[LOGic] More on remote operation
Mel Martin
ve2dc at videotron.ca
Thu Dec 4 13:05:50 EST 2008
Wifi is very reliable if signal strength is sufficient. Use a couple of
directional antennas... they can be purchased with a lot of gain. Copper
to the shack would be hazardous (I have quite a bit of negative
experience with long serial cables for Unix networks) and fiber, though
ideal, would be pricey and would need to be run in a pipe.
K0DAN wrote:
> Hi Dan...
>
> The plan here is to run XP Pro on the remote PC, with as little extra
> hardware/software as possible.
>
> The remote station will be in an outbuilding, about 150' from the
> hamshack (in order to reduce feedline loss for a VHF/UHF station). The
> planned interconnect is indeed wireless, so the issue of having to
> revive wireless connections is a concern.
>
> I run a little WIFI in and around the house, and it seems to work OK but
> I prefer CAT5 connections. Have never had trouble with losing WIFI
> connections around the home, however when I travel, I find WIFI to be
> very intermittent...ie the connections come and go, even if the signal
> strenth is goo. I've never figured that out...unless it's an
> interference issue and the hardware hops frequencies? Lots of variables
> in a WIFI cloud.
>
> What have you done to beef up the reliability of your WIFI connections?
> Other than current hardware, and plenty of signal strength, I don't know
> what else can be done?
>
> In my case, should I need to hot/cold/warm reboot the remote PC &
> station, I can find software and the previously-mentioned X-10 remotes
> to do that job. And hopefully reboot is a measure of last resort.
>
> I too have avoided Vitsa, and hope to continue to, but I think the days
> of being able to buy XP on new PC's is coming to a close.
>
> I hope to avoid buying a new PC for the remote station, but have not
> decided on the hardware yet. Am waiting to find some kind of cabinet in
> which to house the radio & computer equipment. I used to have a bunch of
> Motorola Compa cabinets, which would have been ideal for this project,
> but they're all gone. The outbuilding doesn't have heat or air (and is
> not the cleanest environment, including insects and an occasional
> rodent) so I need to find a cabinet with doors to at shelter the
> hardware to some degree. And a PC which is small, well filtered and
> ventilated, and which can withstand summer heat and winter cold.
>
> 73
> Dan
> K0DAN
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Dan Bookwalter" <n8dcj at yahoo.com>
> To: "K0DAN" <k0dan at comcast.net>; "LOGic is open to all radio amateurs
> for discussion of LOGic logging program" <logic at mailman.qth.net>;
> <k6jw at scdxc.org>
> Sent: Monday, December 01, 2008 8:40 PM
> Subject: Re: [LOGic] More on remote operation
>
>
>> Dan
>>
>> As i have mentioned i have had many PC's (Windows OS) running for long
>> periods of time , long periods of time i mean > 6 months , a couple
>> for much longer than a year with no reboots. I must mention that the
>> OS's were Win 2K Pro and XP Pro , the one area that i have had trouble
>> with is when they run with wireless Ethernet cards , in this case you
>> either have to reboot often or do a repair of the connection. I assume
>> if you are running remotely that more than likely you are not running
>> wireless.... although i can see where that could happen , if that is
>> the case there are ways to reset the wireless Ethernet connection
>> pragmatically. I do not believe i have ever had a situation where I
>> had to do a "cold" reboot to re-establish connections to peripherals
>> in the kind that would be used for a remote site. I will admit that
>> there have been times when i have "warm" rebooted just because i
>> thought i should , you know it seems fashionable to do it etc.... even
>> when i was running a cluster under Linux i did the same thing , why ,
>> i don't know ....
>>
>> I think that with the modern Windows OS's you can do it , (meaning W2K
>> Pro and XP Pro) , i don't think i would get near Vista with remote
>> stuff , although that is just a feeling , since i have no experience
>> with Vista and MS is pushing Windows 7 so hard as a replacement i feel
>> that Vista is the Windows ME of late.
