After a ton of time porting the dts for modern kernels, i have a working release for the Bobcat 300 29X Variant

To compile

https://github.com/sicXnull/armbian-build/tree/Bobcat-29x

.

./compile.sh build BOARD=bobcat-29x BRANCH=current BUILD_DESKTOP=no BUILD_MINIMAL=yes  EXPERT=yes KERNEL_BTF=no KERNEL_CONFIGURE=NO KERNEL_GIT=shallow RELEASE=bookworm

Link to Prebuilt

Armbian-unofficial_26.02.0-trunk_Bobcat-29x_bookworm_current_6.18.4.img.xz

First check to see if you have a compatible version. Flip the unit over and check the serial number. It will start with G290 or 295. This does not work on 28 or 285.

How to Flash
1) Install Rockchip Flash Tools 
2) Download bootloader (rk356x_spl_loader_ddr1056_v1.10.111.bin) attached here. 
3) Boot device into LOADER mode. 

• Plug USB Cable in to back of the unit, powered off. 
• Open the device. With it powered on hold the reset button for 1 second, then immediately let off and hold the recovery button down until the PC recognizes you in LOADER mode

4) Follow the flash procedure found here. 

 

WARNING

 

While I2C/Spidev is functional, i did not install Helium or the Lora packet forwarder for testing. Flash this image at your own risk if you still wish to use helium mining. 

 

rk356x_spl_loader_ddr1056_v1.10.111.bin

update on this. I did try to install Helium/Helium Miner and it does not work. ill work on the devicetree to get that functionality present but for now be warned. 

Holy Shit this is great! Finally can get use out of this doorstopper if you continue. Imagine getting MeshCore or Meshtastic installed.

I created a fully automated TTN UDP Gateway installer for the Bobcat 300 (G285/G29X).

 

Prerequisite:

First install Armbian by following the instructions in the Bobcat-Armbian project:

https://github.com/sicXnull/Bobcat-Armbian

After Armbian has been installed, use the installer from my repository:

https://github.com/AdvdLaar/Bobcat300-TTN

 

Note:

This installer is intended for TTN UDP Gateway operation only. It does not install or configure Helium.

 

Features:

• Automatic detection of G285 and G29X hardware.
• Selectable TTN region (EU868, US915, AS923, AU915, IN865, RU864, CN470, JP923, KR920).
• Automatic Gateway EUI generation from the MAC address.
• No git clone required (downloads the repository as a ZIP using wget).
• Cleans up previous installations before installing.
• Verifies the SPI device and required files before continuing.
• Configures the packet forwarder automatically.
• Includes a showgatewayinfo.sh utility to display the configured Gateway EUI and TTN server.

The installer has been tested on my Bobcat 300 G285 and performs a clean installation on an Armbian system without requiring any manual configuration.

Many thanks to sicXnull for making the Armbian port possible. Without that project, this installer would not have been possible.

Hopefully this is useful for others who want to convert their Bobcat into a TTN UDP Gateway.
Have fun with your TTN gateway.

Best regards,

Ad

Edited July 25Jul 25 by Ad van de Laar