Zumspot USB Stick for DMR/DSTAR/YSF/P25 Ham Radio

[@brianbrown4965]

i goto HRo every year on vacation from UK and allways take stuff back . allways good to see Janet and some times Chip .

[@timscott9811]

Thank you for describing how to configure the Blue DV and the DMR radio to get you to the talk group you desire, and the well prepared scripted explanation with concise information and little rambling from subjects to concepts and off the cuff comments. I will mention you in my correspondence with Ham Radio Outlet. You've made an impression.

[@minermike61]

Thanks man. I was sitting here wondering if this would work in the USB port of my Pi. It seemed to make sense since HRO says it works in Linux but you never know. Now I know which one I'll get. My brother has one of the older hats but I don't really want to go that route at the moment. Good video.

[@ki6ada2005]

Thanks for the described and detailed information. Got tired of the local Ham Gods turning off the repeaters. So this is a nice alternative.

[@scottbuttrick-w8skb396]

I have one and use it for Fusion and it works great!

[@HamRadio2]

I should try mine on Fusion also...

[@Chasing_The_Dream]

This is what I was wondering. Thanks

[@rohnkd4hct260]

love how they ALWAYS work perfect! Mine says can not open port. And i still can't. Plus says DSTAR / YSF / DMR will not do P25.

[@rv3dhc]

interesting video came up from you today. thanks and appreciated. btw, gratz on 4 years on your videos. 73 from sunny Moscow

[@HamRadio2]

Thanks for watching and for the DX from Moscow, hi-hi. 73

[@rv3dhc]

@@HamRadio2 =) IMO u have informative videos. thanks

[@goodymb]

Denton county here, taking my Tech test this weekend, keep up the good work.

[@horsezip]

did u ever so a video on the nwdr thumbdv?

[@BradSnyder1]

This is pretty neat! Thanks for sharing it Jason! 73

[@HamRadio2]

Thanks Brad

[@ronaldharris5562]

Is the ht talking through the zumspot? What other functionality would the zumspot do. Like I have a FTM 400 XDR and a IC 7300. How would the zumspot help me with these 2 radios?

[@1MinuteFlipDoc]

better than just the regular USB sticks since you can use your regular radio with this one! i think the regular USB sticks are about 100 bucks too.

[@moondog_radio]

"regular"? help me out here.

[@1MinuteFlipDoc]

@@moondog_radio nwdigitalradio.com/products/thumbdv

[@1MinuteFlipDoc]

@@moondog_radio 120 bucks

[@moondog_radio]

pi-star compatibility is also a plus

[@kb5fhk]

Great video. This device is a great, easy way to get on the DV modes.

[@pnwgeek]

Hey Jason, what would you say is the main reason folks would go for this vs a standalone ZumSpot Hat on a PiZeroW?

[@dwayne5530]

That's what I'm trying to figure other than tying up a USB port

[@Excope78]

I use mine for work travel. This way I don't have to take my main hotspot from the house. If I loose the stick I still have my main Zumspot. I live in an area without any digital repeaters so....

[@HamRadio2]

Using the BlueDV app to watch traffic is nicer than a hotspot with no display or a really small display. I'd say it's really a matter of preference, more than anything

[@ik04]

How is this different from the DV4mini? It seems to have the same functions.

[@HamRadio2]

Newer and better technology, I believe. The last time I used a DV4mini, it was running some other kind of dashboard software and not BlueDV. Maybe that has changed now, not sure...

[@kxkayser]

Hi. Great video. Am I correct in assuming that the Zumspot usb can be used without a radio via BlueDV AND as an RF hotspot? So sort of replacing both the Zumspot and the ThumbDV stick? Thanks.

[@HamRadio2]

No, you still need a radio with this specific device

[@kxkayser]

Thanks. So which devices work with BlueDV’s ability to utilize the computer as the transceiver?

[@behnkem1]

Can you use the Mic/speaker on the computer to make contacts with this as you do the DV Stick30??? Or is it strictly a hotspot for your handhelds, etc...

[@HamRadio2]

Strictly a hotspot

[@behnkem1]

@@HamRadio2 OK, thanks! I am looking at the DVmega DVstick30, which uses the computer only, but it's not a hotspot. So I may have to break down and buy one of each. ... Your channel is great! Keep it up. KD9ERS

[@n1kkri]

Does BlueDV offer all the same servers you get with a Pi-Star setup?

[@doughboyvideogates6920]

Can this work with an analog radio are there options that can would like to use my flexradio with digital

[@HamRadio2]

No, with this device, you need the digital radio.

[@behnkem1]

Just getting into Dstar (I've been doing C4FM mostly.. Question, If I want to talk on DMR or Dstar, using this device, do I need a dmr radio or Dstar radio, or does this unit allow you to use any radio and it will do the conversion from Analog to digital??

