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Reviews For: SharkRF OpenSpot2

Category: Interfaces, Radio to computer, amp, rotor, coax switch, internet

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Review Summary For : SharkRF OpenSpot2
Reviews: 14MSRP: 255.00
Description:
The openSPOT2 is a standalone digital radio internet gateway (hotspot) designed mainly for amateur radio. You can talk with others on digital radio networks by using an openSPOT2, Wi-Fi internet access, and your radio.
Product is in production
More Info: http://https://www.sharkrf.com/products/openspot2/
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00144.3
AC7FD Rating: 2019-02-22
Great little hotspot Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
The OpenSpot 2 is great.
I takes less than 5 minutes to be up and running.
I operate 4 other hotspots, here the major positive and negative in comparison with Pi-Star based products (MMDVM_HS simplex and duplex, ZumSpot and the N5BOC duplex board)

+ Boots ultra fast
+ No Raspberry Pi needed, no SD card failures over time
+ initial setup is easier for beginners
+ smaller form factor for portable use

- for advanced users Pi-Star offers much more configuration options
- no external antenna port

I would recommend for the beginner the OpenSpot2 because it is easier to setup and works very well. The following has to be kept in mind but isn't a negative because the OpenSpot 2 was designed to be ultra compact and portable:
- no option to connect accessories like displays (no GPIO connectors)
- no possibility to connect to Ethernet for permanent shack installation

- I found no option to have it automatically detect the DV mode but switching profiles for other modes is possible and works reliable and quick by sending remote control commands.
K6BSR Rating: 2019-01-24
tiny bundle of joy! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I got my first DMR radio to use on a local repeater system in 2016, but I wanted more.I had done little reading on hotspots and when this was advertised I jumped on it. So far it's been a blast even if I am on DMR TAC310 most any time I'm available to listen! Since I also own a portable cell phone battery charger it's super simple to tether to my cellphone when operating as a cellular wifi hotspot. I love this little unit and only wish it had an external antenna!
KM6TVV Rating: 2019-01-08
Enjoying it very much Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I got openSPOT2 a few days ago and I am delighted with it. Took only 3 days to ship from Latvia to California. The device took only minutes to set up. It allows my Icom ID-5100 to access specific D-Star reflectors as if they were memory channels on the tranceiver. The only extra step required is to push the PTT briefly, so the information is sent from the Icom to the openSPOT2.
KJ5MA Rating: 2018-12-13
Super easy setup Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Just got my new OpenSpot2 by SharkRF. The openSPOT2 is a standalone digital radio internet gateway (hotspot) designed mainly for amateur radio. You can talk with others on digital radio networks by using an openSPOT2, Wi-Fi internet access, and your radio. It is compatible with DMR, D-Star, System Fusion/C4FM, NXDN, P25 and POCSAG. It supports cross modem modes, i.e., use your DMR radio to talk on C4FM. It comes with WIFI, internal UHF transceiver and antenna, USB-C cable and USB wall wart.
Out of the box it took me about 5 minutes to set it up to work with D-Star talkie, computer and in-home network. It boots up in about 5 seconds and has colored LED's to show status or I can use the browser interface. It is small, 2"x3 1/4"x 1/2".
The cost is 224.65 Euro shipped from Estonia via DHL Express. It took 3 days to arrive. Depending on the exchange rate, the cost is about $255 with shipping.
I've been using it connected to D-Star Ref004B and my ID-51A HT. So far, I'm really impressed with ease-of-use and performance. 73, KJ5MA