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?

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.