Glossary of Linux Commands for SDR and Raspberry Pi

Posted on May 6, 2025

Table of Contents

Key Takeaways

Learn the essential Linux commands needed to navigate, manage files, and control your SDR servers on Raspberry Pi.
Operate your Raspberry Pi smoothly using only the Bash terminal, with no need for a graphical desktop environment.
Install, configure, and monitor powerful SDR applications like OpenWebRX and rtl_tcp easily using clear command-line workflows.
Follow a complete quick-start workflow, including updates, software installation, service management, and performance monitoring tips.

1. System Basics

Command	Purpose	Example
`uname -a`	Show system info (kernel, CPU)	`uname -a`
`hostname`	Show the device’s network name	`hostname`
`sudo`	Run a command as administrator (root)	`sudo apt update`
`passwd`	Change your password	`passwd`

2. File and Directory Navigation

Command	Purpose	Example
`pwd`	Print working directory (where you are)	`pwd`
`ls`	List files in a directory	`ls`
`cd [directory]`	Change directory	`cd /home/pi`
`mkdir [name]`	Make a new directory	`mkdir sdr-projects`
`cp [source] [dest]`	Copy a file	`cp test.conf backup-test.conf`
`mv [source] [dest]`	Move or rename a file	`mv oldname newname`
`rm [file]`	Delete a file	`rm temp.txt`
`nano [file]`	Open a simple text editor (for editing config files)	`nano openwebrx.cfg`

✅ Tip:
You’ll use cd, ls, nano all the time when setting up SDR servers.

3. Software Installation and Updates

Command	Purpose	Example
`sudo apt update`	Update package lists	`sudo apt update`
`sudo apt upgrade`	Upgrade all installed packages	`sudo apt upgrade`
`sudo apt install [package]`	Install a package	`sudo apt install rtl-sdr`
`sudo apt remove [package]`	Uninstall a package	`sudo apt remove gqrx-sdr`
`apt list --installed`	List installed packages	`apt list –installed

✅ Tip:
You will regularly install packages like rtl-sdr, soapy-sdr-tools, and openwebrx.

4. Service Management (Starting and Stopping Servers)

Command	Purpose	Example
`sudo systemctl status [service]`	Check if a service is running	`sudo systemctl status openwebrx`
`sudo systemctl start [service]`	Start a service now	`sudo systemctl start openwebrx`
`sudo systemctl stop [service]`	Stop a service	`sudo systemctl stop openwebrx`
`sudo systemctl restart [service]`	Restart a service	`sudo systemctl restart openwebrx`
`sudo systemctl enable [service]`	Auto-start service at boot	`sudo systemctl enable openwebrx`
`sudo systemctl disable [service]`	Disable auto-start	`sudo systemctl disable openwebrx`

✅ Tip:
Useful for keeping SDR servers like OpenWebRX or rtl_tcp always running.

5. Network Commands

Command	Purpose	Example
`ifconfig` or `ip a`	Show network interfaces and IP addresses	`ip a`
`ping [hostname or IP]`	Test network connection	`ping google.com`
`curl [url]`	Fetch a webpage or download data (good for testing internet access)	`curl https://www.google.com`
`sudo raspi-config`	Open the Raspberry Pi configuration tool (Wi-Fi, SSH, localization)	`sudo raspi-config`

✅ Tip:
After installing OpenWebRX, you’ll check your Pi’s IP address so you can connect to the web server.

6. Process and Resource Monitoring

Command	Purpose	Example
`top`	Show running processes and CPU/memory use	`top`
`htop`	Nicer version of `top` (install separately)	`sudo apt install htop`, then `htop`
`df -h`	Show disk space usage	`df -h`
`free -h`	Show RAM usage	`free -h`
`uptime`	Show how long system has been running	`uptime`

✅ Tip:
htop is very useful when debugging SDR load on the CPU.

7. Power Management

Command	Purpose	Example
`sudo reboot`	Reboot the Pi	`sudo reboot`
`sudo shutdown now`	Shutdown the Pi immediately	`sudo shutdown now`
`sudo shutdown -h now`	Halt and power off the Pi	`sudo shutdown -h now`

✅ Tip:
Always shutdown properly before removing power to avoid corrupting your microSD card.

🛠 Quick “Starter Workflow” for SDR on Pi OS Lite

When you first set up your Pi to run an SDR server like OpenWebRX:

Boot up → login (on monitor or via SSH).
Update the Pi:

bash

sudo apt update sudo apt upgrade
Install software:

bash

sudo apt install rtl-sdr soapy-sdr-tools
Start testing your SDR hardware:

bash

rtl_test
Install or launch your SDR server (e.g., OpenWebRX, rtl_tcp).
Check running services and logs:

bash

sudo systemctl status openwebrx top

✏️ Bonus: Useful Keyboard Shortcuts in Terminal

Shortcut	Purpose
`Ctrl + C`	Cancel current running command
`Ctrl + L`	Clear the terminal screen
`Ctrl + R`	Search through command history
`Tab`	Auto-complete file and folder names
`Up/Down Arrows`	Browse previous commands

🧠 Summary

✅ Yes, the Bash terminal opens on your monitor.
✅ Yes, you use Linux commands (not mouse clicks) to run and manage everything.
✅ This glossary covers 90% of real-world commands you’ll use for setting up, running, and maintaining SDR apps on the Raspberry Pi.

Linux Time Command

Linux Time Command

What exactly is Linux?

Linux is an operating system that sits below all of the other software application on a computer system, obtaining needs from those programs and passing on these demands to the computer system’s equipment. In various methods, Linux looks like various other running systems you may have made use of previously, such as Windows, macOS (formerly OS X), or iOS.

How much do Linux administrators make?

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, regarding fifty percent of network and also computer system administrators make $70,970 a year or less. The average income of Linux system designers was specified at $79,357, with $60,000 being the lowest and $105,000 the greatest, while the average wage of senior Linux system designers was $102,779, with the most affordable earning being $76,000 and obtaining greater than $140,000 on top end.

What is the Linux Foundation

Linux runs most computer systems in the globe, Linux does not have business training. The Linux Foundation supplies training to new Linux IT experts. Established in 2007, The Linux Foundation funds the job of Linux designer Linus Torvalds and is sustained by the foremost Linux and open source programmers and companies from around the globe.

How does the Linux Foundation benefit students

In the past, open resource programmers were mostly self-taught. Open up source had no institutional benefactors. People entered open source by figuring it out themselves as well as looking for out other enthusiasts. That has never been real for software generally. People constantly obtain trained on business items. Companies have entire divisions to educate designers. And discovering industrial software application has constantly been sustained by universities and also colleges. There is a massive void between excellent quality open source items that are altering just how we compute, and also the training programs for brand-new skill. Just how can Linux create on-ramps for skill in an age of open resource where you don’t have the same commercial companies straight paying for training? Exactly how can individuals obtain trained and also up-to-speed technically on the software? This entry-level ability void is what the Linux Foundation loads.

How do I open Linux on my computer?

How to use Linux easily?

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