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Reviews For: Zumspot RPi Nextion 3.5 Kit

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

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Review Summary For : Zumspot RPi Nextion 3.5 Kit
Reviews: 2MSRP: 219.95
Description:
The Zumspot RPi Nextion 3.5 is the most recent in the line of Zum Radio hotspots and dongles for D-Star, YSF or DMR users. It features a highly visible Nextion 3.5 display; wi-fi connection; pi-star dashboard and operating system. Currently (September 2020) the Zumspot RPi Nextion 3.5 Kit is being offered by Ham Radio Outlet in the United States.
Product is in production
More Info:
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
0024.5
KE5MOJ Rating: 2021-12-26
Works great. Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I received this as a Christmas Gift.

For some reason, I thought this was all that was needed to use an analog radio and be able to access digital modes. I found out otherwise, but I am still happy with the product.

The kit came from HRO already assembled. As is common with any new electronic device I receive, I reset everything. I was trying to use it wirelessly, setting up the wireless did not immediately update the onboard website. Once I had entered the wireless information, I could not access the device. I wound up plugging it into the network to get access to the website on the device. I read the online documentation several times, I think the updates have superseded the documentation. I was able to set up the device including the wireless information, then disconnected it from the wired network. It immediately connected to the router wirelessly. Once I got it set up, I turned on DStar and noticed it was connecting. This is where I learned that an analog handheld would not work. I went outside to my car which had a DStar radio and was immediately able to receive a signal from the ZumSpot on the set frequency. I turned down the power on the radio from 50 watts to 5 watts, there was no problem connecting to the device with the radio.

Plans for the future: I had traveled 700 miles for Christmas break, on the trip back I plan to connect the ZumSpot to my phone as a hotspot. This should allow me to remain connected to the DStar network while traveling.

I will be buying a DMR radio in the future, so I can connect it to the ZumSpot and use DMR for the first time. I will see how it goes.

Other than the first unreasonable expectation I had for the device, I am pleased with how it performs and look forward to using other digital modes in the future. While my preference is to connect to a remote repeater, this will allow me a much wider choice of digital modes even when one is not available locally.

73,
Richard
KE5MOJ
W6CJ Rating: 2020-09-12
My first Pi-Star based hotspot kit; liked the large display. Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
This was my first Pi-Star based hotspot. My first-ever hotspot was another Zum Radio product, a Zumspot USB stick. The USB stick used another dashboard or operating system: BlueDV by PA7LIM.

As stated earlier, this is sold as a kit... some assembly and configuration on your part is required. In addition to attaching the power and antenna, the user has some configuration work to do. For someone who has configured a few Pi-Star based hotspots, configuring this kit is not much different. If this is your first time configuring a Pi-Star, HRO (Ham Radio Outlet in the USA) has a helpful video with WI7YL (Katie) demonstrating the basic setup. HRO also provides Zumspot RPi Nextion 3.5 instructions and links on their product page.

The kit includes: USB power supply with power switch, Detachable (SMA male) antenna, SD card with pre-loaded Pi-Star image, and of course a transparent case with the RF modem (70cm band), Pi, and display already mounted and connected.

Setting up:
I looked at the video and instructions beforehand, so my most difficult issue was on my end, with my PC and router. Configuring the Zum RPI itself went quickly, though I should mention, there may be waits of a few minutes as the Zum RPi resets after saving your configuration.

Operation:
I operate mainly on D-Star, and less often on C4FM (YSF). I like being able to operate while on a long walk, so I attach my Zum RPi Nextion 3.5 to an outdoor 70cm gain antenna for a big increase in range. You can have D-Star and YSF going at the same time, but if each mode is parked on a busy reflector, you will miss transmissions.

One small glitch, resolved:
At one point, the YSF/C4FM mode stopped connecting, and after trying help sites, upgrades, updates, resets, I was frustrated enough to consider an exchange. An HRO store advised there would be a restocking fee, while the manufacturer advised there is a 1-year warranty and there should be no restocking fee. All of that became water under the bridge, and I gave the unit a "good" mark in this review. I resolved my loss of the YSF mode by performing a third factory reset and then re-configuring the Zum RPI again. A nice thing is, the Zum RPi saves your wi-fi settings if you have to perform a factory reset.

Final thoughts:
(1) I may buy another... one for D-Star, the other for YSF.
(2) I may mount mine high up in the shack; displays facing outward at viewing level.
(3) Zum Radio might consider more RF power... 100mW, or else an outboard amplifier kit.
(4) Some of us might like 145 and 223 MHz versions.
(5) It's a kit, so some work is involved.

73
W6CJ