Uploaded October 2025 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
Want to get rid of your old USB GPS receiver like the VK-172 and simplify your portable or mobile setup? In this step-by-step tutorial, I’ll show you exactly how to replace your USB GPS unit with the Icom ID-50 handheld radio, which features built-in GPS functionality.
✅ Learn how to:
• Configure GPS output on the Icom ID-50
• Connect the radio to your Linux Mint PC via USB-C
• Set up your Linux system to recognize the radio as a GPS serial device
• Use real-time GPS data from the ID-50 in applications like Xastir, APRS, OpenCPN, and more!
No more clutter, no more extra dongles — just one powerful device doing it all. Perfect for ham radio operators, Linux users, APRS enthusiasts, and anyone wanting a cleaner GPS setup on their rig.
📌 Compatible With:• Linux Mint (tested)• Raspberry Pi• GPSD (tested)• APRS, WSJTX, JS8Call, YAAC, Xastir
📡 Featured Gear:• Icom ID-50 VHF/UHF Handheld Transceiver with GPS• Former setup: VK-172 USB GPS Receiver
🔗 Useful Links:
• Icom ID-50 Radio: icomamerica.com/lineup/products/ID-50A
• VK-172 USB GPS: amzn.to/4hkgXl9
• Linux Mint: linuxmint.com
• GPSD Project: catb.org/gpsd
🔹My Favorite Gear - amazon.com/shop/km4ack
🔹Links mentioned in the video
• VK-172 USB GPS: amzn.to/4hkgXl9
• Icom ID-50 Radio: icomamerica.com/lineup/products/ID-50A
• Linux Mint: linuxmint.com
• GPSD Project: catb.org/gpsd
🔹Raspberry Pi Build Guide - tiny.cc/pi4guide
🔹Frequently Asked Questions - tiny.cc/km4ack-faq
🔹Weekly Newsletter - https://mailchi.mp/40da1fe472e3/km4acknewsletter
🔹Follow Me
Twitter @km4ack
🔹FREE Get Started Guide - tiny.cc/getstartedguide
🔹Cool Ham Gear - km4ack.com
🔹Support the channel through Patreon - patreon.com/km4ack
🔹Did you just get a raspberry pi and want to hook it up to your radio? Start here youtu.be/E1SEgPFQk4M
Want your raspberry pi to play nice with your ham radio? Are you into digital modes like FT8, JS8Call, FLDIGI, Winlink, APRS, Digipeaters and others? Each week I put out new content showing you exactly what steps to take to get the latest ham radio software on your raspberry pi. Whether you just want to ragchew or are seriously into emergency preparedness, emcomm, or ARES and want to learn all you can about using the raspberry pi to drive your ham radio, this channel has something for you. Be sure to click the subscribe button and ring the bell before heading off. That way you will get notified of all future videos.
🔹🔹🔹🔹🔹
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
Want to get rid of your old USB GPS receiver like the VK-172 and simplify your portable or mobile setup? In this step-by-step tutorial, I’ll show you exactly how to replace your USB GPS unit with the Icom ID-50 handheld radio, which features built-in GPS functionality.
✅ Learn how to:
• Configure GPS output on the Icom ID-50
• Connect the radio to your Linux Mint PC via USB-C
• Set up your Linux system to recognize the radio as a GPS serial device
• Use real-time GPS data from the ID-50 in applications like Xastir, APRS, OpenCPN, and more!
No more clutter, no more extra dongles — just one powerful device doing it all. Perfect for ham radio operators, Linux users, APRS enthusiasts, and anyone wanting a cleaner GPS setup on their rig.
📌 Compatible With:• Linux Mint (tested)• Raspberry Pi• GPSD (tested)• APRS, WSJTX, JS8Call, YAAC, Xastir
📡 Featured Gear:• Icom ID-50 VHF/UHF Handheld Transceiver with GPS• Former setup: VK-172 USB GPS Receiver
🔗 Useful Links:
• Icom ID-50 Radio: icomamerica.com/lineup/products/ID-50A
• VK-172 USB GPS: amzn.to/4hkgXl9
• Linux Mint: linuxmint.com
• GPSD Project: catb.org/gpsd
🔹My Favorite Gear - amazon.com/shop/km4ack
🔹Links mentioned in the video
• VK-172 USB GPS: amzn.to/4hkgXl9
• Icom ID-50 Radio: icomamerica.com/lineup/products/ID-50A
• Linux Mint: linuxmint.com
• GPSD Project: catb.org/gpsd
🔹Raspberry Pi Build Guide - tiny.cc/pi4guide
🔹Frequently Asked Questions - tiny.cc/km4ack-faq
🔹Weekly Newsletter - https://mailchi.mp/40da1fe472e3/km4acknewsletter
🔹Follow Me
Twitter @km4ack
🔹FREE Get Started Guide - tiny.cc/getstartedguide
🔹Cool Ham Gear - km4ack.com
🔹Support the channel through Patreon - patreon.com/km4ack
🔹Did you just get a raspberry pi and want to hook it up to your radio? Start here youtu.be/E1SEgPFQk4M
Want your raspberry pi to play nice with your ham radio? Are you into digital modes like FT8, JS8Call, FLDIGI, Winlink, APRS, Digipeaters and others? Each week I put out new content showing you exactly what steps to take to get the latest ham radio software on your raspberry pi. Whether you just want to ragchew or are seriously into emergency preparedness, emcomm, or ARES and want to learn all you can about using the raspberry pi to drive your ham radio, this channel has something for you. Be sure to click the subscribe button and ring the bell before heading off. That way you will get notified of all future videos.
🔹🔹🔹🔹🔹
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
