Programming the PI for goestools operation

Installing goestools onto a Raspberry Pi 3 or 4 and setting up and sighting in the dish.

Updated March 15, 2024

The first thing to remember is to have patience, this system works, but if you do not follow the instructions in order, or miss a character or add a blank space inadvertently, it will not work. I would suggest using copy and paste.

The second thing to remember is to have fun!

The third thing is……shoot, I can’t remember what the third thing was.

Decoding GOES Satellite Imagery with Raspberry Pi and Goestools

This guide details setting up a Raspberry Pi to receive and process images from GOES satellites using Goestools, a software suite developed by Pieter Noordhuis. Goestools decodes the HRIT (High Resolution Infrared Radiation) signal from GOES satellites into usable imagery.

Compatibility:

While Goestools is primarily a Linux application, it can run on Raspberry Pi, Ubuntu, and other Linux platforms, including emulators. These instructions are specific to Raspberry Pi.

Hardware Setup:

This section assumes you’re new to Raspberry Pi and combines hardware assembly with software installation (covered later). Refer to the main GOES page for detailed hardware options.

Materials:

• Raspberry Pi
• Sawbird+ LNA (Low Noise Amplifier)
• SDR (Software Defined Radio) I use Nooelec Smartee XTR
• Short coaxial cable (6″)
• USB extension cable
• Dish antenna with LNB (Low-Noise Block converter)
• Adapter (for connecting antenna to LNA)
• Waterproof enclosure (optional, but highly recommended)

Assembly Steps:

1. Attach the LNA: Mount the Sawbird+ LNA to the input side of the dish’s LNB.
2. Connect the SDR: Ideally, connect the SDR directly to the LNA using the short coaxial cable. If necessary, use a longer USB extension cable to connect the SDR/LNA combo to the Raspberry Pi. Remember, longer coaxial cable runs weaken the signal.
3. Weatherproofing: Protect your entire setup, including connections, from rain, humidity, and moisture. A waterproof enclosure is highly recommended.

Here’s a simplified connection diagram:

Grid Antenna -> Adapter -> (input) SAWBird+ (output) -> 6" Pigtail -> Nooelec SmarteeXTR SDR -> 6" USB Cable -> Raspberry Pi -> WiFi Network or Ethernet

Waterproof those connections!

Waterproof those connections!

Temporary Test installation

Temporary Test installation

GOES Receiver

GOES Receiver

Close up of connections

Close up of connections

Dish in permanent position.

Dish in permanent position.

Added Cooling fan to PI4

Added Cooling fan to PI4

For a permanent hardware mount for the dish, I used a simple deck mount bracket – take the time to make it level side to side and up and down.

Setting up the Raspberry PI

country=US 
ctrl_interface=DIR=/var/run/wpa_supplicant GROUP=netdev 
update_config=1 

network={ 
     ssid="NETWORK-NAME" 
     psk="NETWORK-PASSWORD" 
}

sudo raspi-config

sudo apt update
sudo apt dist-upgrade

# reboot the device
sudo reboot

Note: you will have to SSH into your PI EVERYTIME you reboot!

2. Install dependencies

# get the packages necessary to build and run goestools
sudo apt-get install git build-essential cmake libusb-1.0 libopencv-dev libproj-dev

PRO TIP: From time to time, the raspberry pi sites and mirrors are updated. This could happen when you are installing software, and you could get an error as the file can not be found. Don’t Panic. sudo reboot then wait a few minutes and re-enter the whole line that gave you the issue.

3. Install librtlsdr

To unlock the potential of your Realtek RTL2832U-based DVB-T dongle as a Software Defined Radio (SDR), you’ll need to install the librtlsdr library. This library acts as the bridge between your computer and the dongle, allowing it to function as a versatile radio receiver.

Installation can be time-consuming, so grab a drink and follow these steps:

1. Get the latest librtlsdr source: Head online and download the most recent version of the librtlsdr source code.
2. Compile the source: Compile the downloaded code to create the necessary libraries and include files. This process can take a while, so be patient.
3. Install the libraries and includes: Once compiled, install the libraries and include files on your system. This will enable software to interact with your RTL-SDR dongle.

# download, compile, and install librtlsdr
git clone https://github.com/steve-m/librtlsdr.git
cd librtlsdr
mkdir build
cd build
cmake -DCMAKE_INSTALL_PREFIX:PATH=/usr -DINSTALL_UDEV_RULES=ON ..
sudo make -j2 install

# load udev rules and blacklist the DVB driver shipped with the OS
sudo cp ../rtl-sdr.rules /etc/udev/rules.d/
sudo ldconfig
echo 'blacklist dvb_usb_rtl28xxu' | sudo tee --append /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist-dvb_usb_rtl28xxu.conf

# reboot the device
sudo reboot

4. Test your RTL-SDR dongle (Plug it into an available USB port on PI)

rtl_test 

You should see something like this:

Found 1 device(s):
  0:  Realtek, RTL2838UHIDIR, SN: 00000001
...

If it hangs, just press crtl-c to exit. It does not have to finish

If there are errors, or if the device is not recognized:

• Reinstall the driver from Step 3
• Ensure the dongle is secured in the USB port
• Remove all USB hubs and plug in into the Pi directly
• Make sure you power your Raspberry Pi with at least a 2.5A power supply
• Check the device using lsusb command. You should see ID 0bda:2838 Realtek Semiconductor Corp. RTL2838 or something of the like listed there. If not, try the previous steps.
• Run dmesg and check for errors such as error -71 related to the USB device. This may mean that your RTL-SDR receiver might be broken.