>>
>> There are also many ways to do a soft/warm reboot remotely that i
>> wouldn't hesitate to do that either , although on a remote machine i
>> would limit the amount of non-essential (to remote operation) software
>> that was installed , put a good HARDWARE firewall in front of it and
>> remote desktop (on a non standard port) into your machine and you have
>> total control , i do it every day between work->work , home->work and
>> work->home machines.
>>
>> i am sure i missed some of your points/questions with my rambling , if
>> so ask me again and i will give you my experiences....
>>
>> Dan N8DCJ
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> ----- Original Message ----
>> From: K0DAN <k0dan at comcast.net>
>> To: LOGic is open to all radio amateurs for discussion of LOGic
>> logging program <logic at mailman.qth.net>; k6jw at scdxc.org
>> Cc: n8dcj at yahoo.com
>> Sent: Monday, December 1, 2008 8:28:43 PM
>> Subject: Re: [LOGic] More on remote operation
>>
>> Dan:
>>
>> Do you ever need to warm/cold boot the PC's (and peripherals), even if
>> momentarily, to break a lockup, reestablish network connections, etc.,
>> etc.? Does coldboot actually remove power from the secondaries of the
>> power supply?
>>
>> I'm not trying to give you a hard time here, I'm just trying to
>> explore how much "exercise" PC's running 24x7 (especially remote PC's)
>> require. And am not so much exporing fire risk (altho that's always
>> worth some study) as I am just lockups, debugging, and other voodoo
>> associated with networking.
>>
>> 73
>>
>> Dan
>> K0DAN
>>
>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Dan Bookwalter" <n8dcj at yahoo.com>
>> To: <k6jw at scdxc.org>
>> Cc: <logic at mailman.qth.net>
>> Sent: Monday, December 01, 2008 3:36 PM
>> Subject: Re: [LOGic] More on remote operation
>>
>>
>>> at home I have 2 pc's and the rig that run 24/7 and have for
>>> years.... at work I have 18 or so PC's in the lab that pretty much
>>> run 24/7 and all through the plant there are probably 4-500 machines
>>> always on and we have never had a fire.... the biggest problem we
>>> have is with the few pc's that do get shut off , the hard drives do
>>> not like to sit not spinning for very long...
>>>
>>> just my .02 worth
>>>
>>> Dan N8DCJ
>>>
>>> J.A. Wolf, MD, K6JW wrote:
>>>> Well...maybe I am being overly cautious. The computer that leaked
>>>> its smoke (you know: if the smoke leaks out, the machine won't work
>>>> anymore) was new and hadn't been running more than a couple of hours
>>>> when it happened. It's true that I've never seen anything like it in
>>>> any "run-in" computer I've used over the past 25 years. Maybe I
>>>> should reconsider...
>>>> Thanks.
>>>> --Jeff, K6JW
>>>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Mel Martin" <ve2dc at videotron.ca>
>>>> To: "LOGic is open to all radio amateurs for discussion of LOGic
>>>> logging program" <logic at mailman.qth.net>
>>>> Sent: Monday, December 01, 2008 12:27
>>>> Subject: Re: [LOGic] More on remote operation
>>>>> Well that's unusual. I have been responsible for literally
>>>>> thousands of computers over the years, always left on, and I have
>>>>> never seen or even heard of one catching fire. I have seen them
>>>>> fail with some pretty funky smells, but never actually catch fire.
>>>>> I know such things can happen... but most of the fires I have heard
>>>>> about are to do with laptops and their batteries. Perhaps you are
>>>>> being overly cautious. A smoke detector coupled to a breaker might
>>>>> be a solution... such things must exist.
>>>>>
>>>>> Regarding security, my caution stands... when you power up after a
>>>>> long interval your computer is vulnerable. It takes time for all
>>>>> the updates to be done. The biggest risk is OS exploits which need
>>>>> to be patched as soon as fixes are available.
>>>>>
>>>>> J.A. Wolf, MD, K6JW wrote:
>>>>>> Hi, Mel!
