Can I use a GD-77 w/ non-working LCD as a Hotspot radio?

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VK3KYY
Posts: 7484
Joined: Sat Nov 16, 2019 3:25 am
Location: Melbourne, Australia

Re: Can I use a GD-77 w/ non-working LCD as a Hotspot radio?

Post by VK3KYY » Fri Dec 17, 2021 8:49 pm

The LCD chip is Write Only, so the firmware does not know whether the LCD is even connected.

So... The radio will work even without a screen

However on first book the radio displays the Settings Update message, and you have to press the green button

Also by default hotspot support it not enabled and normally you need to enable it in the Options

However if you have another GD77 just set all the Options you want in that radio, then backuo the settings, and then restore the settings to the new radio


Re:RPI2

I tried PiStar on a RPi2 last year, and from what I recall it ran really slow to the point being usable.

You could try it but you may have problems using such an old RPi

LY1RF
Posts: 43
Joined: Sun Mar 01, 2020 12:05 pm

Re: Can I use a GD-77 w/ non-working LCD as a Hotspot radio?

Post by LY1RF » Sun Dec 19, 2021 10:15 pm

Pi2 is more than enought for pistar .

IW2FHM
Posts: 17
Joined: Tue Nov 19, 2019 4:30 pm

Re: Can I use a GD-77 w/ non-working LCD as a Hotspot radio?

Post by IW2FHM » Mon Dec 20, 2021 2:36 pm

Hello, the failure of the disply, if it is all white, could be caused by the flat cable connecting the disply. In my two GD77s it was enough to reposition the cable in the two connectors.
Good luck, 73
IW2FHM Roberto

IW2FHM
Posts: 17
Joined: Tue Nov 19, 2019 4:30 pm

Re: Can I use a GD-77 w/ non-working LCD as a Hotspot radio?

Post by IW2FHM » Mon Dec 20, 2021 3:24 pm

I did it by disconnecting the cable completely, loosening the fasteners, and then repositioning it with precision.
Beware that the cable is very fragile, in one case I had to replace it.
73
Roberto

VK3KYY
Posts: 7484
Joined: Sat Nov 16, 2019 3:25 am
Location: Melbourne, Australia

Re: Can I use a GD-77 w/ non-working LCD as a Hotspot radio?

Post by VK3KYY » Mon Dec 20, 2021 7:42 pm

Sounds like a loose connection. You could try resoodering both ends of the ribbon cable

Also I heard of someone who bought a DM1801 LCD display and it fitted perfectly in their GD77

But its probably not cost effective to do this, as Radioddity have the GD77 in their Christmas sale, priced at less than $80 USA

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