5. Install goestools

git clone https://github.com/pietern/goestools.git
cd goestools
git submodule init
git submodule update --recursive
mkdir build
cd build
cmake -DCMAKE_INSTALL_PREFIX:PATH=/usr ..

# SEE NOTE BELOW ABOUT POSSIBLE ERROR WITH MAKE -J2 INSTALL
# this will take a while on a raspberry pi
sudo make -j2 install 

A few people have reported that while installing on Ubuntu or other Linux distributions and other than Raspberry “Lite” headless configuration an error:

 Killed (program cc1plus) or some files are listied as FAILED
Occurs during the compile portion. The fix to this ‘issue’ is to run make in a single thread. Try running the following command instead of sudo make -j2 install

sudo make install

Not sudo make -j2 install

6. Create goesrecv.conf config

cd
sudo nano goesrecv.conf

Paste the script below into the goesrecv.conf file make the edits noted and then CTRL X and “Yes” to save the file.

Change the sample_rate to 2000000. Higher sample rates MAY cause goesrecv to require multiple restarts in order to get a lock on the frequency.  You can adjust the sample rate later as needed. Check your dongle for the type of BiasTee (if any) it has. Bias tees are the components, that are used to supply DC voltages to bias RF circuits.

If you’re using an RTL-SDR V3 or another SDR with BiasTee function enable the bias tee with set bias_tee = true and increase the gain to 30:

Bias Tee is not needed for the Nooelec SmarTee XTR which supplies constant bias tee power to the LNA or if you’re powering your SAWBird through the micro USB port, set bias_tee = false under [rtlsdr]. And try, when using the Nooelec SmarTee XTR setting the gain to 5.

[demodulator]
mode = "hrit"
source = "rtlsdr"

[rtlsdr]
frequency = 1694100000
sample_rate = 2200000
gain = 5

bias_tee = false

[costas]
max_deviation = 200e3

[decoder.packet_publisher]
bind = "tcp://0.0.0.0:5004"
send_buffer = 1048576

[monitor]
statsd_address = "udp4://localhost:8125"

[clock_recovery.sample_publisher]
bind = "tcp://0.0.0.0:5002"
send_buffer = 2097152

[demodulator.stats_publisher]
bind = "tcp://0.0.0.0:6001"

[decoder.stats_publisher]
bind = "tcp://0.0.0.0:6002"

# Change rtlsdr to airspy if you're using an AirSpy, etc.
# Publishes IQ samples coming straight from the SDR over
# nanomsg
[rtlsdr.sample_publisher]
bind = "tcp://0.0.0.0:5000"
send_buffer = 2097152

Paste the script above into the goesrecv.conf file and then CTRL X and Yes. Then:

# reboot the device s
sudo reboot

Modified GOESPROC-GOESR.CONF for GOES 18 and GOES 19

Note that this must be added, as the original file in the GOESTOOLS package only supports GOES 15,16, and 17, to be able to receive GOES 18 and 19 HRIT this new conf file needs to be added!!!. I have a page that explains this in more detail here: Upgrading goestools and the configuration files.

GOES-18 was launched in January 2022 and is now in orbit. Note: Since 2022 you will need to modify the GOESPROC-GOESR.CONF for GOES 18 to be decoded, this is not included in the Goestools application. In June 0f 2024 GOES-U was also launched and should be active by April 2025, and I have updated the files to handle that satellite as well, when it becomes active as GOES-19

If you haven’ updated goestools in a while, you will need to update your system:

Updating an existing system-

• First BACK UP your goesproc-goesr.conf, goesrecv.conf. The update will overwrite those to the basic goestools files.
• If you are running goesrecv and/or goesproc, shut them down.
• Then use the following to update goestools to the current version, which includes support for GOES 18 and GOES 19 – You will have to add the changes to the conf file below as well!

cd goestools
sudo git pull https://github.com/pietern/goestools.git 
cd build
cmake -DCMAKE_INSTALL_PREFIX:PATH=/usr ..
sudo make install

You can download a complete replacement for GOESPROC-GOESR.CONF here (right click, SAVE AS). Or, copy the following conf file (it is the same as the one that can be downloaded above) and use it to edit and overwrite your existing file using the Nano editor built into Raspberry Pi

• Copy the new goesproc-goesr.conf file to the folder you call it from, on a standard goestools installation, this is typically /usr/share/goestools
• As an example, let’s say you placed your newly edited goesproc-goesr.conf into your /home/pi/ folder temporarily, then using the following command, it will be copied into the /usr/share/goestools folder

sudo cp goesproc-goesr.conf /usr/share/goestools/

• Once that is done:

sudo reboot

The new conf file for GOES 16,17,18,19

# GOES 16_17_18_19 GOESTOOLS  goesproc configuration file to process GOES-R series products.
# USRADIOGUY.COM Version 04/01/2024
#

# Store all original GOES-16 products.
[[handler]]
type = "image"
origin = "goes16"
directory = "./goes16/{region:short|lower}/{channel:short|lower}/{time:%Y-%m-%d}"
filename = "GOES16_{region:short}_{channel:short}_{time:%Y%m%dT%H%M%SZ}"
format = "jpg"
json = false

