are network radios worth it?

[StormShadow]

I'm thinking about getting a couple of network radios, one for a homebase setup and a handheld for portable.

My main concern is that the radios run an older Android OS and I wonder how future proof these devices are in terms of OS updates/upgrades when the OS reaches a time to where it can no longer support the Zello app or Peanut app.

Secondly what are good Zello channels, a lot of them seem to be very quiet...

What other apps are there for network radios?

[ch25]

I wouldn't count for any OS updates. Disposable gear with short lifetime.
Chris

[StormShadow]

Yeah I think your right...

What I might do is buy another Android phone and then install the network radio apps on to it and then make a small audio amp with a manual volume control and small speaker and mount it into an enclosure so it then becomes a network radio and looks like a radio then use one of those PTT corded Zello mics with it, unless there is a way to modify an exiting radio mic that can be used with a smartphone for the Zello app... maybe

The good thing is that it will be running a modern Android OS plus it can be upgraded further down the line...

Edit... there is a way. So after doing some thinking. I could modify a standard radio mic to work with Zello then for the PTT and I gut a cheap USB mouse and solder wires to one of the mouse buttons... assign that button in Zello for PTT.

Problem one... I want to get audio going through the audio amp

Problem two... I want to keep the USB port free on the phone as it will be used for charging so I wont be able to utilize that port.

I will need to come up with some different plans on how I'm going to make this all work.

[PeteF2130]

I believe that zello aren't supporting any android updates below android 7 but anything above there continuing to update.

Alternatively you can disable the tss button within the settings and this should let older devices to work but may comprise your devices security.
Good luck