Terry Simons G0VHS

HF Remote Base HRB

I thought you may like to know about my experiments with HRB's. I run the G0VHS-L HRB on Echolink. Node 206251.

It seems like the USA have
a few HRB's dotted around their states, enabling Hams to connect, listen to see if their signal is making it around the globe, or just to see what the remote HF station can hear. I have been using them since their arrival, and they are brilliant.

I have learnt that when you call your sked on 80m or just a general CQ call on the bands, and no one answers.. one thinks no propogation. WRONG, I can hear my signal on a tranceiver in the states! What a shock that is!

In essence, you can control my HF station using just Echolink alone. It is quite labourious if you want to really drive the radio around the bands. So, a small GUI program has been developed available from; http://knut.wiren.fi/knut/OH2FH/EIRB.html

Almost all the functionality of the tranceiver is to hand.
I have a Kenwood, so some of the ICOM buttons do not work. It is however being worked on a daily basis including upgrades, compatability with different brand radios etc. One can now control stations rotators, antenna switches, HF sets, retreive weather information, the list is endless.

This is a brief insight into what is happining on the HF side. I have some more info on www.qrz.com under my call. Feel free to contact me with any thoughts or ideas, I'd be only too happy to help.

Regards and have fun,

Terry Simons G0VHS Weymouth

P.S There is NO TX function. This is in the hands of the authorities at present