March 26, 2023: FreqEZ Band Decoder v2.2.0 released to general availability
FreqEZ ARCHITECTURE:
New (old) program name: To prevent confusion between the program name and its version numbers, the program name will hereafter be just “FreqEZ”.
Raspbian login ID and password: To avoid security risks associated with the common username of “pi”, the download ISO file and pre-configured microSD disks contain the default login ID of “ez” with a password of “freqez”.
FreqEZ file locations: In Windows, the suggested installation subdirectory is “\FreqEZ”. In Raspbian – to align with linux best practices – the freqezrpi executable and freqezconfig.xml settings files are stored in the “/usr/bin/“ directory.
Network hostname convention: The download ISO file and pre-configured microSD disks set the Raspberry Pi hostname as “ezcontroller-1”. Unique hostnames in multiple RPi Controller networks would be ezcontroller-2, -3, and -4.
FreqEZ VERSION MANAGEMENT:
Simplified Version Control: A pop-up message in the Windows FreqEZ Console announces the availability of new software versions. Installing the new versions – on the Windows Console and Raspberry Pi Controller – is accomplished from the Windows Console with a simple mouse click.
Existing FreqEZ v2.x.x users:
- You must update both the Windows and Raspberry Pi programs (but it’s much easier now!)
- You will not need to make any hardware changes to your physical layout or cable configurations. FreqEZ is all about software
- Windows Console update – You will not need to change your v2.1.x FreqEZConfig.xml and FreqEZSettings.xml files – although it’s always a good idea to make a backup copy “just-in-case”. *HOWEVER*
- FreqEZ v2.2.0 will install to its new recommended \FreqEZ directory. Your current config and settings XML files will be orphaned in a previous \FreqEZ2 directory. Use Windows Explorer to copy the two old XML files to the new location
- Raspbian Controller update – If your current microSD card is only 8gb, I recommend that you replace it with a larger 16gb Class 10 card. If you do not have a microSD card slot in your PC, order a USB adapter with your card – about $15 from Newegg, MicroCenter, Amazon, BestBuy… Burn the download ISO file onto the microSD card using instructions in the documentation. Then just plug it in, apply power, and you’re done. Easy-Peasy