  [[handler.map]]
  path = "/usr/share/goestools/ne/ne_50m_admin_0_countries_lakes.json"

  [[handler.map]]
  path = "/usr/share/goestools/ne/ne_50m_admin_1_states_provinces_lakes.json"

# GOES-16 ABI false color.
[[handler]]
type = "image"
origin = "goes16"
regions = [ "fd", "m1", "m2" ]
channels = [ "ch02", "ch13" ]
directory = "./goes16/{region:short|lower}/fc/{time:%Y-%m-%d}"
filename = "GOES16_{region:short}_FC_{time:%Y%m%dT%H%M%SZ}"
format = "jpg"
json = false

  [handler.remap.ch02]
  path = "/usr/share/goestools/wxstar/wxstar_goes16_ch02_curve.png"

  [handler.lut]
  path = "/usr/share/goestools/wxstar/wxstar_goes16_lut.png"

  [[handler.map]]
  path = "/usr/share/goestools/ne/ne_50m_admin_0_countries_lakes.json"

  [[handler.map]]
  path = "/usr/share/goestools/ne/ne_50m_admin_1_states_provinces_lakes.json"

# GOES-16 ABI RGB-enhanced
[[handler]]
type = "image"
origin = "goes16"
regions = [ "fd", "m1", "m2" ]
channels = [ "ch07", "ch08", "ch09", "ch13", "ch14", "ch15" ]
directory = "./goes16/{region:short|lower}/{channel:short|lower}_enhanced/{time:%Y-%m-%d}"
filename = "GOES16_{region:short}_{channel:short}_enhanced_{time:%Y%m%dT%H%M%SZ}"
format = "jpg"
json = false

  ## The following gradients are rough approximations of the 
  ## McIDAS RGB enhancements used by NOAA/NESDIS/STAR on their site..
  ##
  ## For more info:
  ##
  ##   https://www.star.nesdis.noaa.gov/GOES/GOES16_FullDisk.php 
  ##   http://cimss.ssec.wisc.edu/goes/visit/water_vapor_enhancement.html
  ##   http://cimss.ssec.wisc.edu/goes/visit/enhanced_v_enhancements.html

  ## Shortwave IR (Channel 7)
  [handler.gradient.ch07]
  points = [
    { units = 400, color = "#000000" },
    { units = 250, color = "#b9b9b9" },
    { units = 249.999, color = "#00ffff" },
    { units = 240, color = "#000080" },
    { units = 230, color = "#00ff00" },
    { units = 220, color = "#ffff00" },
    { units = 210, color = "#ff0000" },
    { units = 200, color = "#000000" },
    { units = 190, color = "#ffffff" }
  ]

  ## Water Vapor (Channels 8 and 9)
  [handler.gradient.ch08]
  points = [
    { units = 276, color = "#000000" },
    { units = 275.9, color = "#ff0000" },
    { units = 258, color = "#ffff00" },
    { units = 250, color = "#000070" },
    { units = 233, color = "#ffffff" },
    { units = 195, color = "#408020" },
    { units = 178, color = "#00ffff" }
  ]
  [handler.gradient.ch09]
  points = [
    { units = 276, color = "#000000" },
    { units = 275.9, color = "#ff0000" },
    { units = 258, color = "#ffff00" },
    { units = 250, color = "#000070" },
    { units = 233, color = "#ffffff" },
    { units = 195, color = "#408020" },
    { units = 178, color = "#00ffff" }
  ]

  ## Longwave IR (Channels 13, 14, and 15)
  [handler.gradient.ch13]
  points = [
    { units = 333, color = "#000000" },
    { units = 238, color = "#b9b9b9" },
    { units = 237.999, color = "#00ffff" },
    { units = 228, color = "#000080" },
    { units = 218, color = "#00ff00" },
    { units = 208, color = "#ffff00" },
    { units = 198, color = "#ff0000" },
    { units = 188, color = "#000000" },
    { units = 178, color = "#ffffff" }
  ]
  [handler.gradient.ch14]
  points = [
    { units = 333, color = "#000000" },
    { units = 238, color = "#b9b9b9" },
    { units = 237.999, color = "#00ffff" },
    { units = 228, color = "#000080" },
    { units = 218, color = "#00ff00" },
    { units = 208, color = "#ffff00" },
    { units = 198, color = "#ff0000" },
    { units = 188, color = "#000000" },
    { units = 178, color = "#ffffff" }
  ]
  [handler.gradient.ch15]
  points = [
    { units = 333, color = "#000000" },
    { units = 238, color = "#b9b9b9" },
    { units = 237.999, color = "#00ffff" },
    { units = 228, color = "#000080" },
    { units = 218, color = "#00ff00" },
    { units = 208, color = "#ffff00" },
    { units = 198, color = "#ff0000" },
    { units = 188, color = "#000000" },
    { units = 178, color = "#ffffff" }
  ]

  [[handler.map]]
  path = "/usr/share/goestools/ne/ne_50m_admin_0_countries_lakes.json"

  [[handler.map]]
  path = "/usr/share/goestools/ne/ne_50m_admin_1_states_provinces_lakes.json"




