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Dunn why RPi doesn't add a connector for an external antenna.

Just for completeness and to save anyone having to mess around with compiling kernel modules, here is what looks like a fairly comprehensive (at least until 6.13) list of in-kernel USB WiFi devices: github.com/morrownr/USB-WiFi/blob/main/h...in-kernel_drivers.md

Discovered it a little late but I think only one has an RP-SMA connection.

unknown wrote:

As the image is a custom one, only the kernel is built from RPi Sources.
This pretty clear, I would have thought.

To one well versed in building distributions, yes, but not necessarily to one who has only used distributions! Not until now, anyway

unknown wrote:

Where as you were attempting to install headers from the Debian repo

 
I was but at that point, didn't realise the significance of the kernel being sourced from a different place to the base distribution.

unknown wrote:

The kernel should load the drivers without any user intervention.

 
It does now load on boot.

Thank you.

As the image is a custom one, only the kernel is built from RPi Sources.
This pretty clear, I would have thought.
Where as you were attempting to install headers from the Debian repo

The kernel should load the drivers without any user intervention.

Thank you very much for your replies. I did read all of this thread (all 7 pages!) but didn't quite make the connection that the linux-headers would be named differently for rpi. I've used the 'sudo apt install linux-headers-$(uname -r)' a fair few times in the past but it's the first time I've noticed a mismatch between uname and the installed headers. Every day is a learning opportunity - even with a Bank Holiday brain.

I also did try just plugging the dongle in but according to this the drivers are not merged into the kernel until 6.13. The WiFi in my workshop is pretty weak - my NUC with two antennas struggles to with signal from the AP - I suspect the foil faced insulation board is creating a bit of a Faraday cage. And it's the ISP supplied router/AP at that end.

Once I'd 'discovered' the headers were already installed, I did the Basic Installation for All Distros and success!

For anyone else following along, the RTL8811AU chipset requires the rtw_8821au driver to be loaded (modprobe'd) as per this issue .

Thanks again, much appreciated.
 

Drivers build & load without having to install any "extras".

The kernel is a custom one based on the RPi sources, as such the kernel headers are preinstalled.
If you read the very first post in this thread you will realise that the image is based on Debian 12 with a RT kernel based on the RPi sources.
I have my Pi in a metal enclosure and haven't noticed any issues with wifi. Your mileage may vary.
Have you tried plugging in your dongle and checked if the kernel loads drivers ?

I hope this is the right thread, please move if it isn't...

I'm investigating converting my NUC to a Pi 5 - the install from the official Pi5 image went perfectly but as I'm using a Mesa 7i96 and the Pi will end up inside the cabinet, I need to use a USB WiFi adapter for its external antenna.

The dongle is a Reaktek RTL8811AU (external antenna'd ones seem to be getting rare) so I think I need to install this: github.com/lwfinger/rtw88?tab=readme-ov-file#installation-guide Happy to be corrected if I don't because I'd rather not.

If I do aI get 6.12.11 but this:is "Unable to locate package linux-headers-6.12.11"

An apt search reveals a bunch of 6.1.0x Linux headers and a few 6.12.12+bpo headers but no 6.12.11. Not sure what to do now, so any guidance would be appreciated - even if it's a link to a natively supported USB WiFi!

Edit: Runninginstead of apt searching for 'linux-headers-6' reveals 'linux-headers-bcm2712-rpi/now 6.12.11-1 arm64' are already installed. Why the headers don't match the uname -a is slightly above my pay grade.

Hello,
I am installing ethercat but the communication light with the drivers is not flashing and it is not communicating with the drivers.
raspberry pi 5 
rpi-5-debian-bookworm-6.12.11-arm64-ext4-2025-01-27-0140.img.xz - linuxcnc 3.5.9
I used to use linuxcnc 2.9.3 and there was no problem.


 

Heh. I would have to say probably "yes", to both. LOL.

It's a DIY mill. In 1993, II got it as a kit, which included the stepper, a driver board (which did just raw coil driving -- not even step/dir!) along with plans for a chassis made of particle board, rails from high quality drawer slides, and all-thread rod as the transport. The s/w that came with it was written for DOS, polling loops and all.

There have obviously been a lot of upgrades over the years: EMC/LinuxCNC in 2004, acme rod for X and Y (Z still uses the all-thread) a lot of chassis strengthening, a real step/dir driver board maybe 10 years ago, and a Mesa card and Raspberry Pi this year. But it still has the same steppers, and the linkages and threaded shafts aren't all that well aligned. Frankly, I'm amazed it all kind of still works. But I have fun with it... when it's not driving me nuts!

Pictures here: projects.foxharp.net/cnc/

Thanks for your input. Keyboard input is USB, so meh, not a lot that can be done about that.

Use the official fan & heatsink, it works well and you'll have no issues. I've left mine on for days at a time during the summer in Australia and nothing has gone wrong.

I prefer a wired pendant, connected via a Mesa 7i73. It's solid and you don't need to worry about disconnections. Just axis & step selectors with a hand wheel. Tho Rod does us a fancy wireless one.

First of all, thank you very much for your work with the images. 

According to everything I found on the net, a pi 5 8GB with SanDisk extreme pro 64gb, official power supply and a Mesa 7i96s should work without any problems? Is that correct?  

Are there any restrictions regarding
- user interface (probe basic, gmoccapy)
- the wireless 6 axis handwheel  

One last question about the cooling / housing.Is a passive cooled case like the Flirc Raspberry Pi 5 case sufficient or should active cooling be provided? My thoughts on this are mainly dust protection.


Perhaps useful for others
Unfortunately, the standard office monitors all have large ventilation slots on the back. I have been looking for alternatives for a time and would now like to use a mobile external monitor (sold as a supplement to the laptop). These seem to be much better protected against dust.

Thanks 
Erwin 

8gb will be fine. 
Linuxcnc runs happilly in 4 gb on most platforms.

Hello gentlemen !

Im a Newby and want to run a CNC-mill with a Mesa 7i76E and a Rpi 5.
I have  read the thread and think a RPI 5  with 8 GB will be  the right choice for
bookworm and the mesa. The 16 GB RPI5  won't work or is there any kind of news ?
The freason for the question is that i have to buy a RPI but which one is the best opinion and why ?
Can you help me ?

Thanks   a lot
Ultrakurz