Zello PTT App

[WAScanMan]

I also use Zello to stream my local PD and other frequencies that aren't allowed on RR. I was able to set up a private password protected feed and it also auto archives which is really awesome if you miss something. I use the PC software with the VOX option to stream to my android phone and tablet. Using an app called BTMono I can stream the Zello audio from my phone to my bluetooth headset so I can even listen at work without anyone noticing.

[rjk_165]

Yeah that's the same reason I'm doing it.

I was able to get my hands on a simple BC560XLT today, and decided to give it a whirl. I know, old and low-tech scanner but it's all I need.

First, I programmed it to a GMRS frequency, and used this Talkabout radio I had lying around to test it out. I held the button down on the computer, and then talked on the Talkabout radio, and it came though. At first it was pretty distorted, but after a friend's suggestion I turned down all of the mic boosters, and the distortion and background noise went away. From then, I got the VOX to work, so all I had to do was key up on the Talkabout and it would trigger the PTT on Zello, and pop up on my phone. Then I set it to the local FD frequency, expecting the daily tone test in about an hour, and left for dinner. Sure enough, it came through the phone. However, it was choppy and rather than one continuous message, it put out like 10 and split the whole transmission up. Anyone have tips with the threshold stuff?

[Anderegg]

You will need to use VOX, because if you just lock the PTT, and your receiving device (cell phone) looses data for even a moment, the connection will be broken until reset at the transmitting computer!

The VOX settings I use are thresholds of -40db (stock?), trigger time of 300ms, and I match the relaxation (hold) time to the scan delay time of the scanner. The trigger time only determines how long Zello waits before beginning a transmission, BUT, this is only a delay in transmitting, and does not "cut off" the beginning. If you set a 2 second trigger time, that only means that a signal from the scanner will have to be at least 2 seconds long to trigger Zello to send the ENTIRE transmission.

The archiving feature of Zello is cool....each and every VOX transmission is listed as a separate audio file with a time and date stamp. This is cool for like streaming your local fire dispatch channels......if you miss one, you just click (tap on a phone) the line for the received time and it immediately plays back the broadcast. With proper relaxation (scan delay) settings, a back and forth conversation will stay on one file. If you set the hold time to small, then each transmission will have it's own file, which can be annoying depending on how often you use the feature. Not a huge deal though, as when you play back a file it continues on to the next one in the order they were received.

Zello also has an ALERT option as well as the voice/talking feature. The ALERT system allows the receiver to emit a loud tone and your text message will display. More cool features......you can configure different sounds for TX and RX.......I like the low HAM type beep at the end of each received broadcast...BEEP! On a PC, i believe you can even add personalized sound files. For TX, I chose the Zello included MDC1200 burst! Haha

Paul

[scanfan22]

i am still looking for help with my problem. please refer to the first page of this thread where i posted the details of the problem.

[Anderegg]

Originally Posted by scanfan22

i am using Zello on my Mac with a PC emulator. I am following one channel that I don't need anymore and I need to change what I am following. I don't want to have to get a new email to just get a new channel. Can somebody assist me or is this something I should contact Zello support for?

When I go to tool and select add or create a channel, I can them simply enter in a name and whatever options and I can create unlimited channels......can you specify exactly how you are encountering your problem?

Paul

[scanfan22]

I was part of an incident paging website as a subscriber then as a dispatcher. So I set myself up with their Zello channel to communicate with the dispatchers. I am no longer a dispatcher for them but I'm still a subscriber. There is another incident paging site that I want to follow their Zello channels without needing to create a new account or a new email address. I'm not exactly sure what to do. The owner of the website can't help. I'm wondering if the best thing for me to do is contact Zello support. But if there's anyone here that can help I'd appreciate the assistance.

[rjk_165]

Originally Posted by Anderegg

You will need to use VOX, because if you just lock the PTT, and your receiving device (cell phone) looses data for even a moment, the connection will be broken until reset at the transmitting computer!

The VOX settings I use are thresholds of -40db (stock?), trigger time of 300ms, and I match the relaxation (hold) time to the scan delay time of the scanner. The trigger time only determines how long Zello waits before beginning a transmission, BUT, this is only a delay in transmitting, and does not "cut off" the beginning. If you set a 2 second trigger time, that only means that a signal from the scanner will have to be at least 2 seconds long to trigger Zello to send the ENTIRE transmission.

The archiving feature of Zello is cool....each and every VOX transmission is listed as a separate audio file with a time and date stamp. This is cool for like streaming your local fire dispatch channels......if you miss one, you just click (tap on a phone) the line for the received time and it immediately plays back the broadcast. With proper relaxation (scan delay) settings, a back and forth conversation will stay on one file. If you set the hold time to small, then each transmission will have it's own file, which can be annoying depending on how often you use the feature. Not a huge deal though, as when you play back a file it continues on to the next one in the order they were received.

Zello also has an ALERT option as well as the voice/talking feature. The ALERT system allows the receiver to emit a loud tone and your text message will display. More cool features......you can configure different sounds for TX and RX.......I like the low HAM type beep at the end of each received broadcast...BEEP! On a PC, i believe you can even add personalized sound files. For TX, I chose the Zello included MDC1200 burst! Haha

Paul

My VOX is setup but I just have to play with the thresholds a bit. I'll try the -40 as you did... About those trigger times, I should play with that, because I noticed on my FD's test tone Zello sent out like 5 different transmissions for the same page, from little stops in the transmission and what not.

I agree, the archiving feature is very cool. Allows you to check back for stuff you didn't catch. I'm fine with each transmission having a file or each conversation having one, doesn't matter that much to me.

I know about that ALERT system, very neat stuff. I'm going to look into those personalized files right now!

Originally Posted by scanfan22

I was part of an incident paging website as a subscriber then as a dispatcher. So I set myself up with their Zello channel to communicate with the dispatchers. I am no longer a dispatcher for them but I'm still a subscriber. There is another incident paging site that I want to follow their Zello channels without needing to create a new account or a new email address. I'm not exactly sure what to do. The owner of the website can't help. I'm wondering if the best thing for me to do is contact Zello support. But if there's anyone here that can help I'd appreciate the assistance.

All you have to do is join the new dispatch paging site's Zello channels by searching them.

[scanfan22]

it would not let me do that. i forgot to say i am using a PC emulator on my MAC to acess Zello.

[emscapt47]

Ok i wanna do this but i am real new to all this. Can someone explain to me step by step how to do this so i can listen to my local fd on zello. I do wanna do this via scanner or even the RR site here...Thanks folks...

[emscapt47]

anyone?

[rjk_165]

If you already have the scanner plugged in to your computer via an audio card or mic jack or whatever, and it's all set, you'd have to setup Zello on your computer (make an account, and designated channel for the feed), and then setup VOX. VOX can be accessed in the Zello options, under its own category. You just have to play around with the levels, I still can't find a great one.

After that, just leave the computer and Zello running, make sure the correct channel (your stream broadcast channel) is selected, and the lock button next to the PTT is clicked down (Activating VOX).

[aaknitt]

Has anyone figured out a way to have the Zello PC program automatically start in VOX mode on the correct channel after a computer restart?

Andy

[rjk_165]

Not that I know of. Maybe others have.

[cmcgrail]

I set up a channel for the Phoenix, AZ area: https://zello.com/channels/c/7b60a603