Groups recommendation ? Radio for Hot Spot mode operation..

[gb7ee]

Now that the GD-77 is no longer produced and difficult to source, what is the groups recommendation for a radio that will run the Open GD77 firmware reliably in Hot spot mode ?

I would like to be able to use a battery eliminator and gel cell battery with a solar panel to allow a small portable 2 watt hotspot to be constructed in a Pelicase or similar with an external antenna and IP linking over WiFi .

Any one with recent experience of doing this that can share the details ?

Regards Allister

[G4EML]

The MDUV380 (also sold as the RT3S) is probably the easiest radio to obtain at the moment and works well.

Colin G4EML.

[gb7ee]

Thanks for the advice Colin,

I will get on with sourcing one !

[gb7ee]

Got the TYT MD-UV-380 yesterday and installed the Open GD-77 firmware this afternoon.

Followed the instructions and took the time to do all the flash back ups incase it all went wrong, after a bit fiddling to get the code plug cleaned up it is working well in hot spot mode.

Thanks for the recommendation !

[ve7mdt]

Glad to hear you got an RT3s / MD-UV380 that has the genuine MCU chip that makes it compatible w/ OpenGD77. There are now new stocks that have a clone chip in it that is incompatible. Now it's a hit and miss game to buy a new one on the market. Mine was bought a few years ago so mine is ok.

Personally I think a mobile radio is more suitable for high power hotspot use, as the thermal design should be better than an HT in general. But a mobile is also much more expensive, and bigger.