Future new user Flex6400

Laurens PD9X

I intend to purchase the Flex6400 as soon it is available in Europe. I doubt whether I will also purchase the Maestro.

 

I want to use this radio remote (internet), because my shack and antennas are few kilometres away from my home. I’d like to use the N1MM log program, but how can I all this set up?

When I use the Maestro and my N1MM computer at home, do I need also a computer near the Flexradio at my shack? what are the simplest possibilities in this?

 

My antenna is al UltraBeam with an AlfaSpid rotor, I also want to control remote. Is it possible to do this with the SmartSDR software?

 

I look forward to your reactions / ideas / suggestions

 

 

73

 

Laurens PD9X

Laurens PD9X

Also interested what minimum internet connection speed need to control without problems

Laurens PD9X

Nobody?

K1UO Larry

Hi Lauren,   I will try to get you started with answers I know so far from operating remote..  I can tell you that if you want to operate any Mode that requires DAX such as FT8 remotely then you will need a PC at the remote end and also a VPN established between the two locations to communicate with whatever server you use (I use Green Heron) to control your rotor direction and other antenna switching controls.   All your usual Ham programs, MMTTY, N1MM+ and regular logging software can be on your home located Ham PC.    Maestro will be required at home (and preferred by me) since you may want to use manual keying and this will allow you to hear the sidetone as you key at home and not delayed over the Inet.   I do not have a SteppIR or Ultrabeam but you can use the USB feature on the Flex 6400 to send Band info to the Ultrabeam.  It will just not allow you to retract elements, switch 180 degrees etc.  I am not positive but I think the program DDUtil will help you control the Beam and other things such as an Amp remotely over the VPN link.
I have found that to have a single slice and Panadapter wide open (not throttled back) that I use about  7Mb of uplink at the radio end and of course the same coming in here at the downlink end.    You can get by with less by throttling back the Panadapter settings to use less bw but for an absolute minimum I would say 3-4Mb of up/downlink is needed to prevent choppy audio.  There is a lot more that can be added to your remote to control remote power on/off of various pieces of equipment and direction control of Beverages or other RX antennas but that is another story.
Hope this helps a bit.  There are a lot of other remote users on this Community with some very good ideas on what best work for them and their situation.
Regards
Larry  k1UO

Laurens PD9X

Hello Larry, many thanks for your reply and good tips. It would be helpful for me to make the right choices

Laurens PD9X

Today i ordered the Flex6400 and the Maestro. To be continued...

Kari Gustafsson SM0HRP

Hi Laurens. Here is my set up. Totally remote with no external PC at remote site. http://remotedxandcontestblog.sm0hrp.se/2018/04/02/my-remote-dx-and-contest-station-sm0hrp/ 73s

Laurens PD9X

Hello Kari

That looks impressive! I am now the owner of the 6400 and Maestro, and try to understand things, step by step.

For me is important now, how can I use N1MM together with the Maestro on my QTH, now the 6400 is a few kilometers away. Preferably without using an extra computer on the shack side.

Suggestions?