[@HamRadio2]

You need each radio. This device, at this time, doesn't cross-talk DMR to DSTAR

[@marceckhert187]

@@HamRadio2 Ahhh, this is very important information, especially for a new operator like me. Been pulling my hair out trying to figure out why I can't get my Baofeng UV-5R to work with this

[@HamRadio2]

@@marceckhert187 Agreed. We've talked about this topic in many videos before this one

[@gaptastic]

reminds me of the old hak5 uberstick

[@gaptastic]

I was just thinking ... it's also like the hak5 yardstick. I don't they sell either of them anymore.

[@coreystohlquist8969]

Can you plug the Zum Stick into a modem or does it have to be plugged into a computer?

[@HamRadio2]

It has to be plugged into a computer because the software on the computer is what controls the device

[@rohnkd4hct260]

Interesting. I have a Zumspot and a Jumbo spot and cant get either one working. I have Sharkrf Openspot 1 and it works fine. Really want something to use mobile but not having any luck. There are no local repeaters on any digital modes and the analog repeaters are DEAD!

[@HamRadio2]

To be quite honest here... my experience is that the Openspot and Openspot2 are just about the best hotspots on the market right now. However, the Pi-star and BlueDV based hotspots DO WORK, you just have to sometimes toy with them a little more and a little longer before getting them usable.

[@jimgerke2203]

I have an original openSpot and disagree with your statement about it being "best." I've mine for about 18 months and have had lock up problems when switching profiles and, unfortunately, the manufacturer has been no help in resolving the issue. So, I just leave it parked on the YSF Americas Link room and don't fool with it. OTOH, the Zumspot I've had since October, 2018, works flawlessly on D-Star and YSF. I haven't tried it yet on DMR, but I have no doubt it will work fine whenever I get around to it. I followed the setup procedure at amateurradionotes.com/pi-star.htm and didn't have to "toy" with it all. In my experience, the Zumspot is the way to go and it's about half the cost of the openSpot.

[@HamRadio2]

@@jimgerke2203 Experiences can vary, of course. My experience with Pi-star overall is that it is buggy. Once you get it setup and working, it is pretty stable...but if you go changing things, like updates to the OS, moving to a new location with another WiFi SSID, etc...it has issues. I have broken 2 or 3 units by just running pistar-update in an SSH connection. The device would reboot and never recover...it would show itself as grabbing an IP from my router, but it didn't serve a web page and had no SSH access. I ended up having to reimage the microSD card each time. This isn't for 1 specific device, like the Zumspot, DXmini, etc...this is Pi-star overall. OTOH, I have 3 Openspot devices and 1 Openspot2. None have ever locked up, they are easy to update, and they work perfectly when switching between modes. I don't really care which one is cheaper...cheaper usually means less quality anyway. Again, experiences can vary, I know lots of people that are happy with the Pi-star devices, but once upon a time I sold the original Openspot, and out of (literally) over 1000 units I sold, I only had 2 come back for legitimate issues.

[@chrisw1462]

WHAT BAND(s)???? Why do I have to read the tiny frequency on your computer screen to determine that this runs in the 440 band?? Why does nobody mention what band this thing is, Including the website that sells it!!!?!?!??!?!

[@HamRadio2]

Why not email the website that sells it and ask them instead of asking someone like me who has no control over HROs website at all? It's the 440 band like 90+% of the other hotspots out there now.

[@doublej4077]

What's the difference between this and an SharkRf openSpot ?

[@HamRadio2]

The openspot is a standalone unit that is configured through a web browser. This USB stick requires another computer to run it.

[@webmastercaribou7570]

How is this different from dv4mini?

[@HamRadio2]

Same answer as below. Last time I used the DX4MINI which was a couple of years ago, it didn't use BlueDV software. Also this USB stick has updated decoder technology so better audio quality

[@davidtrainham4238]

I use Linux and if I connect it to a my nighthawk wireless will I be able to use a browser on my Linux box to configure for fusion ? Thx

[@HamRadio2]

Not sure, never tried this device on a Linux OS. If the OS will read the drivers, then I think it should work

[@davidtrainham4238]

I have a ft 70 and a dmr repeater 2 miles away and a fusion repeater 35 miles away, so I am trying to find the best solution. Thanks for your quick reply, I like your show and how you think outside the box. Btw, I use PoPOs which takes Ubuntu to another level. Thanks again for taking the time out to reply.

[@billsbullets]

I’m new to DMR can someone recommend a good computer for around 250.00 US.. Must be portable and rugged as possible. Would be used solely for Amatuer Radio stuff, no gaming. 73s K9PAL

[@nevets68]

I'd look on ebay for used Panasonic Toughbooks.

[@billsbullets]

nevets68 I have a cf 73 tough book but it has windows xp I tried to put windows 7 but no luck. Thanks I’ll look for a newer used tough book.

