Remotely Controlled Amateur Radio

Remotely Controlled Amateur Radio

As we extend our reach into the Universe, remotely controlling equipment in space will become ever more vital. Thanks to the people who have developed the Internet, remotely operating Ham Radio stations worldwide is a reality nowadays too. My remotely controlled Amateur Radio station is located on our property, out in the middle of nowhere in the bush, about 10 miles or so from the nearest town and about 100 miles away from home, from where the radios are remotely controlled. The radio station is unattended, solar powered and turned on remotely when about to operate and then turned off again remotely when closing down. Other wise, if left on all the time, the battery would soon become unusable. A 4G Wireless Internet connection is used between the property and the town and an ethernet Internet connection at home.

By writing this page, I'm trying to inspire you to give remotely controlling your station a go. In my case, without it, I would hardly be able to operate at all. Personally, I found this difficult to achieve but with perseverance, was eventually able to works things out. Perhaps you can too. Hopefully, the information here may help.

To see a basic remotely controlled FT-450D station which is less confusing than that below, click on this image which will open in a new window, the 'Green Shed'. Then, if interested, come back to this page which gives more information.

This remote radio system, operated via a cable Internet connection at the Control End and a wireless Internet connection at the Radio End, uses the 'RemoteRig' configuration shown below. A desktop PC at the Control End which uses the program Ham Radio Deluxe (HRD) controls the Amateur Radio station which is about 150 klms away on our property is the South Australian Bush. The Swedish made RemoteRig system enables various configurations to be employed so that you can operate remotely. ie. there are a variety of ways of going about it. If interested, have a look at their configuration page to see which would suit you best. click here.

The home Qth from where the station is remotely controlled. It's 150 klms away, located on our Bush property.

This system uses a Wireless Internet connection (4G, 2.4Ghz) at the Radio End.

External Internet (mobile phone) antennas are needed at our property to receive the Internet signals from the nearest town, ten kilometres away. The property at the radio end is fairly isolated so the background noise level on the radio is strength zero. Since the radio station at the property is unattended, an SMS Relay switch is used to turn the radio and wifi RemoteRig on and off when I'm at home, 150 klms away. In my case, the relay switch and wi-fi modem are connected to a 12 volt battery and left turned on all the time. { Rik, VK3EQ, who uses the same NightHawk modem, was kindly telling me that if you download the latest software for this modem, then you don't need to leave the battery in the modem. You can use a separate power supply for it and switch the power to the modem on when about to operate remotely, and then turn it off again when finished. Apparently this modem draws about 170 or 180mA. This is what Rik has done with his RemoteRig system and IC7000. He was saying he needed to find this solution to the problem of the modem not always staying turned on when using the inbuilt battery. - I haven't had this problem with mine though - so far. Rik was also saying that you can use an Ethernet cable between the modem and the RemoteRig RRC. } One of the radios in my case, the IC7600, draws around 3 amps on receive, so the SMS switch is used to turn on both the radio and RemoteRig when operating and then afterwards, switch them off again. This particular SMS switch has 4 separate switches. By using your 'smart' mobile phone, the SMS switch is turned on or off when you send the appropriate SMS message to the number of the Sim card within the SMS switch. A few seconds later, an SMS message is then sent back to you to let you know that the relay switch has been turned on or off, as the case may be. This SMS relay switch was very expensive - about $600 Aus. This particular one works on the 3G network. Also, with most modern radios, within the menu settings, you can find the 'Time Out Timer' or 'TOT'. For remote operating, I understand that this should be set to 3 minutes. This is a safety feature for remote operating (eg. in the event of losing Internet connection) whereby the transmitter having been turned on for 3 minutes will automatically switch off - from transmit to receive.

The wireless Internet antenna and the SMS switch external antenna at the Radio End.

(You could probably use a single antenna with a 'splitter.')

SMS Relay switch on the left and SMS text sent to and received from the switch - click to see a larger image in a new window.

12 Volt Relays to turn the radios and wifi RemoteRigs on and off. NightHawk, Netgear wifi modem at the radio end.

The following only applies when using a wireless Internet connection at the radio end. When I replaced my wifi router at the radio end with a new one because I had had it for a few years and it had deteriorated and was no longer usable, I ran into a problem which I thought was unsolvable.

