Troubleshooting

Please make sure you always use the latest firmware version.

If you can't find an answer to your issue, then please send us am email, or ask help in our community forum!

The web interface can't be opened

Use SharkRF Link, or the downloadable SharkRF Link app to open the web interface.

Make sure your web browser device (phone/tablet/computer) is connected to the exact same Wi-Fi network the openSPOT4 is using.

Check if the openSPOT4 is connected to the Wi-Fi network by looking at its Status LED. Please see the LED states section for possible Status LED states. If the openSPOT4 is not connected to the Wi-Fi network according to the Status LED, see the next troubleshooting question's answer on how to set up the openSPOT4's Wi-Fi connection.

Also check the Wi-Fi client isolation in your Wi-Fi router's settings. It should be turned off. If you use iCloud Private Relay or other VPN services then turn them off, otherwise you won't be able to access devices on your local Wi-Fi network (which means you won't be able to open the openSPOT4's web interface).

The openSPOT4 can't connect to the Wi-Fi network

Please first check the Status LED's color on the device. You can see the list of LED states on this page. The openSPOT4 can't connect to the Wi-Fi network only if the Status LED is flashing blue for a longer period of time (at least 30 seconds). If you see other Status LED colors than blue, then the issue is not with connecting to the Wi-Fi network.

  • You can reconfigure the Wi-Fi connection if you enable the openSPOT4's AP (access point) mode by pressing the Wi-Fi button for 3 seconds.
  • The openSPOT4 will start broadcasting its own Wi-Fi network called openSPOT4 AP, indicated by white Status LED. You can connect to this network using your browser device (phone/tablet/computer).
  • Make sure you place your browser device close to the openSPOT4 during this time.
  • The initialization setup will pop up, where you can select a Wi-Fi network for the openSPOT4 to connect to. If the initialization setup won't open automatically, then you can open it by entering http://192.168.99.1/ into the web browser while your browser device is connected to the Wi-Fi network openSPOT4 AP. Note that this address is only active while the openSPOT4's AP mode is enabled, indicated by white Status LED.
  • Make sure you've entered the Wi-Fi password case sensitive.
  • After you've chosen the Wi-Fi network and entered the password, the openSPOT4 starts connecting to the selected network, and indicates the result of the process on the web interface. If it has been connected, click on the Next button on the Connected page. At that moment, your browser device (phone/tablet/computer) will disconnect from the openSPOT4's Wi-Fi AP network. What you have to do now is to connect to the exact same Wi-Fi network with your browser device as you've configured for the openSPOT4.
  • Make sure you have enabled 2.4GHz Wi-Fi, not just 5GHz.
  • Place the openSPOT4 close to the Wi-Fi router.
  • Make sure the Wi-Fi bandwith is set to max. 20Mhz in the Wi-Fi router (see explanation here).
  • Disable band steering in the Wi-Fi router's configuration.
  • If it still does not work, try switching Wi-Fi channel on your Wi-Fi router. Only channels 1, 6 or 11 should be used (see explanation here).

You can also find more information on the Connecting the openSPOT4 to a Wi-Fi network page on the steps required to set up the openSPOT4's Wi-Fi connection.

The Status LED is white

White Status LED means that the openSPOT4's built-in AP (access point) mode is enabled.

  • In this mode, the openSPOT4 broadcasts its own Wi-Fi network called openSPOT4 AP, indicated by white LED. You can connect to this network using your browser device (phone/tablet/computer).
  • Make sure you place your browser device close to the openSPOT4 during this time.
  • The initialization setup will pop up, where you can select a Wi-Fi network for the openSPOT4 to connect to. If the initialization setup won't open automatically, then you can open it by entering http://192.168.99.1/ into the web browser while your browser device is connected to the Wi-Fi network openSPOT4 AP. Note that this address is only active while the openSPOT4's AP mode is enabled, indicated by white Status LED.
  • Make sure you've entered the Wi-Fi password case sensitive.
  • After you've chosen the Wi-Fi network and entered the password, the openSPOT4 starts connecting to the selected network, and indicates the result of the process on the web interface. If it has been connected, click on the Next button on the Connected page. At that moment, your browser device (phone/tablet/computer) will disconnect from the openSPOT4's Wi-Fi AP network. What you have to do now is to connect to the exact same Wi-Fi network with your browser device as you've configured for the openSPOT4.
  • Make sure you have enabled 2.4GHz Wi-Fi, not just 5GHz.
  • Place the openSPOT4 close to the Wi-Fi router.
  • Make sure the Wi-Fi bandwith is set to max. 20Mhz in the Wi-Fi router (see explanation here).
  • If it still does not work, try switching Wi-Fi channel on your Wi-Fi router. Only channels 1, 6 or 11 should be used (see explanation here).

