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Re: [TowerTalk] remote stations

To: "Bob Kellow, W5LT" <W5LT@comcast.net>, <towertalk@contesting.com>
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] remote stations
From: "K8RI on Tower talk" <k8ri-tower@charter.net>
Date: Sat, 23 Jul 2005 15:09:58 -0400
List-post: <mailto:towertalk@contesting.com>
Many, if not most of today's tranceivers will work with an audio interface 
between them and a computer.  With the proper software and knowing the 
control codes you can control most any function on these radios.

Roger Halstead (K8RI and ARRL 40 year Life Member)
N833R - World's oldest Debonair CD-2
www.rogerhalstead.com


> Facinating topic, but doesn't it take a special, or at least a very modern
> HF radio (and antenna(s)) to do this?
> How would one 'tweak' the notch, or the APF tuning, or others of the 
> myriad
> of controls on a FT-1000xx class radio from a keyboard/mouse?
> I am certainly showing my ignorance of the subject, but would like
> enlightenment.
>
> Bob, W5LT
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Jim Lux [mailto:jimlux@earthlink.net]
> Sent: Saturday, July 23, 2005 11:41 AM
> To: towertalk@contesting.com
> Subject: [TowerTalk] remote stations
>
> At 09:19 AM 7/23/2005, Pat Barthelow wrote:
>>Scott Said to Kelly Johnson:
>>
>>Kelly,
>>I have alot of experience in this area.  find, then buy, very cheap
>>land way out in boonies (that has telephone service Snip:...
>>
>>Then setup a simple remote control system via telephone.  Also, the
>>station will be a great family place to go camping.  Consider renting
>>access via phone to pay for the station costs As antenna restrictions
>>become more numerous, I think this is the wave of the future.
>>Best luck, and 73,
>>Scott W3TX
>>
>>   Perhaps a shipping container, tower, and a nearby hilltop outside of
>>town  is the solution, especially with more and more kinds of solutions
>>for remote control of stations.
>>73, de Pat, AA6EG  aa6eg@hotmail.com
>
> This whole thing is quite fascinating, and has, of course been standard
> practice in the commercial world for decades, as well as for repeaters.
> It's certainly attractive.  However, it's vaguely unsettling in some way,
> although I can't really put my finger on it.
>
> Maybe it's because as you start to distribute geographically (i.e. the
> operator is not in close proximity to all the equipment) it starts to
> diverge from the traditional ham ethos?  What's to keep you from setting 
> up
> remote stations all over the world and operate them by internet (IRLP and
> Echolink do this now)?
>
> Maybe it's because you're starting to depend on infrastructure provided by
> others? You start with a remote base and a UHF link that you control both
> ends of.  Then, you go to using someone else's radio link.  Then you use
> leased telephone lines or internet(maybe using rural BPL<grin>) to control
> it.
>
> Clearly, this isn't a legal issue.  It's also, I think, a perfectly valid
> area of experimentation for hams to develop remote operation
> techniques.   I have no idea what the various contesting rule bodies think
> about it (well, field day requires everything within 1000 ft, but I don't
> know about the others).
>
> But, as I said above, it's somehow unsettling.
>
> What's to stop Mike Tope (W4EF) from leasing a few acres in the Salton 
> Sea,
> setting up a remote 160m base and ruling the band, operating from the
> comfort of his house in Tujunga, hundreds of miles away?  Impressive
> technically, but somehow not in the same class as his adventures going 
> there
> in person, setting up a portable station in the dust and wind.
>
> Maybe it's the concept of self reliance?
>
> Again, I can't put my finger on why it's unsettling.  From an engineering
> standpoint, remote bases ARE the answer to HOA problems. Maybe I'd be
> happier if the entire setup was under one person's control?  Maybe it's
> because somehow, it seems too easy a way to get around a real challenge?
> Not that remote operation of anything is easy.. I've done it at work,
> building and operating a microwave monitoring station at White Sands, New
> Mexico from my office in Pasadena.  Maybe because deep inside, I'm 
> envious?
>
> Maybe it's because I'm a tinkerer by nature, and I like having the 
> hardware
> close at hand so I can potentially tinker (even if actually don't, I 
> could).
>
>
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
>
> See: http://www.mscomputer.com  for "Self Supporting Towers", "Wireless 
> Weather Stations", and lot's more.  Call Toll Free, 1-800-333-9041 with 
> any questions and ask for Sherman, W2FLA.
>
> _______________________________________________
> TowerTalk mailing list
> TowerTalk@contesting.com
> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
> 
_______________________________________________

See: http://www.mscomputer.com  for "Self Supporting Towers", "Wireless Weather 
Stations", and lot's more.  Call Toll Free, 1-800-333-9041 with any questions 
and ask for Sherman, W2FLA.

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