Topband: Brave New World

[Herbert Schoenbohm]

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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