forum.pistar.uk

For those who are interested, I did some testing comparing the pi-zero, pi-3A+, and pi-3B+ and wrote it up in a blog post. You can access it here:

http://coloradodigital.net/03-11-2019.html

Feedback welcomed!

Excellent article, Bud!

Previously, I had been replacing my RPi Zero W-based hotspots with the new RPi 3A+ in order to take advantage of its better performance while still enjoying its relatively compact form factor. Based on what I learned from reading your article, I was inspired to go ahead and try replacing the RPi 3B+ in one of my main hotspots that I use for nets (running Pi-Star 4.0.0-RC3) with the RPi 3A+, too. My results were excellent. Previously, that hotspot was running quite warm when I used it on a longer net (~59 C). Yesterday afternoon, I had it linked to a very busy talkgroup for several hours, then switched to the Colorado Hotspot Discussion net (via BM TG 31088) yesterday evening, and averaged ~45 C with no noticeable change in performance. The only downside of the RPi 3A+ is no Ethernet port, but since I always run over WiFi, that's fine for me.

Thanks again for the great article!

Edit: My observations are all with the Pi-Star dashboard open in a browser. I really like having the dashboard open, especially when I participating in a net.

Thanks, Toshen. And thanks for sharing your findings about the operating temperature. Yes, the lack of Ethernet Port is s bummer for more permanent benchtop uses, but not a dealbreaker, I think.

One other thing of note from some testing this morning on the processes running on a pi-star based hotspot:

- pi-zero W w/N5BOC duplex board, no display attached

WIth the dashboard open and being served by the hotspot, 1' load average are over 1.4. With the dashboard *not* open and no dash being served, 1' load averages are about 0.9. the php processes are really taxing the system in order to serve up the dashboard. Take home message: don't have your dash up if you don't need it!

Hello Toshen and Robert,

thanks for your testing AND presenting to us the really interesting outcome.

Best Regards
Kai
dh3ybe