I think it's important to talk about the fact that the zumspot is designed by a ham, in the US (originally KI6ZUM in California, I think a couple others in the PAPA group are leading zumspot production now). Otherwise someone might not see value is buying this over paying half as much for knockoffs on ebay. Alternatively, N5BOC in Texas hand-makes a duplex hat on Tindie for slightly less and can do dual time slots. You can get that one up and running by adding a rPi, screen, and sd card for about the same price as the new ZumSpot. Edit: I spoke with KI6ZIM last weekend at the Yuma Hamfest and got some more complete information. The Zumspot team is pretty small and scattered around the globe. They're limited in what they can do because of the small group and limited time they have to develop now products. The way that duplex boards currently work is not optimal because they only have one person who can develop firmware and he doesn't have time/knowledge to fully utilize the radio chipset. I've changed my mind and now think that people should absolutely buy the Zumspot products if they're able to, because otherwise we won't see new products, feature improvements, and cool new things to play with.

Drove 5 hours to HRO to get one of these bad boys. Excited to learn about it. Thanks Josh

Excellent video as always Josh!

Just ordered this yesterday morning from HRO Milwaukee. I'm very excited to put it together and get on Digital modes. I also ordered a AnyTone D-868UV I don't need the GPS so saved and from the reviews I've seen the new 878 is just upgraded Firmware that can be downloaded and flashed to the 868 making it the same as the new 878. I'm stuck in Condo Hell and have nowhere to put any kind of Antenna for HF so this is my link. The other problem I have is the fact that the local repeater is dead as in physically toast and no one cares. The only other Repeater I can hit is 30 miles away so its mobile for me as I have a Dual Band in the car. Anything to get on the air and talk. I think its well worth the money. I'm very happy! 73, K9HDT

I've had a zumspot for the past 2 months now and I love it. I run the zumspot with a yaesu ft-70d and a tyt md-380 most of the time. The zumpot is amazing for the size. It takes up very little space on the desk and in the truck. I like the fact that I can put it in my truck when traveling and be able to talk back to hams black home. Or I can be listening to people from the state I'm in. I like my yaesu ft-70d and the yaesu ftm-400xdr to use on the zumspot. Yes I have used wiresx through the zumspot as well. But the only down fall with the fusion side is wanting to change room. You either use wiresx or have to go into the software and change it there. On the dmr side, after playing with that for the past few weeks. I found it easier to change rooms on the zumspot. Cuz you dont have to touch the zumspot, just put it somewhere connect it to internet and program your radio for where you want to talk. Your golden. Just changing the dial on the radio. For the price of the zumspot, you just cant beat it!!! Now that they have the upgraded one with the screen it got better. Its definitely worth the buy, for anyone wanting to start talking in the digital world.

Very clear summary. Thanks

I do like this new ZUMSpot with the OLED Screen. I have the older version, and it, in my opinion, is a must have down in in the Southern portion of OC. I am shadowed from one Fusion repeater, and blocked from the Mt. Wilson. The ZUMSpot allows me to still get on the air with ease. After watching this video, I may have to make another trip to Anaheim and pick up the new version! All I need to learn to do now is learn how to crosslink so I can use my FTM-400 on DMR.

Love my Zumspot, though I have one of the originals and had to put a case and screen on it on my own. That new version looks nice!

Thanks, I have a DMR .,,, with no idea how to use it.

Awesome video as usual. I am brand new to ham. Just passed my tech this past weekend. Now gotta wait for shutdown to end so I can get my license online. So, just cramming now. Thanks for all you knowledge.

The Raspberry Pi running Pi-Star software can store at least TWO network connections. I have a Zumspot with Raspberry Pi Zero HotSpot, set up for YSF, which I use both at my home QTH, and also when I go mobile. When at home, it is connected to my home WiFi. When I go mobile, I use a Verizon Jetpack to give me Internet access, and I have its connection info (similar to WiFi login) stored in the Zumspot's Pi as well. The trick to get it to switch automatically between the two "Internet" connections is to set it up, in the Pi-Star software, to connect to the Jetpack (mobile Internet connection) FIRST. It then considers that the "default" connection. Next, set it up to connect to your HOME WiFi, and store that in the Pi-Star settings as well. Once completed, it will always try to connect to the Jetpack first, as long as it's powered on. Once you power off the Jetpack, power-cycle the Zumspot/Pi HotSpot, and when it re-initializes the network connection on boot up, when it doesn't find the Jetpack, it will use the "next" connection info it has stored, which is your Home WiFi. Pretty slick! I do this at least once a week, when I meet up with my Ham club on Saturdays for breakfast. I use a 2400mAh battery pack to power both the Zum/Pi and the Jetpack when I'm mobile, and it is MORE than adequate for a couple of days use! (NOTE: You could also get a network connection by using your cell phone as a "personal HotSpot" for an Internet connection, in lieu of the Jetpack. The only difference is that you would have to TURN OFF the "Personal HotSpot" mode on your cell phone if you want it to connect to your Home WiFi again. I always power-cycle the Zum/Pi when I want it to switch networks). Like Josh, I HIGHLY recommend you add an inline pushbutton power switch to you Zum/Pi setup, as repeatedly mating/unmating the fragile little USB micro connector on the Zum/Pi, which connects to your power supply, will inevitably break that tiny connector. The inline pushbutton cables are readily available on Amazon.com for a couple of bucks. I have them on ALL SIX of my HotSpots. Look for the ones that have a female USB Micro on one end, and a male USB micro on the other end, with the pushbutton switch in between. That type will allow you to add it to any existing Pi power unit, either "wall wart" or battery pack, with ease. Thanks for your excellent channel, Josh! Love the stuff you do with your family too. 73! -- K7VTT -- Oro Valley, AZ. (Sadly, there are no "Jollibees" over here)

Great Video just got my Icom 52.

