I have been license since 1963 at the age of 14. I was born in Opa-Locka, Fla. (a town just north of Miami, Fla). I now reside near Atlanta, Ga. where I live with my wife of 43 years.

Please checkout my Home Pagehttp://n4bnm.lenzus.com.

and associated Web site www.quantumquagi.com.

Dining at the Atlantis, in the Bahamas (November 2007)

Dining on the Norwegian Cruise Ship in the Hawaiian Islands (October 2003)

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The basic setup for Remote Operation of a base ham radio station

by Ritner B. Nesbitt - N4BNM

I have produced a YOUTUBE video of my remote operation in PuntaCuna, Dominican Republic. I was unable to embed the video on the QRZ page, but you can simply google "N4BNM Remote Operation" and you will find Part 1 and Part 2.

Another source of info that discusses remote control setup is by Alfred T Yerger II WA2EHI @ www.mmsn.org/RemoteControl.pdf

Listed here is the software and equipment that you will need.

For the Host Computer (located at the base station)

1) For the Host computer initial set up procedures are listed below.

2) Download "log me in " software from logmein.com and set up an account . There is afree version and a pay version. For this application, you only need the free version. This “LOG ME IN “ must be installed on the Host Computer. You can substitute any program that will allow you remote access to this computer.

3) Install and setup radio controlsoftware for your base station radio i.e.IC-7800, FT-2000, IC-756). I use TRX-Manager. HRD (Ham Radio Deluxe) isa free download. Any type will work. It is up to you. You will also need a CAT control cable connected to the CATsocket (sometimes called "remote control ") and the Host computer. This cable is required so that the radio can talk to the computer sofeware. This cable is normally aTTL type Cat control cable. Some of the newest radios may have the "TTL" circuit built inside the radio and therefore a regular computer cable with the proper fittings is all necessary. Check your radio manual to find out which type cableyou will need.

4) Download Skype. This is free software also. You can substitute any program that will provide a talk path for communicating.

For the Remote Computer (any computer to access the Host)

1) For the Remote computer initial set up procedures are listed below. For ease of setup and traveling this computer is normally a laptop.

2) Download Skype. Setup another or different account from the Host computer. (Note:) You can not use the same account as the Host becauseyou must call the host computer and you cannot do so if the account is the same.

3) You will need no other programs. From the Remote, you will connect to the internet and gain accessto the web site logmein.com. Log into your account, Click remote operation, click the Host computer icon, enter password and gain access to the Host computer.

4) You will need a microphone. Many cheap mics will work very well. I settled on the Logitech 9000 with the web cam as a part of the package. This microphone provides excellent tonal qualities much like a studio mic.

Radio Interface Device

1) A radio interface is needed to provide a talk path between the two computers. This interface device will connect your computer sound card to your rig. A few of these devices are Signalink (has its own built-in sound card) , Rigblaster and Rigblaster Plus (connects to your computer sound card).

2) Most hams that operate digital modes will probably have a radio interface device. Before you buy one, I suggest that you contact the manufacturer or their support group. They should be able to tell you what is the most convenient way to hook up their device to your type radio. Some radio interface devices may require a specificcable, purchased separately, that will connect from the radio interface to your specific radio.

3) Set up the radio interface to the radio according to the manufacturer's installation instructions provided.

Operating Setup

1) If you are very lucky all of your installations of software and hardware will work without having to do any trouble shooting. But most of us are not that lucky so let’s try a few things to make sure things are working before attempting to start your remote operation.

2) Select your favorite Logging software on the base computer. Check to make sure that it can control the radio in the areas that you need such as frequency, band selection, mode, antenna selection and rotation.

3) Using your laptop or remote computer, log into the “Log Me In “ web site. You can access your account on the internet by typing www.logmein.com . Enter your email and password to access your account. Click on the online computer that you set up for remote access. The next screen will require your password to access your computer. Now, you should see the screens on your laptop or remote computer that are on the Host computer. You can now take control of the base computer by clicking any icons or applications. If you are able to do these things, then this setup is OK.

4) Using your laptop or remote computer, call the Host computer using the Skype program. Call the Host Skype program from the Remote Skype program. Now, answer the incoming call that is ringing on Host computer. Skype has a built-in test call setup. On each computer, make sure that your test calls are working OK.

I have produced a YOUTUBE video of my remote operation inPuntaCuna, Dominican Republic. I was unable to embed the video on the QRZ page, but you can simply google "N4BNM Remote Operation" and you will find Part 1 and Part 2.