ag123

thread about video in case anyone is looking for it and a recent 'success story'

sound is a gotcha on the opi z3, actually opi z3 has sound but output only. accordingly opi z2 has sound both input (mic) and output. and i think for 'convenience' many would after all use a usb sound card instead, just that there is only one usb port and the other 2 is actually on the extension pins on opi z3 as do with the audio output on z3 http://www.orangepi.org/html/hardWare/computerAndMicrocontrollers/details/Orange-Pi-Zero-3.html as for usb + audio extension, orangepi sells an extension board but that accordingly without that it may be possible to hack those usb connectors https://www.aliexpress.com/w/wholesale-usb-female-type-a-with-wire.htmll if one is willing to go the distance with electronics, for the microphone i did a little research and found that there are mems microphone modules around small, compact and possibly can be easily paired with boards like z , z2 or z3 https://www.aliexpress.com/w/wholesale-mems-microphone.html but that most of these are I2S interfaces and I'm not too sure if it is feasible apparently it is there for output, but I'm not sure about input https://github.com/elkoni/Opi_Zero_3_I2S3_5.4

I've some old boards too e.g. https://www.armbian.com/orange-pi-one/ interestingly there is an updated image for it, but that things I remember there are lots of gotcha unlike the whole many generation of incremental improvements between boards that finally evolved into a opi z3. among the gotchas on orangepi one and orangepi pc h3 is that it uses a proprietary openrisc chip for power off which back then, if you run poweroff, the cpu will instead become very hot rapidly and you have to pull the usb cable quickly. today there is this thing crust which i've not yet tried which is deemed to be able to orderly shutdown the soc https://github.com/crust-firmware/crust opi z3 uses a PMIC with its own internal firmware and I think it is comms i2c etc that starts the shutdown process. things are different between the generations (of boards and kernel) --- my guess is to try a new u-boot, it may take doing a build and the changes may be quite similar to this https://github.com/armbian/build/pull/8334 https://github.com/armbian/build/pull/8334/commits/49ccbe88bc2ddf31b55ece850d28ef18c6ae8a1a --- if you want to venture and experiment with just u-boot alone here is how I once tried https://github.com/ag88/1.5GB_Fix_for_Armbian_on_OrangePiZero3 https://github.com/ag88/1.5GB_Fix_for_Armbian_on_OrangePiZero3/blob/main/build.md

just like to say that the recent images works just well _ _ _ _ _ /_\ _ _ _ __ | |__(_)__ _ _ _ __ ___ _ __ _ __ _ _ _ _ (_) |_ _ _ / _ \| '_| ' \| '_ \ / _` | ' \ / _/ _ \ ' \| ' \ || | ' \| | _| || | /_/ \_\_| |_|_|_|_.__/_\__,_|_||_|_\__\___/_|_|_|_|_|_\_,_|_||_|_|\__|\_, | |___| |__/ v25.8 rolling for Orange Pi Zero3 running Armbian Linux 6.12.35-current-sunxi64 Packages: Debian stable (bookworm) Support: for advanced users (rolling release) IPv4: (LAN) xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx (WAN) yyy.yyy.yyy.yyy IPv6: fd00:xxxx:xxxx::xxxx:xxxx (WAN) xxxx:xxxx::yyyy:yyyy WiFi AP: SSID: (ssid), Performance: Load: 2% Uptime: 3:50 Memory usage: 4% of 3.83G CPU temp: 41°C Usage of /: 3% of 58G RX today: 7 MiB Commands: Configuration : armbian-config Monitoring : htop

this is somewhat 'off-topic' but still relevant to 'orange pi zero 3' If Orange Pi Zero 3 is operated in warm climates (e.g. room temperature 30 deg C etc) , it can at times run up to like 60 deg C. this is in open still air adding a fan blowing at it reduce that by some 20 deg C to 40 deg C ! And this is my ghetto fan setup, no fancy case, no heatsink nothing, just a single long machine screw that lifts it up checking temperatures is easy > armbianmonitor -m Stop monitoring using [ctrl]-[c] Time CPU load %cpu %sys %usr %nice %io %irq Tcpu C.St. 18:03:39 480 MHz 0.00 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 40.8 °C 0/7^C strictly speaking, 60 deg C is 'nothing to scream about' , I've a Rpi 4 hitting up 80 deg C and it throttles. similarly use a fan blowing at it + a heat sink over the cpu, drastically reduce running temperatures. for 'occasional' use, I don't think it is necessary to have a fan blowing at the Orange Pi Zero 3. I think it is feasible to run at lower temperatures if I disable and unclock the GPU and HDMI, but for now I'm not sure how to go about doing that. Initially, I'm thinking maybe the wifi is causing it, but now I don't think so, it is moderately likely the gpu is heating it up a bit. And still air don't seem to dissipate heat very well.

