudo docker-compose logs -f

analyze the log:

sudo docker-compose logs --help
sudo docker-compose logs -t --tail="all" | less

check the sdr:

cd ~/station4365
sudo docker-compose exec satnogs_client SoapySDRUtil --probe

you should see your SDR there, it will seen like this:

Found Rafael Micro R828D tuner
RTL-SDR Blog V4 Detected
Found Rafael Micro R820T tuner

login into docker shell:

cd ~/station4365
sudo docker-compose exec satnogs_client bash

please if it work for you. thank you!

for additional addon to:

decode satellite photo from meteor-m2-3/4 satellites, follow this link
decode SSTV image (ISS SSTV, UmKA, Sonate, IO86, etc), follow this link
HADES ICM addon, follow this link
GR-SATELLITES DECODER addon, follow this link

rtl-sdr.rules.txt (7.5 KB)

wo2cc · December 26, 2025, 2:15pm

I’m actually planning this for my January shack work (along with putting a hole in the exterior wall for antenna lines!), so thank you for the timely basic-guide for newbies (and RPi’s!)

I’ll let you know in a month or so how many mistakes I made in the process!

PE0SAT · December 26, 2025, 2:55pm

Thanks, looking good.

But maybe it is necessary to explain the consequence of using this method compared to the
official SatNOGS ansible curl -sfL https://satno.gs/install | sh -s -- method ?

Jan | PE0SAT

bali · December 27, 2025, 11:58am

I think this is the fastest and easiest way, especially when frequently testing and changing the station configurations, because you just need to restart docker; there’s no need to download docker images again from the beginning.

Besides that, this method is very practical, especially if I want to create a new station. For example, if I have three SDRs and want to run three stations, I only need one Raspberry Pi. I just need to copy paste and rename the folder to the new station

cgbsat · December 29, 2025, 12:27pm

Thanks for this tutorial.

I was able to get it to work once I added the rtlsdr rules to udev. You may want to explain what the user is expected to see for the log checking and the Soapy probe.

ea5wa · December 30, 2025, 7:40pm

Interesting…. Thank you so much

ea1diw · February 7, 2026, 11:55am

Hello, I followed the installation instructions but the SDR receiver isn’t working. When I start the program, it indicates that it’s starting with the default driver. When I test it with `sudo docker-compose exec satnogs_client SoapySDRUtil --probe`, it doesn’t detect the SDR. Do I need to install Soapy?

bali · February 7, 2026, 8:05pm

hi , i update the tutorial. please follow after this step:

sudo nano /etc/udev/rules.d/rtl-sdr.rules

thank you also for @pe2bz and @cgbsat for reminding me. hope it work

ea1diw · February 8, 2026, 9:14am

Hello, it’s still not working. When I run the test, I get the default driver, but it detects the RTL and doesn’t receive the image. I have another question: where can I modify the cascade parameters? Thank you for your time.

ea1diw · February 8, 2026, 9:34am

Hi, I received the image after restarting the Raspberry Pi. But where can I modify the waterfall settings? Thanks

bali · February 8, 2026, 10:51am

can you specific? change the color?

bali · February 8, 2026, 10:52am

can you specific? change the color?

glad it work! may you share your station here? thank you

ea1diw · February 8, 2026, 11:34am

Hello, I would like to modify the upper and lower levels.

ea1diw · February 8, 2026, 11:37am

Hi, I can see that it’s receiving the image, but the RF gain levels aren’t changing. I’ve tried different values, but it doesn’t affect reception. I’ve noticed that it’s still detecting the default device. Could that be the problem?

bali · February 8, 2026, 11:44am

share you obs here.

bali · February 8, 2026, 12:05pm

try this to check your sdr.

login to your station shell:


cd ~/your-station-dir
sudo docker-compose exec satnogs_client bash

now you inside the station shell, run this:
rtl_test

if success you will see like this:

satnogs-client@b0f3ed7e4581:/$ rtl_test 
Found 2 device(s):
  0:  RTLSDRBlog, Blog V4, SN: 1004451

open another terminal, and type this command on your host shell:
sudo lsmod | grep rtl

it should blank result.

ea1diw · February 8, 2026, 1:08pm

ea1diw · February 8, 2026, 1:45pm

ea1diw · February 8, 2026, 1:50pm

bali · February 8, 2026, 2:55pm

seen its good and normal. and from your last observation its produce audio, artifact and waterfall.

maybe you can check the ppm value. make sure you have test this value on sdr software like SDR++ with your rtl-sdr and got the correct signal

for your question about custom waterfall , and another tips to set the ppm, i recommended this page