KiwiSDR Quick Start Guide
Version 1.3
Please check kiwisdr.com/quickstart for the latest information.
Ask questions on the forum. Check kiwisdr.com for link.
© bluebison.net

Important
If you purchased the KiwiSDR “kit” that included a BeagleBone Green:
Do NOT insert the micro-SD card into the Beagle.
The Beagle has already been pre-loaded with the Kiwi software.
Only use the micro-SD card when re-installing the Beagle software after a problem.
If you purchased the KiwiSDR “board only” and are supplying your own BeagleBone:
Follow the instructions below to install the Kiwi software on your Beagle.

To install the KiwiSDR hardware follow these instructions.
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Connect the KiwiSDR to a Seeed BeagleBone Green or CircuitCo BeagleBone Black.
Plug the KiwiSDR into the Beagle if not already done. Be extremely careful to align the KiwiSDR
pins into the correct header sockets of the Beagle (see picture). The cutout in the KiwiSDR board
should wrap around the Beagle Ethernet connector with equal clearance on all sides.
Attach an RF (shortwave) antenna to the left SMA connector or 2-pin terminal block (antennaconnection on left, ground on right). The PCB silkscreen identifes the connectors.
Attach an optional 3.3V active GPS antenna to the right SMA connector.
Attach an Ethernet cable from your network switch, router, modem or frewall.
Plug a 5V, 2A, center-pin positive power supply into the KiwiSDR 2.1mm power jack. Do notconnect power to the Beagle. The KiwiSDR powers the Beagle through the header connector.

Using the KiwiSDR••••••••Your network must run a DHCP server to assign an IP address to the Beagle Ethernet interface. It
is likely your router, modem or frewall already does this. Ask your network administrator.
Use an up-to-date browser version of Firefox or Chrome. Internet Explorer is not supported.
In a web browser connect to kiwisdr.local:8073 Your computer must be connected to the same
local subnet as the KiwiSDR. If your computer does not recognize the kiwisdr.local hostname
then see the kiwisdr.com/quickstart for alternatives (this is generally true for Windows).
Various confguration settings may be changed using the administrative interface atkiwisdr.local:8073/admin
You may have to change the confguration on your router, modem or frewall to allow the public
to access your KiwiSDR from the Internet. Connect to kiwisdr.local:8073/admin for information
you will need to:◦ Permanently associate a fxed local IP address with the unique MAC address of your Beagle
Ethernet interface.
◦ Translate a connection to the KiwiSDR port (typically 8073) on your public IP address to thefxed local address assigned in the previous step using NAT.
◦ Optional: Add a sub-domain to a domain you already own and point it to the public addressof the KiwiSDR, e.g. kiwisdr.mydomain.com:8073/
Please consider listing your KiwiSDR on the sdr.hu website so others can fnd it. Complete
instructions are at kiwisdr.com/quickstart.
To login to Debian Linux running on the Beagle use the “ssh” program (or equivalent, e.g.
“PuTTY” on Windows) on another computer. Login with the username “root”, e.g. “sshroot@kiwisdr.local”. No password has been set. It is not possible to connect an HDMI monitor
and keyboard to the Beagle. See kiwisdr.com/quickstart.
You can also get a Debian console shell by using the “console” tab on the admin page atkiwisdr.local:8073/admin.

To install (or re-install) the software follow these instructions. Note that any software
previously installed on the BeagleBone will be completely overwritten.
If your KiwiSDR included a BeagleBone then the software is already installed.
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With the power disconnected, insert the supplied micro-SD card with the software distribution
into the Beagle. The card contacts face away from the board and the card should “click” whenseated (see picture).
Plug the KiwiSDR into the Beagle if not already done. Be extremely careful to align the KiwiSDR
pins into the correct header sockets of the Beagle (see next picture). The cutout in the KiwiSDR
board should wrap around the Beagle Ethernet connector with equal clearance on all sides.
Plug a 5V, 2A , center-pin positive power supply into the KiwiSDR 2.1mm power jack.
The LEDs mentioned below are the four status LEDs grouped together, not the single power
LED.
The LEDs on the Beagle will fash briefy then start a “back-and-forth” pattern as the software iscopied from the micro-SD to the eMMC fash on the Beagle. This takes about four minutes.
If the LEDs “freeze”, or nothing happens after one minute, try again, holding down the “boot”
button on the top of the Beagle PCB above the micro-SD connector before power is applied.
Release the button when the frst LEDs light. The button is diffcult to reach when the KiwiSDR isinstalled. So remove it frst and apply power to the Beagle instead. The KiwiSDR does not have tobe attached for software to be installed on the Beagle.
When the copy is complete the Beagle will power itself off (none of the LEDs will be lit).
Remove the 5V power and micro-SD card (push in slightly to release the spring latch).

Assembly of enclosure
If your KiwiSDR includes an enclosure assemble it as follows. You will need a Phillips screwdriver.

Optional: Remove the protective paper from the two plastic plates. Tip: if the paper adhesive is diffcult
to remove try warming it frst with a hair dryer.

Attach plastic spacers to the BeagleBone at the four mounting holes in the corners. Tighten only fngertight. Do not use the metal screws on the BeagleBone as they may short the circuit board traces.

Attach BeagleBone to the bottom plastic plate with four metal screws using a Phillips screwdriver.
Observe the etched markings on the plastic for correct orientation. An outline drawing of a micro-SD
card and USB connector is etched into the plate. The Beagle Ethernet connector should be at theoutside edge of the plate.

Attach KiwiSDR to BeagleBone. Be extremely careful to align the KiwiSDR pins into the correct header
sockets of the Beagle. The cutout in the KiwiSDR board should wrap around the Beagle Ethernet
connector with equal clearance on all sides. Push the KiwiSDR all the way down onto the Beagle headers
as far as it will go. This allows enough clearance for the top plastic plate installed later on.

Position the metal side pieces. Note that the top of the side pieces have a slot for the insertion of the top
plastic plate. Do not incorrectly exchange the left and right metal pieces so the slot ends up on thebottom.
It is very important that the bottom plastic plate is on the bottom of the stack, i.e. the metal sides
pieces sit “on top” of the bottom plastic plate.
Do not slide the bottom plastic plate “inside” the metal side pieces. Otherwise the top plastic
plate will not clear the Kiwi board when it is slid inside the metal side pieces in a later step.

Note how the plastic plate is on the “outside” here. It is very important to get this correct before
installing the rivets.
Use four plastic rivets to attach the metal side pieces to the bottom plastic plate. Use the smaller holes atthe ends of the plastic plate as shown.
Using the rivets: push the larger outer shaft of the rivet completely into the hole before pressing on thetop of the rivet to insert the smaller inner shaft. The rivets are not re-useable, so proceed carefully. The
inner shaft will bend easily so slowly apply an even pressure. Extra rivets are supplied.

Note the orientation of the word “BeagleBone” etched into the top plastic plate. Slide the top plastic
plate into the slots of the metal side pieces as shown. The plastic will just hit the KiwiSDR board at thecircled locations. You should be able to lift the plastic plate very slightly and continue sliding it throughthe slots. This tight ft is why the KiwiSDR was pushed completely onto the Beagle headers in a previousstep.
If the top plastic plate doesn't come close to clearing the Kiwi then you have not correctly
mounted the bottom plastic plate to the metal side pieces. Go back two steps and re-check.

Insert plastic rivets at the four locations shown. This completes the enclosure assembly.