Great vid thanks for sharing

Totally agree with inline on/off button. So much less wear on plug.

I want to try one of these, have owned an Icom 7100 now for a couple of years but have no Dstar repeaters in range. Thanks.

Yep ... Bought the Yaesu 70DR .. new ham ... nearest repeater is in Zimbawe .... Ham Radio Outlet mentioned this one .... lets see.

And one weird thing.. I can get on the dash on the PC but never able to get on the dashboard on phone, both ip and url is not working

By chance have you created a video for getting the ZUMspot tethered to hoke computer? If so, could you post the link in response? I just can’t seem to get anything to happen when I Ethernet connect my ZUMspot with my laptop

Can anybody help me I have got a anytone 878 and a zoom spot but I cannot get the zoom spot connected it just says connected no internet at all I see and I tried putting paiste into the computer and it just don't bring up any page any configuration page

They have the oled screen now? Can I add on the screen?

I have a Yaesu 7250dr, would I be able to use this to go digital and reach out there? There are a few fusion repeaters close to me but none are wires capable as of yet.

Josh great show as always hows this compare to sharkopen spot? Any chance of a side by side?

So..if I hear this correct, if I have an FT-2DR and this hotspot, I am able to work on DMR, the same as the Peanut app is doing now? I am mostly illiterate with the digital so any help is appreciated. Thanks de KF7VUT

Nice Video. Can I get your call sign again? You said it but couldn't catch all the letters.

Given it's a Pi, what would it take to hook up a microphone and a speaker to it and talk directly without a radio? My FTM-400 is not an option since even at low power, I'm unnecessarily putting out 5 watts into the airwaves. I'm "require" to have a HT in order to operate the hotspot. Thanks for the review.

How do you set-it up so anyone can access it ? Or is there a video for this ? I like it so much I have one in the truck and one in the shack . Thanks for the videos

how seamlessly does it transition between wifi networks? (home vs mobile, the openSPOT2 is really good at this)

I've noticed some Hotspots have one antenna and others have two antennas. What is the difference in performance between the two?

range test on it ? better antenna ?

I have a Zumspot. Mine I hear YSF and DSTAR on my radio but the spot does not hear the radio. Im sure its an offset problem but, I cant get it to work. I have set the rec offset from 250 to 10000 both + and - with no luck. no paperwork listing a offset. it came from HRO.

with this hotspot in my car, does this mean I can leave my rubber duck on my ht?

I may have missed it but do you need a digital radio to use with this or could you use a regular one like my ft60r?

Can I just receive any of the modes without holding up a repeater ?

139.95 ZUMspot Kit 2 16.99 Case 16.95 Power Supply 173.89 That's getting pretty close to openSPOT 2 territory which will "just work", versus fiddling around.

I am still not clear on one thing. Can I cross mode with this like the Shark openspot3? Can I use my D-Star radio and connect with a DMR talk group?

Hi Josh, you’ve almost sold it to me but wanted to check it will work with my iPhone 6s personal hotspot for internet access? I know apple love to hinder the open source market!

I use my zumspot 3.5 I use the ysf side I am big into fusion.

I'm guessing you can tether the hotspot to WiFi via your phone and connect that way too?

Is there anyone within range of a digital repeater still choosing to use a hotspot? And what influenced the decision?

Great video! 73 de N1AD

You should shut down the hotspot via the Pi-Star program or SSH into the hotspot and issue the Linux shutdown command. The hotspot is a Linux computer and should be shutdown like any other computer to avoid Corruption. I program in Linux and never unplug my Linux machines to turn them off. And we don’t turn off our windows machines by unplugging power to them.

So if a friend and I live 50 miles away we could both get one of these and a dmr radio and talk as if we're on the same block ?? Do companies make these I love raspberry pi and I would absolutely go with this one but is there like a Motorola version?

Hi Josh. I've followed W1MSG's video on using the DMR2YSF cross-mode setting on my Pi-Start. It's supposed to be easier to use than the DMRGateway method. My dashboard shows the Pi-Star linking to YSF and FCS reflectors, but when I make a call no one replies. Either no one is listening or I've done something wrong (most likely). Can you address this in a video? It would be great if you could test this out on a regular video or live stream. By the way, which reflector do you listen on? 73, Sebastian (K2PDR).

What is the power supply pack you are using with the zumspot shown at 10:15 of video? Thanks.

Planning on doing a real zumspot vs. openspot? I google this and it doesn't come up with anything....perfect opportunity!

Can yaesu FT- 70dr use a hotspot?

as the repeater times out

Can someone explain how this is any different than using Skype on your phone other than requiring a license?

Oh yay, i am in China right now and this zumspot is fantastic! No doubt about it!

I know virtually nothing about digital modes but there is one question that seems obvious to me, why don’t radios with digital modes have the ability to connect straight to WiFi???

Apparently HRO no longer carries this device, or the link doesn't work.

do you have to solder at all?

I have watch the videos, I love to talk to a user, Mine seams to be blocked to the internet. KB3YRC

that is neet

I wish someone would send me one to try lol

Hot spots are going to be the tool of the authorities use to record all conversations through the internet and will eventually allow the government to force us on WiFi access only taking away all other HF to light frequencies away from Amateurs..! I for one am going to boycott DMR, DSTAR and similar modes..! SSB only for me..! iF