International DX Convention Visalia, CA – April 2016

DXUniversity – Visalia 2016 Ned Stearns AA7A SDR and Remote Radio Topics

DXUniversity – Visalia 2016 Ned Stearns AA7A First licensed in 1963 at age 12, he has been a serious Dxer since Top of the Honor Roll, 5BWAZ, Satellite DXCC, and the first ever 11-band DXCC (160 through 2 meters, inclusive). Dxpeditions in 1979 as AA7A/VP2A ; 1999 as 3B9R ; 2000 as K5K; C6ANS in 2015; VP8STI/VP8SGI in Member of the VooDoo Contest Group since Operated from TZ, 3X, 9L, EL, 5B and 9K. Serves as a director on the NCDXF. ARRL SW Division DXAC member.

DXUniversity – Visalia 2016 Outline Software Defined Radio (SDR) Very brief overview SDR challenges in the world of DXing Currently available equipment How SDR can support DXers Remote radio topics Remote Radio options available to the DXer Recent DXCC rule changes related to remote radio use Remote radio strategies Ethical use of remote radios

DXUniversity – Visalia 2016 Software Defined Radio Basics

DXUniversity – Visalia 2016 SDR Challenges Technical challenges Instantaneous Dynamic Range Latency Functional challenges DSP platform stability Development environment stability Operating system stability Cognitive challenges Complexity Focus on computer rather than radio

DXUniversity – Visalia 2016 Survey of current equipment Transceiver examples Flex Radio Flex Radio 6000 series Flex Radio 1500 Elecraft KX3 ICOM IC7300 SDR Cube FDM-DUO Apache Labs ANAN series Transceiver examples Flex Radio Flex Radio 6000 series Flex Radio 1500 Elecraft KX3 ICOM IC7300 SDR Cube FDM-DUO Transceiver examples Flex Radio Flex Radio 6000 series Flex Radio 1500 Elecraft KX3 Transceiver examples Flex Radio Flex Radio 6000 series Flex Radio 1500 Elecraft KX3 ICOM IC7300 Transceiver examples Flex Radio Flex Radio 6000 series Flex Radio 1500 Transceiver examples Flex Radio Flex Radio 6000 series Flex Radio 1500 Elecraft KX3 ICOM IC7300 SDR Cube

DXUniversity – Visalia 2016 SDR Strategies Replace legacy analog radios Augment existing radios Panadapters Local CW/RTTY Skimmer Support migration to Remote Radio operation

DXUniversity – Visalia 2016 Remote Radio Topics

DXUniversity – Visalia 2016 Remote Radio Options Access an online station e.g. using RCForb Client Use radio vendor S/W e.g. ICOM RS-BA1 Use commercial software e.g. HR Deluxe Remote Desktop Remote rig hardware Access an online station e.g. using RCForb Client Use radio vendor S/W e.g. ICOM RS-BA1 Use commercial software e.g. HR Deluxe Remote Desktop Access an online station e.g. using RCForb Client Use radio vendor S/W e.g. ICOM RS-BA1 Use commercial software e.g. HR Deluxe Access an online station e.g. using RCForb Client Use radio vendor S/W e.g. ICOM RS-BA1 Access an online station e.g. using RCForb Client

DXUniversity – Visalia 2016 Recent DXCC Rule Changes regarding Remote Operations In Jan 2015, ARRL BoD “tweaked” DXCC to clarify/expand use of remotely controlled stations Affected Section I, subsections 8 and 9 Subsection 8 modification: Removed restriction of land-based only control points for remote control stations Transmitter location defines station’s location All TX and RX equipment must be in 500m diameter circle Subsection 9 clarification: Added new subsection 11 acknowledging tech advances in remote control radio Owners of achievement awards must “stand behind” their claimed accomplishments Up to station owners to assure that remotely controllable stations are properly licensed and are operating legally

DXUniversity – Visalia 2016 Pop Quiz Do These DXCC Scenarios Count or Not Count?

