MichiganOne DMR Tech Net

Join us on the MichiganOne DMR Tech Net as we make Digital Mobile Radio (DMR) easier to understand and fun to use!

The MichiganOne DMR Tech Net is heard on BrandMeister Talkgroup 31266 (MichiganOne Nets channel) Monday night, starting with check-ins and comments at 7:30 PM ET, followed by the MichiganOne DMR Tech Net portion after that.

Join us on Monday, December 15th as we discuss using WPSD on your DMR hotspot.

The MichiganOne DMR Tech Net starts at 7:30 pm with the check-in portion for your comments.
We switch over to the technical segment (we estimate 7:55 pm – 8:10 pm ET), after all check-ins, comments, and re-checks are completed.
The MichiganOne DMR Tech Net NCS schedule is:

• Dec 15            Brad            KE8WNV
• Dec 22            Steve            KC8WXM
• Dec 29            Curt              KFØCQN
• Jan 5               Rick              AD8KN

To read the whole newsletter, open the attached .pdf or visit our website: https://michiganonedmrtech.net/

WPSD is a modern, Pi‑Star‑compatible hotspot image that replaces the older Pi‑Star dashboard with a faster, more feature‑rich interface built on current Raspberry Pi OS releases like Bookworm and Trixie. It shines on multi‑core Pis (Pi 3B, 3B+, 4, Zero 2, CM4, etc.) and gives DMR users better tools for multi‑network operation and live monitoring than stock Pi‑Star.

https://w0chp.radio/wpsd/

What is WPSD?

• WPSD (W0CHP’s Pi‑Star Dash) is a full Raspberry Pi OS–based image that completely replaces Pi‑Star on the SD card while still using MMDVMHost, DMRGateway, and the familiar hotspot stack underneath.
• It supports all the major digital voice modes (DMR, D‑Star, YSF, NXDN, P25, M17, etc.), just like Pi‑Star, but adds its own web dashboard, tools, and update mechanism.

• WPSD was developed by WØCHP, Emilio ‘Chip’ S. Cuccio Jr, 468 W 4Th St, Winona, MN 55987-2818

 Why WPSD Was Developed

• Pi‑Star is stable but slow‑moving and visually dated, so WPSD was created to modernize the UI, streamline common tasks, and expose more “power‑user” features without forcing users into the command line.
• The project also targets newer hardware and OS baselines so hotspots can benefit from current kernels, drivers, and security updates, something the legacy Pi‑Star images do more conservatively.

Why and How to use WPSD

• Reasons to choose WPSD:
  • Nicer, more informative dashboard with richer live‑caller views and multi‑network visibility.
  • First‑class DMRGateway support for running BrandMeister, TGIF, FreeDMR and others simultaneously, with clear mapping tools.
  • Images tailored for common commercial hotspots (ZumSpot LCDs, BridgeCom SkyBridge Max, DVMEGA hardware, etc.).
• Basic “how to”:
  • Download the correct WPSD image (e.g., universal multi‑core, or the vendor‑specific image) from the W0CHP site.
  • Flash it to an SD card, add Wi‑Fi configuration (where needed), boot the Pi, then do initial setup via the WPSD web dashboard: call sign, DMR ID, frequency, radio/modem type, and DMRGateway networks.

 WPSD on USB Instead of microSD

• Many operators install WPSD on a thin USB flash drive or small SSD on capable Pi’s for faster I/O and a reduced risk of SD corruption from frequent power cycling.
• Instead of flashing WPSD to a microSD card, it can be installed on a small “thin” USB flash drive on supported Raspberry Pi models (Pi 3 and newer with USB‑boot support).
• Running the hotspot image from USB usually gives better read/write performance, significantly reduces wear compared with cheap microSD cards, and lowers the chance of filesystem corruption during power glitches or abrupt mobile shutdowns.

When USB Boot Makes Sense

• USB is especially attractive for 24/7 hotspots, mobile installs that are power‑cycled often, and users who have already lost one or more SD cards to corruption.
• The trade‑off is that it occupies a USB port and assumes the Pi can USB‑boot (or at least chain‑boot from SD to USB), but for most modern WPSD‑class hotspot builds that is a worthwhile improvement in reliability.

When To Use Pi‑Star Instead

• Older or very small hardware:
  • A Pi Zero W (single‑core) runs Pi‑Star noticeably better than WPSD; WPSD is effectively designed for multi‑core Pis and can feel sluggish or unsupported on the original Zero.
• Ultra‑simple, “set‑and‑forget” hotspots:
  • If the station only ever needs single‑network DMR with minimal changes, Pi‑Star’s simpler interface and lower resource footprint may be perfectly adequate and slightly less complex to explain to brand‑new users.

https://www.pistar.uk/downloads/

Trixie Firmware vs Bullseye/Bookworm

• OS generations:
  • Bullseye and Bookworm are older Raspberry Pi OS versions; WPSD moved to Bookworm images to modernize, but its latest images now ride on Raspberry Pi OS “Trixie,” based on Debian 13.
  • Trixie brings a newer long‑term‑support kernel, updated drivers, toolchains, and system libraries, which mean better performance and hardware support for newer boards like the Pi 5 and improved responsiveness even on Pi 3/4.
• Why Trixie is “better” for WPSD:
  • Hotspots benefit from the more efficient kernel, newer networking stack, and general OS optimizations, making dashboards snappier and networking more robust on multi‑core Pis.
  • The WPSD Trixie images consolidate support into a “universal” multi‑core image plus a few tailored images (like ZumSpot and SkyBridge), simplifying image selection and ongoing maintenance.

