SmartSDR + DynDNS in place of SmartLINK for remote operation?

W4AFK Bruno · January 2022

My remote Flex-6400 is in Florida while I am in San Diego. I am presently using SmartLINK and it is working fine.

I also use DynDNS to remotely operate another radio at the same site. It is connected via a pair of RemoteRig interfaces, and it is also working fine. I am also remotely managing a SPE Expert 1.3K FA amp and a rotator using RemoteRig's 1216 devices.

As the remote is on a dedicated cable modem, I am subject to Dynamic IP changes at the whim of the cable provider (Spectrum). So, I have been using DynDNS and haven't had any issues over at least three IP address changes done by Spectrum :-)

My question: If I setup my remote router to port forward ports TCP 4994 and UDP 4993 to the Flex, can I then just run SmartSDR and not have to worry about SmartLINK?

Local: Connect to "DynDNS address:port" --> Remote router is configured to port forward TCP 4994 and UDP 4993 to the Flex' LAN (Reserved IP address) matching ports.

Would this work?

What am I missing?

Would I be able to use SmartSDR from here to the radio as the link would be as if it was on the local LAN. If so, I would no longer need SmartLINK and rely on Flex' server for authentication

Mike-VA3MW · January 2022

@W4AFK Bruno

The short answer is no, at least on the Windows version of SmartSDR. I believe you can on the Mac version, but I have never tested it.

At this time, we will likely not make that change in the Windows version for a variety of business reasons.

If you need a Plan B in case there is a SmartLink issue, you may find that using SoftEther as a VPN will work very well.

https://www.softether.org/4-docs/2-howto/1.VPN_for_On-premise/2.Remote_Access_VPN_to_LAN

A Smartlink connection uses less bandwidth than a LAN connection, even if the LAN is on a VPN.

SmartEther has been well discussed as one solution in the FlexRadio Community. There are many others as well, and I am sure many will comment.

I hope that this helps.

73

W4AFK Bruno · January 2022

Yep ... it was just a thought after watching one of your videos.

It kind of made sense to me as I am using this type of setup to remotely manage the TS-480SAT w/RemoteRig interfaces. I was (wrongly) assuming that I would be able to do the same.

After all, the "Ethernet" connection is just a "long cable" connecting my computer to the radio. So, if I port-forwarded and made sure the router and firewall were configured properly, that it would work.

SmartLINK is working ... but as a curious techno-ham, I am always looking for "other ways" to do things. I will check SmartEther and other VPN solutions. I do have a NUC at the remote site as it lets me manage the Flex on the LAN side. I just prefer running the software over here. I will check to see if the NUC I have at the site is capable of reliably running SmartSDR as that would be my backup :-)

Thanks again.

SmartSDR + DynDNS in place of SmartLINK for remote operation?

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