You can also find more information on the Connecting the openSPOT4 to a Wi-Fi network page on the steps required to set up the openSPOT4's Wi-Fi connection.

The Status LED is green/yellow

Green/yellow LED means the openSPOT4 is connected to the configured Wi-Fi network and it is standing by (the Null connector is active).

What you have to do is to connect your browser device (phone/tablet/computer) to the exact same Wi-Fi network as you've configured for the openSPOT4 and use SharkRF Link to open its web interface. If it does not work, then make sure Wi-Fi client isolation is turned off in your Wi-Fi router's settings.

The web interface only loads partially

Make sure you use a supported browser (Chrome, Firefox or Safari), and that the browser is updated to the latest version.

If you're trying to do the initialization setup (the openSPOT4's Status LED is white), then place the openSPOT4 close to your browser device (phone/tablet/computer) during the setup.

Otherwise, try placing the openSPOT4 closer to the Wi-Fi access point (your Wi-Fi router).

I get Connector authentication failed messages

Please take a look at this post.

You need to check the hotspot security setting on your BrandMeister SelfCare page. If hotspot security is turned on, you have to use the hotspot password you've set there as the server password in the openSPOT4. If hotspot security is turned off, then you have to use the default server password which is "passw0rd" (without the double quotation marks).

Note that servers nowadays usually require a hotspot security password to be set and enabled.

I'm not hearing anything on my radio

Please read the Setting up your transceiver section.

Check if your radio's LED is on when the openSPOT4 is transmitting. The openSPOT4 is transmitting if its Status LED is blinking red:

If it's blinking alternating red/orange, then BCLO is on:

If this is the case then make sure it's turned off by setting it to 0 at the Other modem settings section.

If your radio's LED does not turn on when the openSPOT4 is transmitting, then make sure they are on the same RX and TX frequencies.

Make sure the openSPOT4's modem is set to the same mode as your radio, and the following settings are set:

  • DMR radio: the color code (CC) match in your radio and the openSPOT4 (example: set it to the default 1). Make sure the talkgroup you want to hear is set as the TX contact of your DMR radio's currently active channel, or the talkgroup is in an RX group list which has been assigned to the currently active channel. You should also add TG9 to your the RX group list and assign it to the currently active channel to hear the openSPOT4's voice announcements.
  • C4FM radio:
    • The DGID is set to the same value both in your radio and the openSPOT4 (example: set it to the default 0).
    • Make sure the Half Deviation setting is turned off in your transceiver, and use plain C4FM modem mode on the openSPOT4. If there's no such setting in your transceiver's menu, then you have to use C4FM Half Deviation modem mode, and run C4FM Half Deviation AutoCal on the openSPOT4 (or manually change the RX offset on the Modem page for the lowest BER). Test the connection between your transceiver and the openSPOT4 using the built-in local echo service.
  • NXDN® radio: the radio access number (RAN) match in your radio and the openSPOT4 (example: set it to the default 0). Make sure the talkgroup you want to hear is in your NXDN® radio's contact list, or it is set as the TX contact of the currently active channel.

You'll also hear silence in cross mode operation, when the incoming transmission can't be transcoded to the current modem mode.

No one is hearing me on the network

Please read the Setting up your transceiver section.

Check where your radio is sending your call by looking at the Call log on the openSPOT4's web interface. Make sure your radio is sending the call to the desired talkgroup or reflector.

