Installing GridTracker on Raspberry Pi

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This guide covers the native installation of GridTracker on a 32-bit Raspberry Pi. We use a straightforward package installation strategy to ensure system stability and avoid any interference with existing Ham Radio software like Wine or VARA.

Before you dive into this blog post, I recommend reading the following blog post first: https://dl1gkk.com/raspberry-pi-ham-radio-best-practice-2026

1. Download the Right Package

Forget about complicated source-code compiling. The cleanest way to get GridTracker running on a 32-bit OS is by using the official Debian package. Head over to the official GridTracker Downloads Page.

  • Scroll down until you find the Linux ARM32 section.
  • Click on Debian.
  • This will download the correct .deb file (e.g., GridTracker2-2.260416.1-armv7l.deb).

Save this file directly into the Downloads folder on your Raspberry Pi.

2. Install via Terminal

We let the system’s package manager do the hard work. It will install the application and automatically fetch any missing background dependencies. Open your terminal and navigate to your downloads:

cd ~/Downloads
sudo apt install ./GridTracker2-2.260416.1-armv7l.deb

(Note: If the version number has changed, ensure the filename in the command matches your downloaded file.)

3. Wire It Up to WSJT-X

Now that the dashboard is installed and available in your Pi’s application menu, we need to connect it to the engine room.

  1. Configure WSJT-X: Go to Settings (F2) -> Reporting. Ensure the UDP Server is pointing to 127.0.0.1 on port 2237. Check the box “Accept UDP requests”.
  2. Configure GridTracker: Open the app and click the Settings (Gear Icon). Under the General tab, verify that Receive UDP Messages is set to port 2237.
Pro-Tip: Instead of typing out the long filename in Step 2, simply type sudo apt install ./Grid and press the TAB key on your keyboard. The terminal will auto-complete the rest of the filename automatically. Using this native package ensures you maintain the stability of your power supply and system load, leaving resources for your radio software.

Disclaimer: This setup was developed in collaboration with Gemini AI. While we’ve worked hard to make this guide as “bulletproof” as possible, tech is always evolving—errors may occur, or specific functions might need a bit of extra tweaking.

The solution? Don’t hesitate to ask Gemini yourself if you get stuck. Good luck with your build!