Topband: Brave New World

[Herbert Schoenbohm]

At NP2P (N2TTA opp. my remote contest setup) I use Remote Rig and both 
the Icom 7100 and the Kenwood TS-2000 is an SO2R configuration. Both 
radios have a complete remote control heads at the location of the 
operator that is as good as being behind that actual radio.  An on 
screen via Team Viewer controls the MFJ-RCS-12 band switch which also 
has a remote control panel on screen,  EA4TX antenna rotator to control 
my Ham IV, and IP Power from control of the External TX RX 4 positions 
Beverage's when needed. My Alpha87A is automatic and there is also a 
remote control panel on the screen visible to the remote op for power 
output and band verification etc.  It is a very easy and simple setup 
with the operator inside his apartment in Brooklyn, NY running QSO's at 
40wpm and without a glitch or hiccup.  The latency from here to there is 
120ms via a DSL which was recently changed to their phone/cable/internet 
all in one product called EVO. I use a private IP address but DHCP also 
works.   I no longer have to use filters on the twisted pair nor worry 
about RF shutting down the internet,  I do have, however, fiber end to 
end from here to NYC.   Fiber is a bit slower than the speed of light.  
But I have found WI-Max max services to be all over the ball park 
especially when users on my service sector are watching 4 movies at a 
time or heavy into video games.   My DSL is 1.5 meg up and 1.5 meg down 
all the time and overtime and this is susfficient.  The consistency of 
this ISP is what makes a big difference.  It can cost 1000's of dollars 
for travel, food and lodging,  to a contest location.  So it is certain 
we will see more remote control in the future.

I really believe all this concern where the operator is actually seated 
will be somewhat lessened when someone is able to get a compact plug and 
play emote controlled briefcase size setup in P5. The operation would 
not require a visa and radio clubs could share in providing the 
operators. A 100 watt package with a 20-10 vertical placed in a utility 
room on the top floor of the 1082 foot high Ryugyong hotel in downtown 
Pyongyang for the cost of just having the hotel feature on the QSL card. 
Some of the QSL proceeds cold go to a help establish a radio club in 
PDRK and those techies there could probably end up securing a proper 
license for the system.  Just think of North Korean being on the air 
24/7 and everyone would have a chance to finally get this most rare an 
elusive country confirmed. the badmouthing of remote controlled stations 
would end.


Herb Schoenbohm, KV4FZ

On 2/26/2015 8:05 AM, D Rodman MD wrote:
> I receive the list archived and this makes replying to individual 
> posts difficult.
>
> It seems to me W0BTU summed it up succinctly.  There are time delays 
> and depending on the setup, it it varies from no factor to disabling.
>
> I don't know what others have for remote stations.  I can tell you, I 
> have about the most comprehensive one in the world.  I have been doing 
> it, off and on, for about 10 to 12 years.
>
> Most recently, I purchased a K3, a remote head and have been using 
> RemoteRig.  I would say it is not too bad.  Two issues that bother me 
> are the lack of being able to use the key input on the remote head.  
> This is a software issue.  The second is latency.  If the latency 
> varies, CW becomes impossible.  That is right, impossible.  If the 
> latency stays constant, it will work.
>
> I had my remote K3 out of the country in January.  From my hotel, I 
> was able from time to time use it and make contacts.  However, 
> watching the latency vary from 0.22 to over 0.3 sec at times made 
> QSO's difficult.  I was able to work some SSB but my audio would drop 
> out from time to time and leave 5-6 words missing.  Not too bad for a 
> native English speaking station but second language stations were 
> clearly questioning what was going on.  CW was impossible.
>
> Locally, the system works pretty well.
>
> Look, this is a serious leap of faith.  You are not there.  You can't 
> hear or feel changes in the environment.  Unfamiliarity with equipment 
> can lead to guest operators making serious mistakes in operating 
> routines or sequences and this leads to failure.
>
> Last year during the ARRL SSB contest, I ruined one of my SteppIR 
> antennas by transmitting during a band change.  No I don't have the 
> transmitter locked out.  A simple mistake.
>
> I am not saying this is not ready for prime time, but there are many 
> issues to be considered.  As to what the ARRL says or does not say, we 
> should not be surprised.  Anytime they can propagandize ham radio with 
> little or no downside, they will. Otherwise, the league remains 
> strangely silent on many controversial or political circumstances.
>
> Good luck guys.
>