I'm a big fan of 7-8in tablets because they tend to fit in a wide variety of pockets including BDU thigh pockets and they are big enough to display desktop scale apps.
If all one has is a hammer, everything looks like a nail. Options and flexibility make the difference. Thanks for the deep dive on the FZ-M1. From a fellow G43 / G17 proponent :-)
I love some gear thats discontinued. The FT-857D being one of them. I REALLY hope Yaesu doesn't discontinue the vx-6 soon. The problem is that they discontinue solid gear that fills a need, and there's nothing to replace it. I was looking at a used 857 and they wanted like 1200 bucks for it :D My problem with buying discontinued gear, is finding parts for it and that they're older and who knows how much life they have left.
I really tried to make the RPi (3 and 4) work for a couple of years, but it had too many quirks. The FZ-M1 MkI feels about as performant as a Pi, so it's not winning any awards in the speed category. It's great having everything integrated. If you can find the iKey keyboard you will be sold. Here's an unlisted video that I sent to the BMAC members that shows the keyboard as well as some EmComm Tools updates: ua-cam.com/video/KGVrFKoxGgg/v-deo.html Thanks for stopping by, Josh.
I appreciate that you spend your time and money on various options so that we, your followers, can gather important information and benefit from all that you are doing. I learn SOMETHING from each and every one of your videos and then apply that knowledge to my overall plan. As I drink my morning cawfee I envision various scenarios of the future. I'll be tyre kicking a ToughPad in my head today as I go about my work.
I appreciate your ongoing support, Kathleen. It's good to know that there was some "food for thought" in this video as my operating scenario is very different from yours. I literally filmed, recorded and edited this in about 3.5 hours this morning, so this was an easy one to get out the door. It was nice that I had a ton info to share and some working notes that I have been compiling for a few weeks on the FZ-M1. Next up will be a thought provoking conversation on how I plan to build a comprehensive EMP plan to protect my gear. This is likely two weeks out, but I will drop UA-cam Shorts with small nuggets along the way. Have a good weekend.
So glad I found this! Not only is this good for radio use, but I am going to load up a local AI Chatbot and Wikipedia as well as a prepper PDF library and I'll have myself an aw awesome shtf machine!
Be careful as these units will not win awards for high performance or speed. They will have no issue storing offline documents. The amateur software runs on them fine even on the older Mk1 model.
The 2A conversation comes up every once in awhile on the channel. I've been a proud CCW holder for about 9 years and was an RTO for a few years, but gave it up during COVID. Now, I just don't have time to volunteer at the range anymore. Cheers to another 2A supporter!
I was going to comment that hot swapping batteries on a computer is a game changer.. and then it came right out of your mouth. I am late to the party but still strongly considering the FZ-M1 for portable.
@@njw1977 Good to know. Are you familiar with the part numbers that are required to restore the Toughpad to a pre barcode scanner state? I've called Panasonic several times and they have no clue. They sent me 25 covers for the little scanner window a couple months back by mistake when I asked them for the parts to make this happen. I spoke to another gentleman and he said that there are three SKUs required but he was not sure.
There is an accessory keyboard that attaches to the computer, and it holds the computer where you can use the computer on a table, etc., comes with a mouse and USB port. The mouse is cumbersome to use, one of those slide your finger on it, too slow but works. The keyboard works ok. the usb has a cover, but tends to pop out, not very useable protection.
You may want to see how well it runs Ubuntu 22.10 on that machine and see if everything works. That looks like a very different machine compared to the normal Toughbook line up. I hope that they're using the same internal components.
@@jeremykorwek Yes. You have full control. I have already fixed a large number of issues in Ubuntu 22.10 as it relates to the reference hardware, radios and amateur radio software.
Would you consider modules like the raspberry pi again if you could build/buy a platform that solves those two large problems: - vulnerable hardware (no real case) - micro SD card reliance -- Custom parts and 3d printing may be out of scope for most of your content, but I'd love to see more custom systems on the raspberry pi. Mainly because of power consumption and pi *seems* to give you more control.
Possibly, but it also has an overheating problem. I cook mine when we reach 110F out here. They also need to address the cable coming out of multiple sides. Sadly, for me, the Pi still falls in the toy category.
@@TheTechPrepper sheesh, temps make sense but never cross my mind. I wouldn't know off the top of my head how much cooling a pi adds to power consumption either. Thanks for the feedback, I'll have to keep those issues in mind 🤔
@@IXITHELEGEND Here's a video that I did a couple of years ago when I tried to make the Pi work. Like I said, everyone's requirements are based on their needs and constrained by their operating environment. ua-cam.com/video/tQI--vMFhVU/v-deo.html
@@TheTechPrepper just finished the video, thanks for the data. It got me thinking about the raidos you stuff in your man pack, where the fan is facing into the bag), and my current assumption is that we don't have an aggressive cooling system for the pi like we do PC towers and your radio. The main challenge to build a pi-system may be providing a reasonably-sized, yet still performant, cooling system. (And power efficient, since that's why I'm hopefully for the pi) I'll have to check your video again, but you seemed satisfied with the performance of the tablet, which wasn't overheating for you? Can't remember if you're running the exact same set of tools on the tablet as you were on the pi. Full disclosure, I've only started thinking about this for about a week (your channel has been very helpful).
I love the raspberry pis but have had similar problems out and about. What I am looking at is a stick computer setup with remote desktop as my solution. It should fit in my radio bag, power off the same battery as my Ft-818 and I should be able to drive it via my phone or android tablet. The rigs I am looking at have 2 usb ports, HDMI out, wifi, bluetooth. They are slow but I think stripped down running linux I should be fine. Love what you are doing here, keep up the great work.
