My FIRST STEPS in REMOTE HAM RADIO
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- Опубліковано 27 лис 2024
- As many of you might know I got a Flexradio 6300 with a Maestro at a great deal earlier this summer. Up to now I have just been playing around with it in the shack, but it's time to get it set up for remote operation.
These are my first thoughts on remote ham radio.
The LDG Z-11 Pro II was sold to me at a reduced rate in exchange for some videos on it and to see how well it works together with a Flexradio.
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So I'd say build something yourself, but off a good base of existing software...because it's more fun than buying pre-made solution 😄
Something like a ESP32 or ESP8326 set up with ESPHome would be great, as easy to configure (not writing any software yourself), has WiFi, can buy off the shelf relay boards, can configure simple web interface, and can even add other sensors to it for the shack e.g. temperature sensor(s), which could then cut power in case of overheating equipment. Maybe more than effort than you want, but guess it depends if you want another project to get into.
I've got a bunch around my house, and even modified equipment with small ESP modules to make non-smart devices smart. My heating and hot water system all runs off them, hooked up to Home Assistant.
I just checked some prices, and an Aqara T1 ZigBee smart relay is only about 250 NOK (€25), so I might go with that. That would also work fine with my Homey smart home controller.
With your remote power on / off using a relay, you might want to have that logic also dusconnect the antenna in case you are away from home and you hear there is a storm coming through. 73 Ed
Thanks for your input again Ed! As for the antennas, I have the rest of my family very well drilled on disconnecting coax, and that way I make sure that the coax is far away from the radios in a lightning situation.
For all remote operations, you can use a WiFi smart socket and maybe a switchbot if you can't use software to turn the radio on/off
Oh absolutely. I am going to add a Philips Hus WiFi smart socket for the PSU and a relay to trigger the radio on and off.
Shelly switch works for me, app on my Android phone. Cheap, and so far reliable.
I have no idea what a shelly switch is, but I’ll look into it. Thanks!
You're flexing your new radio? classy 😁🪓
Indeed!
that air conditioner is too small! 😂
Hey man! I need place for my radios!
Will you be able to do CW remote? Would that mean sending CW with the keyboard or with a key at the remote location or either? de K5AVJ
As far as I understand this works well with a key. I don't know CW yet unfortunately, so that is as good of an answer I have at this point.
Isn't complaining about buying a $99 piece of software for a flex radio like complaining about the price of gas for your new Ferrari?
Looking into what the hardware cost to remote most non Flex rigs. It is a heck of a lot than $99 not to mention the hassle to use such as system.
I don't think I was complaining about the cost. And yes, it is expensive. My point would be that it would be better to pay the cost up front instead of a constant spiral of in app purchases. I might have communicated that not as well as I should have.
@@LB0FI I agree, this trend toward subscriptions is annoying. But until they change it not much we can do. Of course, it is the subs that continue to fund the development of new software and features. So I guess most folks would rather have continued development and enhancements.
It's important to remember that a company such as Flex is just a box and processor. It is the software that is the heart of the radio. I guess it is like a computer, without software, they are really FAST but don't do anything. LOL
This is why some hams prefer the Kenwood, Icom, and Yaesu business model of the hardware and firmware-based radios. Where to get the next generation you have to replace the entire radio. But even those guys are getting to hybrids where there is some limited upgrades due to fixed hardware.