apparently new images for OrangePi Zero 3 Debian minimal IOT are out on github and the boards page thanks to @Igor, @TRay, et.al. https://www.armbian.com/orange-pi-zero-3/ https://github.com/armbian/community/releases/tag/25.8.0-trunk.309 ^ apparently a big release many images ( e.g. different variants and boards) are updated, but I checked only OrangePi Zero 3 Debian minimal IOT the feature for OrangePi Zero 3 according to recent build release https://github.com/armbian/build/releases/tag/v25.8.0-trunk.293 is https://github.com/armbian/build/pull/8334 the use of u-boot tag:v2025.04 likely improves boot time ddr ram size detection.

thanks @Igor , this is really fresh like an hour ago would check in the rolling releases for images , it is deemed more stable for dram detection , sizing at boot. there tend to be dram size detection and other issues which I'm not too sure if that might be a timing related issue.

one way is if you have tested that config and build to make a pull request on github https://github.com/armbian/build

I'm, using one of those CH340 based usb-uart dongles https://www.aliexpress.com/w/wholesale-usb-uart-ch340.html but that normally most usb-uart dongles would work https://www.aliexpress.com/w/wholesale-usb-uart.html just make sure to check that it has / uses 3.3V io levels. Not 5V io levels as that may damage the processor (cpu / soc) for the pins connection review the user manual http://www.orangepi.org/html/hardWare/computerAndMicrocontrollers/service-and-support/Orange-Pi-Zero-3.html it is the 3 pins labelled Debug TTL UART on their board photo http://www.orangepi.org/img/zero3/0627-zero3 (6).png --- off-topic: for these small boards, I've basically stopped running them with an LCD monitor and keyboard as I find it a hassle as I'm using a desktop PC and trying to share the monitor. I mostly use them 'headless' using the usb-uart port. And in fact, after you setup the network appropriately e.g. set a static IP address or install avahi, the usb-uart console is no longer needed for static (fixed) IP address it is covered in the networking guide https://docs.armbian.com/User-Guide_Networking/ for avahi (MDNS) > apt install avahi-daemon avahi-utils edit /etc/avahi/avahi-daemon.conf [publish] publish-workstation=yes you can find the board on the ethernet over MDNS e.g. https://github.com/hrzlgnm/mdns-browser and you can ssh into the board over the network, e.g. using putty https://www.putty.org/

as I've not been running X11, I can't really help with this, but among the things, check the logs during X startup (normally /var/log/*), that could lead to the cause. note also that more recently, the display systems are running wayland rather than X11. that could cause xfce etc to fail if it is expecting an X11 based setup it is also recommended to bootup in the uart console (debug) port using a usb-uart dongle. - the benefits are numerous, the boot messages are mostly presented - it provides you with a console to login and check things while the system is running e.g. to login and check dmesg and other logs - essential especially when re-wiring network configuration

there are a few caveats that may need a bit of attention It is documented somewhere that if you use channel 0, the driver would automatically select an appropriate channel / frequency. However, it seemed that back then initially while I tested it, that didn't seem to work. (i'm not sure if it may have changed) hence to list the channels one needs to run iw list and you would get a list of channels like such * 2412 MHz [1] (20.0 dBm) * 2417 MHz [2] (20.0 dBm) * 2422 MHz [3] (20.0 dBm) * 2427 MHz [4] (20.0 dBm) * 2432 MHz [5] (20.0 dBm) * 2437 MHz [6] (20.0 dBm) * 2442 MHz [7] (20.0 dBm) * 2447 MHz [8] (20.0 dBm) * 2452 MHz [9] (20.0 dBm) * 2457 MHz [10] (20.0 dBm) * 2462 MHz [11] (20.0 dBm) * 2467 MHz [12] (20.0 dBm) * 2472 MHz [13] (20.0 dBm) * 2484 MHz [14] (20.0 dBm) * 5170 MHz [34] (disabled) * 5180 MHz [36] (20.0 dBm) * 5200 MHz [40] (20.0 dBm) * 5220 MHz [44] (20.0 dBm) * 5240 MHz [48] (20.0 dBm) * 5260 MHz [52] (20.0 dBm) (radar detection) * 5280 MHz [56] (20.0 dBm) (radar detection) ... * 5720 MHz [144] (20.0 dBm) (radar detection) * 5745 MHz [149] (20.0 dBm) * 5765 MHz [153] (20.0 dBm) * 5785 MHz [157] (20.0 dBm) * 5805 MHz [161] (20.0 dBm) * 5825 MHz [165] (20.0 dBm) what I normally do is to do a scan and pick an unused / least used channel : iw wlan0 scan pick an appropriate channel and specify it in hostapd.conf. 5ghz channels (hw_mode=a) delivers a max throughput of like 140 Mbps which is fast. https://docs.armbian.com/WifiPerformance/#uwe-5622 accordingly there are some country specific requirements for 5ghz channel selections and one may like review https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_WLAN_channels iw reg set etc I did a google search and some of these resources may be useful https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/NetworkManager https://www.baeldung.com/linux/nmcli-wap-sharing-internet in a same way you may need to set the channel if necessary then that this repo is found in a google search which may be useful https://github.com/pi-top/Wi-Fi-Access-Point-and-Station-Mode/tree/master

