Zello

Yesterday was the first event I’ve been involved in where Zello was used.

I was impressed by both the quality of the comms and how easy it was to use.

Most definitely a benefit to our own group but very useful when working across multiple 4×4 Response Groups or even with other emergency groups in the event of an incident.

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Topic

[Derek BagshawKeymaster ResponderTrusteeController]

I agree with the comments above a very useful tool with little battery drain, has anyone had it working whilst blue-toothed to their car?

[mike.c.suttonModerator Trustee]

Hi Derek,

Yes, it will work whilst paired to a vehicle, although this is dependant on the system used. I had a couple of issues at Carfest but that was mainly because I was also playing music over Bluetooth,

For info, the Radio that I have as a trial used approximately 20MB of Data for the day. It will be interesting to see how it works over the winter with the controllers being able to have direct contact with the team if they choose.

[Trevor ElliottParticipant Responder]

Derek

I had mine paired to the car at times but then had problems if I stepped out of the car with the phone as only the car microphone would work.

I tried this way so I could hear better from the car speakers with all the bikes going past but eventually settled for keeping the phone in my hand.

Also had it connected to Bluetooth while driving and didn’t seem to be a problem.

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[Graham MiddletonModerator Trustee]

I haven’t tried with it paired to my car, but I was using Zello yesterday via a Plantronics Legend headset to my Android phone, and that worked fine.

Any questions, please ask.

[Nick JenningsModerator Responder]

I found that it did use a lot of battery where the Iphone wasn’t plugged into the car.

[mike.c.suttonModerator Trustee]

Nick,

I think that’s mainly because the screen is on all the time when it’s in use. My iPhone was down to about 35%. But I also know I have lost 12% capacity on my phone as it’s a couple of years old..

[Derek BagshawKeymaster ResponderTrusteeController]

I had mine in a case with the flap folded over the screen, that turned the screen off and I could hear it clearly in my shirt pocket. Battery usage was minimal. I use a Motorola G4 which has a very good battery life.

[Trevor ElliottParticipant Responder]

I ran it both with the screen on and off and worked fine both ways but agree with Nick, it is heavy on battery usage.

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[Adam HaighParticipant Responder]

Mine worked fine as long as the screen always stayed on, as soon as it turned the screen off it signed me out and I had to force stop the app to make it work again. One of the other responders on the Marshal point I was on had the proper radios to go with zello, but they were randomly signing him out to start with too

[mike.c.suttonModerator Trustee]

Adam,

there is a keep-alive setting within zello, but that one is a bit strange.

[Derek BagshawKeymaster ResponderTrusteeController]

Perhaps the forum needs a library where members can find user guides and quick tips easily. It could include things such as Zello, W3W, Viewranger, how to change a forum password, how to complete/close a task, training package content etc. A numbered index with jump to links in a locked thread would keep it clutter free and easy to use.

[Adam HaighParticipant Responder]

MikeSutton wrote:

Adam,

there is a keep-alive setting within zello, but that one is a bit strange.

I had that option enabled but it seemed to stop keeping it alive as soon as it lost the foreground. could be something to do with my phone, but its the only app i have issues like that with.

[mike.c.suttonModerator Trustee]

Do you have an Android or IOS phone ?

[Adam HaighParticipant Responder]

Android (one plus)

[mike.c.suttonModerator Trustee]

Don’t know if anybody looked at the settings, but you can get it to vibrate on new incoming messages. Handy if it’s noisy.

[Author]

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