@@TheTechPrepper I've got a couple flavors of the stick computers coming today. Going to waterproof one with a spray coating and the other see if I can find a eutectic paraffin mix to pack in the case. After that the biggest headache is likely going to be linux wifi drivers. I'll try to sort out somewhere to post pictures.
@@TheTechPrepper Was able to get a stickpc setup with Ubuntu and all the normal software. No driver issues and it is running well. Had to make a power adapter, 12VDC->5.5VDC microUSB. Wish I had bought one of the stickpcs that have a barrel connector instead of the microUSB. I haven't done extended battery testing with but initially it appears it draws similar to a pi3B+ if a bit less. There are slots in the plastic case that dust, debris, or water could get in to. That said I plan on packing the whole thing in silicone to help protect it from such things. Oh for the interface I am running an Android tablet. I'm thinking that this may be a very solid option for getting a small, power frugal and durable kit put together.
It would be cool if we put usb headers on a Nintendo switch and installed a custom OS that allowed us to Radio. Those things are rocking with ram and cpu and battery life
I own a fair amount of guns for comp shooting. The glock is a great choice, simple, easy to work, very few parts and thus very high reliability. The 1911's I own are better comp guns but are very complex and ton of parts. I love my G34 but it is a poort carry gun due to size.
I agree with you %100. I love running my Sig Scorpion Commander 1911 at the range, but I would never trust it the way I trust my Glocks. The 1911's are fun and sexy, but the Glocks are dependable, simple tools that get the job done. I love my P226 Legion SAO, too. It's simpler than a 1911, but still not as easy to maintain as a Glock. Cheers!
This is an excellent review of the Panasonic FZ-M1 Toughpad, and, significantly, it is water-resistant out of the box. You are unfair in criticizing the Raspberry PI as not being waterproof. The PI is a board only; you need to provide a case. Have you tried one of the waterproof cases for the PIs? Just like 99% of cell phones, one needs to put them in an appropriate case and/or add a screen protector before putting them into service. As for your 3 Yaesu radios, they are not water resistant, and you packaged them with metal side rails, etc., to make them ruggedized for your intended service. If one truly wanted extremely rugged, waterproof gear, one could buy a $10,000 Harris ALE radio like the military uses. Heck, I have a ham buddy that makes compact radios used by government agencies with three letters that _start_ at over $100,000! In my case, I have an Icom IC-705, which is hardly rugged. I make it rugged by putting it in a padded Pelican knockoff case. Sometimes perfection at any cost is simply not an option.
The Pi issues are more than the case. Believe me I tried to make it work. I spent hundreds of dollars in cases. There is an overheating issue, too. ua-cam.com/video/tQI--vMFhVU/v-deo.html
If timing is an issue you might try adding a RTC component to one of you pieces. i have seen a few of them added to a raspberry pi. But if can be a standalone item. 73
If I bought a Toughpad with a barcode scanner, I'd remove the scanner and CAD plates to cover the holes where the scanner was mounted. MSLA (resin) 3D printing creates parts that look like injection molded parts and are as strong as injection molded parts. There's no need to pay exorbitant prices for OEM parts that are as rare as hen's teeth.
The trick is finding a friend that has a 3D printer. That's a rabbit whole that I don't have time for. I guess the gaskets might be an issue as the a custom component may compromise the IP rating. I need to rip one apart and see if there is gasket under there that can be reused.
@@TheTechPrepper - Open source the problem. You don't need to do everything. I can understand wanting to retain control of the software to avoid a lot of frustrating overhead project management (and ego management), but little hardware problems like an unneeded barcode reader can be handled by mentioning a problem in a video. Someone with 3D printers and 3D CAD will fix that problem without any need to coordinate or manage it. The gasket isn't a big deal. If it's a rectangular panel with four corner screws, stretch an O ring over the screws. If it's a weird shaped gasket, 3D print it on an FDM printer with rubbery TPU filament.
The FZ-M1 is an interesting platform. Great 2A analogy. Does Panasonic make a newer version of these that may also be available? As always I really enjoy your content. Keep up the good work. 73!
Indeed, it is. There are later models, but I believe that they're also discontinued. Mine are all MkI's. You'll see MkII's out there, too. Personally, I would not buy one of these new as I've seen prices close to $4,000. In my opinion, I would not pay more than $500-$600 for these even in excellent condition. I'm under NDA with another manufacturer that is working on a new ruggedized offering. More on this later this year.
I test my to go 2m/.07m FTM6000 phone/Winlink roller by going to events by taking my roller onto Houston METRO. Works, and I can get up on phone and WL within 15 minutes of getting to my station location. WL is the Houston/Harris County ARES standards.
Hey Dominic, great to find another Houstonian on here! I also have the FTM6000 and FT818 and am trying to establish a small net but having trouble breaking thru the infrastructure and trees. The environment is way different here than Arizona. Any tips for a relatively new ham?
Excellent. These machines are great. If you're into field operations, try and find the aftermarket keyboard for the FZ-M1. It's called the "iKey". It will make an appearance in my next video. www.ikey.com/product/ik-pan-fzm1-co1/
Great video re the tablet and I understand why you use it. Do any of your members operate in a we area like Washington state ie always raining and is it easy to operate in the rain?