The openSPOT4's Status LED should blink green when you press the PTT on your radio:

If not, then make sure the openSPOT4 and your radio are on the same RX and TX frequencies.

Make sure the openSPOT4's modem is set to the same mode as your radio, and the following settings are set:

  • DMR radio: the color code (CC) match in your radio and the openSPOT4 (example: set it to the default 1).
  • C4FM radio:
    • The DGID is set to the same value both in your radio and the openSPOT4 (example: set it to the default 0).
    • Make sure the Half Deviation setting is turned off in your transceiver, and use plain C4FM modem mode on the openSPOT4. If there's no such setting in your transceiver's menu, then you have to use C4FM Half Deviation modem mode, and run C4FM Half Deviation AutoCal on the openSPOT4 (or manually change the RX offset on the Modem page for the lowest BER). Test the connection between your transceiver and the openSPOT4 using the built-in local echo service.
  • NXDN® radio: the radio access number (RAN) match in your radio and the openSPOT4 (example: set it to the default 0).

If you are using a D-STAR® server, then make sure your callsign registration is valid on this page. Also check if your registered callsign exactly match the callsign you've set on your D-STAR® or C4FM radio. There should be no suffixes. If you want to keep on using suffixes, then enable the Force source callsign to D-STAR® network for cross mode calls setting on the Settings page, D-STAR® settings section.

If you use a Kenwood TH-D74A transceiver, then make sure the Direct Reply feature is turned off, as it basically causes automatic callsign routing, which could cause one's transmission to not be heard on the used reflector.

The openSPOT4 transmits silence to the network in cross mode operation, when the received transmission from the modem can't be transcoded to the network.

The openSPOT4 can't connect to the selected server

If the Status LED is flashing like this, then the openSPOT4 is trying to connect to the selected server, but it can't for some reason. If it's not flashing like on the animation, check the LED states section for more information about the current LED state.

The server may be currently offline, or there may be a connection issue between your openSPOT4 and the server. You can try using another server, or enable the Override DHCP DNS servers setting.

Also check if the server password is set correctly (in case there's a server password), and that your connector settings are valid (example: if there's a callsign setting, make sure your callsign is valid, if there's a DMR/CCS7 or NXDN® ID setting, make sure your ID is valid for your callsign).

If you want to connect to the BrandMeister network, and the openSPOT4 won't connect to any BrandMeister server, then make sure you use the hotspot security password you've set on your BrandMeister SelfCare page. If hotspot security is turned off on your BrandMeister SelfCare page, then you have to use the default server password, which is passw0rd. The UK server uses the default password passw1rd.

There are dropouts in incoming calls, voice is stuttering

Please note that dropouts can happen when there's an issue/interference with:

  • The server
  • The server's internet connection (most amateur radio servers are running on unstable home internet connections not suitable for international links)
  • The link between the server and your Wi-Fi router, or your internet connection
  • Your Wi-Fi router
  • The Wi-Fi link between your openSPOT and your Wi-Fi router

These issues cause dropped packets, which are indicated on the Dejitter queue graph on the openSPOT4's Status page as "invalid seqnum errors". They may cause dropouts in the voice transmissions.

If there are no invalid seqnum errors, but the dejitter queue graph shows that the queue gets empty during a call, then you can try increasing the dejitter queue length at the Network settings section.

Make sure you use a server nearest to your location to avoid network dropouts and high latency. Please keep in mind, that packet loss and high latency can occur in VoIP (Voice over IP) streams even if you have a really high quality network connection.

What you can do to avoid dropouts are:

  • Use a different server, which has a stable connection (try BrandMeister servers in cross mode)
  • Place the openSPOT4 close to the Wi-Fi router.
  • Make sure the Wi-Fi bandwith is set to max. 20Mhz in the Wi-Fi router (see explanation here)
  • Try switching Wi-Fi channel on your Wi-Fi router. The currently used one may be overcrowded, which you may not notice during web browsing, as the web uses a protocol which resend missing data frames, but this can't be done in real time VoIP streams so the packet loss issue becomes instantly noticable. Only channels 1, 6 or 11 should be used (see explanation here)
  • Try using a different Wi-Fi router or internet connection

Wi-Fi disconnects (blue Status LED) or internet connection errors (red/blue Status LED)

Try to set another Wi-Fi channel in your Wi-Fi network. The currently used one may be overcrowded. It is advisable to use Wi-Fi channels 1, 6 or 11. Do not use the others as they only cause more interference. Also try placing the openSPOT4 closer to your Wi-Fi router / access point.

