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Reviews For: Shari Pixx Hotspot

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

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Review Summary For : Shari Pixx Hotspot
Reviews: 4MSRP: $65
Description:
SHARI (SA818 Ham Allstar Radio Interface) is a ham construction project designed by N8AR that implements a Raspberry Pi hosted Allstar node using a NiceRF SA818 embedded UHF (420 – 450 MHz) or VHF (144-148 MHz) radio module. SHARI is designed as a kit for construction and use in the amateur radio service by licensed amateur radio operators who can assure that their assembled SHARI kit meets FCC mandated operating requirements including RF frequency, deviation and required power levels at the fundamental and harmonic frequencies.
Product is in production
More Info: https://hamprojects.info/shari
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
0045
W3GMS Rating: 2022-06-04
Fantastic Product! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I wanted a couple of Allstar nodes so Shari was my choice based on feedback I had heard. I ordered one for a friend an another one for myself. I could not be more please with this product. Shipping in my case was very fast and Steve - N8AR did a great job checking out both nodes before they were shipped. Zero problems with either node.
W8LM Rating: 2021-06-16
Built 6 kits so far for my friends and I.. Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Our VFW post 3115 Amateur Radio Club WØVFW, has a number of visually impaired hams, so I have built a few of these "Hot SPOTS" for them . All of the units were Pi3U. They attach to a Raspberry PI 2 or 3 A Raspberry Pi 4 is way too much "Horsepower" for ALLSTAR, so why spend the extra money. The Kits are well documented both for assembly and also configuration. I have installed them using wireless networking as well as an Ethernet cable. Works great either way. Surface mounted chips are pre- installed so soldering is relatively easy. Since I have built 6, I would say anyone could build one in 45-55 minutes. All flew first time started. A keyboard, video display and mouse (KVM) is NOT needed. There is some set up required. and registration. Using a TT pad on a HT you have numerous commands you can use to connect or disconnect to over 14,000 nodes. Lot's of nodes are linked to other modes such as Echolink, DMR, Dstar and Fusion. Do not think a 1/2 watt hot-spot with a 2 inch antenna is not enough juice. My Shari node sits on a 4 drawer filing cabinet in my office-ham shack. I live in a log cabin at one end of 25 acres. I can easily make contacts while fixing fences over 1/2 mile away with my HT and a 6 inch antenna. Granted it would be less in the city, but if you want more POWER they make a DINAH that interfaces to about 20 different 2 way radios through the 6pin DIN ports. Audio is superb. Easily customizable, Well documented, and they have a users group SHARI on groups.io. Besides the SHARI you need a 4Gb (minimum) SD card, a Raspberry Pi 2-3-4 (3 recommended) a wall wart (Vilros.com recommended- It comes with a power switch) and a case for the Raspberry Pi. I recommend VILROS.com for all parts besides the interface. They are in NJ and shipping from NJ to KS is 2 days, so east coast is probably faster.. If you want a "real" audio check. Check into the Blind Hams Talk Group, Allstar Node #506310 - those guys have super hearing and are willing to give a helping hand. 73 de W8LM- ARRL Life member
KA2ING Rating: 2021-06-15
a must have node / Hotspot in your ham arsenal Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
The Shari is a great Allstar/Echolink node to either run in your house or car. I currently have two Shari's and one Dinah. both work very well. My VHF Shari with a small external antenna mounted inside the house cover me using my HT all around my neighborhood. I use my UHF Shari with the included tiny antenna and it covers me with my HT several block around my house. They are easy to use and easy to program. The audio quality is excellent on Allstar and echolink both
VE3JMR Rating: 2021-06-15
Very pleased with this micronode Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I purchased the Shari privately from someone that built this Pi3U kit with an RPi 3B+.

Reconfiguring the node from a fresh Hamvoip image was fairly straight forward. It worked well the first time! I've had it six months and continue to fine tune to my liking. It's not hard to do and even easier with Linux experience.

The hotspot has been working extremely well! I use it mostly in my home with an analog HT although I also use it mobile. I'm amazed that from the second story of my home, the range is about 3.5km (2mi) near line of site when the Shari is operating at maximum power output of 400mW with an MFJ-171S rubber duck antenna (approx 2dB gain) mounted outside on a second floor window ledge. It has clear line of site from east to west through south, therefore the signal is moderately attenuated to the north as it has to travel through the house.

Overall, I am very pleased with this micronode. It's easy to use and works well. I'm thinking of purchasing another although the next will be the newer "PiHat" which is the same Shari board mounted over the RPi with standoffs. The kit includes a case so the finished product is a single integrated package vs the Shari that is the transceiver attached to the Rpi.