Licensed in1963 and been QRV on CW all the years. In the 1970's I was DJ0IV, QTH south of Darmstadt in the Bergstrasse area.Since 2006 I have used remote operation basically to see if that would be an acceptable way to operate e.g. if we would move into a flat. I foundremote controlled CWacceptable and soon I got into the habit of using remote operating even when at home!

With time I have become used to almost always being connected to my rig, either from a laptop or more recently from a smartphone (iPhone). On laptops I simply use HRD via remote desktop (using Logmein for remote access to my shack PC). When using the iPhone I connect from an app written by Mike, KS7D. If you are interested please check Mike's webpage - it is quite fun using an iPhone for CW QSOs. You can easily do 24 WPM CW from the iPhone keypad. The iPhone app controls the K3 and keys the internal keyer in the K3. Mike is working on an update whereby you can key using the iPhone as a touch-type paddle.That will make the iPhone a very attractive (if not the best)way of making CW QSOs from just about anywhere! Audio is received using Skype (or IP-Sound on laptops).

The use of Logmein for remote access means that you can operate your rig from just any PC connected to the internet - it only needs to have Skype installed. No ham-radio specific program is needed.

Warning: if you do as I have done there is a risk that you will get addicted to it. In particular the iPhone will most likely do justthatThanks to remote control I have ben far more QRV than I would otherwise have been.

My rig is a K3 - and aK2 for the occasional portable operation (e.g. from OX). Both rigs have the 100W amp. My antennas are supported by a high mapletree next to our house. An 80m delta loop with apex about 18m above ground is fed in the bottom wire midpoint by 450 ohm open feeder. Inthe tree-top, near the apex of the loop, I have a short dipole for 30m -10m, also fed by 450 ohm open feeder.

8 band vertical using 11m fishing pole, Constable Pynt, East Greenland, aug 2012

The vertical and full moon

OX/OZ4UN set up in the carpenters workshop, Constable Pynt aug 2012, 50m coax to the vertical

Checking a newly installed VSAT (Skaergaarden East Greenland 2011) using remote connection to OZ4UN in Fredensborg Denmark

It is not all ham-radio - here Paradise Valley West Greenland in 2008

East West - home is best. Operating remotely - the rig is just upstairs.