[ICOM] Remote station

Jan C. Robbins swanman at cfu.net
Fri Dec 24 13:35:19 EST 2004


Hi Rich,
And very Happy Holidays!  Hope all is well with you folks.

It's high time I reported back re progress here on the remote.  Thanks 
to you, it's going just fine!

Have an IC-746 (extended rig control is marvelous) with  Rigblaster Pro, 
and will eventually add an 87A with Alpha Remote and Alpha Max. Using 
Remote Desktop; remote computer runing XP Pro, local computer running 98 
(that's fastest combination I've found; better than two XP-Pro 
machines).  Rig control and CW are via TRX-Manager, audio via Skype, as 
you recommended.  RTTY and other data modes through MixW, which accesses 
sound card directly so don't need TRX or Skype for that ("silent" RTTY 
is a blast).

Right now the "remote" is located on a card table in a corner of my 
shack, with the "remote" computer connected to one of my internet ports. 
  The "local" control setup is about 10' away and connected to another 
internet port.  Needless to say, I can't judge internet slowdown this 
way (sigs go down the road about two miles to CFU.NET and come back!), 
but it is the most convenient remote testing setup I've ever had.  Can 
operate the remote "blind," or watch exactly what happens and make 
changes in an instant.  Have only just begun taking "pre-flight check" 
notes, but will have a book of 'em by the time the rig goes REAL remote.

That won't be till next May, the first time we'll get back to the summer 
place (Upper Michigan), where the remote is going to live--and replace 
the Kachina--but by then I ought to have most of the bugs worked out and 
have a pretty good sense of how to operate successfully.  haven't 
decided on antenna(s) yet. Have four wire loops up there now, and a GAP 
vertical, but also have four 70' military masts, so might go with 
something like a log-periodic.  I'd be interested in any thoughts.

in fact, ANY advice from an experienced hand like you would be very much 
appreciated.

Vy 73.

Jan



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