>>>>>> The simple answer to your question is that I once left a
>>>>>> computer running that suddenly developed a short in the power
>>>>>> supply and caught fire. Fortunately, I was in the house and
>>>>>> smelled the smoke before the fire spread. It's made me a bit
>>>>>> nervous about leaving town with a computer running. Of course, a
>>>>>> fire could happen anytime the computer is running, but it seems to
>>>>>> me that the risk would be reduced if it were only running when I
>>>>>> was using it.
>>>>>> Anti-virus updating is automatic, so that's not really an issue.
>>>>>> The UPS is well advised.
>>>>>> 73,
>>>>>> Jeff, K6JW
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Mel Martin" <ve2dc at videotron.ca>
>>>>>> To: "LOGic is open to all radio amateurs for discussion of LOGic
>>>>>> logging program" <logic at mailman.qth.net>
>>>>>> Sent: Monday, December 01, 2008 10:51
>>>>>> Subject: Re: [LOGic] More on remote operation
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Why would you not leave your computer running? This is the proper
>>>>>>> course of action... Shutting down computers on the Internet for a
>>>>>>> long period of time means that when you wake them up their OS
>>>>>>> patches, virus signatures and such are out of date. Modern
>>>>>>> computers can be configured to go into a very low state of
>>>>>>> activity after a prolonged period of activity. I would also
>>>>>>> strongly recommend a UPS for your computer and router.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Mel, VE2DC
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> J.A. Wolf, MD, K6JW wrote:
>>>>>>>> Glad someone opened the general topic on the reflector. I'm
>>>>>>>> using TRX-Manager with LOGic8 for rig control with a Mark-V. CW
>>>>>>>> is accomplished via parallel port, and sound/voice via Skype.
>>>>>>>> Digital modes go through a RIGblaster. Remote access is through
>>>>>>>> logmein.com. I've been researching ways to turn on the computer
>>>>>>>> and rig remotely but haven't yet settled on a final scheme.
>>>>>>>> There are several possibilities and commercially available
>>>>>>>> devices to accomplish this. Some work strictly via the internet
>>>>>>>> and some use telephone activation.
>>>>>>>> Once the computer is booted, it can be used via USB porting
>>>>>>>> very easily to trigger relays that will turn on the radio and
>>>>>>>> SteppIR controller. The real question is that of the best way to
>>>>>>>> turn on the computer. Does anyone on the reflector have any
>>>>>>>> recommendations based upon actual experience with the
>>>>>>>> commercially available circuit boards that will do this? I hate
>>>>>>>> to go away and leave everything running for a week or two at a
>>>>>>>> time with no one at home.
>>>>>>>> --Jeff, K6JW
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "N6FM Ben" <n6fm at oregonfast.net>
>>>>>>>> To: "'LOGic is open to all radio amateurs for discussion of
>>>>>>>> LOGic logging program'" <logic at mailman.qth.net>
>>>>>>>> Sent: Sunday, November 30, 2008 13:23
>>>>>>>> Subject: RE: [LOGic] LOGic - Remote control and port sharing
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Well, then I would suggest a remote desktop application like
>>>>>>>>> VNC from which
>>>>>>>>> you can shutdown ARCP and start TRX, or merely disconnect the
>>>>>>>>> ports from
>>>>>>>>> each (they do that) without shutting one down.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> What specifically do you wish the program to do??
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Ben
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>>>>>>> From: logic-bounces at mailman.qth.net
>>>>>>>>> [mailto:logic-bounces at mailman.qth.net]
>>>>>>>>> On Behalf Of K0DAN
>>>>>>>>> Sent: Sunday, November 30, 2008 12:36 PM
>>>>>>>>> To: LOGic is open to all radio amateurs for discussion of LOGic
>>>>>>>>> logging
>>>>>>>>> program
>>>>>>>>> Subject: Re: [LOGic] LOGic - Remote control and port sharing
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Thanks Ben, I have TRX MGR but unfortunately it doesn't do all
>>>>>>>>> that
>>>>>>>>> ARCP2000 does, nor all that I need.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> 73
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Dan
>>>>>>>>> K0DAN
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "N6FM Ben"
>>>>>>>>> <n6fm at oregonfast.net>
>>>>>>>>> To: "'LOGic is open to all radio amateurs for discussion of
>>>>>>>>> LOGic logging
>>>>>>>>> program'" <logic at mailman.qth.net>
>>>>>>>>> Sent: Sunday, November 30, 2008 2:30 PM
>>>>>>>>> Subject: RE: [LOGic] LOGic - Remote control and port sharing
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> The TS-2000 only has one serial port. You can't control with
>>>>>>>>>> two programs
>>>>>>>>>> at
>>>>>>>>>> the same time.
