Remote Ham Radio

1. Remote Ham Radio Presented by Ike Lawton, W3IKE September 3, 2015 to AARC

2. What is remote operation? • What is remote operation? • Why do you want to use remote operation? • Where do I use remote operation? • When do I use it NOW ? • Future developments

3. Remote operation is… • The ability to listen, control and transmit from a participating amateur remote station anywhere in the world • Depending on the remote stations capabilities most modes (SSB, CW, PSK) can be used • Compatible with your note book, cell phone, or tablet. • In use worldwide by many operators

4. Why do you want to use remote operation? • To overcome a Restricted Location – HOAs, Condo, Apartment, Hotel, Assisted Living • To overcome Equipment Problems – Continue Net Ops After Storm Damages Antenna • To continue Scheduled Ops During House Move • To optimizing Propagation • To continue Skeds After Moving Across Country

5. Where do I use remote operation? • Anywhere in the world where your note book, cell phone or tablet is connected to the internet.

6. When do I use remote operation? • NOW • After one installs and setups simple soft software • Some of the software is open source software allows hams to innovate and experiment

7. Remote radio station types • Pay for use (remotehamradio.com) • Free usage site (remotehams.com, http://w4mq.com/toolkit/) • Set up your own station for remote control by you or friends (https://www.arrl.org/files/file/Technology/LinkRemoteControl/RemoteControl.pdf)

9. Free usage sites • Remote hams offers freeware client and server software plus a free Web site to control access to remote stations. (Donations are appreciated) • Anyone can download the client software, install, register and obtain license verification so free access can be made to stations offering remote operation. • If one wishes to offer their station to others the server software is available at the same site

10. Free usage sites continued • There are several sites that offer remote control hardware/software such as: • http://w4mq.com/toolkit/ • https://www.arrl.org/files/file/Technology/LinkRemoteControl/RemoteControl.pdf • http://new.remoterig.com/wp/ • http://www.elecraft.com/ • www.remotehams.com/forums/index.php?topic=423.0

11. Who Can Use an Internet Remote Base? Based on FCC Regulations • Any Licensed U.S. Ham • Limited to the Privileges of Their Own License Any Foreign Amateur From a Country Having a Reciprocal Operating Agreement With the US • Limited to the Privileges of their Own License and the Reciprocal Agreement The Station Owner May Impose Other Restrictions Limit Users Based On Station Objectives, e.g. Club Station Unique Operational Guidelines

12. Who Is the Control Operator? • Each User Is Assigned A Unique Login And Password • Has Full Control Over Transmissions – Freq, Mode, Power, Duration • The Remote User Is The “Control Operator” • The Internet Acts As a “Long Microphone Cord” Between The Control Operator and The Station • The Remote Users Sign Their Own Call signs • They Must Indicate That The Transmissions Are Actually Via The Internet Remote Base Stations • They Must Abide By The Call sign Requirements in the Reciprocal Agreements

14. Remote hams site and setup • Go to www.remotehams.com website • Download RCForb client, install the software, register and start listening • Next upload a image of your license and find a remote you want to use • Obtain transmission permission and now you can WORK the WORLD

15. Remotehams.com Home Page

16. RCForb

17. W3IKE Site

18. Remote transceiver on remote operators DT

20. It’s demo TIME..

21. Thanks! Questions?