For the dock, have you been able to get HDMI/VGA out to work? Even with the 2021 most updated drivers for 22H2, It doesn't detect anything. Verified the cables and monitors are good with a separate PC. Unfortunately I don't have a separate dock or FZ-M1 to troubleshoot those aspects of the config, so thought I'd reach out. Thanks again for all your work on this gear series, and looking forward to seeing more!
I've never tried to connect the monitor externally. I would assume that this works under Windows as both components are from Panasonic. If I recall these were designed around the time that Windows 8 was in fashion. Good luck!
@@TheTechPrepper ok, understood! That seems to be the reply I get most, but I've never seen picture or video evidence that it actually works 🤷♂️ I'll keep investigating!
I like everything about it, even the screen size is ok, but the resolution... 1366x768 You didn't like any of the other toughpads? Or just the firesale of discontinueds pushed you in that direction? Thanks for the review! It would be great to hear your thoughts on emp strategy - e.g. the idea that there would be follow up strikes so it would be very difficult to know when to use safely.
The other Toughbooks are too heavy. It all depends on your needs. Remember, I carry everything in my backup. The CF-20 is as large as I can realistically go. If I was to go bigger it would for the CF-33. It's the larger version of the CF-20.
Are there any issues with the Japanese FZ-M1 Toughpads, and the 50/60 hz 100V vs. the US 60hz 110V? Are the power supplies rated to handle both? Wanting to get in on one of these at a better price... Thanks!
I have no experience with the Japanese models as mine are all for the US market. I've heard reports by some of the supporters in our BMAC Discord that they have had good luck with the Japanese models after changing the language in the BIOS.
funny I do SAR communications and run Mobile/Portable my main laptop is a gaming Laptop lots of horse power is i need to act as server, I recently ordered a CF-20 and Love the size it is large enough to use, reviews say the display is easy to see(hopefully) mine has a battery in the display also the keyboard it even has a 9pin serial. so for my use it will make a fully capable back up and if I need to go portable it will work, I am trying to decide what all software I want in it. winlink, VARA, ZOOM, caltopo any other ideas for SAR and disaster use?
Hi, I bought a used fz m1 mk2, it's INCREDIBLY slow, it can get stuck and freeze randomly even going around through menus. I looked at the TaskManager performance monitor, RAM was never above 60% usage. SSD is marked as 80% healthy and no bad blocks. Tried a factory reset (the longer complete one) and then updating to the newest version of win 10, issue remains. I'm about to attempt a clean install from an usb flash image, i have no idea what to try if that fails too..... Any advice please?
These are older machines and intended for light duty, so they will not win any speed test. Personally, I use it only with these applications: Brave, fldigi/flmsg, JS8Call, Dire Wolf, Pat, AX.25 tool chain. I only have experience running the FZ-M1 under Linux as I am not a Windows user. I've been running a Mk1 (slower) and Mk2 (considerably faster in comparison) for 11 months and have not experienced the issues that you are describing. For the record, I am running Ubuntu 22.10 on both models. Good luck.
@@TheTechPrepper thank you for the fast reply, i don't expect it to be a race machine but this is waaaayyyy too slow, like abnormally. I will try a win 7 install as it *should* go easier on the hardware. I need this mostly for stk sweep which is windows only sadly..
@@wpww3343 It could be a hardware issue on the unit you picked up. These units originally came with Windows 8, but Windows 7 would be a great choice assuming all the drivers work.
I currently got PopOS on the FZ-M1, Do you know how to get the scanner working properly? I can scan barcodes however instead of numbers its the Symbols, like 5 is % and 0 is ). Can you recommend any distro/settings that would go well with the Tablet?
Does that one still get os updates? I got the FZ-B2 and it has android 4.4 and I get figure out how to update the os. Panasonic no longer sends os updates to this tablet.
I just got an fz m1 recently and it is extremely slow, to the point of not being usable. I did a complete reset and it still freezes and takes awhile to catch up and do anything. Has anyone else had this issue and do you have any advice on how to fix this? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Yeah, its amazing how much these units drop in price. However, a good portion of them see real abuse. If you can, ask the seller to look at the BIOS and give you the service hours. Good to see you in the comments.
@@Liberty4Ever True. The condition of the physical system is a good indicator. I have a couple of units that are push 3,000 hours, but look like pristine on the outside. I also have some low service hour units that look beat up.
just out of curiosity, have you ever installed windows 10 on this thing??? i can not get a graphics driver that works for windows, after installing windows 10, i go to update windows to get the latest security patches, graphics gets updated and loaded and the unit becomes super laggy and completely unusable, about to toss this thing out the window
Yes, it's out of the question for the foreseeable future. I may port EmComm Tools inthe future to Android if I can make this be a full time business. That build will take considerable capital to produce. I've looked into making an ATAK plug-in.
Did you have issues with the display backlight in linux? I have the i5-4302Y version, while in Linux I cannot change the backlight brightness. I tried multiple things to get it working, its pretty much unusable outside in the sun or even in a lit room. I'm stuck on Windows 10 atm but it has none of the tools I want to use and its molasses slow. Any help would be appreciated.
Yes, the backlight is a known issue. Search for: Bob Johnson Ubuntu brightness Panasonic. He has published a workaround as a video and write-up. Ubuntu 22.10 works well on these, assuming you're using them for non CPU intensive operations. In general, they're great for amateur radio applications.
@@grumps5940This issue and fix for the screen brightness impacts all Toughbooks and Toughpads. Use the CF-31 instructions on the FZ-M1 to fix the brightness issue.