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> I would suggest obtaining TRX-Manager' use that instead of
>>>>>>>>>> ARCP. It has a
>>>>>>>>>> great number of features to control the 2000 (since the author
>>>>>>>>>> owns one)
>>>>>>>>>> and
>>>>>>>>>> can be linked to Logic. That way, setting the rig in Logic
>>>>>>>>>> will cause TRX
>>>>>>>>>> to
>>>>>>>>>> respond. Only one serial port is required.
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> Ben
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>>>>>>>> From: logic-bounces at mailman.qth.net
>>>>>>>>>> [mailto:logic-bounces at mailman.qth.net]
>>>>>>>>>> On Behalf Of K0DAN
>>>>>>>>>> Sent: Sunday, November 30, 2008 9:55 AM
>>>>>>>>>> To: LOGic is open to all radio amateurs for discussion of
>>>>>>>>>> LOGic logging
>>>>>>>>>> program
>>>>>>>>>> Subject: [LOGic] LOGic - Remote control and port sharing
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> I have two rigs interfaced to LOGIC:
>>>>>>>>>> a) An FT1000MP using a derived USB-Serial port
>>>>>>>>>> b) A TS2000 using a "real" serial port
>>>>>>>>>> Right now every thing is in the hamshack, local control. All
>>>>>>>>>> this works
>>>>>>>>>> fine.
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> I'm in the process of remoting the TS2000 via WIFI.
>>>>>>>>>> I'm using Kenwood's ARCP2000 control software, which requires
>>>>>>>>>> a serial
>>>>>>>>>> port
>>>>>>>>>> to interface the rig and PC (this steals the serial port from
>>>>>>>>>> LOGIC).
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> Need another serial port so the TS2000 can talk to LOGIC while
>>>>>>>>>> also
>>>>>>>>>> talking
>>>>>>>>>> to the ARCP2000 software.
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> I searched the LOGIC archives but couldn't find any
>>>>>>>>>> discussions on how to
>>>>>>>>>> share serial ports. Or add a USB hub plus more derived
>>>>>>>>>> USB/Serial ports?
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> Any suggestions for "best way" to let the rig control software
>>>>>>>>>> and LOGIC
>>>>>>>>>> talk to the TS2000 simultaneously? ("Best way" =
>>>>>>>>>> cheap/simple/inexpensive/reliable!)
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> Tnx
>>>>>>>>>> es 73
>>>>>>>>>> Dan
>>>>>>>>>> K0DAN
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
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>>>>>>>>>> http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/logic
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>>>>> LOGic mailing list
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>>>>>>>>>> http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/logic
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>>>> LOGic mailing list
>>>>>>>>> LOGic at mailman.qth.net
>>>>>>>>> http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/logic
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>>>> LOGic mailing list
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>>>>>>>>> http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/logic
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>>> LOGic mailing list
>>>>>>>> LOGic at mailman.qth.net
>>>>>>>> http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/logic
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> -- Mel, VE2DC
>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>> LOGic mailing list
>>>>>>> LOGic at mailman.qth.net
>>>>>>> http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/logic
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>> LOGic mailing list
>>>>>> LOGic at mailman.qth.net
>>>>>> http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/logic
>>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> -- Mel, VE2DC
>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>> LOGic mailing list
>>>>> LOGic at mailman.qth.net
>>>>> http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/logic
>>>>>
>>>> _______________________________________________
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>>>> http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/logic
>>>
>>>
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>>>
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>
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--
Mel, VE2DC
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