Tutorial: How to install satnogs groundstation for Newbie & PRO

[bali]

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

restart raspberrypi
sudo reboot

Install docker

sudo apt update
sudo apt install docker-compose

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: '999'
    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)

troubleshoot:

check the log:

cd ~/station4365
sudo docker-compose logs -f

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

please if it work for you. thank you!

rtl-sdr.rules.txt (7.5 KB)

[wo2cc]

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]

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]

@PE0SAT

explain the consequence of using this method

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]

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]

Interesting…. Thank you so much

[ea1diw]

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]

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]

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]

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

[bali]

@ea1diw

where can I modify the waterfall settings?

can you specific? change the color?

[bali]

can you specific? change the color?

@ea1diw

I received the image after restarting the Raspberry Pi

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

[ea1diw]

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

[ea1diw]

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]

share you obs here.

[bali]

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]

[ea1diw]

[ea1diw]

[bali]

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