Topband: Desktop RX antenna selection - USB relay board and GUI software

[VE6WZ_Steve]

Bill,
I control multiple RX arrays, including a 9 circle HI-Z array, 15 Beverage wires, many broadside phased and a 12 direction TX 160m array using various relay controllers.  This controls my remote station, from home using a remote desktop application. I prefer SplashTop to AnyDesk or teamViewer. I’ve used them all.

All the relays use PST the rotator program by YO3DMU. I consider this to be one of the most remarkable Ham software programs available. Point and shoot a direction compass to drive multiple relays for any RX or TX array.
And…control your conventional rotator too…remotely.

Don’t use the USB relays. (I used to) LAN (WEB or Ethernet) relay boards are much better, since they are available on any PC and less prone to USB PC disconnect.

I have made a number of YouTube videos about how to configure these relay boards.
This is my most recent, but there are others.
https://youtu.be/urntvtBTJxI <https://youtu.be/urntvtBTJxI>

I have zero association with PST rotator. I have just been using the program for 15 years.
PST rotator link here: https://www.pstrotator.com/ <https://www.pstrotator.com/>

I have about 70 videos on my YouTube channel describing various RX and TX antenna switching ideas, RX antenna construction and tech articles and remote station setup ideas mostly focused on 160m.
(FYI….You will NEVER see an advertisement on my channel. I do not monetize. I get nothing from YouTube)
https://www.youtube.com/ve6wz <https://www.youtube.com/ve6wz>

73, de steve ve6wz

> On Dec 28, 2025, at 6:00 PM, Bill Conwell <bill at conwellpdx.com> wrote:
> 
> Hi - I'd like to switch between 4 or 8 different rx antennas by a GUI on a
> Windows desktop, so that I can control RX antenna selection from locations
> remote from the shack (e.g., accessed remotely using screen-sharing
> software such as AnyDesk).
> 
> Can someone point me in the right direction to start looking?  I see
> 8-relay USB boards are a commodity, and some vendors (e.g., Denkovi) offer
> associated Windows GUI control software.  It seems a relatively
> simple matter to outfit such a board with coax connectors, etc.,  and be up
> and running.  But perhaps there are alternative solutions I should consider?
> 
> (I see DX Engineering has a  DXE-RR8B-HP system that runs $500 - $800.  I'm
> interested in a less expensive solution.)
> 
> Tnx for input,
> 
> /Bill, K2PO
> _________________
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