How to control Stepir from remote computer

Burch - K4QXX

In playing around with the remote option in 1.4, I am wondering how I can control my Stepir antenna.  I kept having to go into the hamshack to manually move the antenna between band changes.  I know some people on here have been running remote for sometime using 3 party software.  Is anyone doing this with a Stepir?  I use DDUtil to operate the Stepir.

KY6LA_Howard

I run remote a lot...

Here is how to control the SteppIR

1.  Start SmartCAT and SSDR on the Local Computer
2.  Load DDUTIL onto the Local Computer that controls the SteppIR
3.  Stop SSDR on the Local Computer
4.  Leave SmartCAT and DDUTIL running on the Local Computer
5.  Start SSDR on the Remote Computer

The SteppIR will now follow frequency on the Remote Computer because it is reading frequency from SMARTCAT on the Remote. 

Dave -- W7IWW

Neal Campbell helped me set up this same arrangement and it works perfectly.

Burch - K4QXX

Very cool!  Thank you guys.  I will try this tonight when I get home from work. 

Burch - K4QXX

So I don't need to run DDUTIL on the remote computer?  I was using it on the remote computer for my logging software (HRD).

KY6LA_Howard

I haven't tried DDUTIL on my remote yet... but then while i use HRD Logging,  I rarely log contacts unless they are Rare DX...I will try it later today to see if I can run 2 instances of DDUTIL on the same network.

W1IMD

For those of us more paranoid types, I have installed a Moxa N5410 IP to 4 serial port server on the network and it can accept up to 4 simultaneous connections. So I can have DDUtil on the local computer and DDUtil on the remote as well. The Moxa software sets up virtual ports on each computer. As Ron Reagan said,  "Trust but verify"

KY6LA_Howard

No u don't need ddutil on the remote to control the SteppIR at Local

Jim Gilliam

I had to set up DDUTIL with the proper Serial port and to specify the protocol. Having great success with a USB to serial adapter.

David Decoons, wo2x

If you only need HRD Logbook & DM780 on the remote computer then why not run MiniDeluxe 2 on the remote computer and DDUtil on local PC for StepIR and other peripheral integration? Dave, wo2x

Jim Gilliam

That is exactly what I am doing. Using DDUtil with a local computer with a USB to serial adapter plugging into the SteppIr serial port.

KY6LA_Howard

As a test I just ran DDUTIL on both my Local and Remote Computer

2 Instances of DDUTIL operating at the same time (one on Local and one on Remote) definitely works OK

I could run HRD Logbook on my Remote Computer under one instance of DDUTIL

And the LP-100, rotor, SteppIR on my Local Computer

It is just too bad the LP-100, Rotor, SteppIR are tied to the Local serial port rather than being Ethernet devices..

But Heck it will likely take another century to pass before other Ham Manufacturers abandon serial ports and join the 21st century Ethernet...

Burch - K4QXX

Howard

Thanks for your help with this.  StepIR is working great remotely now.

Jim Gilliam

Icom has joined the Ethernet band wagon. My 7800 remotes stand-alone and it can also control the SteippIR through the antiquated CI-V port. It's almost a SmartSDR in that I have an SDR-IQ piggy-backed to it so I get the same panorama as the SmartSDR. However, I prefer the Flex because of its wonderful potential.

Jim

Carl Moreschi

My N4PY Pegasus Plus can run using it's client-server and provide full control for LP-100, rotor, steppir, and various antenna switch boxes.  Also, Pegasus Plus can give full remote CW paddle operation using a K1EL winkey keyer.

KY6LA_Howard

Carl

Thanks for that info.. I plan to download and test it out on remote

Now if you could only figure out how to put spots into the Spectrum Display (like in NaP3) I would be first in line to buy your product.