This is the long version video of the QST review video (October 2017 edition). This video was publish with a reprinted permission, [October 2017] QST; copyright ARRL. 73 Pascal VA2PV
Pascal congratulations on being published in QST. I read the review and I appreciated how you put the facts of operation together with real world operation. Another winner. 73, Sid K3SX
Good review Pascal! I like what the OpenSPOT offers but I'm holding out to see if they come out with the built in wifi capability. I would use it primarily in a portable/mobile configuration and would want to tether it to my cell phone or hotspot without having to add a wireless router
Thank you, Sidney. I started the collaboration with the QST last year (see December 2016) with the DV4mini review. I also did the Tekk D-500 HT (DMR+FM) and the Kenwood TH-D74. If you visit my personal website, you will find the PDF article for all of them in the publication page. 73 Pascal VA2PV
Hi Dennis, I understand as I did receive a few emails with questions regarding the unit. In a previous article (the DV4mini review) I did explained in the introduction the purposed of a digital hotspot. Maybe I should have used is again. You can find the complete article on my personal website in the publication page. Below you will find part the introduction text of this review. Hope this help. "More and more modulation protocols from different vendors are now available for the ham community, including D-STAR, DMR, and C4FM (Yaesu’s System Fusion). In the ham digital world, a reflector is a server connected to the Internet that acts as a virtual repeater. Digital hotspots provide the ability for amateurs to connect to those Internet reflectors from their digital transceivers. Hotspots contain a low-power transmitter and receiver for amateur frequencies, and plug into a computer connected to the Internet. " You can have repeaters, stations and hotspots connected to the same reflector via the Internet or Hamnet (private Internet for hams). Let say you're in Florida and you have an OpenSPOT, you can connect to reflectors around the world and be broadcast on repeaters network as you were local. Please note that you need a different radio on each mode, except for cross mode in DMR and C4FM demonstrated in this video. 73 Pascal VA2PV
Thank you Mike, I didn't forget about our Skype session. ;-) I just have a pile up of projects ahead, hihi. 73 Pascal VA2PV
Hi Thomas, thanks for your comments. The OpenSPOT with a Wi-Fi interface would be great will see over time but probably this will have an impact on the power consumption and CPU performance. Will see, in the meanwhile I use the TP-LINK, TL-WR902AC as an Ethernet bridge to Wi-Fi. 73 Pascal VA2PV
Thank you for your comprehensive review. It answered a number of questions. I recently started to look at the available "HotSpots" and have concluded that the SharkRF OpenSPOT is probably the way to go. I'm still gathering information from local Hams... on the various aspects of user preference regarding equipment and connectivity. I'm currently a "Fusion" user and can certainly see the expanded possibilities.
Hi Pascal. I must admit to being an old timer with not too much interest in newer modes and equipment BUT having watched your videos here and then seeing you published in QST I immediately read your review there and when it came up here I had to watch it. I am using two K3 xcvrs that I am still improving over time so there may be hope for me yet. It is interesting to see your growth in the hobby. I enjoy your curiosity and excitement as you open and discover each new topic and piece of equipment. Keep up the great and entertaining work! 73, Sid K3SX
No worries. Swamped with SDRplay at the moment. When I come back from the UK ham fest we will get the skype round table going
Anyone else totally hate watching a video of someone drone on when I could have read the text story in a minute?
THIS IS "REALLY NEAT STUFF"!!! I'll admit that in the world of "DIGITAL COMM" I'M A RANK NOVICE, EVEN AFTER 55YR OF AMATEUR RADIO COMM I find this "NEW STUFF" (DMR) really, really COOL!!! And as long as I've been a HAM it's NEVER TOO LATE TO LEARN MORE!!!
