Random Wire℠

Share this post

The dearth of remotely controlled VHF/UHF radios

www.randomwire.us

Discover more from Random Wire℠

Thoughts about amateur radio, life, and more. #AmateurRadio #RandomWire #KJ7T
Continue reading
Sign in

The dearth of remotely controlled VHF/UHF radios

We see HF radios that can be controlled from far away, but where are the VHF/UHF radios with CAT/CI-V control?

Tom Salzer
Aug 17, 2022
Share this post

The dearth of remotely controlled VHF/UHF radios

www.randomwire.us
8
Share

I’m finding many options for remotely controlling a high-frequency transceiver for amateur radio licensees, but I don’t find similar, already-proven solutions for VHF/UHF radios.

My use case can’t be that uncommon. I travel a lot and I want to stay in contact with my local ham radio club through their repeater. The club does not have room in the rack to add Echolink support to the repeater. That leaves me with few options:

  • Buy an HF/VHF/UHF radio with CAT or CI-V control. (CAT control is Yaesu’s term for computer control, while CI-V is Icom’s version of much the same.)

  • Find a VHF/UHF radio that can be computer controlled remotely.

  • Persuade my club to add Echolink to the repeater.

  • Give up on the idea.

I’d like to avoid spending the bucks on an expensive radio that will be primarily used only when I travel. I’ll house it at my son’s house in the garage, so it’s not exactly easily accessible at all times.

I’ll talk to my club about Echolink, and I’ll consider giving up on the idea, but first, I’m focusing energy on finding a VHF/UHF radio that I can control remotely. One option I am considering is an ICOM ID-5100 radio. I hear that Flrig running on a Raspberry Pi device will control it just fine. For now, that’s the next direction I’ll head.

If this doesn’t work out, the radio will still find a home on my desk for local 2-meter and 70-centimeter communications.

Leave a comment

Share this post

The dearth of remotely controlled VHF/UHF radios

www.randomwire.us
8
Share
Previous
Next
8 Comments
Share this discussion

The dearth of remotely controlled VHF/UHF radios

www.randomwire.us
author
Tom Salzer
Aug 23, 2022Author

I've ordered an Icom ID-5100a to use as my test bed for remotely controlling a VHF/UHF radio with a Raspberry Pi. The radio (and reading the manual) comes first, then I'll track down a suitable RPi and appropriate cables. More to come as this progresses.

Expand full comment
Reply
Share
pimalu
Dec 8, 2022

Did you saw BTECH GMRS-PRO, VERO VR N75, VR n7500, Retevis RT99? All of them could be controlled by HT app .

Hope this could help.

Expand full comment
Reply
Share
6 more comments...
Top
New
Community

No posts

Ready for more?

© 2023 Tom Salzer. The Random Wire℠ is a service mark.
Privacy ∙ Terms ∙ Collection notice
Start WritingGet the app
Substack is the home for great writing