@@grumps5940 You may want to stick to Windows unless you have a local Linux buddy to help out. The screen only has a 500 nit display, so your mileage will vary in the sun. They should have gone with a minimum of 700 nit, but 1000 nit would have been perfect. These units were primarily marketed for inventory/warehouse use, so I'm using mine a bit out of spec. Unfortunately, there are no other ruggedized devices in this size that accept an install of an x86 OS. I managed to make mine work for my needs, it just requires a bit effort. Good luck!
@@anonymous_friend Nice. Dual booting is the way to go. I do the same, but is mostly to run a few radio applications that are Windows only. I was never much of a gamer, but enjoyed playing Counterstrike in college. All my PC gaming is from the mid 90's. I still have my Packard Bell Pentium I 233 Mhz. I pull it out every few years to play Doom, Duke Nukem 3D, Myst, ...
UA-cam notified me of the Short that referenced this video, but did not notify me that this video was uploaded. I’ll unsubscribe and re-subscribe to try to reset. It’s worked in the past with other channels, hopefully it does again.
Sorry to hear that. UA-cam has a ton of issues in there system. I appreciate you going through these extra hoops. There's a new short out on a VHF/UHF EMP kit. I will be dropping one each day over the next 12 days.
@@TheTechPrepper Seth over at Armoloq is a great guy. They just shipped my pack from for the TYT 9800 with relocation kit and DigiRig kit. Any more DigiRig for Dummies videos coming down the pipeline? I’m completely ignorant to it, but am buying one anyway.
Thanks, but I do not. I just spend a lot of time in the backcountry, and I've experienced more gear malfunctions than most. The trick is learning from those mistakes and picking the right gear. These Toughpads look promising.
@@TheTechPrepper Its cool to see people who have a problem solving motivation. Nothing else matters..you see a problem and you solve it. Not because of ego, new trends, peer pressure etc.
search iphone 12 survives emp. with a good case, it may be a less expensive option. with the rise in micro computing you may even have a more powerful device but its not windows.
![Дон ДОН, Алаудинов и СБЕЖАВШИЕ из под Курска ахматовцы 😁 [Пародия]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/dEfCf5IK26Q/mqdefault.jpg)
I'm a big fan of 7-8in tablets because they tend to fit in a wide variety of pockets including BDU thigh pockets and they are big enough to display desktop scale apps.
If all one has is a hammer, everything looks like a nail. Options and flexibility make the difference. Thanks for the deep dive on the FZ-M1. From a fellow G43 / G17 proponent :-)
It's my pleasure, Mike. The best that I can offer the community is sharing what works and fails for me and how I plan to adjust my tools accordingly.
I love some gear thats discontinued. The FT-857D being one of them. I REALLY hope Yaesu doesn't discontinue the vx-6 soon.
The problem is that they discontinue solid gear that fills a need, and there's nothing to replace it. I was looking at a used 857 and they wanted like 1200 bucks for it :D
My problem with buying discontinued gear, is finding parts for it and that they're older and who knows how much life they have left.
😂I laughed hard on “if that bothers you, I’ll catch you on the next one” 😂 too polite for the trolls
That was a deliberate shot at the trolls. Good catch. ;-)
Desire to buy... Growing. 100% agree on the pi. It's a great tool for the shack, but not great in the field.
I really tried to make the RPi (3 and 4) work for a couple of years, but it had too many quirks. The FZ-M1 MkI feels about as performant as a Pi, so it's not winning any awards in the speed category. It's great having everything integrated. If you can find the iKey keyboard you will be sold. Here's an unlisted video that I sent to the BMAC members that shows the keyboard as well as some EmComm Tools updates:
ua-cam.com/video/KGVrFKoxGgg/v-deo.html
Thanks for stopping by, Josh.
Great video. Picked one up for a good price and slowly setting it up with my off grid needed software. Garmin base camp, radio software, etc
Enjoy rig. The Mk1 is sluggish, but they work. These days I am just running a pair of Mk2 units. It makes a huge difference in performance.
I appreciate that you spend your time and money on various options so that we, your followers, can gather important information and benefit from all that you are doing. I learn SOMETHING from each and every one of your videos and then apply that knowledge to my overall plan. As I drink my morning cawfee I envision various scenarios of the future. I'll be tyre kicking a ToughPad in my head today as I go about my work.
I appreciate your ongoing support, Kathleen. It's good to know that there was some "food for thought" in this video as my operating scenario is very different from yours. I literally filmed, recorded and edited this in about 3.5 hours this morning, so this was an easy one to get out the door. It was nice that I had a ton info to share and some working notes that I have been compiling for a few weeks on the FZ-M1. Next up will be a thought provoking conversation on how I plan to build a comprehensive EMP plan to protect my gear. This is likely two weeks out, but I will drop UA-cam Shorts with small nuggets along the way. Have a good weekend.
So glad I found this! Not only is this good for radio use, but I am going to load up a local AI Chatbot and Wikipedia as well as a prepper PDF library and I'll have myself an aw awesome shtf machine!
Be careful as these units will not win awards for high performance or speed. They will have no issue storing offline documents. The amateur software runs on them fine even on the older Mk1 model.
Then I heard comments on 2A and I knew I liked you!
The 2A conversation comes up every once in awhile on the channel. I've been a proud CCW holder for about 9 years and was an RTO for a few years, but gave it up during COVID. Now, I just don't have time to volunteer at the range anymore. Cheers to another 2A supporter!
Love the development tidbits and updates
Glad you enjoyed the extra bits.
