After a lot of trial and error, I have managed to find a Linux distribution that works well on my Rockpi4b. It's running Armbian Focal which is based on Ubuntu.
It's set up so I can access and control it using VNC over WiFi which the RockPi4 automatically starts up on boot.
I have managed to compile the stable release of KStars/Ekops from source and they both seem to work OK. I can connect to the simulators in EKOS.
The only issue I have left is that KStars fails when trying to load the extra data in the start-up script and EKOS won't load any of the index files for astrometry.
I have a feeling it's something simple but I have run out of ideas. Anyone got any suggestions.
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Thanks for your reply.
I am certainly no expert on using git and using checkout codes is certainly beyond what I have done to date.
Jerry's script did work for me and I have successfully compiled Kstars 3.5.6 as of yesterday so I think it should be OK as it's pretty close to the stable release. What frustrates me is that Windows, Mac and X86 Linux users get the stable release already compiled but we poor RPi users have to compile from source every time and it never seems easy and is always full of gotchas.
I really like KStars and enjoy using it with its always expanding features.
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This script works great on my RPi4 and makes keeping up to date with the latest features so easy.
I have tried to use it for the latest stable releases as suggested but that fails at the first step.
The stable release repositories only work if you are running Ubuntu.
I use Astroberry which works on PiOS/Debian so cant use them. It is a bit strange that it works for the nightly release though.
Any help appreciated.
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I thought I did but obviously not.
I have tried downloading the source tarball and working from that but again it fails.
The RaspberryPi is surely one of the most popular platforms to run Kstars/Ekos on but every time a new stable release is made it seems we have the same issue and it takes months before a compiled working version comes available on Astroberry or similar platform.
It just seems crazy that I can happily use the nightly beta but not the stable release.
Very frustrating
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Jerry's script works fine as I already posted but it installs 3.5.6 Beta.
When I try and install the latest supported build it throws an error.
Same when I try the steps on the post above by Wolfgang.
The issue seems there is no Raspberrypi OS/ Buster version of the repository to download.
#sudo apt-add-repository ppa:mutlaqja/ppa
So I can compile the nightly 3.5.6 beta but not the stable release.
Any help is welcome.
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Can't wait to give the new release run. Just downloaded source and tried to compile on my RPi4
Get an error when running CMake --
Any help appreciated
"CMake Error at CMakeLists.txt:218 (find_package):
By not providing "FindStellarSolver.cmake" in CMAKE_MODULE_PATH this
project has asked CMake to find a package configuration file provided by
"StellarSolver", but CMake did not find one.
Could not find a package configuration file provided by "StellarSolver"
with any of the following names:
StellarSolverConfig.cmake
stellarsolver-config.cmake
Add the installation prefix of "StellarSolver" to CMAKE_PREFIX_PATH or set
"StellarSolver_DIR" to a directory containing one of the above files. If
"StellarSolver" provides a separate development package or SDK, be sure it
has been installed.
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You could do that but the NVME board is not supported very well.
This video shows the best approach.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=C4p9EpjA0ZM
The relevant section starts at 13:45
The extender board itself is not that expensive its the memory that costs the most.
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I understand it also almost doubles the price as you need the M.2 nvme adapter board as well.
But I couldn't resist giving it a try 
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Just jumping in here.
The Rockpi4B that I got came with 32GB of EMMC memory, not all suppliers include it so worth checking.
I did a benchmark using gnome-disks. on my Rockpi4B and compared using an SD card or even a M.2 MVNE memory module.
The differences speak for themselves.
This is a simple read test and the average speeds achieved I will let the numbers speak for themselves!
SD Card. ~ 20 MB/sec
EMMC. ~ 160 MB/sec
M.2 NVME ~1500 MB/sec
To be fair the write speed average is much lower for the M.2 NVME and very similar to the EMMC. at 160 MB/sec.
The SD card write speed is still around 20 MB/sec.
The RockPi flies and blows the Raspberry Pi out of the water, but there is a very small user base out there so take care.
Just wish I could get my Toupcam to work with it.
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Great news.
There is another version of Armbian that is based on Ubuntu that also works on the Rockpi 4.
It's called TwisterOS.
It gives you the ability to simply use the stable or bleeding edge version of Kstars/Ekos by simply adding the ppa.
You can get TwisterOS or the RockPi from here:
twisteros.com/twisterarmbian.html
Its best to use the mirror link on this site as the host site is VERY slow. You do get a google warning but all is well.
And the ppa links to get Kstars can be found here.
indilib.org/download
This combination gives you speed and the ability to use the ubuntu ppa to get the stable or nightly builds when needed without having to compile from source.
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I think there is something about having the NVME M.2 connection that interferes in some way with the USB3 port on the rockpi not a big deal though.
Glad Armbian works better.
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