YES
I can say with certainty the padded case I had left over from my Microsoft Zune was repurposed to hold my open spot power pack and connection cables before i built into the headrest , ìf you find somebody selling a Zune case on fleabay or something grab it ,thet are handy have different padded compartments inside with a hard outside shell ,mine is still serving it carries my National Geographic magazine hard drive every page map and drawing going back to first issue over a 100 years ago .if you get a pretty modest 18650 power pack and short cable ,you can run one for most of the day.I am also wondering if there are any amateur radio hot-spots that have a built in battery and cellular connectivity? I assume not, since I haven't seen any like that yet, but perhaps I am looking in the wrong places.
...hot-spots that have a built in battery and cellular connectivity?
No. The end user's hotspot connects via WiFi to either something like a Verizon Ellipsis Jetpack MHS900L | Verizon Wireless or one's smartphone. The jetpack (or whatever your carrier calls it) generally is a better choice than tethering the hotspot to a phone The battery options are described above. I have an always-on cigarette lighter jack in the back of the SUV, so I don't bother with a battery.I am also wondering if there are any amateur radio hot-spots that have a built in battery and cellular connectivity? I assume not, since I haven't seen any like that yet, but perhaps I am looking in the wrong places.
You say you had problems with your Openspot 2. Maybe I missed exactly what the issue was?
Based on what your looking for I would have recommended the Openspot 2. It has a built in battery. You just need to connect to WiFi on a hotspot or phone.
No hotspot that I know has any built in cellular service. They all require a separate service.
What exactly did your Openspot 2 not do?
...I tried the Shark RF OpenSpot 2 and I must have received a defective one because it will not stay connected...
I use a Commander Spot, most have complained they are overpriced but the thing is rock solid and works well, the case is solid acrylic, he has a rugged spot with an Oled screen as well, I have had nothing but good results from it
Okay, I miss spoke about the battery. It needs a usb-c connection. It still should be the better choice for what your looking for.
I don’t understand why it will not stay connected. Were you referring to the WiFi? If so then that was probably just a settings issue or bad WiFi service.
That happens with all hotspots.
Did you return the Openspot 2 and have them check it out?
IMHO you are overthinking the purchase of a hotspot. As KE0FHS wrote in his material that you liked, Pi-Star is straightforward. You should come up to speed on basics of upgrading/updating (Configuration menu) and use a good quality Class 10 SD card. Other than that, just decide whether you want a OLED screen or not. A lot of good information has been handed to you earlier in the thread. Relax. Pick something and buy it. Geez, not difficult. Go to it.
These are just chinese clone boards (jumbo spots) in a fancy case and sold for 3x the price they should be sold for. But, I guess, as long as it works....I use a Commander Spot, most have complained they are overpriced but the thing is rock solid and works well, the case is solid acrylic, he has a rugged spot with an Oled screen as well, I have had nothing but good results from it
If you want to buy a jumbo spot at 3 times the cost, go for it. I hate seeing people get suckered.