What’s geekier than ham radio?

[NQ6U]

Setting up a Mac-Linux client-server arrangement so you can control your ham radio with your computer remotely over a wireless network, that’s what.

I used some free, open source software, vfview (https://wfview.org), which is available for Windows, Mac and Linux and will work connected directly to the radio for rig control as well as remotely. It’s very slick and professional. Its only drawback, if you can call it that, is that it only works on Icom radios.

[WZ7U]

Icom only?

Lucky me. I am Icom only.

System latency is my only concern, albeit a small one. If I can mount the radio in the tree with the antenna and only have a B+/- going up the tree, I'm in.

[KG4CGC]

And use remotely with your phone?

[NQ6U]

And use remotely with your phone?

No, no version for Android or iOS yet.

[K4PIH]

Adult men playing with trains int he basement?

[NQ6U]

Icom only?

Lucky me. I am Icom only.

System latency is my only concern, albeit a small one.

There is some latency, but it's not terrible. I was able to have a successful FT8 QSO and, as you no doubt know, timing is critical in the digital modes.


If I can mount the radio in the tree with the antenna and only have a B+/- going up the tree, I'm in.

The only problem involved with mounting your radio in the tree would be that unless you have a rig with built-in Wi-Fi, you’d need to have a server up there as well and it would need power and some sort of network connection. Power is not much of a issue — the Linux version will run on a Raspberry Pi, which could easily run off a battery that’s hooked up to a solar charger. Connection that server to a network is not quite so easy to solve, though.

[N8YX]

I wrote the IC-751/R-71 drivers for flrig. This system (Mint Uma) is connected to those rigs and I can control them with flrig when running fldigi. wsjt-x has IC-751 support built in.

Server-client connectivity is done by NoMachine. Remote control is via a Galaxy A7 and HT-820 headset for audio duties, though I may replace the Motorola with a Jabra 75.

I need to make a PTT connection in the 751A to enable flrig to put the transceiver into transmit remotely, but everything else works. I can run wsjt-x from the tablet as-is, as the Signalink uses VOX to control T/R.

[W3WN]

Adult men playing with trains int he basement?
Geeky. But not geekier.

[WZ7U]

D & D?

[K4PIH]

Harry Potter binge watching?

[KG4CGC]

Arguing the subtle details of manga and anime shows and interpreting what the writers and creators were thinking and how the story line was influenced by their childhoods.

[WZ7U]

See, ham radio isn't so bad after all

[W3WN]

D & D?
Geeky. But not geekier.

[W3WN]

Harry Potter binge watching?
That’s just sad.

[W3WN]

Arguing the subtle details of manga and anime shows and interpreting what the writers and creators were thinking and how the story line was influenced by their childhoods.
That’s sadder.

[KG4CGC]

That’s sadder.

But factual.
Of course, I can add something here that could be followed by a rim shot, *ta'diss*