On 14/07/2015, kb2m@arrl.net kb2m@arrl.net wrote:
Is anyone using TeamViewer (or any other remote PC control s/w) to control their sat station remotely?
A few of us are using teamviewer for the HAMTV video downlink ground stations. Not for transmit but receive and streaming.
Upsides: -Free for non commercial use -Easy to use -Easy file transfer to get files to & from the PC. -Gets through firewalls and shows if PC is on line easily. -Other alternatives are expensive or have issues. -Teamviewer has some audio options to get sound from PC
Downsides -Uses monitor resolution, if monitor AC power is off resolution can change. I left my monitor sleep ALWAYS. (Fixed in other software using one virtual monitor -PC must be on, If PC fails to start up, no luck. Even if forced on in PC bios I have seen it fail to power up. I will try a UPS in line. -If teamviewer.com goes bye bye so does your link. Their site is needed for use.
In general You need a good internet connection with half decent uplink and downlink speeds that never needs to be physically reset once in a while. Any screen share type remote access is going to be more laggy than dedicated remote system.
I have also tested with relay remote control My tests used an arduino, with a serial terminal to turn on and off relays. The idea was that no matter the operating system, you just send a command to turn on and off relays.
From a rotator/antenna point of view you need everything bullet proof
-Top quality well maintained rotator, ideally with video camera view of direction. -Over rate everything for hurricane weather. -Lightning protection, everything fused, possibly self resetting fuses. -Possibly a way to power off all radios/disconnect coax etc. to reduce the chance of damage. -Time out timers on transmit etc. -SWR checking (e.g. with webcam) -Webcam for checking display on radio -Try to make switches fool proof and give feedback as to current state. -Expect people to move things or plug things out by accident.
For live transmit audio you may want a phone patch, as streamed audio may not be up to the job.
If at all possible some one available to reset everything. I would advise testing it remotely (locally) before leaving the site, for a week or two. Try operating it from another room. Try to document and photograph everything. My remote station is 3 hours each way/6 hours round trip with personnel on site, but it still requires regular visits. Most issues are with moving parts & power/internet glitches. There is no substitute to being on site yourself. Try to understand your equipment 100% before operating remote.