I have two Toughbooks. The Toughpad you showed here is another common sense option. Thanks for this segment.
Glad it was helpful!
I was going to comment that hot swapping batteries on a computer is a game changer.. and then it came right out of your mouth. I am late to the party but still strongly considering the FZ-M1 for portable.
It's a game changing feature and provides an extra incentive to always carry a second battery. Like minds!
Just ordered one. Will be here tomorrow! @@TheTechPrepper
Keep an eye on those bridge batteries (hot swap battery) in the M1. They like to swell up like a balloon. I've not seen one explode yet.
Will do. I have 13 units as data points. Thanks for the tip. Are you using the FZ-M1 professionally (i.e. duty use)?
@@TheTechPrepper I work for Panasonic
@@njw1977 Good to know. Are you familiar with the part numbers that are required to restore the Toughpad to a pre barcode scanner state? I've called Panasonic several times and they have no clue. They sent me 25 covers for the little scanner window a couple months back by mistake when I asked them for the parts to make this happen. I spoke to another gentleman and he said that there are three SKUs required but he was not sure.
@@TheTechPrepper I was the one you talked to. 😁
I have a FZ-G1 arriving today for when Emcomm tools is ready.
Excellent. It's coming this year. The new target is Christmas 2023. Enjoy your new rig.
You may want to store you electronics, et Al in plastic zipper freezer bags, and/or waterproof radio bags they sell for marine band handis.
Do I smell amrron or S2 collab?
S2 collaboration! Yes please.
I'm reaching out. It looks like we have similar goals. He could benefit from the comms platform that I'm working towards.
S2 just put out a video the other day talking about his wire reports which would fit this program perfectly
@FITFO Yep. Saw it. I sent him a note. Still waiting for a reply.
@@TheTechPrepper I am
Gonna start making comments on S2 channel. Try to send him your way. This is too natural of a collab.
There is an accessory keyboard that attaches to the computer, and it holds the computer where you can use the computer on a table, etc., comes with a mouse and USB port. The mouse is cumbersome to use, one of those slide your finger on it, too slow but works. The keyboard works ok. the usb has a cover, but tends to pop out, not very useable protection.
Guess I'll stick with my CF-C2, should run EmComm Tools without much issue. (I have an issue with discontinued/out of production electronics as well)
The C2 is an embarrassment. They should have never put the tough badge on it.
You may want to see how well it runs Ubuntu 22.10 on that machine and see if everything works. That looks like a very different machine compared to the normal Toughbook line up. I hope that they're using the same internal components.
@The Tech Prepper Ubuntu 22.10 works from a Live USB. Will EmComm tools let us tweak some of the background Linux stuff if we encounter issues?
@@jeremykorwek Yes. You have full control. I have already fixed a large number of issues in Ubuntu 22.10 as it relates to the reference hardware, radios and amateur radio software.
Nice. You rock, dude.
Hey, thanks man!
Would you consider modules like the raspberry pi again if you could build/buy a platform that solves those two large problems:
- vulnerable hardware (no real case)
- micro SD card reliance
--
Custom parts and 3d printing may be out of scope for most of your content, but I'd love to see more custom systems on the raspberry pi. Mainly because of power consumption and pi *seems* to give you more control.
Possibly, but it also has an overheating problem. I cook mine when we reach 110F out here. They also need to address the cable coming out of multiple sides. Sadly, for me, the Pi still falls in the toy category.
@@TheTechPrepper sheesh, temps make sense but never cross my mind. I wouldn't know off the top of my head how much cooling a pi adds to power consumption either.
Thanks for the feedback, I'll have to keep those issues in mind 🤔
@@IXITHELEGEND Here's a video that I did a couple of years ago when I tried to make the Pi work. Like I said, everyone's requirements are based on their needs and constrained by their operating environment. ua-cam.com/video/tQI--vMFhVU/v-deo.html
@@TheTechPrepper just finished the video, thanks for the data.
It got me thinking about the raidos you stuff in your man pack, where the fan is facing into the bag), and my current assumption is that we don't have an aggressive cooling system for the pi like we do PC towers and your radio.
The main challenge to build a pi-system may be providing a reasonably-sized, yet still performant, cooling system. (And power efficient, since that's why I'm hopefully for the pi)
I'll have to check your video again, but you seemed satisfied with the performance of the tablet, which wasn't overheating for you? Can't remember if you're running the exact same set of tools on the tablet as you were on the pi.
Full disclosure, I've only started thinking about this for about a week (your channel has been very helpful).
Just got one of these. Love this device. Looking for the USB Expansion Port, impossible to find ;c
Happy hunting. I've been trying to find that for months.
Just ordered me one going to pair it with the tyt th-8600 being they are both waterproof
I love the raspberry pis but have had similar problems out and about. What I am looking at is a stick computer setup with remote desktop as my solution. It should fit in my radio bag, power off the same battery as my Ft-818 and I should be able to drive it via my phone or android tablet. The rigs I am looking at have 2 usb ports, HDMI out, wifi, bluetooth. They are slow but I think stripped down running linux I should be fine. Love what you are doing here, keep up the great work.
Good look with your project. Let me know what you find.
@@TheTechPrepper I've got a couple flavors of the stick computers coming today. Going to waterproof one with a spray coating and the other see if I can find a eutectic paraffin mix to pack in the case. After that the biggest headache is likely going to be linux wifi drivers. I'll try to sort out somewhere to post pictures.
