diff --git a/install_ubuntu.sh b/install_ubuntu.sh
index fd140d24..e3431076 100755
--- a/install_ubuntu.sh
+++ b/install_ubuntu.sh
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 #!/bin/bash
 sudo apt-get update
 sudo apt-get dist-ugprade
-sudo apt-get install meld whois zsh tmux vim atop aria2 curl
+sudo apt-get install meld whois zsh tmux vim atop aria2 curl pv pixz
 
 DIR="$( cd "$( dirname "${BASH_SOURCE[0]}" )" && pwd )"
 $DIR/install_common.sh
diff --git a/tools/backup_sdcard.sh b/tools/backup_sdcard.sh
new file mode 100755
index 00000000..25f5a7b8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tools/backup_sdcard.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,21 @@
+#!/bin/bash
+
+if [[ -z $1 ]]; then
+    echo "usage: $0 device_to_clone"
+    exit
+fi
+
+device=$1
+
+timestamp=`date +%Y%M%d`
+dest_file="/tmp/$timestamp.dd.xz"
+
+echo "about to clone $device to $dest_file"
+echo "ctrl-c or [enter]"
+read
+
+umount $device?
+umount $device
+
+sudo pv -tpreb $device | dd bs=4M | pixz > $dest_file
+