Building your own marine computer is easier than you might think. In this guide, Skipper Don and his buddy D3kOS walk you through installing the d3kOS image from your computer onto a 128GB SD card — the foundation of your open-source marine system.
What You’ll Need
Before you start, gather two 128GB SD cards: one for backup and one for writing the image. You’ll also need an SD card adapter that fits your PC or laptop.
Step 1: Prepare Your SD Card
Insert your SD card into the adapter and connect it to your computer. The simplest way to install the image is by using the Raspberry Pi Imager — a free tool that makes flashing the operating system quick and reliable.
Step 2: Download the d3kOS Image
Go to myboat.com and select d3kOS from the menu. Choose the latest image version. You’ll be redirected to GitHub, where you’ll download two files:
- The manual for reference
- The source code as a ZIP file
Save both files to your computer’s Downloads folder.
Step 3: Install Raspberry Pi Imager
Once the Raspberry Pi Imager is installed, open it. You’ll be prompted to select your Pi model — Skipper Don uses a Raspberry Pi 4. After selecting your model, scroll down and choose Use Custom. This option lets you select the d3kOS ZIP file you downloaded earlier.
Step 4: Write the Image to the SD Card
With your SD card inserted, highlight it in the list and press Next. Then click Write to begin flashing the image. The process will take a few minutes. When it’s complete, press Finish and remove the SD card from your computer.
Step 5: Ready for Hardware Installation
Your SD card now contains the d3kOS image and is ready to power your marine computer. Insert it into your Raspberry Pi, connect your peripherals, and you’re ready to move on to hardware setup.
Final Thoughts
That’s it — a simple, straightforward process that gets your d3kOS system up and running in minutes. With your image installed and hardware ready, you’re one step closer to a fully functional open-source marine computer.
Stay tuned for the next guide, where Skipper Don walks you through the hardware installation and first boot sequence.
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