Nowadays, most Internet Service Providers (ISPs) use a function called 'CGN' on their wireless Internet connections. This means that the wireless IP address is no longer public and therefore, when, at the control end, trying to find the remote modem at the radio end (using a dynamic website address), this RemoteRig system will not work. This caused a lot of problems whereby I had to cease remote operating for about a year, when as luck would have it, a fellow Ham here in Adelaide, Matt, VK5HZ, who is a network technician, sent me an email to say that he had helped VK3SSB who, not long ago had the same problem. The following applies for my Service Provider here in Adelaide, South Australia, which is 'Telstra'. It would probably be a little different for your Provider if you live outside of Australia. If using a wireless Internet connection at the radio end, you will probably need to look into this matter to resolve the problem of CGN. For more information about CGN, click here. In my case, I had to ask Telstra to switch off the CGN function on my account (according to the SIM number used in the modem). However, they would not do that unless you have a business account with them, whereby you need to supply them with an Australian Business Number (ABN). I am retired and have been so for a few years now, so there is no way that I could obtain an ABN. Here in VK5 with Telstra, it is a matter of getting access to a special 'APN' called telstra.extranet which is enabled on the Telstra end of your account (Sim card numbered account) and then set up in my wifi modem at the radio end. The code that was needed to be put on my account is 'GPTEXB3'. I am hoping that this information will be useful for Amateurs here in Australia and possibly overseas. After having sent my Internet Service Provider - Telstra - a kind letter via snail mail, not email, explaining my situation, they agreed to switch off the CGN function on my radio end, wireless router account (the Sim number account within the router) and I am more than happy to say that this remote system is now working again. For VK Amateurs, the address that I sent the letter to is: 'Telstra. Locked Bag 20026, Melbourne. VIC. 3001.'

The radios shown are the IC-7600 and IC-7300. It may look confusing but of course only one remote radio is used at a time. This particular SMS relay switch has 4 separate switches. Individual 30A, 12V relays are connected in series with the SMS relay switches to turn each radio and wifi RemoteRig on and off. When the wifi RemoteRigs are first turned on, they automatically connect to the modem and soon become reachable (usually within a minute or so) from the control end by use of their dynamic website addresses. If you intend to use this system and are using only one radio, then use the free RemoteRig's dynamic address.

Every thing here is powered by the large lead acid, deep cycle battery (670AH) as seen above. Power Line Interference at my home Qth is often strength nine but the background noise level on the remote radios is close to strength zero, depending on static and over the horizon radar. This is one of the greatest benefits of remote operating. In my case, there is plenty of room for antennas at the radio location too. I should think that you could do this sort of thing with a satellite Internet connection too and the military would have more sophisticated systems. The system here is working well now. The 4G modem in use now at the radio end is very reliable and receive and transmit on SSB work very well. The old 3G modem which was previously in use, was not as reliable. This does not mean that 3G wont work for you. You may have a better 3G modem than I had, for example.

You may like to download and print this PDF - Remote Control Your HF Rig via the Internet By ... - ARRL. If you are an ARRL member, you might be interested in this page - http://www.arrl.org/link-remote-control To see the settings in my Control Remote Rig device, click here. To see the settings in my Radio Remote Rig device, click here. The settings used may be helpful to you. Also, the APN which my ISP, Telstra put into my wifi router remotely via the Internet can be seen here. They turned off the CGN function at their end too. Kevin at Ham Radio Deluxe has been very helpful with configuring their program but I would especially like to thank 'Matt', VK5HZ, without whose help the CGN problem would not have been overcome.

You may also be interested in this remotely controlled $100 camera which is located near the radios, positioned behind a window in the shed. If interested, click on the picture. The page will open in a new window.

The 2 youtube videos below show my setup using the Remote Rig system and Ham Radio Deluxe. The 4 minute video on the left shows the reception from the IC-7300 remote radio, and the 10 minute video to the right shows the reception from the IC-7600 remote radio at the home Qth. They were made in Dec. 2018 using my cell phone. Each will open in a new window.

Setting up this remote radio system was a learning experience for me. I found that it paid to do things slowly, otherwise it could be frustrating at times.

My hope is that this page may be helpful to you in acquiring information which can enable Amateur Radio operators

to remotely control their stations, whether in your own country or just about anywhere on planet Earth. Perhaps one day, even on another planet.

26th December, 2018. I was very pleasantly surprised to receive an email from Matt, VK5HZ, without whose help this remote system would not be working, because of the CGN problem. It was sent from the Australian Davis Research station in Antartica where Matt is working. He is about to use the RemoteRig system down there. With Matt's permission, his email is reprinted below. As I type this, the expected maximum temperature here in Adelaide Australia today, is supposed to be 41 degrees Celsius, that's well over 100 F. I can only imagine what the weather is like where Matt is located.

