Topband: Brave New World
Herbert Schoenbohm
herbs at vitelcom.net
Thu Feb 26 08:23:59 EST 2015
I forgot to add that with a name like Rodman all you need are some
tattoos and a few gold rings through your lips and you can probably have
a clear path to setting this stuff up yourself.☺
Herb, KV4FZ
On 2/26/2015 9:11 AM, Herbert Schoenbohm wrote:
> 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.
>>
>
> _________________
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