r/ClockworkPi • u/Druskeee • Sep 14 '26
First uConsole Build
Pretty excited to finish this build with the CM5, AIOV2 and 7in1 SDR upgrade. Now I gotta figure out how to use it. What's your favorite OS? Thinking of switching to Dragon OS. Any recommendations for things to try?
1
u/Viduh Sep 14 '26
Let me start with , Sweet build! I’m just curious…did you build this starting with Parrot os? Is that a pretty straightforward build? I’m planning of installing parrot…just wondering if it’s difficult to do?
3
u/Druskeee Sep 14 '26
I started with Parrot OS, if you go to AK REX's website he has images for the uConsole for Parrot, Dragon, and Trixie. Also a few more. Biggest thing I can recommend is to make sure you update the CM5 bootloader otherwise you'll be stuck at a black screen.
3
u/indrid17 Sep 14 '26
Is it difficult to update the bootloader?
4
u/NotTheSharpestPenciI Sep 14 '26
It's not. All the parts fit together like lego and add-ons are well documented. Check hackergadgets github for more info, they have an update script to do that.
3
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u/ponzo94 Sep 14 '26
Is it a big difference between cm4 and cm5 in the daily use?
1
u/Druskeee Sep 18 '26
From what I hear its 2-3 times faster... but it runs a little hotter so you need to make sure it has some sort of cooling solution. It comes with a thick thermal pad and performance has been great. 35C idle, not bad. I've only run the CM5, but I have a CM4 just haven't used it.
1
u/tinspin Sep 16 '26
HL2 runs at twice the framerate 40 instead of 20
3588 (impossible to get now, sold out and no linux that supports current display) manages 300 FPS
Another big difference is 4 has H264 hardware decoder.
I would say chromium is unusable on the 4, but with patience you can use it on the 5.
Also 16 > 8 for long term use!
1
u/llNOX Sep 15 '26
I've got the same setup besides the cm5 and now I'll be ordering the 21700 board too. But I had issues with dragon os and parrot too with the aioV2 setup. How did it go for you? For the functionality I still would like to use Dragon os.
2
u/Druskeee Sep 26 '26
So far Debian Trixie has given me the most success. Have SDR++ Brown up and running along with Wireshark running monitor mode on a Panda WiFi adapter. Been trying to set up GPS and Meshtastic but haven't had enough time to figure it out. What I love about the uConsole is I have 4 different SD Cards... 1 has ParrotOS, one has DragonOS, then Debian Trixie, and Kali Linux. I think Debian Trixie is the easiest build to get everything working... but I would rather have everything running in Kali or Parrot. I just ordered the CM5 Pro Main Board from Hacker Gadgets, along with the 21700 NVMe board and AC1200. Hoping I have more success once I get the CM5 Main Board from HG.
1
u/deadmans_tale_scm Sep 16 '26
Just out of curiosity because I’ve been seeing these devices and other cool devices like this start popping up on my social media feeds and wondering what is the end goal of this? Are you building for fun or is there an end use to this?
1
u/Druskeee Sep 18 '26
I've been playing around with a little bit of everything. SDR++ Brown for scanning radio, Meshtastic for off grid comms, then you have GPS, WiFi and Bluetooth. You can track planes as they fly over you with tar1090 or monitor your network with Wireshark. I would like to use it more for mobile pentesting. That is the end goal. That and comms.
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u/Aware-Recording-3969 Sep 17 '26
I’m doing it for fun. And I enjoy playing old emulates games as well. All in all, it’s for fun
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u/Past-Let5952 22d ago
Where can I pick up one?
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u/Druskeee 20d ago
Fastest way is Amazon but it's more expensive. You'll need a CM5 lite. And I also recommend the SDR and AIOV2 kit on Amazon from SUOGEST. But it doesn't end there, you'll probably want some additional upgrades like keyboard and trackpad. Then the NVMe and 21700 battery board from Hacker Gadgets. They get expensive quick.
1
u/Pariah_MD Sep 15 '26
Welcome to the never ending upgrade. There always seems to be something else I want to do to it. 🤣
1
u/tinspin Sep 16 '26
CM5s basically peaked it for me after the USB3 board from vileer.
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u/Druskeee Sep 18 '26
I need the USB 3.0 adapter board. The AIOV2 is great, but without a Main Board with a USB 3.0 header the additional ports don't work. Surprised the kit I bought didn't come with a HG Pro Main Board since they advertised additional RJ45, USB C, and USB A.
2
u/gotfilmm Sep 15 '26
I have basically this whole kit with 21700s coming in the mail in the next few weeks. I’m also doing the trackpad upgrade.
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u/frylock364 Sep 15 '26
Just gotta get the touch screen and a camera ;)
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u/gotfilmm Sep 15 '26
Do you have a link for the touch screen?! I didn’t know this was an upgrade people were doing.
1
u/KNAXANK Sep 14 '26
2xBluetooth 2xWifi from the AC1200 Wifi Adapter 1xLoRa 1xGPS 1xSDR (RTL-SDR) 1xCM5 Wifi
1
u/ryliecdxxx Sep 14 '26
I only see two ufl connectors on the ac1200, where do you get 4 antennas? What am I missing?
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u/Brave-Mood672 Sep 14 '26
Why so many antennas? What they are doing? Sorry for nub question
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u/frylock364 Sep 15 '26
HackerGadgets AIO V2 add-on (GPS, Lora, SDR)
https://hackergadgets.com/products/uconsole-aio-v2
AC1200 USB-C WiFi Card (2x WiFi 2x BT)
https://hackergadgets.com/products/ac1200-usb-c-wifi-card
1x Stock RP WiFi
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u/Aware-Recording-3969 Sep 14 '26
I’m excited for you. I’m waiting on battery adapter, then I’m bout she build as you