SD Card Content

SD Card Content in Portapack Mayhem

The SD card is an essential component of the Portapack Mayhem firmware, extending the capabilities of the device by providing additional storage for files, configurations, and user-generated data. While the Portapack itself contains built-in functionality, many features rely on an SD card to function optimally.

Key Uses of the SD Card

• Records – Custom IQ recordings and pre-generated waveforms for replay attacks or signal analysis.
• External Apps – Applications stored in the APPS directory of the SD card.
• Configuration Files – User preferences, profiles, and settings that persist across sessions.
• Firmware Updates – Bootloader and firmware upgrade files stored and loaded from the SD card.
• Captured Data – Logs, frequency sweeps, and captured transmissions saved for later analysis.

File System & Organization

• The SD card should be formatted in FAT32 or exFAT.
• Specific folders and naming conventions are required for certain features.
• Maintaining a well-structured file hierarchy ensures seamless operation.
• Proper management of SD card content unlocks the full potential of the Portapack Mayhem firmware, enabling advanced signal processing, automation, and enhanced usability in the field.
• The SD card provides a flexible storage resource that can be tailored to the user's needs.

Downloading and Installing SD Card Files for Portapack Mayhem

To fully utilize the Portapack Mayhem firmware, you need to prepare your SD card with the necessary files.

You can refer to the quick procedure below to know where to download the required content and how to install it properly, or have a look at the detailed SD card content update in the Update firmware article.

The standard SD card image is provided as part of the firmware download in the assets list of each release.

Procedure

1. Navigate to the releases page.
2. Select the version you want (nightly or stable).
3. Under assets, find the two files ending with ...COPY_TO_SDCARD.zip and ...COPY_TO_SDCARD-no-world-map.zip.
4. Download the appropriate file:
   • If you have already installed the SD card content once, you do not need the larger version containing the ADS-B world map.
5. Extract the contents of the ZIP to the root of the SD card.

The data structure at the root of your SD card must match the following example:

Important

The ZIP file must be extracted.

Important

The directories shown in the screenshot must be at the root of your SD card.

SD Card Details

SD Card Contents

The following folders on the SD card store various app-specific data. Some of these folders are included in the SD card image, while others may be created later by the firmware or the user:

• ADSB – Contains databases for airlines and ICAO. The world map is also stored here. See the documentation for generating a custom map.
• AIS – Stores the AIS database.
• APPS – Stores external applications (.ppma files) offloaded from the firmware flash ROM.
• APRS – Logs from the APRS-RX app.
• AUDIO – WAV audio recordings from the Audio app.
• BLERX – Logs from the BLE-RX app.
• BLETX – Files for the BLE-TX app.
• CAPTURES – IQ capture files (.C16, .C8, and metadata .TXT) from the Capture app.
• DEBUG – Various debugging logs.
• FIRMWARE – Contains .bin files used to update the PortaPack firmware.
• FREQMAN – Stores frequency database files for loading in various apps. Some apps (e.g., AIS, TPMS) have fixed frequency ranges, requiring manual .ini file modifications.
• GPS – Stores information for generating GPS simulation files.
• LOGS – Logs for apps such as ADS-B, POCSAG, and ERT.
• LOOKINGGLASS – Holds a text file defining scan ranges and descriptions for the LOOKINGGLASS app. Frequency ranges must be at least 240 MHz wide and start from 10 MHz.
• PLAYLIST – Stores .PPL playlist files for the Replay app.
• REMOTES – Stores .REM files for the Remote and TouchTune apps.
• SAMPLES – Contains example settings for the OOK TX app.
• SCREENSHOTS – Stores .SCR screenshot files.
• SETTINGS – Stores application settings (.ini files). If an app malfunctions, deleting its settings file resets it. A blacklist file for disabling apps may also be stored here.
• SPECTRUM – Stores .BMP images for the Spectrum Painter app.
• SPLASH – Stores custom splash screen .BMP files (active splash screens must be in the root directory as splash.bmp).
• SSTV – Contains standard images for the SSTV app.
• WAV – Stores sound files for the SoundBoard app.
• WHIPCALC – Stores whip length calculation data. Additional whips can be added with specific details.

SD card contents can be managed using the File Manager application, the "SD over USB" app, or by removing the SD card and accessing it via a computer.

Warning

Improper reinsertion may cause the SD card to fall into the device, requiring disassembly to retrieve it.

Technical Details

• Detailed technical specifications are available here.

Warning

The File Manager app has a memory limitation: an "out of memory" error may occur if a folder contains too many files.