Remote use with low bandwith RS-BA vs. Flex

EC5W

Hello.

For remote i have Icom 7610 without computer, i use this traveling under 3G/LTE and works very good because its possible stop waterfall and receive or transmit only audio codec. I want change to Flex, reading forum Flex need 0.5-0.4Mb to work, not always its possible keep 0,4Mbts under mobile connection. Its possible on Flex 6600 with maestro attached stream only audio to remote computer? I think the O.S runs on maestro and this extract the audio from waterfall it is not necessary to send the waterfall to a remote PC/Maestro so that it extracts the audio.

Sorry but im new on flex world.

NA0B

Miguel,

Yes, you can turn off the waterfall and use a low-bandwidth connection if you use the SmartSDR app in iOS (iPhone or iPad) or SmartSDR in Windows.

73 de Juan, NA0B

EC5W

whithout M version or maestro ? Thanks.

NA0B

I don't have a Maestro Miguel. I use either the iOS SmartSDR app,  the SmartSDR on a Windows laptop, or dogparkSDR on a Mac laptop.

Kari Gustafsson

Hi, I use Maestro with low banddwidh mode and it consumes 350 kbit/s. Could possible get it lower but see no need. GL with Flex remoting. Have done that 4 years now with great sucess. See my blog: http://remotedxandcontestblog.sm0hrp.se

KY6LA_Howard

I have removed my Flex from 28 different countries via 3G and 4G. Works great

EC5W

Hi.

Kari great work!

http://remotedxandcontestblog.sm0hrp.se/2018/04/02/my-remote-dx-and-contest-station-sm0hrp/

Howard using Maestro, pc application or SmartSDR on IOS?

Thanks.

KY6LA_Howard

All of the above. Started PSDR over VPN on a 5000. In2010? Then VPN SSDR to 6700. Then SSDR for IOS Then SmartLink. My favorite is easily SSRD/iOS. In fact, I’m on 20 m right now sitting on a bench on the boardwalk in Cannes France connecting via my iPhone via my station in La Jolla CA. At this spot I have a good 4G signal. But other sites I only get 3G. Ease of use. Best in Ham Radio.

Kari Gustafsson

Thanks for the compliment

KY6LA_Howard

@Miguel I have remoted from E.U. and Asia and Pacifc. Last year I remoted while on the Eurostar Train under the English Channel. I have remoted from Cars, Trains,Planes and even from my bicycle on top of Mont Ventoux in France. Unlike virtually every other radio Flex is purpose built for networking so remoting is easy.

EC5W

Hi Hower,

Thanks for info, this is my setup for long waits on Airports or trains, now with Icom RS-BA1 only have audio codec stream, about 16Kbts/seg and turn on the waterfall only to search new stations.
The problem on Flex Pc Software is that need waterfall to extract the audio, 400Kbts/seg vs. 16Kbts/seg.









Good trip in Europe!

Kari Gustafsson

Hi Miguel, Seems you have a great time with both Flex and Icom. Now not knowing your needs of interfacing your radio with antenna switches, filters, rotators, power amplifiers etc but here working with a radio platform compatible with ethernet (and USB) is a major advantage to specific radio brand com protocolls. I used to have Icom with CI-V, ACOM w CI-V, OM Power with their interpretation of CI-V....all worked for a while till someone upgraded their software. Having Flex with ethernet controll to accessories ethernet controlled simplified it all very very much. Now I can focus on upgrading antennas, train CW, do contests, invite youngsters for training, work remotely contests/DX and so forth. Not putting efforts in getting all radio equipment to talk to each other. Of course needs vary. If neither of above is a need of yours you may use ICOM, Kenwood or Elecraft to work "simple remote" QSO:s equally well. Nothing wrong with that if this is your need. Like cars - a Daihatsu 3 cylinder will take you from A to B but a Volvo XC90 8 cylinder will give you some benefits if you have 4 kids, a bicycle, five bags of food, 4 pair of skies along the ride...

EC5W

Hi Kari.


Finally, although Flex consumes more bandwidth on remote operation offer another options that does not offer standard equipment, i can use Flex for good connection and leave Icom RS-BA1 to trains or airports with saturated Wifi, I will wait to test Flex before selling icom 7610 i will share the comparison. The actual setup is EA4TX remote control connected to raspberry via USB, USB to TCP daemon and webserver to control rotor, SONOFF switch with modified firmware running ESPEASY integrated with Domoticz running on Raspberry to Switch off equipament, 220v, amplifier, temperature sondes, webcams and coaxial relays. Opensource powered now running on my QTH for semicontest and Sunday fun.

Many thanks for help.

73 de Miguel EA5GF

Bill -VA3WTB

Don't get to hung up on bandwidth. Flex likely passes a lot more data back and forth then is needed for an Icom. And even with the bandwidth the Flex uses we can remote from almost anywere that has a connection and having the same thing in out laps as we have at home.

EC5W

After tests and comparations, Flex need more bandwidth but for little more you have your radio with all features on any location. The protocol used VITA 49 uses very little band width to offer all the benefits, finally I sell the Icom 7610

KG5PTE

I have a question. Will Icom's RS BA1 Version 2 software conflict with Flex smart SDR version 3.7.3 ? On the same PC laptop ?

Trucker

There shouldn't be a problem. Possibly if you tried to run both at the same time you could have issues. Otherwise, actual testing is the only way to find out for sure.

James

WD5GWY