P25RX Display ... will an old Android phone suffice?

[sefrischling]

I just ordered a P25RX to be added into an Incident Command GoKit, to monitor the state system. My plan was to use the P25RX with a ToughBook, but wonder if I can just use it day to day with an Android phone, like an old Galaxy S4, to monitor what TG is being monitored at the moment.

How are you all getting your visual information, without a display being presently available?

Thanks.

 

[cmjonesinc]

The only issue I see there is you are powering the p25rx from the phone. So I imagine the battery isn't going to last long. If you could find a phone or small tablet with a charging USB port plus a second USB port i suspect it would work well. Perhaps a phone that can wirelessly charge while its USB port is being used would work as well. Not sure if the discharge rate would be too fast though. I was tossing the idea around of making a cable to split power from a charger to a phone and the p25rx while allowing data between the two devices, but I never got around to it. I know the system and units that I monitor well enough that I don't "need" to see what talkgroup I'm listening to. But it would be nice.

 

[brndnstffrd]

This is the exact situation i'm in at the moment. I use my Toughbook with the p25rx, and trying to come up with a way to use a phone. I was considering looking for a cable to do exactly what cmjones was describing but never got around to finding one. The guy who makes the p25rx has a display in the works so i haven't put much effort into looking, knowing that there is a real, fully functional solution coming soon.

 

[goldmyne99]

My plan was to use the P25RX with a ToughBook, but wonder if I can just use it day to day with an Android phone, like an old Galaxy S4, to monitor what TG is being monitored at the moment.

My experimental Android apk has been confirmed to work on multiple Samsung devices by others on this forum. Powering the P25RX is done thru the USB from the Android device. Not a perfect solution, but that is how usb OTG works on Android.

My old 2013 Nexus 7 tablet has run for over 3 hours powering the P25RX with line out audio.

An OTG charging cable or a custom cable as discussed could be a great solution for those who wish to experiment.

A Command GoKit probably needs the BTT display rather than a phone solution.

 

[cmjonesinc]

Yeah your app is still working great for me. The size is a bit large for my device but it works fine. I'm using a Samsung xcover pro. I ordered all the stuff to make a cable like described but haven't actually sat down to do it. I should probably get on that.

 

[KA9MGC]

I see there are displays available for the Raspberry Pi computers, and the BTT software runs on Linux.

Perhaps this would be a work around? Match it up with a large capacity battery, like 20,000 mAh or the like.

Just a thought. I saw a case with a built in 4" display and a fan for under $40 on where else, Amazon. A touch screen, too.

 

[cmjonesinc]

Yeah I think a few people have got it running on a pi. I'm not Linux expert myself so I haven't really tried messing with it. I did install a copy of Virtual Here on a pi that I plugged my p25rx up to in my radio room. That way I could keep my p25rx hooked up to my external antenna on one end of the house and use my laptop to connect and listen to it on the other end. Did have to use a USB sound card and the line out though. The pi didn't like controlling and listening over USB by itself.

 

[redbluff1099]

My experimental Android apk has been confirmed to work on multiple Samsung devices by others on this forum. Powering the P25RX is done thru the USB from the Android device. Not a perfect solution, but that is how usb OTG works on Android.

My old 2013 Nexus 7 tablet has run for over 3 hours powering the P25RX with line out audio.

An OTG charging cable or a custom cable as discussed could be a great solution for those who wish to experiment.

A Command GoKit probably needs the BTT display rather than a phone solution.

I'm using the Android APK file on a Samsung S20FE and it works great!!

 

[krokus]

USB OTG cable w/ external power:

Amazon.com: AuviPal 2-in-1 Micro USB to USB Adapter (OTG Cable + Power Cable) - 2 Pack : Electronics

Buy AuviPal 2-in-1 Micro USB to USB Adapter (OTG Cable + Power Cable) - 2 Pack: USB-to-USB Adapters - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

 

[Vermonster]

USB OTG cable w/ external power:

Amazon.com: AuviPal 2-in-1 Micro USB to USB Adapter (OTG Cable + Power Cable) - 2 Pack : Electronics

Buy AuviPal 2-in-1 Micro USB to USB Adapter (OTG Cable + Power Cable) - 2 Pack: USB-to-USB Adapters - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

I have a very similar item to this, and the issue is that it will not charge the phone while also powering the P25RX. It seems to provide power to the P25RX, but not power to the phone--which can be an issue if I use it long enough to run the phone battery down.

For those that need a USB C OTG with power, I had good luck with:

Amazon.com: USB C to USB Adapter, Type C OTG Cable, 2 in 1 USB C Male to USB Female and Charging Port Adapter Compatible with Galaxy S20/Note10, LG V40, Google Pixel4 XL, Google Chromecast with Google TV 2020: Electronics

Amazon.com: USB C to USB Adapter, Type C OTG Cable, 2 in 1 USB C Male to USB Female and Charging Port Adapter Compatible with Galaxy S20/Note10, LG V40, Google Pixel4 XL, Google Chromecast with Google TV 2020: Electronics

www.amazon.com

This will both charge the phone and power the P25RX. I've testing with several different phone models and a Galaxy Tab A and all performed well. But, from reading the Amazon reviews not everyone is this lucky. Two downsides I experienced: #1, if you unplug the phone, it also drops power to the P25RX; #2, it does not feel very durable, I haven't broken mine yet--but the build quality does not give me great confidence.

 

[krokus]

I have a very similar item to this, and the issue is that it will not charge the phone while also powering the P25RX. It seems to provide power to the P25RX, but not power to the phone--which can be an issue if I use it long enough to run the phone battery down.

An option to charge, while using USB OTG.

https://www.amazon.com/Ubio-Labs-Wireless-Charging-Mobile/dp/B081ZX7YHX/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=ubio+labs+wireless&qid=1621521435&sr=8-3

 

[Vermonster]

An option to charge, while using USB OTG.

https://www.amazon.com/Ubio-Labs-Wireless-Charging-Mobile/dp/B081ZX7YHX/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=ubio+labs+wireless&qid=1621521435&sr=8-3

Actually, I do have a wireless charging cradle, which I use when I'm not mobile. My issue is, that about 75% of the time I'm working out of the truck and a standard wireless charger doesn't work. I do have a nice wireless charger mount for the road (Hondo Garage), but my primary cell phone sits in it. I guess I need more toys.