# Images relayed from Himawari-9 After Dec 13th 2022. 
[[handler]] 
type = "image" 
origin = "himawari8" 
directory = "./himawari9/{region:short|lower}/{time:%Y-%m-%d}" 
filename = "Himawari9_{region:short}_{channel:short}_{time:%Y%m%dT%H%M%SZ}" 
format = "jpg" 
json = false 

[[handler.map]] 
path = "/usr/share/goestools/ne/ne_50m_admin_0_countries_lakes.json" 

[[handler.map]] 
path = "/usr/share/goestools/ne/ne_50m_admin_1_states_provinces_lakes.json"


# NWS text (weather reports).
[[handler]]
type = "text"
origin = "nws"
directory = "./nws/{time:%Y-%m-%d}"
filename = "{time:%Y%m%dT%H%M%SZ}_{awips:nnn}{awips:xxx}"
json = false

# NWS images.
[[handler]]
type = "image"
origin = "nws"
directory = "./nws/{time:%Y-%m-%d}"
filename = "{time:%Y%m%dT%H%M%SZ}_{filename}"
format = "png"
json = false

# Miscellaneous text.
[[handler]]
type = "text"
origin = "other"
directory = "./text/{time:%Y-%m-%d}"
filename = "{time:%Y%m%dT%H%M%SZ}_{filename}"
json = false


################
##  GOES-18 ####
################
# Store all original GOES-18 products.
[[handler]]
type = "image"
origin = "goes18"
directory = "./goes18/{region:short|lower}/{channel:short|lower}/{time:%Y-%m-%d}"
filename = "GOES18_{region:short}_{channel:short}_{time:%Y%m%dT%H%M%SZ}"
format = "jpg"
json = false

  [[handler.map]]
  path = "/usr/share/goestools/ne/ne_50m_admin_0_countries_lakes.json"

  [[handler.map]]
  path = "/usr/share/goestools/ne/ne_50m_admin_1_states_provinces_lakes.json"
  
# GOES-18 ABI false color.
[[handler]]
type = "image"
origin = "goes18"
regions = [ "fd", "m1", "m2" ]
channels = [ "ch02", "ch13" ]
directory = "./goes18/{region:short|lower}/fc/{time:%Y-%m-%d}"
filename = "GOES18_{region:short}_FC_{time:%Y%m%dT%H%M%SZ}"
format = "jpg"
json = false

  # This reuses the GOES-16 contrast curve assuming it is identical
  [handler.remap.ch02]
  path = "/usr/share/goestools/wxstar/wxstar_goes16_ch02_curve.png"

  # This reuses the GOES-16 LUT assuming it is identical
  [handler.lut]
  path = "/usr/share/goestools/wxstar/wxstar_goes16_lut.png"

  [[handler.map]]
  path = "/usr/share/goestools/ne/ne_50m_admin_0_countries_lakes.json"

  [[handler.map]]
  path = "/usr/share/goestools/ne/ne_50m_admin_1_states_provinces_lakes.json"

# GOES-18 ABI RGB-enhanced
[[handler]]
type = "image"
origin = "goes18"
regions = [ "fd", "m1", "m2" ]
channels = [ "ch07", "ch08", "ch09", "ch13", "ch14", "ch15" ]
directory = "./goes18/{region:short|lower}/{channel:short|lower}_enhanced/{time:%Y-%m-%d}"
filename = "GOES18_{region:short}_{channel:short}_enhanced_{time:%Y%m%dT%H%M%SZ}"
format = "jpg"
json = false

  ## The following gradients are rough approximations of the 
  ## McIDAS RGB enhancements used by NOAA/NESDIS/STAR on their site..
  ##
  ## For more info:
  ##
  ##   https://www.star.nesdis.noaa.gov/GOES/GOES16_FullDisk.php 
  ##   http://cimss.ssec.wisc.edu/goes/visit/water_vapor_enhancement.html
  ##   http://cimss.ssec.wisc.edu/goes/visit/enhanced_v_enhancements.html

  ## Shortwave IR (Channel 7)
  [handler.gradient.ch07]
  points = [
    { units = 400, color = "#000000" },
    { units = 250, color = "#b9b9b9" },
    { units = 249.999, color = "#00ffff" },
    { units = 240, color = "#000080" },
    { units = 230, color = "#00ff00" },
    { units = 220, color = "#ffff00" },
    { units = 210, color = "#ff0000" },
    { units = 200, color = "#000000" },
    { units = 190, color = "#ffffff" }
  ]

  ## Water Vapor (Channels 8 and 9)
  [handler.gradient.ch08]
  points = [
    { units = 276, color = "#000000" },
    { units = 275.9, color = "#ff0000" },
    { units = 258, color = "#ffff00" },
    { units = 250, color = "#000070" },
    { units = 233, color = "#ffffff" },
    { units = 195, color = "#408020" },
    { units = 178, color = "#00ffff" }
  ]
  [handler.gradient.ch09]
  points = [
    { units = 276, color = "#000000" },
    { units = 275.9, color = "#ff0000" },
    { units = 258, color = "#ffff00" },
    { units = 250, color = "#000070" },
    { units = 233, color = "#ffffff" },
    { units = 195, color = "#408020" },
    { units = 178, color = "#00ffff" }
  ]

