What is in the Box?

 Here is another "What is in the Box?"  As stated before we do not have a local emporium that sells electronic components.  I have to order components from the big cities.  Be as it may, receiving a parcel with goodies is always exiting.  The components will be used in linking Zello with AllStar on the GRHub Network and the Oled Screen will be used in the next generation beacon project for the Southern Cape.  Unfortunately all the projects have come to a halt due to the fact that I leave for Australia soon.  I will however on my return start working on the projects again.

Components:

• Oled 0.96 Display
• TRRS 3.5mm Audio/Dev Breakout module
• Jack 3.5mm Male
• TRRS to terminal cable
• MTS 101 Switch 2 Pin
• DMX XLR male connector
• Audio 3.5mm Jack to RCA Converter
  

 (Click on images for larger view.)

Inrico TM-8 3G/WiFi Mobile Network Radio (Part 1)

I bought this network radio several months ago and I thought that I would put it through its paces yesterday to see how it performs on the ZS-Link Network.  Now this is not going to be a review of the radio,  just my findings as a first time user. After connecting the power lead and microphone, installing and setting up Echolink was easy and quick.  The microphone does not work like a conventional microphone which is really a great pity.  You need to activate the PTT function on the digital display. Now this is not a train smash as it prevents accidental PTT when mobile.  How many times have microphones not been activated while being mobile.  The receive audio was clear and there is enough volume to curb road noise or hearing loss when old age are creeping closer.   The TX audio was very low and I had to keep the microphone close to my mouth.  I suspected that the mic gain need to be set.  A report from Thys ZS1TBP indicated that the audio was on the low side but clear. I did a Google search and found a article on how to increase the microphone gain on the Inrico TM-8.

 Herewith the short know how:

How to increase the mic gain on the Inrico TM-8

This will improve some reports of poor microphone audio of the Inrico TM-8

Upgrade the radio with this firmware and follow these instructions. It will also remove a “waterfall” noise. Then, you can increase the gain like this:

Go the “phone” app and dial: *#*#3646633#*#*

This will enter into Engineer Menu

Then slide the top bar to “Hardware Testing”

Go to Audio, Normal Mode and change Type to “Mic”

Choose Level 4 and adjust value to 255 then click on “set”.

This has worked for me. Some audiophiles said that after replacing the microphone electret capsule the results were even better.

And you are done!

So far I am enjoying this "Glorified Cellphone Radio".  Yes it is not your ordinary RF
Amateur Radio but it gives me several options which is not available in a traditional amateur radio.  I will from time to time post further information about this network radio as I am discovering more and more functions about it.  I am satisfied with the unit and it has found it's rightful place in my Shack. Would I recommend somebody buying the Inrico TM-8 Network Radio?  It is to early to  recommend the radio as I need to "play" more with the unit.  I will later provide a full recommendation in this regard.

GRHub Network now has an active ZELLO Channel

 

UPDATE 27/2/2022:  Welcome to all those who joined the GRHub Zello Channel.  Lookout for upgrades and possible linking to the GRHub Network.

Zello is useless and not amateur radio - what will you do when the Internet is offline?

This is only one remark from one radio amateur that does not like Zello and therefor running it down as not being amateur radio. Yes sure, it is written on the wall by some radio amateurs who does not like the Internet of Things. If you want to stick to the old-school speech, that’s fine, but you will need a better excuse than saying "Its not Amateur Radio!".  My good advice to those against Zello is to keep your opinion regarding Zello to yourself as you do not have a clue about the functionality of Zello and how you can use it very effectively in amateur radio to recruit new blood to amateur radio, especially the youth. Two years ago Zello was used to relay amateur radio conversations to newbie radio amateurs that were waiting for their callsigns to operate.  This kept them informed and was a great source to learn more about amateur radio.

Now this post is not about whether Zello is amateur radio or not.  I recommend you read the following post to gain more info on Zello and how it is being used in Amateur Radio: Network Radio – Is it real Ham Radio?

The GRHUB NETWORK CHANNEL is being used to forward amateur radio information amongst the public, first responders, NGO’s and radio amateurs for the Africa continent.  This is not all we use this channel for we also relay amateur radio news bulletins, podcasts,  and for that matter any amateur radio related audio like the UK Network Radios Channels and Echolink audio link M0HOY-L aka UK Hubnet etc.  This way the youth and the general public has immediate access to amateur radio audio transmissions to listen to on cellphones with the Zello App.  They do not have to buy an expensive general coverage receiver or illegal scanner to listen to amateur radio broadcasts.  Bonus, they can listen to amateur radio audio anywhere where there is cellphone reception. 

To join the channel search for GRHub Network, Mossel Bay via your Zello application and request authorization.  Please ensure that the channel name is correctly spelt as underneath, otherwise you will not find it.  Channel Name:  GRHub Network, Mossel Bay

I have a few other ideas and uses relating to Zello but more on this in a future blog post.


Hope to hear you soon on the GRHub Network, Mossel Bay Channel!!