[@glockstr1]

Find you a thinkpad on CL, offerup or 5mile and load it with Linux Mint. If you need windows on top of that run windows in a virtualbox. Been working great for me for years. Not as durable as a rugged laptop but it's held up well.

[@lyfandeth]

The ToughBooks are damned expensive and even the newest ones are usually a bit behind the times, but they set the standard for "rugged". Nothing else compares. If you can find a decent used one, that's what you go for. Don't believe Dell about their versions. A Lenovo Thinkpad will get you a wide variety of very well built machines, more bang for the buck, but utility crews and cops all go ToughBook when they need absolute rugged.

[@BSCHome]

Looking forward to the anniversary video. LoL if you want a home for that zumspot kit in your drawer, I’m always willing to give it a new home. I thought about getting the Alinco for a while but I keep seeing you use the 2017 and it makes me happy I’ve kept mine.

[@HamRadio2]

N0GSG just released an updated version of their software that now supports the Alinco, so you will likely see me using it more, now that I can easily port my codeplug over to it.

[@BSCHome]

Ham Radio 2.0 looking forward to it. I’m waiting for a big hotspot showdown someday. Eventually I’ll build one. I have a tower close by which is set up nicely but the internet company won’t let them run a line into the repeater shack so we have to run off of a Verizon jet pack. Latency is an issue. Looking forward to getting one for the reliability as DMR is not too popular here. 73 K9BSC

[@alvarogaitan2529]

thanks nice video my friend form kb2uew good luck

[@kd4exy]

When you use on pc. can the pc do whatever at same time

[@nevets68]

I assume it would depend on the pc's specs...amount of memory, processor, etc. I prefer using a zumspot (the non usb version.)

[@blackpaw369]

This market has come full circle from the USB devices like DVAP and DV4mini where people were trying to make them work portable with a Raspberry Pi and Linux to the original Zumspot with the Pi Zero and Openspots being self contained and then back to another USB device that works like crap and has challenges to use portable. How soon we forget... junk.

[@HamRadio2]

Until you have tried this specific unit, you probably shouldn't judge it against a unit several years old from another company.

[@donaldgallauher6025]

What would be the benefit of the USB stick, when I can buy a complete Raspberry Pi with MMDVM tophat for 108 bucks ?

[@HamRadio2]

The Pi tophat would still need an RPi with it, which will add about $50 to the cost, for board, sd-card, power supply and case. The USB stick would be good in an application where you want to use a tablet or laptop as a hotspot, and run it from Windows, rather than using an RPi that runs Raspian. Neither option is "better" just different ways of getting into the networks.

[@jeffrobison2013]

thats a lot of pie, im hungry now

[@HamRadio2]

Haha

[@jimmeeGray]

Its known as 4th Anniversary dude.

[@HamRadio2]

As opposed to.....?

[@jimmeeGray]

@@HamRadio2 Watch the video and see what you said.

[@HamRadio2]

4-year anniversary..

[@jimmeeGray]

@@HamRadio2 Exactly..... there's no such thing.

[@HamRadio2]

I see. My mistake for thinking 4 came after 3.

[@Anthony-xe5db]

Can you do DMR talk groups with this? Clicking on the "AMBE" tab and putting in a talk group like this: www.pa7lim.nl/ambetabhelp/

[@HamRadio2]

Not familiar with this software, but from looking at the screenshots, it looks like you can choose TGs with it.

[@DavidVine-DOCVIDPRO]

Less chatter and more to the point which was indicated in the video title, please.

[@aarongroover5000]

Those are completely junk. Do not buy this. The BER is horrendous. DMR does not work well. YSF doubles. Terrible design. Look at HROs page about this. Gives you instructions on how to set up pi star. False info.

[@Excope78]

That has not been my experience at all. HRO has links for both Pi-star as well as BlueDV. I have used my Zumspot USB stick on both without issue. I have had not issues with BER. I only use DMR so I can't speak for YSF

[@aarongroover5000]

Excope78 I even called HRO and they had zero knowledge of the product. I had to call 4 different stores across the US. Not one knew how to operate or use it.

[@HamRadio2]

I've used this one just a few times and had no complaints about audio. It sounds like you are talking about the DX4MINI, not the Zumspot

[@dave_dennis]

I own one myself. I haven’t used it much because each time I have I hear complaints of bad audio. Maybe some amount of tweaking can get it working. But I suspect it has to do with how burdened your computer might be. USB is based on a 16ms interrupt cycle. So if the computer is occupied and misses a single interrupt I think you hear it.

[@aarongroover5000]

Ham Radio 2.0 Yeah I had the zumspot usb stick. Cost was around 120 bucks. I dunno if I just had a dud or what but the BER was around 9.9-14.5! I was like this CANT be right. I love Zum products. With that being said I just went ahead and purchased the zumspot kit. I called Atlanta and they said they had no idea how to use it.