  ## Longwave IR (Channels 13, 14, and 15)
  [handler.gradient.ch13]
  points = [
    { units = 333, color = "#000000" },
    { units = 238, color = "#b9b9b9" },
    { units = 237.999, color = "#00ffff" },
    { units = 228, color = "#000080" },
    { units = 218, color = "#00ff00" },
    { units = 208, color = "#ffff00" },
    { units = 198, color = "#ff0000" },
    { units = 188, color = "#000000" },
    { units = 178, color = "#ffffff" }
  ]
  [handler.gradient.ch14]
  points = [
    { units = 333, color = "#000000" },
    { units = 238, color = "#b9b9b9" },
    { units = 237.999, color = "#00ffff" },
    { units = 228, color = "#000080" },
    { units = 218, color = "#00ff00" },
    { units = 208, color = "#ffff00" },
    { units = 198, color = "#ff0000" },
    { units = 188, color = "#000000" },
    { units = 178, color = "#ffffff" }
  ]
  [handler.gradient.ch15]
  points = [
    { units = 333, color = "#000000" },
    { units = 238, color = "#b9b9b9" },
    { units = 237.999, color = "#00ffff" },
    { units = 228, color = "#000080" },
    { units = 218, color = "#00ff00" },
    { units = 208, color = "#ffff00" },
    { units = 198, color = "#ff0000" },
    { units = 188, color = "#000000" },
    { units = 178, color = "#ffffff" }
  ]

  [[handler.map]]
  path = "/usr/share/goestools/ne/ne_50m_admin_0_countries_lakes.json"

  [[handler.map]]
  path = "/usr/share/goestools/ne/ne_50m_admin_1_states_provinces_lakes.json"


################
##  GOES-19 ####
################
# Store all original GOES-19 products.
[[handler]]
type = "image"
origin = "goes19"
directory = "./goes19/{region:short|lower}/{channel:short|lower}/{time:%Y-%m-%d}"
filename = "GOES19_{region:short}_{channel:short}_{time:%Y%m%dT%H%M%SZ}"
format = "jpg"
json = false

  [[handler.map]]
  path = "/usr/share/goestools/ne/ne_50m_admin_0_countries_lakes.json"

  [[handler.map]]
  path = "/usr/share/goestools/ne/ne_50m_admin_1_states_provinces_lakes.json"
  
# GOES-19 ABI false color.
[[handler]]
type = "image"
origin = "goes19"
regions = [ "fd", "m1", "m2" ]
channels = [ "ch02", "ch13" ]
directory = "./goes19/{region:short|lower}/fc/{time:%Y-%m-%d}"
filename = "GOES19_{region:short}_FC_{time:%Y%m%dT%H%M%SZ}"
format = "jpg"
json = false

  # This reuses the GOES-16 contrast curve assuming it is identical
  [handler.remap.ch02]
  path = "/usr/share/goestools/wxstar/wxstar_goes16_ch02_curve.png"

  # This reuses the GOES-16 LUT assuming it is identical
  [handler.lut]
  path = "/usr/share/goestools/wxstar/wxstar_goes16_lut.png"

  [[handler.map]]
  path = "/usr/share/goestools/ne/ne_50m_admin_0_countries_lakes.json"

  [[handler.map]]
  path = "/usr/share/goestools/ne/ne_50m_admin_1_states_provinces_lakes.json"

# GOES-19 ABI RGB-enhanced
[[handler]]
type = "image"
origin = "goes19"
regions = [ "fd", "m1", "m2" ]
channels = [ "ch07", "ch08", "ch09", "ch13", "ch14", "ch15" ]
directory = "./goes19/{region:short|lower}/{channel:short|lower}_enhanced/{time:%Y-%m-%d}"
filename = "GOES19_{region:short}_{channel:short}_enhanced_{time:%Y%m%dT%H%M%SZ}"
format = "jpg"
json = false

  ## The following gradients are rough approximations of the 
  ## McIDAS RGB enhancements used by NOAA/NESDIS/STAR on their site..
  ##
  ## For more info:
  ##
  ##   https://www.star.nesdis.noaa.gov/GOES/GOES16_FullDisk.php 
  ##   http://cimss.ssec.wisc.edu/goes/visit/water_vapor_enhancement.html
  ##   http://cimss.ssec.wisc.edu/goes/visit/enhanced_v_enhancements.html

  ## Shortwave IR (Channel 7)
  [handler.gradient.ch07]
  points = [
    { units = 400, color = "#000000" },
    { units = 250, color = "#b9b9b9" },
    { units = 249.999, color = "#00ffff" },
    { units = 240, color = "#000080" },
    { units = 230, color = "#00ff00" },
    { units = 220, color = "#ffff00" },
    { units = 210, color = "#ff0000" },
    { units = 200, color = "#000000" },
    { units = 190, color = "#ffffff" }
  ]

  ## Water Vapor (Channels 8 and 9)
  [handler.gradient.ch08]
  points = [
    { units = 276, color = "#000000" },
    { units = 275.9, color = "#ff0000" },
    { units = 258, color = "#ffff00" },
    { units = 250, color = "#000070" },
    { units = 233, color = "#ffffff" },
    { units = 195, color = "#408020" },
    { units = 178, color = "#00ffff" }
  ]
  [handler.gradient.ch09]
  points = [
    { units = 276, color = "#000000" },
    { units = 275.9, color = "#ff0000" },
    { units = 258, color = "#ffff00" },
    { units = 250, color = "#000070" },
    { units = 233, color = "#ffffff" },
    { units = 195, color = "#408020" },
    { units = 178, color = "#00ffff" }
  ]

