Installing a New Raspberry Pi Image on Your sBitx

Installing a new Raspberry Pi image on your sBitx is necessary when upgrading to the 64-bit version, restoring from a backup, or resetting your radio to factory settings. Unlike traditional transceivers, the sBitx functions as both a transceiver and a computer, running an underlying operating system similar to Windows or Linux. Copying a new image file to the internal SD card is equivalent to reformatting a hard drive in a conventional computer.

What Is a Raspberry Pi Image?

A Raspberry Pi image is a preconfigured snapshot of an operating system and its software, designed to run on Raspberry Pi-based hardware, such as the one inside your sBitx.

Why Use a Raspberry Pi Image?

Raspberry Pi images serve as ready-to-use backups that allow users to quickly set up or restore their system. These images contain everything needed to run specific applications and tasks, similar to a full hard drive backup on a traditional computer.

Image Format

Raspberry Pi images are typically distributed as .img files. These files are written to an SD card or another storage medium, allowing the Raspberry Pi to boot and operate as intended.

A typical sBitx Raspberry Pi image includes:

• The base operating system (Raspberry Pi OS)
• Pre-installed software packages
• System configurations tailored for the sBitx hardware
• Additional applications required for sBitx functionality

How to Install a Raspberry Pi Image

1. Downloading the Image

Raspberry Pi images can be obtained from:

• The official Raspberry Pi website
• Third-party developers (such as this sBitx project)
• Custom-built user images

2. Writing the Image to an SD Card

To install the image on an SD card, use one of the following tools:

• Balena Etcher (Easy to use with cross-platform support)
• Raspberry Pi Imager (Official tool from Raspberry Pi)

3. Booting the sBitx with the New Image

1. Insert the newly written SD card into the Raspberry Pi inside your sBitx.
2. Power on the device.
3. The sBitx will boot from the new image, loading all preconfigured settings.

By following these steps, you can successfully upgrade, restore, or reset your sBitx using a Raspberry Pi image.