Today's blog is about my new Zumbox. This is a custom enclosure for you Zumspot - Pi-Zero combination. I've been planning on making a compact box for the Zumspot for a while now, and finally all the parts came together.
If anyone is interested in building this box for you Zumspot, then comment below and I can give you a parts list and instructions.
Firstly, here is the finished product:
Zumspot with 2.4" Nextion Display...Customized with my KWM-2
Being that everything is combined into one box, the only part not "in the box" is power. Power is a 5v battery or power supply connected to a side mounted USB port. From there, the screen and the Zumspot / Pi-Zero are powered up. You can use any battery you like. I use a Romoss Solo 5 10,000mah battery that has 2 usb outputs. This allows you to run your Zumbox and at the same time, power your cellphone. The dimensions of the finished box is 134mm long (5 7/16") x 88mm wide(3 7/16") x 45mm high (1 3/4").
Of course, the cellphone and a decent cellular connection is critical. You must set up your phone for Mobile Data, and the phone should be up and running before you plug in the power to the Zumbox. The Zumbox will boot up and in short order your Zumspot will be connected. My Zumspot is set up for D-Star, DMR, and P25.
The USB port mounted on the side panel of the Zumbox
As I write this, I am listening to D-Star reflector ref001c. I am listening to a G6 station conversing with a KE8 in Wisconsin who is working mobile in the snow on a brisk Thanksgiving afternoon in the USA.
A wonderful feature of the Zumspot with Pi-Star software is the ability to see what is going on from the screen of your cellphone. Here's the trick to seeing the Pi-Star software interface in case you don't know. Go to your mobile hotspot and tethering menu on your android phone. You will immediately see the Zumspot listed as most likely a device connected to your phone and call "PiStar" with an IP address underneath. For example, your Zumspot address might be 192.168.40.50 or some other address. Simple go to your browser and type in the IP address in the browser and hit enter. You will be directed to the Pi-Star software and will need to enter your user name and password. The default is pistar and raspberry, I think.
There are many optional settings in the Pi-Star software. Much too much for this blog, but the basics are not overwhelming...just stay out of EXPERT mode until you know what you are doing, and then use Caution.
My Nextion 2.4" display
Building this project requires some use of tools, minor SD card programming or the Nextion Display, and use of Nextion Editor if you want to make a custom display. You can use any box that you have available, or you can order one. I chose the smallest possible box that I could find that could also fit every thing in there. There is still room for one additional piece which is a small 5v fan that might be necessary if the Zumspot gets to hot when out traveling.
A small screenshot of the Nextion editor
As I mentioned earlier, if you are interested in building the project, then comment with your info (e.g. email), and I will try to answer your questions on how to acquire the parts and make your Zumbox ready to go, go, go !!!
73 for now and Happy Thanksgiving. We are have 26 people here in our home in central Israel. Two medium-size turkeys and all the trimmings. Yum! Enjoy! Mark 4x1ks
1 comment:
i am looking for a box for the nextion screen 5" or possibly 7"..currently using the 2.4 inch and would like something bigger but finding a box that will hold the raspberry pi and a bigger screnn has led me to a dead end. One that has the hole for the antenna on a simplex board.
thanks
john g
KE8LEQ
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