  ## Longwave IR (Channels 13, 14, and 15)
  [handler.gradient.ch13]
  points = [
    { units = 333, color = "#000000" },
    { units = 238, color = "#b9b9b9" },
    { units = 237.999, color = "#00ffff" },
    { units = 228, color = "#000080" },
    { units = 218, color = "#00ff00" },
    { units = 208, color = "#ffff00" },
    { units = 198, color = "#ff0000" },
    { units = 188, color = "#000000" },
    { units = 178, color = "#ffffff" }
  ]
  [handler.gradient.ch14]
  points = [
    { units = 333, color = "#000000" },
    { units = 238, color = "#b9b9b9" },
    { units = 237.999, color = "#00ffff" },
    { units = 228, color = "#000080" },
    { units = 218, color = "#00ff00" },
    { units = 208, color = "#ffff00" },
    { units = 198, color = "#ff0000" },
    { units = 188, color = "#000000" },
    { units = 178, color = "#ffffff" }
  ]
  [handler.gradient.ch15]
  points = [
    { units = 333, color = "#000000" },
    { units = 238, color = "#b9b9b9" },
    { units = 237.999, color = "#00ffff" },
    { units = 228, color = "#000080" },
    { units = 218, color = "#00ff00" },
    { units = 208, color = "#ffff00" },
    { units = 198, color = "#ff0000" },
    { units = 188, color = "#000000" },
    { units = 178, color = "#ffffff" }
  ]

  [[handler.map]]
  path = "/usr/share/goestools/ne/ne_50m_admin_0_countries_lakes.json"

  [[handler.map]]
  path = "/usr/share/goestools/ne/ne_50m_admin_1_states_provinces_lakes.json"

Now the tricky Part! Getting your Dish pointed at the satellite.

7. Roughly point your antenna at the satellite

Remember that you are using a small dish to get a signal from a satellite 23,000 miles away! Make sure your mount is STABLE, whether a tripod or verticle permanent mount keep it stable and level. I used a heavy base and a 2-inch piece of conduit for the pole. Did I say keep it stable? Here is a lesson learned, I had mine set up on my back deck. got it all adjusted, and working in the cold weather, two days later my vits went way up! How? The temps increased enough that the little bit of snow/ice under my base melted, and changed the levelness of my setup!

When searching for the signal I was reminded of the quote by Simon Pegg as Scotty from Star Trek

“The notion of transwarp beaming is like trying to hit a bullet with a smaller bullet whilst wearing a blindfold, riding a horse.”

– Montgomery Scott, 2258 (Star Trek)

Dish Pointer

New 1/2023 Dishpointer I have created a stand-alone online Dish Pointer, that can be used to calculate the position of all 539 Geostationary Satellites you can find the tool here: USRadioguy DishPointer This link will open in a new window.

Use an actual real compass to point your dish at the azimuth. Even with my Note 9, I found many errors in the digital compass. I have a guide on How to use a real compass here.

The Important information you will need:

Elevation: Angle up/down
Azimuth: Angle left/right
Polarization/LNB Skew: Rotation angle of the dish

Adjust your dish angle according to the elevation. Use your smartphone-level app, or just eyeball it.

IMPORTANT: Polarization Skew

You should also adjust the skew of your dish roughly according to what Satellite Calculations says under “Skew”. For GOES-16 I did not need to change the skew at all, my skew angle was 14.5° so it really wasn’t going to improve the signal much. On my GOES 17/18 Dish, adjusting the skew (because I had such a low elevation) made a big improvement.

8. Run goesrecv and perform fine antenna adjustments

To run the software open an SSH terminal on your main PC using PuTTy. Connect to the Raspberry Pi’s IP address, port: 22 with SSH. Log into the Pi with the default username/password: pi/raspberry.

In the first terminal run the command:

goesrecv -v -i 1 -c ~/goesrecv.conf

This will show output every second that looks something like this:

The vit(avg) stat shows the average viterbi error rate over 1-second interval (if running with -i 1).

If there’s no signal, the vit the value should be over 2000. When the signal is stronger it should begin to decrease. If you have no discernable signal double-check the antenna position again with a compass to make sure you’re pointed at the intended satellite. Make sure there is nothing blocking the line of sight to the satellite. a difference of 1 or 2 degrees up or down or side to side (an inch) could mean the difference between no signal and a receivable signal.

I did not use SDR software to sight in my dish, rather, I used RaspController app by Ettore Gallina on my NOTE9 phone to monitor the goesrecv while I physically made small adjustments to the dish. This should help you point the antenna correctly. Slightly rotate the dish right or left and note whether the vit errors are increasing or decreasing. (You could also use a laptop, or a phone with Google Remote or Teamviewer to watch your vits as well.)

Once you’re at the local error minimum, perform the same process to find the minimum error rate while slightly adjusting the vertical angle.

When the vit errors are at their lowest, you’ve pointed the antenna, and lock it in. Monitoring the vits, you might want to try and adjust your reflector in or out, or try and bending it flatter to see if it lowers your vits. Remember moving your dish, just a little (1 or 2 cm) can cause you to increase your vits. Even putting your hand in front of the dish can cause a loss of signal.

