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| builders ➜ ID and shop for Raspberry PI |
In order to build a TARPN packet node, you will one of these and it will be dedicated to running your node. In order to be compatible with the assembly instructions on the TARPN web site, we will be making physical modifications to the Raspberry Pi which may make it incompatible with some daughter cards. If you decided you will get a case for the Raspberry Pi, that case must permit ribbon cables to be routed to the expansion connector. For Raspberry Pi 3B and 3B+ models I recommend the Zebra case for those who will not be using custom cabinetry for their node. For Raspberry Pi 4B and 3B+ models I recommend the FLIRC Raspberry Pi 4 Case.
Raspberry PIs come in several shapes for different purposes but we want the B units because the have the best expansion options. I recommend the lowest RAM model of the latest B series Raspberry Pi. The units are so cheap, it is reasonable (and required) that the node be the only app using the node's Raspberry Pi. You will be called on to erase and rewrite the SDcard over the life of the product so customizing the software on the Raspberry Pi for other purposes will lead to wasted time. This list changes as new Raspberry PIs are released. The newest releases aren't always available. Our applications, so far, use less than the maximum memory of the cheaper units but the fast execution of the more modern unit is always appreciated. You should be able to find one near the top of the list for under $40, including shipping. Beware of kits which include accessories. The kits exist to provide some profit to the vendor because the margins on the Raspberry PIs are so small due to competition. Most of the accessories in the kits are not what you'd get (for our project) once you know about these things. This site will help you shop for the needed accessories. Here are photos and recognition details for each of these model B Raspberry PIs.|
May 2020
Raspberry Pi 4 Model B This is the 2nd version of the Raspberry Pi 4B. The only difference is they doubled the amount of RAM at each price point and fixed an error in the USB-C self identification. 1.5Ghz 64bit 4-core processor, dual band WiFi, gigabit/sec over Gigabit Ethernet, dual hdmi @4K output. List price is $35 for the 2Gbyte RAM model. It is also available with 4GB or 8GB RAM, but we don't need more than 1GB. This is the 1st choice board for TARPNs but for our current purposes this is no better than the June 24, 2019 unit. You'll want to get the $2 or less heat-sync for the main CPU, unless you are going to use one of the aluminum case-is-the-heatsink cases. . It says Raspberry Pi 4 B on the top of the board and has metal topped ICs. It has 2 micro HDMI sockets on the side. The power socket is a USB-c. This Raspberry Pi desires a Class 10 microSDHC Flash card of 8GBytes or higher bit it will work with a class 4. Amazon for Raspberr Pi 1.5ghz Quadcore If not available on Amazon @$35, check Adafruit #4295 |
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June 24, 2019
Raspberry Pi 4 Model B 1.5Ghz 64bit 4-core processor, dual band WiFi, gigabit/sec over Gigabit Ethernet, dual hdmi @4K output. List price is $35 for the 1Gbyte RAM model. It is also available with 2GB or 4GB RAM, but we don't need more than 1GB. The power socket is a USB-c. This Raspberry Pi desires a Class 10 microSDHC Flash card of 8GBytes or higher bit it will work with a class 4. |
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March 14, 2018
Raspberry Pi 3 Model B plus 1.4Ghz 64bit 4-core processor, dual band WiFi, 300mbits/sec over Gigabit Ethernet, full size HDMI for HD display. List price is $35. This board works with TARPN but it is noticeably slower than the newer boards. It says Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+ on the top of the board, but more obviously, it has metal topped ICs and a full size HDMI socket. It has four USB 2 sockets and an Ethernet port to the left of the USB (same side as HDMI). This Raspberry Pi requires a Class 4 microSDHC Flash card of 8MBytes or higher. |
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February 28, 2016
Raspberry Pi 3 Model B v1.2 1.2Ghz 64bit 4-core processor, 1024MB of RAM, 4 available USB ports, 100baseT Ethernet, HDMI, stereo audio, 40 pin expansion header, WiFiN, Bluetooth 4.1, BLE. This board works with TARPN but it is noticeably slower than the newer boards. It says Raspberry Pi 3 Model B on the top of the board. The chips are black top and there is a full size HDMI connector. This Raspberry Pi requires a Class 4 microSDHC Flash card of 16GBytes or higher |
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February 1, 2015
Raspberry Pi 2 Model B 900Mhz 32bit 4-core processor, 1024MB of RAM, 4 available USB ports, 100baseT Ethernet, HDMI, stereo audio, 40 pin expansion header. List price is $35. This board works with TARPN but it is noticeably slower than the newer boards. There is a good chance that a next generation code product won't work on it. It says it is a Raspberry Pi 2 Model B on top of the board. This Raspberry Pi requires a Class 4 microSDHC Flash card of 16GBytes or higher |
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July 14, 2014
Raspberry Pi 1 Model B+ This model was called Raspberry Pi B+. 600Mhz processor, 512MB of RAM, 4 available USB ports, 100baseT Ethernet, HDMI, stereo audio, 40 pin expansion header This board works with the current TARPN scripts but it is an antique and really slow. There is a good chance that a next generation code product won't work on it. A key identifying feature for this model is that it has four mounting holes, 4 USB ports. Says Raspberry Pi B+ with a V number on the top of the card. This Raspberry Pi requires a Class 4 microSDHC Flash card of 16GBytes or higher |
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Oct 15 2012
Raspberry Pi 1 Model B rev 2 600Mhz processor, 512MB of RAM, 2 available USB ports, 100baseT Ethernet, HDMI, composite video, stereo audio, 26 pin expansion header A key identifying feature for this model is that it has two mounting holes. This board works with the current TARPN scripts but it is an antique and really slow. There is a good chance that a next generation code product won't work on it. This Raspberry Pi requires a Class 4 SDHC Flash card of 16GBytes or higher. Note, this does not use the micro SD card. Click for larger image. Note on image: The black-tape on the USB connector housing was added to keep the TNC-PI from shorting out. The mounting holes are partially obscured, one by a threaded spacer inserted into the hole. the other by the black tape. |
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Feb 28 2012
Raspberry Pi 1 Model B rev 1 -- NOT SUPPORTED BY TARPN This model of Raspberry Pi will not be supported for TARPNs. A key identifying feature for the PI 1 Model B rev 1 is that it has no mounting holes. Click for larger image. Note on image: The heat-sinks were added by the owner. They are not present on most units. |
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