@@TheTechPrepper Was able to get a stickpc setup with Ubuntu and all the normal software. No driver issues and it is running well. Had to make a power adapter, 12VDC->5.5VDC microUSB. Wish I had bought one of the stickpcs that have a barrel connector instead of the microUSB. I haven't done extended battery testing with but initially it appears it draws similar to a pi3B+ if a bit less. There are slots in the plastic case that dust, debris, or water could get in to. That said I plan on packing the whole thing in silicone to help protect it from such things. Oh for the interface I am running an Android tablet. I'm thinking that this may be a very solid option for getting a small, power frugal and durable kit put together.
It would be cool if we put usb headers on a Nintendo switch and installed a custom OS that allowed us to Radio. Those things are rocking with ram and cpu and battery life
I own a fair amount of guns for comp shooting. The glock is a great choice, simple, easy to work, very few parts and thus very high reliability. The 1911's I own are better comp guns but are very complex and ton of parts. I love my G34 but it is a poort carry gun due to size.
I agree with you %100. I love running my Sig Scorpion Commander 1911 at the range, but I would never trust it the way I trust my Glocks. The 1911's are fun and sexy, but the Glocks are dependable, simple tools that get the job done. I love my P226 Legion SAO, too. It's simpler than a 1911, but still not as easy to maintain as a Glock. Cheers!
This is an excellent review of the Panasonic FZ-M1 Toughpad, and, significantly, it is water-resistant out of the box.
You are unfair in criticizing the Raspberry PI as not being waterproof. The PI is a board only; you need to provide a case. Have you tried one of the waterproof cases for the PIs? Just like 99% of cell phones, one needs to put them in an appropriate case and/or add a screen protector before putting them into service.
As for your 3 Yaesu radios, they are not water resistant, and you packaged them with metal side rails, etc., to make them ruggedized for your intended service.
If one truly wanted extremely rugged, waterproof gear, one could buy a $10,000 Harris ALE radio like the military uses. Heck, I have a ham buddy that makes compact radios used by government agencies with three letters that _start_ at over $100,000!
In my case, I have an Icom IC-705, which is hardly rugged. I make it rugged by putting it in a padded Pelican knockoff case. Sometimes perfection at any cost is simply not an option.
The Pi issues are more than the case. Believe me I tried to make it work. I spent hundreds of dollars in cases. There is an overheating issue, too. ua-cam.com/video/tQI--vMFhVU/v-deo.html
If timing is an issue you might try adding a RTC component to one of you pieces. i have seen a few of them added to a raspberry pi. But if can be a standalone item. 73
Thank you sir
You're welcome.
maybe ill check out this side of ham radio.
If I bought a Toughpad with a barcode scanner, I'd remove the scanner and CAD plates to cover the holes where the scanner was mounted. MSLA (resin) 3D printing creates parts that look like injection molded parts and are as strong as injection molded parts. There's no need to pay exorbitant prices for OEM parts that are as rare as hen's teeth.
The trick is finding a friend that has a 3D printer. That's a rabbit whole that I don't have time for. I guess the gaskets might be an issue as the a custom component may compromise the IP rating. I need to rip one apart and see if there is gasket under there that can be reused.
@@TheTechPrepper - Open source the problem. You don't need to do everything. I can understand wanting to retain control of the software to avoid a lot of frustrating overhead project management (and ego management), but little hardware problems like an unneeded barcode reader can be handled by mentioning a problem in a video. Someone with 3D printers and 3D CAD will fix that problem without any need to coordinate or manage it.
The gasket isn't a big deal. If it's a rectangular panel with four corner screws, stretch an O ring over the screws. If it's a weird shaped gasket, 3D print it on an FDM printer with rubbery TPU filament.
The FZ-M1 is an interesting platform. Great 2A analogy. Does Panasonic make a newer version of these that may also be available? As always I really enjoy your content. Keep up the good work. 73!
Indeed, it is. There are later models, but I believe that they're also discontinued. Mine are all MkI's. You'll see MkII's out there, too. Personally, I would not buy one of these new as I've seen prices close to $4,000. In my opinion, I would not pay more than $500-$600 for these even in excellent condition. I'm under NDA with another manufacturer that is working on a new ruggedized offering. More on this later this year.
@@TheTechPrepper Can't wait to hear about the other ruggedized offering. Keep up the great work and thanks again for sharing. 73
I test my to go 2m/.07m FTM6000 phone/Winlink roller by going to events by taking my roller onto Houston METRO. Works, and I can get up on phone and WL within 15 minutes of getting to my station location.
WL is the Houston/Harris County ARES standards.
Hey Dominic, great to find another Houstonian on here! I also have the FTM6000 and FT818 and am trying to establish a small net but having trouble breaking thru the infrastructure and trees. The environment is way different here than Arizona. Any tips for a relatively new ham?
You mentioned the TNF, are you near Payson?
I have one being delivered today.
Excellent. These machines are great. If you're into field operations, try and find the aftermarket keyboard for the FZ-M1. It's called the "iKey". It will make an appearance in my next video. www.ikey.com/product/ik-pan-fzm1-co1/
Can you just connect the car charger to a battery like that? Doesn't the voltage differ?
Great video re the tablet and I understand why you use it. Do any of your members operate in a we area like Washington state ie always raining and is it easy to operate in the rain?
For SHTF, what bands are best? VHF/UHF or HF? I have a Yaesu FTM-200DR, not sure if I need to invest in a quality HF rig. They can get pricey.
For the dock, have you been able to get HDMI/VGA out to work? Even with the 2021 most updated drivers for 22H2, It doesn't detect anything. Verified the cables and monitors are good with a separate PC.