Color code mismatch warnings on the web interface

Make sure the color code programmed for your radio's current channel is matching the openSPOT4's color code. If they match, then probably there's an offset between the radio's TX frequency and the openSPOT4's RX frequency. Please use DMR AutoCal, or manually enter different frequencies in +-100 Hz steps at the RX offset on the Modem page for the lowest BER. You can test your voice using the openSPOT4's built-in local echo service by calling DMR ID 9999.

The device can't check firmware upgrades, it shows retrying

Make sure the NTP, HTTP and HTTPS outgoing traffic are not disabled in your router's firewall. You can also try turning the Use DHCP server if available option off.

Upgrade downloads are slow

Downloading upgrades is a low priority task so it won't interfere with normal operation and also the device won't consume much power during the download.

The device does not turn on

If pressing and holding the power button for 1-2 seconds does not turn on the device, then connect the openSPOT4 to a USB power supply and then turn the device on with the power button.

If it still does not power on, hold the power button for at least 8 seconds to perform a hard reboot.

If the Charge LED is blinking fast, then there's an error with the currently connected charger. Try using a different USB charger, or a different USB port on the computer.

If the Status LED blinks 3 times, and the device immediately turns off, then the battery is overheated, and its protection is active. Avoid exposing the device to direct sunlight and wait a few minutes so the battery can cool down.

Also try using a different wall charge adapter or different USB port on a computer to charge the unit. Try flipping the USB-C connector of the cable upside down for charging. Charge for at least an hour to make sure the battery is not drained.

If it still does not turn on, then use the openSPOT4 recovery application to flash a complete firmware image to the device manually. This will also reset the configuration of the device to factory defaults.

If case you can't install/run the app on Windows, please see the Windows installation instructions on the SharkRF Link app page (the Windows installation instructions are the same for both the openSPOT4 recovery app and the SharkRF Link app).

If the recovery software does not see the device then please try using a different USB cable and USB port on your computer. If this does not even help then press and hold both buttons on the device at the same time for 10 seconds to enter it into bootloader mode before using the recovery software. Note that only the recovery software will be able to exit this bootloader mode so do not use this method otherwise.

DMR ID is not in the database warnings on the web interface

A valid DMR ID is only required by the network/server you use. The openSPOT4 only displays a warning about that and does not care if your ID is valid or not.

Battery is charged to 100% and shows (ex.) 92% when unplugged

The battery is still charging when it is showing 100%. Charge is completed when the battery status on the web interface is "ready", and the Charge LED is off. Make sure the device is plugged in until the charge is completely done. Note that the battery charge percentage is only a rough estimate.

The device turns off even when it's connected to a charger

Make sure you use a USB charger which can supply enough current for the openSPOT4 while it's operating (min. 1500mA).

Web interface call audio playback is choppy

Note that smooth call audio playback requires a Wi-Fi connection with a good signal quality. If you have issues with call audio playback, then please try using different browsers and make sure they are updated to the latest version.

Browsers reduce CPU allowance on non-active tabs after a while. The tab of the web interface must be kept active, otherwise the audio will be garbled. This browser behavior cannot be changed. If the audio becomes garbled, activate the tab, and/or reload the web interface to fix it.

Battery depletes too quickly

Please make sure to charge the battery full. If the battery is fully charged then the Charge LED is off and the charging status displays "ready". length of the discharge time is affected by a lot of things.

The battery will discharge faster if:

  • The device is transmitting or receiving
  • There's traffic on the connected Wi-Fi network (even if the traffic is not to/from the openSPOT4)
  • Wi-Fi signal quality
  • Cross mode is used on the openSPOT4 Pro
  • Web interface is opened

The worst-case discharge time is around 5 hours.

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