Pros And Cons Of WPSD

Advantages

• Modern, feature‑rich dashboard with more at‑a‑glance information and improved live‑caller views compared with default Pi‑Star.
• Strong DMRGateway‑centric design that encourages clean multi‑network DMR operation (BM, TGIF, FreeDMR, etc.) from a single hotspot.
• Actively updated images for current Raspberry Pi OS versions, and specific builds for popular commercial hotspots.

Disadvantages

• Requires at least a Pi Zero 2 or other multi‑core board to perform well; original Pi Zero W users often report WPSD as very slow compared to Pi‑Star.
• Slightly steeper learning curve for operators who only need a basic, single‑network configuration, and no in‑place upgrade between major OS generations (Bullseye → Bookworm → Trixie) so SD re‑imaging is needed.

Overall Summary

WPSD is best viewed as “Pi‑Star done over” for modern hardware: same underlying digital‑voice engines, but a newer OS base and a much more capable dashboard aimed at multi‑mode and multi‑network operators. Use WPSD on Pi 3‑class and newer hardware when you want better tools, better visuals, and multiple DMR networks; keep Pi‑Star in the toolbox for older boards, ultra‑lightweight deployments, or users who only need the most basic hotspot functionality.

Quiz about WPSD

1. WPSD is best described as:
   A new DMR radio standard
   B. A complete hotspot image and dashboard that replaces Pi‑Star on the Raspberry Pi
   C. A BrandMeister‑only plug‑in for Pi‑Star
   D. A Windows‑only configuration tool
2. Which Raspberry Pi hardware is most appropriate for WPSD?
   Original Pi Zero W (single‑core)
   B. Any Pi model 1
   C. Multi‑core boards like Pi 3B, 4, or Zero 2
   D. Only Raspberry Pi 5
3. One key reason WPSD emphasizes DMRGateway is to:
   Disable all networks except D‑Star
   B. Allow multiple DMR networks to be used from one hotspot
   C. Force the hotspot to BrandMeister only
   D. Replace MMDVMHost entirely
4. Raspberry Pi OS “Trixie”–based WPSD images mainly improve:
   RF power output of the hotspot
   B. Legal identification
   C. Kernel, driver, and performance support for newer Raspberry Pis
   D. Antenna impedance matching
5. In which situation is Pi‑Star usually a better choice than WPSD?
   Running multi‑network DMR with DMRGateway
   B. Using a Pi Zero W where low resource use is critical
   C. Operating only on Raspberry Pi 5
   D. When you need built‑in M17 support
6. What does WPSD stand for?
   • Wireless Personal Services Dashboard
   • Wide band Personal Signal Director
   • WØCHP’s Pi-Star Dash
   • WPSD Plausibly Signifies Divergence

1. Correct answer: B

• Explanation: WPSD is a full Raspberry Pi image plus a modern web dashboard that replaces the traditional Pi‑Star interface while still using the same underlying MMDVM/MMDVMHost stack.​​ It is not a radio standard (A), not limited to BrandMeister (C), and not Windows‑only software (D).

2. Correct answer: C

• Explanation: WPSD is tuned for multi‑core Raspberry Pis (Pi 3B/3B+, 4, Zero 2, CM4, etc.), where the dashboard and services remain responsive.  It can technically run on some older devices, but performance is poor on single‑core boards like the original Pi Zero W or very early models, so A and B are discouraged, and D is too restrictive.

3. Correct answer: B

• Explanation: WPSD’s supported method for DMR is via DMRGateway, which lets you connect to multiple DMR networks (BrandMeister, TGIF, FreeDMR, DMR+ and others) at the same time and route traffic cleanly. It does not lock you to BrandMeister (C), does not turn off other digital modes (A), and still uses MMDVMHost under the hood rather than replacing it (D).

4. Correct answer: C

• Explanation: Moving WPSD to Raspberry Pi OS Trixie (Debian 13 based) provides newer kernels, drivers, and system libraries, which improve overall performance and hardware support for modern Pis. It does not change RF power or antenna characteristics (A, D), and it does not primarily exist to alter ID behavior (B).

5. Correct answer: B

• Explanation: Pi‑Star’s lighter footprint makes it a better fit for very small or older boards like the original Pi Zero W, where WPSD can be slow or unsupported.​ WPSD is actually stronger for multi‑network DMRGateway setups and for modern boards (A and C), and M17 support can be handled in WPSD builds as well, so D does not uniquely favor Pi‑

6. Correct answer: C or D
   • The project was originally developed by W0CHP as a reimagined Pi-Star dashboard, so the name was tied directly to that role.
   • Over time WPSD evolved into an entire Raspberry Pi image and management environment, but the name stuck and is still used as the project identity rather than being re-expanded every time.
   • The most commonly cited expansion is “W0CHP’s Pi‑Star Dash,” reflecting that it began life as an enhanced dashboard replacement for Pi‑Star, then grew into a full hotspot image.
   • WPSD stands for “WPSD Plausibly Signifies Divergence”. With the Keyword being ‘divergence’, because the project has, and continues to diverge, improve, and evolve from the “OG Red Software”.

You can chat with the MichiganOne Tech Net team on TGIF talkgroup 31268, the MichiganOne DMR Tech Net channel or BrandMeister talkgroup 31266, the MichiganOne Nets channel.

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These are the articles posted over the past week on https://michiganonedmrtech.net

• Monday, December 15^th, we’re discussing using WPSD on your pi-star hotspot
• Why we’re switching from Meshtastic to MeshCore
• Ham Radio Repeaters are NOT for talking!!!!!
• PoC Radios 101: What they are, how they work, and what’s popular
• Beginner’s guide to PoC radios
• Understanding long-exposure photography
• Monday, December 8^th, we’re discussing how to connect your hotspot to the internet/Wi-Fi/mobile

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