Unfortunately I don't have a separate dock or FZ-M1 to troubleshoot those aspects of the config, so thought I'd reach out.
Thanks again for all your work on this gear series, and looking forward to seeing more!
I've never tried to connect the monitor externally. I would assume that this works under Windows as both components are from Panasonic. If I recall these were designed around the time that Windows 8 was in fashion. Good luck!
@@TheTechPrepper ok, understood! That seems to be the reply I get most, but I've never seen picture or video evidence that it actually works 🤷♂️ I'll keep investigating!
@@macpwn Keep at it. It would be nice to have a larger display in the shack.
I like everything about it, even the screen size is ok, but the resolution... 1366x768
You didn't like any of the other toughpads? Or just the firesale of discontinueds pushed you in that direction? Thanks for the review! It would be great to hear your thoughts on emp strategy - e.g. the idea that there would be follow up strikes so it would be very difficult to know when to use safely.
The other Toughbooks are too heavy. It all depends on your needs. Remember, I carry everything in my backup. The CF-20 is as large as I can realistically go. If I was to go bigger it would for the CF-33. It's the larger version of the CF-20.
@@TheTechPrepper Gotcha, I meant the toughpads like the g1 and/or the 10.1" screen variants. As an in the middle option.
Are there any issues with the Japanese FZ-M1 Toughpads, and the 50/60 hz 100V vs. the US 60hz 110V? Are the power supplies rated to handle both? Wanting to get in on one of these at a better price... Thanks!
I have no experience with the Japanese models as mine are all for the US market. I've heard reports by some of the supporters in our BMAC Discord that they have had good luck with the Japanese models after changing the language in the BIOS.
funny I do SAR communications and run Mobile/Portable my main laptop is a gaming Laptop lots of horse power is i need to act as server, I recently ordered a CF-20 and Love the size it is large enough to use, reviews say the display is easy to see(hopefully) mine has a battery in the display also the keyboard it even has a 9pin serial.
so for my use it will make a fully capable back up and if I need to go portable it will work, I am trying to decide what all software I want in it.
winlink, VARA, ZOOM, caltopo any other ideas for SAR and disaster use?
how many mAh is the 'long life battery'?, and could you tell me the model number it is? I got one coming, but i think it has the standard in it
Hi, I bought a used fz m1 mk2, it's INCREDIBLY slow, it can get stuck and freeze randomly even going around through menus. I looked at the TaskManager performance monitor, RAM was never above 60% usage. SSD is marked as 80% healthy and no bad blocks.
Tried a factory reset (the longer complete one) and then updating to the newest version of win 10, issue remains.
I'm about to attempt a clean install from an usb flash image, i have no idea what to try if that fails too..... Any advice please?
These are older machines and intended for light duty, so they will not win any speed test. Personally, I use it only with these applications: Brave, fldigi/flmsg, JS8Call, Dire Wolf, Pat, AX.25 tool chain. I only have experience running the FZ-M1 under Linux as I am not a Windows user. I've been running a Mk1 (slower) and Mk2 (considerably faster in comparison) for 11 months and have not experienced the issues that you are describing. For the record, I am running Ubuntu 22.10 on both models. Good luck.
@@TheTechPrepper thank you for the fast reply, i don't expect it to be a race machine but this is waaaayyyy too slow, like abnormally. I will try a win 7 install as it *should* go easier on the hardware.
I need this mostly for stk sweep which is windows only sadly..
@@wpww3343 It could be a hardware issue on the unit you picked up. These units originally came with Windows 8, but Windows 7 would be a great choice assuming all the drivers work.
I have an fz-g1. It came with a clean windows install. Any idea on where I can find the original Panasonic toughpad utilities?
I currently got PopOS on the FZ-M1, Do you know how to get the scanner working properly? I can scan barcodes however instead of numbers its the Symbols, like 5 is % and 0 is ). Can you recommend any distro/settings that would go well with the Tablet?
I have a FZ-G1 what keyboard do you use to connect to your Dock ? Is therea kyboard for field use you could suggest ? Thank You !!
Looks like some cool stuff. Is there a good, compact, IP68 computer for radio?
If there was, I would have it. ;-)
@@TheTechPrepper fair enough. I'll keep an eye out.
Does that one still get os updates? I got the FZ-B2 and it has android 4.4 and I get figure out how to update the os. Panasonic no longer sends os updates to this tablet.
I just got an fz m1 recently and it is extremely slow, to the point of not being usable. I did a complete reset and it still freezes and takes awhile to catch up and do anything. Has anyone else had this issue and do you have any advice on how to fix this? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
$250 to $400 isn't bad when the base price on a new one is $2,500.
Yeah, its amazing how much these units drop in price. However, a good portion of them see real abuse. If you can, ask the seller to look at the BIOS and give you the service hours. Good to see you in the comments.
@@TheTechPrepper What would you consider an acceptable number of hours and, unacceptable?
@@TheTechPrepper - There's a huge difference in nursing hours versus warehouse hours versus military hours for an FZ-M1 Toughpad.
@@Liberty4Ever True. The condition of the physical system is a good indicator. I have a couple of units that are push 3,000 hours, but look like pristine on the outside. I also have some low service hour units that look beat up.
@@TheTechPrepper - 3000 hours? That's the average uptime when I reboot my Linux desktop PC. :-P
I have a Innovato Quadra I'm playing with instead of a pi.
I've heard interesting things about that device. Any issues?
