What is it?
This is a redesign of the standard SIMPLEX board I've been selling. I took the design practices of the DUPLEX board that enable it to work so well and ported them over to the SIMPLEX b…
This is a redesign of the standard SIMPLEX board I've been selling. I took the design practices of the DUPLEX board that enable it to work so well and ported them over to the SIMPLEX board. For example this board has its own dedicated 3.3V regulator and does not pull voltage off of the noisy Raspberry Pi 3.3V line like all other simplex boards do. This board is now a 4 layer board with LARGE ground planes for 3.3V and GND sandwiched in the middle. This acts as one very large decoupling cap the size of the entire board. Also this isolates signals between TOP side and BOTTOM side. Speaking of that all of the Analog RF signals are on the TOP side only and the high harmonic digital signals are all kept isolated on the BOTTOM side. Making this board much more stable. It should also make it more sensitive on receive.
This board fully supports an OLED screen and the Nextion screen. It comes with a 432MHz ceramic antenna mounted on the board. But if you prefer you can dismount this antenna and install an SMA connector in order to install a standard antenna with some gain.
I find however the ceramic antenna is well more than enough when the HOTSPOT is in the shack with me or riding along beside me in the truck.
Why did you make it?
To bring the SIMPLEX board up to the same level of quality as the DUPLEX board I'm selling.
What makes it special?
Implementation of good design practices and spending a little more on quality components. For instance the 4 layer board cost 1.5 times the price of a 2 layer board but it is key to many of the features that make this an improved design.
MODEM Selection:
The most common question I get is which modem do I select from inside of Pi-Star. You should pick... LoneStar -MMDVM_HS_HAT for Pi (GPIO)
Using a FULL SIZE PI
Instead of a PiZero. Yes! This will work. No issues at all. Even works on a Pi4.
If you have an issue please contact me and I will do my best to resolve your issue by Email. If after a few exchanges the problem is still not resolved I will ask you to return the board to me where I will check it out on the bench. If there is a hardware problem I will either repair the board or replace it. If you think you've received a defective board you must contact me about it within 14 days.
Anything that arrives DOA I will just replace as long as I have stock of that board. However out of over 1500 boards shipped only 2 or 3 boards DOA. These were due to cold solder joins that failed during the stress of shipping.
The board itself has a 6 month warranty on it. If it fails within 6 months I will first try to repair it, and if I can't do that I will replace the board. Please contact me for an RMA # before returning a board.
I mostly want people to be happy so I will admit I'm very lenient on returns.
Turn Key ready to operate version
While I am selling only a tested board guaranteed to operate as expected, I am not supplying the software, or a case or any kind of display. I am sorry I don't have a suggestion for getting one of my boards in a turnkey assembly.
Questions?
If you follow this link there are links to sites that will help you with setup of Pi-Star using a Simplex board like this one.
Links Page on N5BOC.COM
Note: All photos need to be updated. They are from version 1V8-1, I am now on 1V8-3. These are only minor board layout changes to make this easier to build. No schematic changes.
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N5BOC Store ( LoneStar Semiconductor Designs ) Shipping Policy:
I try to ship twice per week. Usually on Monday and Thursday. Should I have plans that take me out of town for a few days I will let you know right away upon receiving an order.
Review Breakdown
5
3
4
5
3
0
2
0
1
0
Average Ratings
Product:
(4.75)
Documentation:
(4.25)
Shipping:
(4.75)
Communication:
(4.75)
Steven |
April 6, 2021
MMDVM Simplex
I would like to thank Dave for his excellent customer service in the recent purchase of my MMDVM. He identified an issue with my order and emailed me to correct it then immediately delivered the correct part for my application. I will be a return customer.
I've purchased two (2) of the simplex devices and one of the duplex devices and they're fantastic.
The build construction and quality aligns well to the quality of the Raspberry Pi devices.
I highly recommend buying from David.
Ryan |
Nov. 4, 2019
Excellent product
It seems that every consideration has been taken in the development of this product. I am not sure that a better board in this form factor would be possible. Comparing the RF signal from this board with other MMDVM boards on the scope, the first thing you notice is how clean the signal is. Two other unnamed but popular solutions I test it against present progressively faint additional carriers each side of the selected frequency; but this board has an incredibly clean signal (cleaner than most commerical HTs made by any of the 'big three').
Will this make a huge difference to you? Absolutely if you are running more than one hotspot--or even a single hotspot along side other radios. In addition, you are being the best possible custodian of our limited spectrum.
