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Web-888 Quick Reference Guide

Hardware and day-one facts for the Web-888 running the Debian image from this repository. Where the stock (factory) firmware behaves differently, that is noted explicitly. Install: flashing.md; daily operation: usage.md.

LED Status Reference

Behaviour below is for the Debian image and is reconciled with the authoritative docs/research/hardware-facts.md. LEDs are not a reliable FPGA-health indicator; the authoritative load check is cat /sys/devices/soc0/axi/f8007000.devcfg/prog_done (reads 1 after a bitstream has been loaded).

LED Color Normal behavior (Debian image) Problem indication
D2 Green Lights briefly at power-on, then turns OFF within ~1 s once the kernel has booted Stays solid ON past early boot — boot stalled before the kernel (BootROM/FSBL/U-Boot)
D0 Blue Steady ON once a bitstream has been loaded (by websdr, or by si5351-init/hw-test). OFF is normal during early boot and on any non-stock OS — not by itself a boot-failure signal —
D3 Green Blinks occasionally once the software stack runs —

Boot Status

✅ Normal Boot (Debian image):

  • Power on → D2 (green) lights briefly
  • Kernel boots → D2 turns OFF within ~1 s
  • Once websdr (or a hw-test) loads the bitstream → D0 (blue) goes steady ON; D3 (green) may blink occasionally
  • Note: D0 OFF is normal before the bitstream is loaded and on any non-stock OS

❌ Boot Failure:

  • D2 (green) stays solid ON well past power-on → the kernel never started (BootROM/FSBL/U-Boot-stage stall)
  • Authoritative FPGA/load check (not an LED): cat /sys/devices/soc0/axi/f8007000.devcfg/prog_done should read 1 after a bitstream load
  • Solution: Check TF card formatting and files

TF Card Requirements

Requirement Specification
Type SD or SDHC (NOT SDXC)
Max Capacity 32GB
Speed Class 10, not faster than 100MB/s
Min Capacity 200MB

Debian image: the card is written as a whole-disk image (FAT boot partition + ext4 rootfs) with scripts/flash-image.sh — see flashing.md. Do NOT format it yourself.

Stock firmware (for reference): FAT32/FAT16 with the update files in the card root.

TF Card Insertion

⚠️ Orientation: Insert upside down (label side down, contacts facing up)

Power Requirements

Parameter Minimum Recommended
Voltage 5V 5V ± 5%
Current 2A 2.5A+ (Fast Charger)
Connector USB-C USB-C

⚠️ Important: Voltage must stay above 4.75V under load

Power Supply Recommendations

  • ✅ Use "Fast Charger" rated adapters
  • ✅ High-quality USB-C cables (low resistance)
  • ✅ Linear power supply for LF/MF reception (reduces noise)
  • ❌ Avoid cheap switch-mode supplies with high switching noise

GPS Requirements

Item Specification
Type Active antenna (required)
Power 3.3V bias supplied
Constellations GPS (Navstar), QZSS, Galileo
Not Supported Passive antennas (will not work well)

GPS Status

  • Cold start: 5-15 minutes for first lock
  • Lock indicator: GPS LED behavior (if equipped)
  • Optimal: Clear sky view

Antenna Guide

HF Antenna (SMA)

  • Frequency: 0.01 - 62 MHz
  • Path: 64MHz LPF → LNA → ADC
  • Recommended:
    • Active/passive magnetic loops
    • Long wire with 9:1 balun
    • PA0RDT Mini-Whip (with proper installation)

VHF Antenna (SMA)

  • Frequency: 118 - 150 MHz (Air Band)
  • Path: 129MHz BPF → +20dB LNA → ADC
  • Recommended:
    • Ground plane (GP) antennas
    • Discone antennas

GPS Antenna (SMA)

  • Required: 3.3V active antenna
  • Installation: Outdoor with clear sky view

Network Access

Default Access (Debian image)

  • URL: http://web888.local:8073 (mDNS/Avahi) or http://<device-ip>:8073
  • SSH: ssh -p 22 root@web888.local (or @<device-ip>) — default password changeme (change it with passwd)
  • Protocol: HTTP / WebSocket

Finding the IP Address

The Debian image runs Avahi, so web888.local resolves on any mDNS-capable client (IPv4 + IPv6). If mDNS is unavailable (client without mDNS support, or multicast blocked), the Ethernet MAC always carries the stable prefix ce:cf:3f:*:

  1. sudo nmap -sn <your-lan-subnet> and look for Ce:Cf:3f in the MAC column
  2. ip neigh | grep -i ce:cf:3f after any contact attempt
  3. Check the router DHCP client list (hostname web888)

WiFi (USB dongle)

Configured from the admin UI: Network tab → "USB WIFI Dongle Mode" switch (AP/Client) + SSID/password, or Console tab → enable hotspot (AP with stock defaults web-888/88888888). Changes apply on websdr restart. See usage.md → "WiFi (USB dongle)" for details, AP-capable dongles, and how to turn WiFi management off.