@@TheTechPrepper so far so good. Their new OS now contains ham apps. Steve, Temporarily Offline has a new video on it.
just out of curiosity, have you ever installed windows 10 on this thing??? i can not get a graphics driver that works for windows, after installing windows 10, i go to update windows to get the latest security patches, graphics gets updated and loaded and the unit becomes super laggy and completely unusable, about to toss this thing out the window
I have not. I'm a Linux user. These originally came with Windows 8.
hi. how do you enter bios? i tried f2, f10, del, volume up+power button but not entered bios. regards from turkey
Turn off the computer. As you turn it back on, repeatedly hit the DEL key.
@@TheTechPrepper How would you enter BIOS without a keyboard?
我也有買, 手上一台...二台己下訂...日本品牌, 台灣製造...我是拿它來看電子書...七吋剛好手持...另外我有四台 fz g1, 一台cf 20, 不是看上它們 的性能, 而是都是鋁鎂合金的機體, 全都是平板, 那個底座我想買, 但有點貴...
不想買panasonic原廠電池, 太貴, 可以買有110-120V的外接電源, 比如300W的...這樣就可以隨時充電了...價格15美金左右..
Do you know how to change the language on the FZ-M1, from Japanese to English? Windows is in English, but not evrrything.
@@sludge1298
如果是bios, 直接進入改成english
如果是os, 重新安裝，官網有對應的驅動程序，裝好應該就是英文的了
我的是中文版，沒看到日文字
@@KMTmojo Thank you!
Either they sold out already or the stylus link was wrong
Sorry, that was my fault. I updated it in the description. amzn.to/3lykmo5
Are Android tablets out of the question as far as your EmComm tools?
Yes, it's out of the question for the foreseeable future. I may port EmComm Tools inthe future to Android if I can make this be a full time business. That build will take considerable capital to produce. I've looked into making an ATAK plug-in.
@@TheTechPrepper that would be interesting. I have messed with ATAK a little bit.
Could said android tablet be used to run unbuntu?
Did you have issues with the display backlight in linux? I have the i5-4302Y version, while in Linux I cannot change the backlight brightness. I tried multiple things to get it working, its pretty much unusable outside in the sun or even in a lit room. I'm stuck on Windows 10 atm but it has none of the tools I want to use and its molasses slow. Any help would be appreciated.
Yes, the backlight is a known issue. Search for: Bob Johnson Ubuntu brightness Panasonic. He has published a workaround as a video and write-up. Ubuntu 22.10 works well on these, assuming you're using them for non CPU intensive operations. In general, they're great for amateur radio applications.
@@TheTechPrepper I ordered another one assuming my one was faulty.. Is that the CF-31 guide or is there a FZ-M1 specific one?
@@grumps5940This issue and fix for the screen brightness impacts all Toughbooks and Toughpads. Use the CF-31 instructions on the FZ-M1 to fix the brightness issue.
@@TheTechPrepper I did, and it didnt work.
@@grumps5940 You may want to stick to Windows unless you have a local Linux buddy to help out. The screen only has a 500 nit display, so your mileage will vary in the sun. They should have gone with a minimum of 700 nit, but 1000 nit would have been perfect. These units were primarily marketed for inventory/warehouse use, so I'm using mine a bit out of spec. Unfortunately, there are no other ruggedized devices in this size that accept an install of an x86 OS. I managed to make mine work for my needs, it just requires a bit effort. Good luck!
I want one but in my country cost is from $150 to $600 depends accesories.
That's the range we're seeing here in the US. Happy hunting.
I noticed it comes with windows 8.1. Will it run windows 10?
Yes, it will run Windows 10. Personally, I'm running Linux on mine.
@@TheTechPrepper I think I will dual boot, so I can play empire earth 2 or age of empires 2 on it or Maybe a little counterstrike 😂
@@anonymous_friend Nice. Dual booting is the way to go. I do the same, but is mostly to run a few radio applications that are Windows only. I was never much of a gamer, but enjoyed playing Counterstrike in college. All my PC gaming is from the mid 90's. I still have my Packard Bell Pentium I 233 Mhz. I pull it out every few years to play Doom, Duke Nukem 3D, Myst, ...
Can u pickup those used?
They're only available used since they're discontinued. You may be able to find old-new stock somewhere.
UA-cam notified me of the Short that referenced this video, but did not notify me that this video was uploaded. I’ll unsubscribe and re-subscribe to try to reset. It’s worked in the past with other channels, hopefully it does again.
Sorry to hear that. UA-cam has a ton of issues in there system. I appreciate you going through these extra hoops. There's a new short out on a VHF/UHF EMP kit. I will be dropping one each day over the next 12 days.
@@TheTechPrepper Seth over at Armoloq is a great guy. They just shipped my pack from for the TYT 9800 with relocation kit and DigiRig kit. Any more DigiRig for Dummies videos coming down the pipeline? I’m completely ignorant to it, but am buying one anyway.
You have a special operations mentality.....previous life?
Thanks, but I do not. I just spend a lot of time in the backcountry, and I've experienced more gear malfunctions than most. The trick is learning from those mistakes and picking the right gear. These Toughpads look promising.
@@TheTechPrepper Its cool to see people who have a problem solving motivation. Nothing else matters..you see a problem and you solve it. Not because of ego, new trends, peer pressure etc.
search iphone 12 survives emp. with a good case, it may be a less expensive option. with the rise in micro computing you may even have a more powerful device but its not windows.
Is emcom tools available yet?