Anyone using TeamViewer (instead of VPN) to remote control Flex, antenna control, log book etc?

Andy - KU7T

Hi,
I am getting ready for the arrival of my 6600M next week. I know about SmartSDR's capability of remoting the radio interface, but have more things to control, like antenna, log book, DX cluster etc...  So, at this point, I am looking more at remoting into the station computer and not just remoting SmartSDR. I know, I can basically accomplish this with either creating a VPN or TeamViewer.  

I just found out that my Wifi/Router does not support remotely accessing via VPN. Other than that I am very happy with it. Its a Wifi mesh system. Its an eero plus. It supports connecting to a VPN, well basically encrypting all traffic via encrypt.me, but not a VPN to connect from outside to the LAN (what many other routers support, but not eero).

Unless I am wrong about the above, I am now thinking about using TeamViewer to connect to the ham computer. Is anyone doing that and how successful is this solution?  Especially with regards to these:
- waterfall (does it work well enough to be useful)
- audio routing (how is the latency and how good does it work for SSB audio)

Thanks,
Andy
KU7T

Justin W4JTD

Yup, I use team viewer all the time when I want to work digital (like FT8 with WSJT-X) when I am mobile with my iPad pro 12". Teamviewer works great, and it's free. :-) 

Basically, it makes it just like sitting in my shack and once you get used to the interface you can do anything you as if you were sitting in front of your shack computer. 

The waterfall and everything else works great as long as you have a decent connection, mine works fine over LTE cellular with both 28" monitors displaying all the relevant info. 

I used to use two instances of Skype to get the audio, it was kinda clunky, but with the advent of SSDRv2 and SmartLink, I just use the iOS version of SSDR and smart link if I want to do audio, and then it works great with the apple earbuds or whatever your favorite headset is.

I guess if I was willing to mess around again, porting the audio through TeamViewer I could actually work sats remote.... hmmm.... 

So, team viewer for digital modes and SmartLink for voice seems to be the best setup for me, YMMV.


73
Justin
KL2D

Kari Gustafsson SM0HRP

Hi, I know many who does this. Quite straight forward. I use AD (a similar program) when I work FT8 remotely as DAX consumes so much of my 4G data allowance. Otherwise it is often more reliable to use "web browsing" into the devices (if they support that but most HW do that today) excpet for the log book. So long you have a good an stable internet connection it will work. 
Another attractive way is to build the small Raspberry Pie with VPN that many with Flex has done and use that to get into the remote LAN. You have You tube videos showing you have to do. Very easy. GL! 

Justin W4JTD

I'd like to agree with what Kari pointed out below, using it over LTE works but it soaks up a lot of data. For example, if you do it from Hawaii and expend all of the data in the plan, and then your XYL can't shop online, there could be issues. Not that I have ever done that...    ;-) 

John - K3MA

You can also use a hybrid solution.  Connect and control the Flex via Smartlink and use Teamviewer to monitor and control the other things.

Cal N3CAL

I'm using TeamViewer V13.1  (Free Non-commercial license).   It's been very reliable and I'm able to run/monitor WSJT-X , HRD Logging, Rotor, DDUTIL, and control the Antenna Genius. I also can switch between both monitors on my shack computer.  I even get computer audio all running through a 4G Verizon Wireless Hotspot. 

Cal/N3CAL

Andy - KU7T

Thanks for all the responses. Will try TV first and if needed add Softether on ham computer. Will report back or ask more in a few days. Need to wait for getting it delivered... 73 Andy KU7T

Lee, N2LC