Allan |
Sept. 16, 2019
Yaesu FUSION Radio hot spot.
I am setting up the Yaesu FT2DR. the Yaesu FTM-400XDR and the HRI-200. The N5BOC MMDVM is an integral part of a mobile hot spot I am building to complement the above equipment. As I have not yet completed it, I cannot give any report but I will say "The units my friends have built and which I am copying all work extremely well and I am endeavouring to match their results. Thank you for your prompt response and delivery. Allan VK5MAK. South Australia
Eric |
June 25, 2019
Have to make your own opinion.
I have several MMDVM boards. Several Jumbo Spot (China) boards in simplex and duplex configuration.
I tried the LS board to see if it was really better. Keep in mind I did not use any lab equipment for testing...just the Pi-Star dashboard and the same radio when comparing performance.
The LS is definitely a higher quality board. It is thicker and heavier with better components. As far as performance, it is about the same as a few of the JumboSpot MMDVMs. There was no offset required with the LS board but I do have a few JumboSpots that also do not require offsets...some do, some don't. BER is about the same as well between the LS and JumboSpot.
What I do prefer about the LS board is the quality on-board antenna as I have dedicated the LS as my mobile/go with me everywhere board. I use it daily in the car and sometimes at work. Lastly, the LS board required modifications to the C4 Labs case...I recall the regulator hitting. Not a big issue as it was easily fixed with a dremmel tool. While there I also added room for a slightly modified 1.3 OLED...had to sand the OLED board a little to get it to fit in the C4 Labs case. To recap, I did not notice any performance differences between the LS and a few of the China boards I tried. However, I use the LS in my vehicle, harsher environment, and love the fact that I can't accidentally break the antenna.
Response from N5BOC Store ( LoneStar Semiconductor Designs ) | Aug. 24, 2019
Thanks for the kind words Eric.
Just for anyone reading this, after Eric told me there was an issue getting this board to fit a C4LABs case, I worked with C4LABs and they have now modified their design to eliminate the interference with the voltage regulator on the bottom side.
Thanks again Eric for bring this issue to my attention.
Best Regards, David
Tom |
June 6, 2019
Excellent
Got it quickly, set up quickly on a pi zero hw with pi-Star using the recommended modem selection. Zero offsets works excellent. Thank you for a great economical alternative to the clones. V.
Response from N5BOC Store ( LoneStar Semiconductor Designs ) | June 13, 2019
I'm happy to hear it is working well for you.
Peter |
May 5, 2019
MMDVM Simplex ( New and Improved )a great little performer..
After purchasing the Dual MMDVM Board and having excellent results using it both as a dual band repeater on 2M and 70CM I turned my attention to the New N5BOC MMDVM Simplex board which came with the Ceramic Antenna fitted. nicely built board with gold plated through holes... Had it up and running within 10 Minutes using Pi-Star Software V3.4.17 ; First thing I noted was that I didn't have to make any adjustments for the Modem RX/TX; settings were left set at zero:(I always had to configure the modem RX/TX on the Chinese boards to make them work). On Air tests using Yaesu F2Dr on C4FM for both RX and TX were excellent. The Ceramic antenna worked well and I could access the board from 10M using 100MW.... (this was its maximum range) has option to fit external antenna. Whilst listening to the Zombie Alert I was able to hear 2 stations from the US working cross mode; one was on "D" star the other was running NXDN....The "D" Star signal sounded harsh but the NXDN sounded excellent, the Audio was very clear. The purpose of buying this unit was so that I had slim profile unit that can fit in my pocket with a small LIPO Battery and WIFI Dongle. This unit fits the bill and is a third of the cost of the Open Spot 2.......a compact solid little performer worth the price...... Pete VK5JP
Response from N5BOC Store ( LoneStar Semiconductor Designs ) | May 10, 2019
Peter,
Thanks so very much for this detailed review. I'm sure quite a few people will find it very helpful. I really appreciate the support of my friends in Australia.
Robert |
April 27, 2019
Outstanding product and service
David makes an outstanding product and stands behind it 100%, so buy with confidence. I bought one of his duplex boards and one his new v1.8 simplex board. I highly recommend N5BOC and can’t imagine finding a better made MMDVM board on the market.
Response from N5BOC Store ( LoneStar Semiconductor Designs ) | May 10, 2019
Thanks so very much for this endorsement Robert. It is greatly appreciated.
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