Dongle tip: several dongles tested, all work; for a new buy an RTL8812BU/8822BU (AC1200) is the best value (dual-band, 5 GHz + AP). Faster cards just exceed the USB 2.0 port; cheaper ones are weaker and may lack 5 GHz/AP.

USB connector note: the Web-888 has no USB-A socket — the only USB data connector is one of the two Type-C ports (the other is power-only). Use a USB Type-C→Type-A adapter on the data port; if a dongle fails to enumerate, just try a different adapter (adapter quality matters on this board). See ../dev/KNOWN-ISSUES.md §8.

Common Issues Quick Fix

Issue: Cannot Access Web Interface

  1. ⏱️ Wait 2-3 minutes after power on
  2. 🔌 Check power supply (minimum 2A)
  3. 💾 Verify TF card (FAT32, files in root)
  4. 🌐 Check router DHCP list
  5. 🔧 Try accessing by IP instead of hostname

Issue: D2 LED Stays On

Problem: Boot failure

Solution (Debian image):

  1. Re-flash the card per flashing.md (whole image, not files)
  2. Use a Class 10 SD/SDHC card (not SDXC)

Solution (stock firmware): reformat to FAT32 and extract the update files to the card root (not a subfolder).

Issue: Black Waterfall / No Audio

  1. Disable "External ADC Clock" in Connect tab
  2. Check antenna connection
  3. Refresh browser page
  4. Clear browser cache

Issue: Can't Get GPS Lock

  1. ✅ Use active GPS antenna
  2. 📍 Place antenna outdoors
  3. ⏱️ Wait 5-15 minutes (cold start)
  4. 🔧 Check GPS antenna connection

Issue: Slow Web Page Loading

  1. Close and reopen browser tab
  2. Wait a few seconds (rate limiting protection)
  3. Check network connection
  4. Reduce number of connected users

Issue: Device Drops Out

  1. 🔌 Check power supply rating (need 2A+)
  2. 🔌 Replace USB-C cable (quality matters)
  3. 🔌 Try different power socket

Configuration Backup

Backing Up Settings (Debian image)

scp -P 22 -r root@<device-ip>:/etc/web888 ./backup-etc-web888

Files to Backup

  • /etc/web888/websdr.json - Main configuration
  • /etc/web888/admin.json - Admin settings
  • /var/lib/web888/ - Runtime state (DX database, recordings)

(The stock firmware kept these under /root/kiwi.config/ on the card.)

Specifications Summary

Parameter Value
ADC 16-bit, 130 MSPS (LTC2208)
FPGA Xilinx Zynq-7010 (XC7Z010)
CPU Dual ARM Cortex-A9 @ 667 MHz
Channels 13 RX + 13 WF (TDM)
HF Range 0.01 - 62 MHz
VHF Range 118 - 150 MHz
Network 1000 Mbps Ethernet
GPS Multi-constellation, PPS
Power 5V USB-C, 2A minimum

Keyboard Shortcuts (Web Interface)

Key Action
Space Reset to RX frequency
Z Center tuning mode
M Mute/Unmute
↑/↓ Zoom in/out
←/→ Tune frequency
S Toggle CAT sync
Y Switch receiver (dual)

Extension Shortcuts

Extension Launch
FT8 Click extension button
WSPR Click extension button
CW Decoder Click extension button
S-Meter Press 'M' key

Admin Panel Tabs

Tab Function
Status Device info, serial number, temperature
Control Frequency, mode, AGC settings
Connect External ADC clock, GPS settings
Config Main configuration editor
Webpage UI customization
Public Public access settings
DX Station database
Extensions Extension settings
Security Passwords, access control

Support

Reference Documents

For detailed information, see:

Quick Reference - Print and Keep Handy