accordingly H618 do not have mic in hardware https://www.cnx-software.com/2023/07/03/orange-pi-zero-3-allwinner-h618-sbc-ships-with-up-to-4gb-ram/ hence, an option is to use a usb soundcard / dongle https://www.aliexpress.com/w/wholesale-usb-sound-card.html there are also those 'arduinoish' approaches e.g. to use a ADC module board e.g. https://www.ti.com/lit/ds/symlink/ads1110.pdf https://www.aliexpress.com/w/wholesale-ads1110.html https://www.instructables.com/Arduino-and-the-TI-ADS1110-16-bit-ADC/ but that you would need to hack the pin interfaces to use i2c etc. note it seemed ads1110 is a bit too slow for sound. alternatives are like stm32, which has built-in adc that can go to like 1-2.5 Msps, but you would need to hack the spi interface etc. the 'easiest / cheapest' way seemed to be generic 'usb sound cards'

@robertoj there are some 'old' stuff that may not be fully relevant but still useful this gist likely helps: https://gist.github.com/ag88/de02933ba65500376d1ff48e504b1bf3 an 'old' post: Note that currently in the minimal image netplan is set to systemd-networkd https://docs.armbian.com/User-Guide_Networking/#minimal-images I'm less familiar with systemd-networkd, though it is possible to setup the network fully with it. What i did currently, is to update netplan config as above to use NetworkManager After that I use NetworkManger to setup a bridge adding the ethernet interface. https://gist.github.com/ag88/de02933ba65500376d1ff48e504b1bf3 . However, I actually make NetworkManager *unmanage* the Wifi interface, because i'm using hostapd. I'm using hostapd mainly because in journalctl logs, there is an entry for every host/client that connects. I'm not sure about how to do the same with Network Manager. hostapd also supports elaborate RADIUS authentication if one wants to go the distance. Then I install and configure hostapd as described in the gist, and during startup, hostapd actually patch the wifi interface into the bridge that is setup with NetworkManager.. The configuration for wifi AP is completely done in hostapd.conf as described in the gist. I'm using a bridge as DHCP is managed from my gateway router, hence I did not run a separate DHCP server instance in Orange Pi Zero 3 itself. An alternative setup is to setup NAT (network address translation) on the Orange Pi Zero 3 and to run a DHCP server on the Orange Pi Zero 3 itself. I think NAT approach is 'more common' I'm using hostapd, but I think without hostapd, it is also possible to setup an AP using NetworkManager alone. i.e. to let Network Manager manage the Wifi interface, and configure it as an AP. The benefit here is that Network manager woulld likely manage the DHCP and NAT as well all from Network Manager configurations. As I'm doing everything from the command line, I used NetworkManager cli (nmcli) for all the network manager configuration tasks. Note that while messing with networking, it is necessary to work in the serial debug console using a usb-uart dongle. i.e. bootup and login as root using a usb-uart dongle to the 3 'debug' pins for the serial console.

just like to say that I installed Armbian_community_25.8.0-trunk.228_Orangepizero3_bookworm_current_6.12.30_minimal.img from the boards page https://www.armbian.com/orange-pi-zero-3/ apt update works 'out of the box', no PUBKEY errors I really liked the new MOTD on login _ _ _ _ _ /_\ _ _ _ __ | |__(_)__ _ _ _ __ ___ _ __ _ __ _ _ _ _ (_) |_ _ _ / _ \| '_| ' \| '_ \ / _` | ' \ / _/ _ \ ' \| ' \ || | ' \| | _| || | /_/ \_\_| |_|_|_|_.__/_\__,_|_||_|_\__\___/_|_|_|_|_|_\_,_|_||_|_|\__|\_, | |___| |__/ v25.8 rolling for Orange Pi Zero3 running Armbian Linux 6.12.30-current-sunxi64 Packages: Debian stable (bookworm) Updates: Kernel upgrade enabled and 8 packages available for upgrade Support: for advanced users (rolling release) WiFi AP: SSID: (wifi_hotspot_name), Performance: Load: 12% Up time: 0 min Memory usage: 5% of 3.83G CPU temp: 54°C Usage of /: 3% of 58G RX today: 6 MiB Commands: Configuration : armbian-config Upgrade : armbian-upgrade Monitoring : htop running Armbian on Orangepizero 3 makes a good desktop wifi hotspot (AP) it counts among the fastest Wifi with UWE5622 AP on 5 ghz on 'cheap' SBC (single board computers) https://docs.armbian.com/WifiPerformance/#uwe-5622 if you see that updates message, what is more cool is if you run apt list --upgradable it list the packages that is upgradable, and I tried apt upgrade install quite a few things, then manually reboot it becomes 25.8.0-trunk.230 ! this can be verified in /etc/armbian-release

@Igor, all just like to say that I installed Armbian_community_25.8.0-trunk.228_Orangepizero3_bookworm_current_6.12.30_minimal.imgArmbian_community_25.8.0-trunk.228_Orangepizero3_bookworm_current_6.12.30_minimal.img from the boards page https://www.armbian.com/orange-pi-zero-3/ apt update works 'out of the box', no PUBKEY errors thanks for the the updates @vtech, you may like to try the same for orange pi zero 2