REMOTE CONTROL YOUR AMATEUR RADIO STATION

(or anything else, for that matter)

WITH YOUR MOBILE PHONE FROM (almost) ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD.

By LA2QAA & GM1SXX.

With the RDM (Remote Desktop for mobiles) Java software, the internet, a computer and a simple interface you can control just about anything from anywhere. It's possible to control your amateur radio station by using the MixW software program in addition to the above mentioned items.

Extra relays could enable you to able to track satellites and control your aerials as well as your rig. While MixW is primarily a digital communications program the use of a suitable voice keyer would allow SSB or FM communications.

Running XP on your laptop with the judicious use of the interface and some added relays allows quite a lot to be going on concurrently, i.e., a tracking program, rotor control, rig control and an automatic log. A sequencer could also be added to the system where necessary.

                                           

Control Circuit. (small drawing)

Until a pulse is sent via the computer serial port the relays K1 and K2 are not activated.

A pulse from the com port turns on the BC547 transistor which activates K1. This in turn activates K2 (red LED lit). K2a and K2b are deactivated, the 100uF capacitor charges to about 6v ensuring the capacitor applies voltage to the base of the IRF510 MOSFET transistor's gate, turning it on.   The capacitor voltage (and therefore gate voltage) will fall from 6v to 3v in about 200mS.

When K2a and K2B are activated by the pulse from the com port, and K1 is activated, K2a will apply +12v to the 3.3k resistor producing 6v at the gate of the IRF510. This will keep the K2 contacts engaged indefinitely.

The 100uF capacitor will now discharge to 0v since the +12v relay contact is no longer connected to the 15k resistor.

When K1 is energised again by another pulse from the com port the capacitor will apply 0v to the gate of the IRF510 turning off K2.

As can be envisaged, by the use of several relays or transistor switches, a sequencer if necessary and possibly a logic circuit and "timer", many different functions can be performed by a single
"click".

The RDM (Remote Desktop For Mobiles) Java program may be used to get your laptop's desktop on my phone's display.
You can then operate any of the programs on your laptop from your mobile phone wherever !! you are are.

Operating MixW, controlling radios in addition to steering your aerials with the NOVA tracking program has already been demonstrated.

You could even turn your lighting and heating on and off before arriving at your summer residence. The potential uses for this little circuit are only limited by your imagination.

Some of the technologies to do these sorts of things have been around for a while. Making them work for you in a way that suits *your* needs is the clever bit.  As the various technologies converge, we may see some very interesting ways to make cellphones, remote access, GPS and other technologies 'work smarter' for us.

For those who'd like a larger version of the circuit diagram, please click on this link for the original document scan  
Control Circuit (Large)

Enjoy.

LA2QAA & GM1SXX.

www.observations.biz