Timz MESH Info Page
Link to Basic Config-File Download & Install Instructions
Grandstream GXV3240 & 3275 VoIP Video Phone
A Mesh ham described this phone as a "Android Smartphone in a Desktop Package" and I can't think of a better way. This GXV3240 has soooo many Mesh plusses, that I'm certain I will miss a few features.
Receives and dials voice calls via direct IP address
The GXV3240 can dial IP addresses, such as "10.123.456.789". There is no need to run this phone through a SIP server or PBX exchange (though they are capable of being configured for these "exchange" type of systems). Both the Contact List and Speed Dial functions support IP addresses.
Receives and dials video calls via direct IP address
Same as above, but video calls as well. With EmComm, your end-client (tactical) nodes don't really need video. In our area, we are placing these models in command centers, mobile comm trailers, clubhouses. But not just because of the video call capability, read on...
HD Audio
As a person with a partial hearing loss, I appreciate attempts to recreate sound with good fidelity. The 3420 has "HD" audio functionality, and it even sounds crisp & clear when talking to BasicTalk ATA's as well.
Full Android Support
v4.2.2
Install Android apps. The phone comes with it's own browser, but I also installed Firefox; as well as the IP Camera View app... to view Web Cams on our Mesh grid.Speaking of browsers, with the 3240 ethernet connected to your Mesh node, you can surf Mesh with the browser. It displays on the screen - no different than on your laptop, tablet, or smartphone. The touchscreen also allows for pinch & zoom. And... YES !!! you can surf Mesh and talk on the phone at the same time. I have both the built-in browser, and Firefox, set to a homepage of:
http://localnode:8080
HDMI Port
Sharing the Mesh experience is even easier with the GXV3240's HDMI port. Plug the phone into a large screen TV or projector. Everything on the screen is now displayed on the HDMI connected display device
1 gb Internal Memory
A robust amount of internal storage, plus a SD memory card slot. One of the built-in apps is a Backup/Restore program; and this came in handy for me. As mentioned earlier, I purchase two of these phones, and once I got the first one set up the way I liked it.... I used the Backup/Restore app to backup the phone to an SD memory card. I then took phone #2 out of the box, inserted the SD card with the backup file, and used the same APP to do a restore. It restored all of phone #1's settings, Contact List, Speed Diall list, apps, and configurations. Phone 2 was now identical to phone 1, except for phone 2's name (alias)... it did not overwrite the phones name.
Built-In 2 port Ethernet Switch
This phone has two ethernet jacks, one labeled "LAN"... which is where you'd connect your Mesh cable to; and one labeled "PC" which functions exactly like the LAN port. You can plug your computer/laptop to this PC ethernet jack and gain full access to your Mesh network; and use the phone and the laptop at the same time.
Built-In Wi-Fi
Although you can't direct connect to Mesh via Wi-Fi only (without a flash file available for this device)... the Wi-Fi in this phone doubles as a Hot Spot. When enabling the Portable Hotspot feature, your phone will then connect your Laptops, tablets, smartphones... to the Mesh network via consumer Wi-Fi. The first activation of the Portable Hotspot, it will ask you to give the broadcast AP a name, and then ask of you want to password protect access to the hotspot. I gave mine the name of "Timz Mesh-Fi". Anyone within Wi-Fi range of this phone, can get instant access to Mesh on their device.
Also, the 3240 runs off 12vdc, and has Bluetooth. I have paired an external keyboard with touchpad... it paired up effortlessly; and when the keyboard is active... a mouse pointer appears on he screen.
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Here is the main screen on the 3240 at my QTH:
I barely scratched the surface of this GXV3240; with it being an Android device the capabilities are almost endless. This page is solely intended to just get you started, nothing more. Explore the phones abilities, and please share with others whatever you discover.
The "Mac Daddy" of these Grandstream Video phones is the model GXV3275. It has everything the 3240 but has a much bigger LCD screen. A pic of a 3275 next to a 3240 - viewing my mesh tower cam:
Here is a video of the 3275 in action:
Click Here for 25mb Video (grainy video, sorry)
At the top of this page is a link to a Config file to download & Instructions on how you can restore a new 3420 to instant Mesh operational status.
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