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How to add remote CW contest capability to Flex-6000 without a remote PC

Kari Gustafsson SM0HRP
Kari Gustafsson SM0HRP Member ✭✭
edited March 2020 in Contesting
Flex-6000 series is a great contest radio. However, when running contests from a remote location (without a remote PC) present SDR software cannot produce local CW sidetone unless you use the built in CWX keyer and NOT use a logger program to automate it all. Flex will eventually come up with a solution soon but till then we need a solution. The solution is the Remote Rig concept and allows you to get sidetone without the need for a remote PC. After more than 5 years of serious DX-ing and contesting I believe that being without a remote PC at radio site greatly improves durability and robustness of the remote contest set up. For sure in a 48 h contest is my experience.  

I here provide a link from my blog to show how to set up the boxes for this: 
http://remotedxandcontestblog.sm0hrp.se/2018/02/04/how-to-add-remote-contest-capability-to-flex-6000...
The set up can also be used for FT8 and no DAX-usage if you do not have the available data bandwidth at the remote location (as I have). 

Answers

  • ctate243
    ctate243 Member ✭✭
    edited February 2018
    Kari I send you a direct email with some additional comments and potential additions.
  • Ken Hansen
    Ken Hansen Member ✭✭
    edited June 2018
    I have a Flex 6300 which I operate remotely from my garage over a wired network connection. Next to the Flex 6300 is my first HF Radio, an IC-7100 controlled remotely as well over the same wired network and a pair of Remote Rig boxes to put the control head inside the house. (I did this to add remote VHF/UHF operation to my remote Flex HF station.) I can attest to the rock-solid performance of the Remote Rig boxes.
  • Kari Gustafsson SM0HRP
    Kari Gustafsson SM0HRP Member ✭✭
    edited March 2020
    Here is my set up as a schematic to those who have asked.

    image


    image
  • John - AF3K
    John - AF3K Member ✭✭
    edited January 2019
    Kari - Thank you for documenting this and for the schematic ! Awesome set up.  I'm glad I didn't sell my RRC-1258 MkII.  I used them with remotehamradio.com and was very impressed with the low latency - even on CW.
    73, John AF3K
  • Kari Gustafsson SM0HRP
    Kari Gustafsson SM0HRP Member ✭✭
    edited April 2018
    Thanks John. Yes the remote rig boxes are very good. You may also use them to compress DAX remote chanleling e g when working remote FT8. I plan to do that next. SmartLink or SmartSDR can yet not compress DAX over remote.  
    73 Kari SM0HRP
  • Kari Gustafsson SM0HRP
    Kari Gustafsson SM0HRP Member ✭✭
    edited February 2020
    A more updated schematic with USB COM ports for RRC is found on version 2 of the schematic. 
    http://remotedxandcontestblog.sm0hrp.se/wp-admin/post.php?post=234&action=edit. 
    73s Kari 
  • John - AF3K
    John - AF3K Member ✭✭
    edited April 2018
    Kari. Wow! Hadn't thought of that. It will be very interesting to see the test results. Please keep us all informed!!
    73, John
  • John WA7UAR
    John WA7UAR Member ✭✭✭
    edited April 2018
    Kari, this brings up a Wordpress admin login window for me. Is there another link to the schematic image? Thank you.
  • Kari Gustafsson SM0HRP
    Kari Gustafsson SM0HRP Member ✭✭
    edited April 2018
    Here it is:
    http://remotedxandcontestblog.sm0hrp.se/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Remote-SO2R-SM0HRP-1.jpg
  • IW7DMH, Enzo
    IW7DMH, Enzo Member ✭✭
    edited March 2020
    Hello,

    is there a way to know how Maestro keys the rig? For me this is the missing piece to have a perfect remote cw keyer. It seems .Net Apis don't offer this feature.

    73' Enzo
    iw7dmh

  • Eric-KE5DTO
    Eric-KE5DTO Administrator, FlexRadio Employee admin
    edited April 2018
    See this thread where the API was discussed recently: https://community.flexradio.com/flexradio/topics/is-keying-possible-via-the-api-or-cat-serial-rts-or...
  • IW7DMH, Enzo
    IW7DMH, Enzo Member ✭✭
    edited April 2018
    Thank you Eric,

    I missed that thread and I wasn't aware of the Api's improvements.
    I am developing a remote cw keyer and I am at the point I can digitally mix audio from flex and local generated tone.
    I hope to be able to develop the host application and key the rig without additional hardware.

    Best regards
    Enzo, iw7dmh

  • Kari Gustafsson SM0HRP
    Kari Gustafsson SM0HRP Member ✭✭
    edited April 2018
    Great Enzo! Look forward to seeing the results. 73 Kari
  • W4PQ
    W4PQ Member ✭
    edited March 2020
    How to get an Entire Hardware list #’s and include cables necessary for Remote Rig the Pair With Maestro ver B , and New Flex 6400 I am not happy with QSK Cw, and side tone with stock equipment Thanks Jacob KK4UU
  • Kari Gustafsson SM0HRP
    Kari Gustafsson SM0HRP Member ✭✭
    edited March 2020
    Do you have the basic pair of Remote Rig boxes? Since this was written there is a new alternative with Matt NQ6N API Flex CW keyer. I have posted a video of it in action on this community.
  • W4PQ
    W4PQ Member ✭
    edited March 2020
    I have Single K3/0 mini remote head for Elecraft K3 And (1) Remote Rig Control side with cables for elecraft. It’s being used for CW as a Service, thru RemoteHamRadio.Com Just pay $$$, by the minute to run big heavy hitter contest stations. Have , now invested in Maestro B version and Flex 6400 box. I love CW QSK Wishing the hardware exact list, as you describe. Because Remote rig for Elecraft is great, and wish to try with Flex ! What do you think KK4UU Jacob in Naples Florida

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