ZUM Radio ZUMspot RPi Nextion 3.5 Kit

[Aircargo]

hi all...was thinking of getting this.reveiwing,researching,watching utube on it... its on sale and in simple terms i want to expand,change repeaters with my icom 5100,something like that lol. anyone have insight?txs in advance....on sale 179 free shipping. big screen like icom 5100,lol.

 

[RBMTS]

I asked Santa for one of these however I’m now seriously considering the TGIFspot. Mainly because it offers an Ethernet port (as well as WiFi), an HDMI port, and is dual band. The screen functionality seems to be greater as well. Granted it’s $100 more but it has a lit of features I think I’d use.

 

[Aircargo]

yes i saw a couple with the ethernet port but screen smaller. yes the TGIFspot is very nice....not on sale thou. $190 with tax ..... TGIFspot looks like does more i only look at one site just now.

im looking to switch reflectors...can be done with these i hope

 

[KE5MC]

Using a Zumspot the reflector switching is done thru the radio with the LINK command setup in a memory channel and then moving back to the talk channel memory location. I likely could use the features in the radio(ID51) to move around the DStar community, but tend to brute force the issue with memory channels. I can't speak to the one you are interested in, but my experience is a hotspot is a pass-thru device. It might be that yours has more capabilities. Which brings into question software & firmware updates and is there a path to update and support for future changes. Just recently there was an update to PiStar running on my Zumspot Raspberry Pi Zero and the firmware of the attached radio modem. Likely somewhere on the web there is a focus group for your device of interest to answer any question. Good chance the device already is running PiStar just a question about the radio modem.
Good Luck!

 

[Aircargo]

Using a Zumspot the reflector switching is done thru the radio with the LINK command setup in a memory channel and then moving back to the talk channel memory location. I likely could use the features in the radio(ID51) to move around the DStar community, but tend to brute force the issue with memory channels. I can't speak to the one you are interested in, but my experience is a hotspot is a pass-thru device. It might be that yours has more capabilities. Which brings into question software & firmware updates and is there a path to update and support for future changes. Just recently there was an update to PiStar running on my Zumspot Raspberry Pi Zero and the firmware of the attached radio modem. Likely somewhere on the web there is a focus group for your device of interest to answer any question. Good chance the device already is running PiStar just a question about the radio modem.
Good Luck!

Yes I noticed now I can change reflector within the 5100..move around like you said.....I tried today no contacts. I do see it IS linked...therefore.....
Not knowing for sure what I would need hotspot for if my radio might do same SINCE I can reach my jersey repeater and change reflectors within my radio if I’m LEARNING correctly thru videos reviews etc. matter of making contact to confirm.
Can always return the thing inside what30 days.....I’m novice bout 5 months in this...🥵

 

[n9mxq]

I asked Santa for one of these however I’m now seriously considering the TGIFspot. Mainly because it offers an Ethernet port (as well as WiFi), an HDMI port, and is dual band. The screen functionality seems to be greater as well. Granted it’s $100 more but it has a lit of features I think I’d use.

You can add ethernet to any PI Zero via the second USB mini port and an appropriate adapter. Back before Pi-Star had the Wifi Builder or Access point, this is how I got mine set up.

 

[KE5MC]

Yes I noticed now I can change reflector within the 5100..move around like you said.....I tried today no contacts. I do see it IS linked...therefore.....
Not knowing for sure what I would need hotspot for if my radio might do same SINCE I can reach my jersey repeater and change reflectors within my radio if I’m LEARNING correctly thru videos reviews etc. matter of making contact to confirm.
Can always return the thing inside what30 days.....I’m novice bout 5 months in this...🥵

If you have a D-Star repeater nearby then the utility of the hotspot is less. However, for other locations without a repeater, but with internet access by home router or on the road using smartphone as your connectivity then the hotspot comes into play. I have heard a few operators on the road using a smartphone, hotspot and HT. As the smartphone switchs towers almost seamlessly (?) you don’t have to fiddle with the radio looking for new repeaters as you move from city to city. However, the D-Star radios do make it easy to find the next repeater with GPS and repeater database in the radio. Another possibility is to use your HT around home if the repeater is just out of reach with 5 watts. Try linking to Reflector 030C as someone is usually listening or talking. In the beginning we were all a novice... 😎

 

[Aircargo]

If you have a D-Star repeater nearby then the utility of the hotspot is less....Try linking to Reflector 030C as someone is usually listening or talking. In the beginning we were all a novice... 😎

...so no need for it. basically, since yes i can reach my repeater and others....i need to learn how to switch reflectors. your saying its done within my 5100. i think i know how maybe with direct link in radio.....again thou,in my case this isnt needed since im a base? what would be advantage...hoyspot? txs in advance for your replys....kinda learning this radio still...kd2two

 

[Aircargo]

If you have a D-Star repeater nearby then the utility of the hotspot is less. However, for other locations without a repeater, but with internet access by home router or on the road using smartphone as your connectivity then the hotspot comes into play. I have heard a few operators on the road using a smartphone, hotspot and HT. As the smartphone switchs towers almost seamlessly (?) you don’t have to fiddle with the radio looking for new repeaters as you move from city to city. However, the D-Star radios do make it easy to find the next repeater with GPS and repeater database in the radio. Another possibility is to use your HT around home if the repeater is just out of reach with 5 watts. Try linking to Reflector 030C as someone is usually listening or talking. In the beginning we were all a novice... 😎

U there?

 

[KE5MC]

Yes

 

[Aircargo]

Yes

Send back chief? The zunspot...my radio ic5100 does everything this hotspot does. No advantage,correct? Receiving repeater for me no problem. Txs in advance.

 

[KE5MC]

Mobile radio and local repeaters you can reach, little advantage to having Zumspot. There can be situations like only having HT and repeater out of reach. In your case it looks like send it back would be ok.