If you can’t pinpoint the signal even after precisely adjusting the antenna, and check to see if you need to adjust skew, otherwise flip the dish 90 degrees and try again. (Instead of wide horizontal it would now be tall in the verticle).

If you want to hear or see the signal via SDR# software or other SDR software you will need to install a Spyserver or RTL_TCP on your PI. This is not required for goestools to run!! Otherwise, JUMP to Step 9 (you can always add this later!!)

1. Create a new folder for the spyserver and navigate into it. 
   mkdir spyserver  
cd spyserver
2. Download the latest SpyServer and extract it using the commands below.
   The link used in this example is for the 32-bit ARM version.
   wget -O spyserver.tgz http://airspy.com/?ddownload=4247
tar xvzf spyserver.tgz
   
3. Use a text editor like nano to edit the spyserver.config file. Change the “device_type” to “device_type = RTL-SDR” (without quotes).
    nano spyserver.config
    If you are unfamiliar with Nano, then note that you cannot use the mouse. You will need to use the arrow keys to move the cursor. Editing is done with the bakspace/del keys and keyboard keys as usual. To save and exit, Press “Ctrl + X”, and then the “y” key.
4. Find your device’s IP address using the “ifconfig” command. Note NOT “ipconfig” from windows, notice the “f”. Write this IP address down as it is the address you’ll use to connect to the SpyServer.
5. Now you can run SpyServer
    ./spyserver
6. Use SDR# by going to “Source” in SDR# and then selecting “Spyserver Network and enter your PI’s IP address like:
   sdr://192.168.1.32:5555/

9. Restart goesrecv and play around with the config parameters.

If your vit errors are under 400, and you’re observing no packet drops, you’re all set!

If the average errors are at around 1500-1800, try the following:

• Terminate and restart goesrecv. This should allow it to readjust the gain and frequency offset to get a better read on the signal. This is done by editing the goesr.conf file.
• Cool the Raspberry Pi and the RTL-SDR dongle. Too hot and your PI will throttle down.
• Play around with goesrecv.conf parameters. Try adjusting the gain and sample_rate. For the NooElec XTR or other E4000 tuners, you might need to set your gain to 10 or below.
• Don’t try and sight in dish while the sun is at the point in sky where the satellite is between your dish and the sun! there will be intereference.

Once you decreased the error rates, but your vit is still over 400, try making very slight adjustments to the antenna again. Try adjusting the reflector in or out, and try flipping it. In each case monitor your  vit .

10. Turning packets into images

While goesrecv is running in one SSH session, start another separate SSH session, and run:

goesproc -c /usr/share/goestools/goesproc-goesr.conf -m packet  --subscribe tcp://127.0.0.1:5004

This can take a few minutes until it has received enough packets. Once goesproc receives enough packets, it will start writing images and text to the locations described in /usr/share/goestools/goesproc-goesr.conf.

Writing: /home/pi/goes/./goes16/fd/staticimage/GOES16_FD_FC_NOMAP20200527T140016Z.jpg (took 1.838s)
Writing: /home/pi/goes/./goes16/fd/NOMAP/2020-05-27/GOES16_FD_FC_NOMAP20200527T140016Z.jpg (took 1.804s)
Writing: /home/pi/goes/./goes16/fd/ch02/2020-05-27/GOES16_FD_CH02_20200527T140016Z.jpg (took 1.474s)
Writing: /home/pi/goes/./goes16/fd/fc/2020-05-27/GOES16_FD_FC_20200527T140016Z.jpg (took 1.981s)

...

Congratulations you’re receiving and decoding GOES!

Updating an existing system-

Periodically, the code for goestools is updated. You should periodically do the distribution upgrades, and the apt package upgrades, but also go to the goestools directories and do a “sudo git pull” and then the recompile the tools periodically as well. BACK UP YOUR CONF FILES FIRST !!!!!

cd goestools
sudo git pull https://github.com/pietern/goestools.git 
cd build
cmake -DCMAKE_INSTALL_PREFIX:PATH=/usr ..
sudo make install

sudo reboot

Transferring files to your PC

I use the software called Syncthing. This software allows you to sync the files on your RPI with your PC. I find it nice and simple to use.

You can choose between the “stable” (latest release) or “candidate” (earlier release candidate) tracks. The stable channel is updated usually every first Tuesday of the month.

sudo apt update 
sudo apt full-upgrade

# Add the release PGP keys:
curl -s https://syncthing.net/release-key.txt | sudo apt-key add -

# Add the "stable" channel to your APT sources:
echo "deb https://apt.syncthing.net/ syncthing stable" | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/syncthing.list

# Update and install syncthing:
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install syncthing

Depending on your distribution, you may see an error similar to the following when running apt-get:

E: The method driver /usr/lib/apt/methods/https could not be found.
N: Is the package apt-transport-https installed?
E: Failed to fetch https://apt.syncthing.net/dists/syncthing/InRelease

If so, please install the apt-transport-https package and try again:

sudo apt-get install apt-transport-https

Run syncthing on pi, this will allow the software to create the needed config files you will edit in the next step.

syncthing

Let it do its install and setup, when it stops after a minute or so – CTRL-C to exit

