For this setup, I use a Raspberry Pi 5 to operate all available digital amateur radio modes. It is my minimal setup when traveling light. My radio of choice is an Elecraft KX2 with an internal antenna tuner, connected via a DigiRig interface, which functions as both a sound card and CAT transceiver control. To cover VHF and UHF, I use a Kenwood TH-D74, which is particularly well-suited for Packet Radio and APRS. All devices connect to the Raspberry Pi via USB.
The Raspberry Pi 5 runs headless, meaning without a connected monitor. Normally, I access it via VNC on my iPad, but in this video, I’m using my META Quest 3 with the REAL VNC Viewer. This works flawlessly on my home Wi-Fi, and on the go, I use my iPad or iPhone as a hotspot.
Interestingly, the META Quest 3 runs on an Android operating system. A VNC app is not available in the official store, but that’s not a problem—with sideloading, nearly any Android app can be installed, including a VNC viewer.
When operating remotely, I power the Raspberry Pi 5 with a USB-C power bank, which works perfectly—likely because USB power consumption is low and no monitor is connected. Thanks to the GeekPi aluminum heatsink, the Raspberry Pi 5 remains pleasantly cool.
A compact, powerful, and ultra-portable setup—perfect for digital amateur radio in virtual and augmented reality. Why do I do this? Because it works and because it’s fun! 😉
By the way, I have been using Wavelog as my exclusive logging software for some time now. In my case, it is hosted on the DARC servers. I love working with software-as-a-service in a browser—it’s also how I work professionally. The big advantage of Wavelog is the Wavelog Gate app, which allows logs to be uploaded directly via UDP. Wavelog then automatically handles uploads and downloads to LOTW and eQSL. A fantastic system—many thanks to DARC and the entire team maintaining this solution!
More about to setup the RPI: Winlink Express, VarAC, and VARA Modem on a Raspberry Pi 5
73, have fun!
Karl, DL1GKK