Hi Rob, The code that needs to be put on the account is GPTEXB3 - you will probably experience a lot of run around from Telstra people who aren't aware of what it all means, and as I said I have heard that they will only do this on the business plans now - I'm not sure what's required to sign up to one of those. Cheers, Matt.

Hi Rob, I just read on your website that you have your RemoteRig up and running again, fantastic! Glad to hear that writing to Telstra to plead your case helped.

I'm in Antarctica working for the next year and purchased a set of RemoteRig boxes to use locally on the station LAN (no NAT issues thankfully..). The two huts where the transceivers and antennas are located are a bit of a walk from the main station so I bought the boxes to allow me to get on air a bit easier, particularly in the winter. The main antennas we have are similar to your terminated vee, being terminated triangles. Unfortunately they're not a very flat VSWR and most of the ham bands are around 2-3:1 or even more so I'll need to get a tuner going to get best performance out of them. I have an SPE amplifier coming down at the end of January that has a tuner good for up to 3:1 so hopefully this works well. During summer the antennas are used for aviation operations, but in the winter I'll be able to use them more regularly.

I have the call VK0HZ for down here, hopefully catch you on air sometime in 2019. I have a blog that I'm slowly putting up a few posts on, vkzero.com if you want to check it out.

All the best,

Matt VK0HZ / VK5HZ Davis Station, Antarctica

3rd March, 2019. Very pleased to receive an email from 'Tony', VK1VIC, who is setting up a remote system using the Remote Rig method as well. He has a farm that he is going to rent out which also runs on solar power. He intends to move into the nearby town but remotely control his radio station on the farm where he has located a very nice antenna system.

Hi Rob, Many thanks for your reply mate.

I currently have the 706Mk2 remoted from the woolshed across WIFI back to the main house.Through summer is was nice to sit in the kitchen and not in a bloody hot tin shed. HIhihi.Saved me from walking around in the dark when the snakes are out and about.

Will let you know how I go with the CGN. I have 3 commerical 3G routers that I plan to use. Dual external antenna sockets.

Regards

Tony V blog: https://vk1vic.wordpress.com VK1VIC / VK2VIC

28th June, 2019. Tony has just send this email to me regarding his latest efforts which I am very pleased to hear have been successful...

Hi Rob, Well it has been a few weeks since we last spoke about the remote rig control for a remote HF station that beats the Carrier grade NAT issue due to them not wanting to give me a true public ip address. I can advise that my solution by having a 'router in the cloud' has worked. A router in the cloud is what is called 'virtual' and is provided by a Cloud Service Provider. It might take me some time to actually document it but here is the gist of it. I can connect the Icom 706Mk2 radio body via the remote rig over a 3G/4G router that then establishes an outbound connection to a 'router in the cloud'. (The router in the cloud is one that is free for a year. After a year it costs something like 0.06 cents an hour when it is running). Then with the ICOM 706Mk2 remote head via the remote rig over 3G/4G establishes an outbound connection to the same 'router in the cloud'. Once both ends connect to the 'router in the cloud' they can each 'see each other' and establish a connection. There is some configuration on the 'router in the cloud' but isn't too difficult to set up. It is also a fully IPSEC encrypted path.

Maybe I should document it and submit it to the WIA AR Magazine? Well at least I will post it on my blog site.

Regards, Tony V
VK1VIC / VK2VIC email: vk1vic@yahoo.com

VK1VIC Website

25th March, 2019. Great to hear from Marcus, AK7MG. He has developed a different way to go about remotely controlling his radios. It's too technical for me, but may suit you. Have a look at Marcus's website which is listed below in his email to me.

Hello Rob, Hope you are doing well. I have viewed your remote station setup videos and find it very impressive. I also have been interested in remoting radios for some time and ended up creating a new project that allows me to control my IC-7300 with a Raspberry Pi and mobile phone / tablet. Anyhow, I thought I’d drop you a line as you or your friends might find it interesting.

Please see: www.remotetx.net

The approach does require continuous cloud resources so there is a small ongoing cost to keep it all running, but it makes the networking, audio and security turnkey and very easy to setup. Also, it would probably address the CGN problem, though I haven’t tested it on a system like that. I have successfully tested it through a t-mobile cell network with Apple devices that quit allowing native ipv4 addresses and forced use of ipv6 when on cellular. The system uses about 80kbps bandwidth both ways so generally works fine on broadband cellular networks. Because the 7300 has both the USB and the ‘Remote’ CI-V port, you could actually use USB to control the radio with one system and a combination of MIC/AF and the ‘Remote’ port to control it with a second system. Remotely, then you could choose which system to use; remote-rig or mobile/tablet/cellular. Cheers and 73, Marcus, AK7MG.

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