Syncthing is configured via a web interface, with default IP address of 127.0.0.1 (localhost). As we’re running Raspbian Lite, we don’t have a GUI and therefore can’t run a web browser on the Pi. So we’ll need to open the browser-based configuration GUI on a networked PC. To do this we need to set the IP address of the GUI to the Pi’s local network address. Edit the syncthing config, and under the <gui> entry, change the <address> value to 0.0.0.0:8384 which will allow you to connect to the Pi’s IP Address.

sudo nano .config/syncthing/config.xml

Save and Exit the nano editor with CTRL+X then Y then ENTER

Run “syncthing” on the PI again

On your PC web browser, navigate to http://yourPIipaddress:8384

On the PC you will be syncing files with, download the appropriate version of syncthing. There are versions for Windows, macOS, Linux, etc. after you install and run it, your browser will open with the GUI for syncthing. (If you’re following the steps, you should have two tabs open on your browser, one for the syncthing PI, and one for syncthing on PC)

Click “Add Remote Device” and select the pi. Just let it sit for about 2 minutes or so (not sure why this takes so many minutes, but it did on mine), Within a few minutes the Raspberry PI GUI should pop up with a new device as well. Add The Device.

Within the raspberry PI GUI set the folder path to /home/pi/goes and create a label, like Goes Images, or Satellite Imagery. Go to the sharing tab and share it with your Windows PC.

Again, after a few minutes or two, the Windows GUI web interface should pop up with a “New Folder” alert. Click on “Add”, then under “Folder Path” set where you want the all the image files to be copied to. Then click on save.

After a few minutes, things should start syncing.

Autostart Goestools, Syncthing and use Screen to monitor system.

First a word about automatically starting your RPI and goestools, etc. Work with the processes listed above, get comfortable with how they run, where the imagery is saved, and make sure everything is running BEFORE you add auto-start.

Any troubleshooting should be done ahead of time!

I added the ability to have my PI automatically start all of the goestools processes and the syncthing software on boot or after a power glitch.   You can add other goesproc processes if you wish as well. be sure and match the file structure to your own set up!

sudo nano /etc/rc.local

By editing the rc.local file in the /etc/ directory on the PI as such:
#!/bin/sh -e
#
# rc.local
#
# This script is executed at the end of each multiuser runlevel.
# Make sure that the script will "exit 0" on success or any other
# value on error.
#
# In order to enable or disable this script just change the execution
# bits.
#
# By default this script does nothing.
# Print the IP address
_IP=$(hostname -I) || true
if [ "$_IP" ]; then
printf "My IP address is %s\n" "$_IP"
fi
#
#Start Goestools
#
/usr/bin/sudo -u pi /usr/bin/screen -dmS goesrecv /usr/bin/goesrecv -v -i 1 -c /home/pi/goesrecv.conf
#
/usr/bin/sudo -u pi /usr/bin/screen -dmS goesproc /usr/bin/goesproc -c /usr/share/goestools/goesproc-goesr.conf -m packet --subscribe tcp://127.0.0.1:5004 --out /home/pi/goes
#
#
#Start Syncthing
#
/usr/bin/sudo -u pi /usr/bin/screen -dmS syncthing /usr/bin/syncthing
exit 0

Save and Exit the nano editor with CTRL+X then Y then ENTER

Install the ‘screen’ app on your PI, Screen allows you to create many terminal tty instances which can be connected to or disconnected from whenever or wherever you want. So for example, if you may want to download some large files that will take hours but don’t want to leave your laptop connected to an SSH session while the download completes (or is running goestools…), you can use the ‘screen’ command to start a new terminal session then disconnect from it, close down your laptop and re-connect to the same session at a later time or from any other computer.

sudo apt update
sudo apt-get install screen

sudo reboot

SSH back into your PI and you can view the Processes running by /using the commands

screen -r goesrecv 
or 
screen -r goesproc 
or, lastly 
screen -r syncthing   

To stop viewing press ‘CTRL A then D’. DO NOT USE CTRL-C The processes will keep running in the background.

Raspberry Pis can be fickle. If you’ve ever gotten a corrupt SD card from a power outage, bad cable, overclocking, or other issues, you know how annoying it can be to start from scratch. But we can fix that.

When your Pi is set up exactly as you want, shut it down and remove its SD card. Plug the SD card into your computer, download Win32 Disk Imager (if you haven’t already), and start it up.

PRO TIP: If Win32 Disk Imager does not run, check to see if you have google drive running, if so, QUIT it while you are making a backup.

Note: If your Pi project is Linux-based (as many are), you may get a warning that the SD card is unreadable by Windows, and needs to be formatted. That’s okay, don’t format it! Just close the window and move on with the process.

In Win32 Disk Imager, click the blue folder button to select the location for the image you’re going to create. I’ve given mine a name that lets me know which project and Pi in my house it’s for. Like goestools_2-14_2022.img

Next, choose your Pi drive from the “Device” dropdown. If your Pi has multiple partitions, choose the first one—but don’t worry, this process will clone the entire card, not just the individual partition.

When you’re done, click the “Read” button. This reads the SD card’s data, turns it into an image, and saves that image at the specified location. Note that this process can take a while. As in, up to an hour or more depending on the size of your SD card.

When that’s finished, pop the card back into your Pi and continue as normal! That project is now backed up to your PC.

I just remembered the third thing! Pay it forward! I had some help from a wide variety of folks. Quite literally from all corners of the planet. So if you’ve got all this working, consider helping someone else out! Maybe go to a school or girl scouts, and show them the fundamentals!