Alfa Network AWUS036NH (ralink RT3070) support on Rapberry Pi Zero W

Hardware Questions and Recommendations
1

Hello everyone,

I am a beginner when it comes to open wrt.

I installed it on a Raspberry Pi Zero W and would like to use Alfa Network AWUS036NH as an antenna.

The Alfa Network AWUS036NH has a Ralink RT3070 chipset.

According to this list: https://github.com/morrownr/USB-WiFi/blob/main/home/USB_WiFi_Chipsets.md

is the chipset supported. But I don't see it under /etc/config/wireless.

I test ist with direct on the Pi Zero W and with USB hub with external power supply. But no success.

More information:

root@OpenWrt:~# ubus call system board
{
        "kernel": "5.15.162",
        "hostname": "OpenWrt",
        "system": "ARMv6-compatible processor rev 7 (v6l)",
        "model": "Raspberry Pi Zero W Rev 1.1",
        "board_name": "raspberrypi,model-zero-w",
        "rootfs_type": "ext4",
        "release": {
                "distribution": "OpenWrt",
                "version": "23.05.4",
                "revision": "r24012-d8dd03c46f",
                "target": "bcm27xx/bcm2708",
                "description": "OpenWrt 23.05.4 r24012-d8dd03c46f"
        }
}
root@OpenWrt:~#

You can see the Bus 001 Device 006: ID 148f:3070 Ralink 802.11 n WLAN

root@OpenWrt:~# lsusb
Bus 001 Device 007: ID 2109:8817 VIA Labs, Inc.          USB Billboard Device
Bus 001 Device 006: ID 148f:3070 Ralink 802.11 n WLAN
Bus 001 Device 004: ID 2109:2817 VIA Labs, Inc.          USB2.0 Hub
Bus 001 Device 005: ID 2109:8817 VIA Labs, Inc.          USB Billboard Device
Bus 001 Device 002: ID 2109:2817 VIA Labs, Inc.          USB2.0 Hub
Bus 001 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0002 Linux 5.15.162 dwc_otg_hcd DWC OTG Controller
root@OpenWrt:~#

I use this direction: https://pentestit.de/raspberry-pi-zero-w-als-reise-router-einrichten/#wlan

I read here https://forum.archive.openwrt.org/viewtopic.php?id=45166
that I must use this commonds.

opkg install kmod-rt2800-lib kmod-rt2800-usb kmod-rt2x00-lib kmod-rt2x00-usb

But everything is current for me.

root@OpenWrt:~# opkg install kmod-rt2800-lib kmod-rt2800-usb kmod-rt2x00-lib kmod-rt2x00-usb
Package kmod-rt2800-lib (5.15.162+6.1.97-1-1) installed in root is up to date.
Package kmod-rt2800-usb (5.15.162+6.1.97-1-1) installed in root is up to date.
Package kmod-rt2x00-lib (5.15.162+6.1.97-1-1) installed in root is up to date.
Package kmod-rt2x00-usb (5.15.162+6.1.97-1-1) installed in root is up to date.

What can I do there? Thank you in advance.

Thanks WK

2

Try a snapshot image.

3

If I remember correctly the Pi Zero OpenWrt image is 32 bit, I noticed that some Mediatek kmod (Ralink is now also under Mediatek) doesn't work with 32 bit OpenWrt (I tested my MT7612U/MT7921AU on RPi 3B 32 bit, when I changed to 64 bit both works)

4

Use the native Wifi on the RPi-Zero-W with Raspbian - everything is there...

If you need more, this is not the platform to use - I'm not even certain that the Pi-Zero-W can provide enough current to drive an external WiFi card...

5

Do you have any instructions for me? Unfortunately I can only find some with an external WLAN antenna. Thanks

6

Try änglish.

7

Pi Zero 2 is 64-bit, so that might work...

side note - On the OG Pi-Zero-W, there are pads to solder a uFL connector for the conducted path testing that is needed for the regulatory testing, and there's a component that needs to be removed so that RF goes to the socket rather than the antenna on board...

9

These need to be installed too:

kmod-usb-core kmod-usb-uhci kmod-usb-ohci kmod-usb2 usbutils

opkg update

opkg upgrade

opkg install kmod-usb-core kmod-usb-uhci kmod-usb-ohci kmod-usb2 usbutils

reboot

10

It really depends on which image you are using, if you use the RPi 3B/4B 64bit image then it's 64bit, however the official OpenWrt image for Zero (not Zero 2) is 32bit.

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