Stratux Hardware Guide

Stratux Hardware Guide

Stratux Hardware Guide

Understanding the components inside your Stratux.

Raspberry Pi

The “brain” of Stratux — a small Linux computer.

Supported Models

Model Status Notes
Raspberry Pi 3B+ ✅ Recommended Best tested, most common
Raspberry Pi 3B ✅ Works Slightly slower WiFi
Raspberry Pi 4 ✅ Works USB-C power, runs hotter
Raspberry Pi Zero W ⚠️ Limited Underpowered, not recommended
Pi Zero 2 W ⚠️ Experimental May work, limited testing
Raspberry Pi 5 ❌ Not supported Different architecture

Pi 3 vs Pi 4

Feature Pi 3B+ Pi 4
Power connector Micro-USB USB-C
Power draw Lower Higher
Heat Less More (needs cooling)
Performance Sufficient Overkill for Stratux
Compatibility Excellent Good

Verdict: Pi 3B+ is still the best choice for Stratux. Pi 4 works but runs hotter and offers no meaningful benefit.

SDR Radios

SDR = Software Defined Radio. These USB devices receive the ADS-B signals.

Frequencies

SDR Frequency Receives
1090 MHz (Blue label) 1090 MHz Mode S, ADS-B Out from aircraft
978 MHz (Orange/Red label) 978 MHz UAT traffic + FIS-B weather

SDR Types

NooElec NESDR Nano — Most common in Stratux builds. Small form factor, good performance.

RTL-SDR Blog v3 — Higher quality, better filtering, larger size.

Generic RTL-SDR — Cheapest option, may need PPM calibration.

PPM Calibration

SDRs have a frequency offset that can affect reception. Higher-quality SDRs (like those from Stratux Store) are pre-calibrated.

If you buy generic SDRs, you may need to adjust the PPM value in Stratux settings. Symptoms of miscalibration: - Weak signal reception - Missing traffic/weather - Works but range is reduced

GPS

GPYes 2.0 (Internal)

VK-162 (External)

  • Older style, long USB cable
  • Better sky view when mounted externally
  • Larger form factor

GPYes 2.0 External Antenna

GPS Acquisition

First GPS fix can take 1-2 minutes after power-on. Subsequent fixes are faster. Ensure the GPS has some sky view — inside a hangar won’t work.

AHRS Sensor

AHRS = Attitude and Heading Reference System.

Uses MEMS (micro-electro-mechanical) sensors: - Accelerometer (measures G-forces) - Gyroscope (measures rotation) - Magnetometer (measures heading — optional)

Common Chips

  • MPU-9250 — 9-axis IMU (accel + gyro + mag)
  • BMP280 — Barometric pressure (altitude)
  • GY-91 — Combined board

Calibration

AHRS must be calibrated: 1. Place Stratux level in aircraft 2. Access http://192.168.10.1 3. Go to AHRS page → “Set Level” 4. Reset gyros if needed

Antennas

Types

Antenna Size Gain Best For
Small rubber duck ~3 inches Low Compact installs
Medium whip ~5 inches Medium Standard use
Large high-gain ~8 inches High Maximum range

Connection

Most Stratux SDRs use MCX or SMA connectors. Adapters available if mismatched.

Placement

  • Point antennas up (vertical polarization)
  • Keep 10cm+ apart
  • Don’t let them touch metal case screws

Power

Input

  • 5V via USB
  • 2+ amps required — more is better
  • Low-current sources cause instability

Symptoms of Low Power

  • Random reboots
  • SDRs dropping offline
  • Rainbow square on HDMI output (Pi throttling)

Cables

Micro-USB (Pi 3) or USB-C (Pi 4). Short, quality cables work best. Bad cables are the #1 cause of power issues.

Upgrade Kits

AHRS Upgrade Kit

Adds attitude reference to a basic Stratux. - Link: Check Crew Dog Store

Fan Controller

Manages cooling automatically based on temperature.

Understanding your hardware helps troubleshoot issues. Know what’s inside your box.

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