You are absolutely correct sir. From the first line of the latest change log:
2019-09-26:
* rpi-eeprom included
- This will automatically update the SPI EEPROM on the Raspberry Pi 4 to the latest stable version.
See https://rpf.io/eeprom for more information.
Well, the Raspian people do, and they have apparently already added the tool to so that it is updated automatically. 
Edit: Ah, I see what you mean. I was not wondering why it was in a separate tool, but why they recommended on the website to update the eeprom automatically (somewhat hidden) but did not include it in the image, which they subsequently have. 
A good thing, too. might as well update documentation, but the no harm done I trying to install something that is already installed.
So @wiedehopf was right after all 
just updated PI4 with latest firmware’s
The following packages will be upgraded:
firmware-atheros firmware-brcm80211 firmware-libertas firmware-misc-nonfree
firmware-realtek libraspberrypi-bin libraspberrypi-dev libraspberrypi-doc
libraspberrypi0 raspberrypi-bootloader raspberrypi-kernel raspi-config
Kernel
Linux ADSB-pi4 4.19.75-v7l+ #1270 SMP Tue Sep 24 18:51:41 BST 2019 armv7l GNU/Linux
Running fine , pi4 + airspy mini 20Mhz
It does seem to be. The Pi I built yesterday already has it installed.
Yes, that’s the same version I’m showing and I haven’t updated it manually.
pi@pi4-tracker:~ $ uname -a
Linux pi4-tracker 4.19.75-v7l+ #1270 SMP Tue Sep 24 18:51:41 BST 2019 armv7l GNU/Linux
So, I just received an RPI 4B. I don’t want to install a piaware SD image. I’d rather install an OS and then install piaware after the fact.
What would be the recommended OS to install?
Mike
You can either use the Buster lite image or the leaner desktop image. You can add the desktop later, if needed.
If you need ssh. create a file called ssh or ssh.txt in the /boot directory. (I just copy the config.txt file to ssh.txt to keep it simple).
installation instruction are here.
Just use Buster Lite.
Really no reason to use another image.
Also the current piaware image doesn’t work for the RPi4.
So good you are choosing this route because the other one doesn’t work.
Hmm. I know I’m having a brain fart. I have a 64 GB sdcard for this thing (yeah, way overkill). Trying to use Etcher on it and it only did /boot and then said that checksums didn’t match up. Tried three times and that was the case. Then I read somewhere that sdcards greater tahn 32 GB needed to be formatted differently, which sent me down a path of “SD Card Formatter” and GUI format. Still no go. I have to take a break though. I’ll revisit in the evening, hopefully with a clearer head.
Mike
I use 64GB , 128GB and 192GB with no issues.
Don’t modify the /boot/ files until the verification has completed and the device has been USB ejected.
I then re-insert it to create the ssh.txt file
That’s just in regards to the partition format for Windows data.
Shouldn’t apply to the RPi images.
Try a different sd-card. Maybe it’s counterfeit.
The microSD card must be formatted as fat32. Windows cannot do it because of a 32GB limit. Use third party solution such as EaseUS Partition Master to format higher capacity cards as fat32. I use 64 gb cards in my RPi’s.
Try win32diskimager, I think I had the same issue and resolved it by using this tool rather than etcher.
I used Belana Etcher to do four 64GB SD cards over the week. I have already tested three.
I have also used wein32diskimager with no issues,
I should have had faith in Etcher. I ended up swapping out the USB card reader that came with the Pi and instead put the SD Card in the card reader already in my Dell, and I had no problem running Etcher then.
One step closer. Thanks [everyone].
mike
Ok guys – I did this once not too long ago on an Odroid N2, and for the life of me I failed to document it.
I’ve got Raspbian GNU/Linux 10 (buster) running. Obviously I want to install the piaware addon (along with anything else I have to install to support both RTLs and Airspys) – dump1090-fa. All that typical stuff so that it’s like an sd card image but more configurable.
Is there a single link I can go to and find the actual instructions for installing whatever the latest piaware / dump1090-fa that are preferred for Buster? I’d appreciate any help. I was following some things earlier up in this thread, but I got confused and it looked like some of the things being referenced were installing / compiling sources from dev versions before the latest stuff was released.
Is this the thread I should use?
Mike
pi@raspberrypi:~ $ cat /etc/os-release
PRETTY_NAME="Raspbian GNU/Linux 10 (buster)"
NAME="Raspbian GNU/Linux"
VERSION_ID="10"
VERSION="10 (buster)"
wget http://flightaware.com/adsb/piaware/files/packages/pool/piaware/p/piaware-support/piaware-repository_3.7.2_all.deb
sudo dpkg -i piaware-repository_3.7.2_all.deb
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install piaware
sudo apt-get install dump1090-fa
sudo reboot
## check piaware
apt-cache policy piaware
piaware:
Installed: 3.7.2
Candidate: 3.7.2
## check dump1090-fa
apt-cache policy dump1090-fa
dump1090-fa:
Installed: 3.7.2
Candidate: 3.7.2
sudo systemctl status dump1090-fa
sudo systemctl status piaware
Then use this for airspy support
Not 100% sure it works on an odroid. It does work on an RPI4.
Thank you. All done. Looks good. But I have to wait til tomorrow and swap the Airspy out of the Odroid into the PI4 and do some configuring. Thank you so much.
Mike
Thanks, Jon. I’ve got the Airspy working on the Odroid now. I’ll be installing on the PI4 tomorrow.
I have to get the Airspy stuff setup, modesmixer installed, and should be set.
The end goal is to see if I’ll be able to run 20/24 on the Airspy instead of 12 without having MLAT crap out like it does on the Odroid.
(sidenote: Odroid with nothing special for cooling and the Airspy/Dump1090-FA running is about 6C cooler than the PI4 is (with heatsinks, fan, and no software other than standard OS stuff). so I have to give thumbs up to the Odroid for it’s lower temp)
Mike
Weird, I have been running an odroid XU4 for years with an airspy and MLAT.
No issues.
I ordered the new airpsy today. Hoping to add uat978 using airspy to the ordoid.
I’ll re-use the other airspy for ais, aprs sgate or weafax etc.
Good luck.