DXUniversity – Visalia 2016 Scenario 1 – Station in your garage TX/ RX WZ6ZZZ station in Visalia, CA: TX equipment in ZZZ’s garage RX equipment in ZZZ’s garage TX/RX equipment operating on home network ZZZ’s garage fits in a 500 m diameter circle WZ6ZZZ using RX/TX equipment while watching WWF Smackdown in the TV room TX RX Monk Apollo’s station in Mt Athos Station operated by Monk Apollo Callsign used: SV2ASP/A Count or Not Count? WZ6ZZZ station in Visalia, CA: TX equipment in ZZZ’s garage RX equipment in ZZZ’s garage TX/RX equipment operating on home network ZZZ’s garage fits in a 500 m diameter circle WZ6ZZZ using RX/TX equipment while watching WWF Smackdown in the TV room Signing WZ6ZZZ, completes 160 m CW contact with SV2ASP/A WZ6ZZZ’s TX/RX ARE within 500m circle

DXUniversity – Visalia 2016 TX/ RX Scenario 2 – Remote RX in ME WZ6ZZZ in Visalia, CA: TX equipment in Visalia, CA RX equipment in Eastport, ME TX equipment operated locally RX equipment operated over the Internet TX Monk Apollo’s station in Mt Athos Station operated by Monk Apollo Callsign used: SV2ASP/A RX Count or Not Count? WZ6ZZZ in Visalia, CA: TX equipment in Visalia, CA RX equipment in Eastport, ME TX equipment operated locally RX equipment operated over the Internet Signing WZ6ZZZ, completes 160 m CW contact with SV2ASP/A WZ6ZZZ’s TX/RX ARE NOT within 500m circle

DXUniversity – Visalia 2016 TX/ RX Scenario 3 – Remote DX Operator Monk Apollo’s station in Mt Athos Station operated remotely by OK2LID Callsign used: OK2LID Count or Not Count? WZ6ZZZ station in Visalia, CA: TX/ RX WZ6ZZZ station in Visalia, CA: WZ6ZZZ, completes 160 m CW contact with station signing OK2LID WZ6ZZZ CAN stand behind the claim of a valid contact OK2LID SHOULD NOT stand behind the claim of a valid contact

DXUniversity – Visalia 2016 TX/ RX Scenario 4 – Remote TX & RX in ME WZ6ZZZ in Visalia, CA: TX equipment in Eastport, ME RX equipment in Eastport, ME TX/RX equipment accessed over the Internet Eastport, ME station fits in 500 m circle TX RX Monk Apollo’s station in Mt Athos Station operated by Monk Apollo Callsign used: SV2ASP/A Count or Not Count? WZ6ZZZ in Visalia, CA: TX equipment in Eastport, ME RX equipment in Eastport, ME TX/RX equipment accessed over the Internet Eastport, ME station fits in 500 m circle Signing WZ6ZZZ, completes 160 m CW contact with SV2ASP/A WZ6ZZZ’s TX/RX ARE within 500m circle WZ6ZZZ authorized to operate in Maine

DXUniversity – Visalia 2016 Scenario 5 – Station in England WZ6ZZZ in Visalia, CA: TX equipment in London, England RX equipment in London, England TX/RX equipment accessed over the Internet London, England station fits in 500 m circle Monk Apollo’s station in Mt Athos Station operated by Monk Apollo Callsign used: SV2ASP/A TX/ RX Count or Not Count? RX TX WZ6ZZZ in Visalia, CA: TX equipment in London, England RX equipment in London, England TX/RX equipment accessed over the Internet London, England station fits in 500 m circle Signing WZ6ZZZ, completes 160 m CW contact with SV2ASP/A WZ6ZZZ’s TX/RX ARE within 500m circle WZ6ZZZ NOT authorized to operate in England signing WZ6ZZZ

DXUniversity – Visalia 2016 Scenario 6 – DXpedition Option A WZ6ZZZ station in Visalia, CA:South Georgia DXpedition operation: Operators could not land on the island due to high surf Team uses quad helicopter to drop radio station on the island Operators use remote radio control from the boat to operate station Valid landing permits Callsign used: VP8SGI TX /R X WZ6ZZZ station in Visalia, CA: Signing WZ6ZZZ, completes 160 m CW contact with VP8SGI TX/ RX Count or Not Count? Remote operation from boat OK Operation from South Georgia OK

DXUniversity – Visalia 2016 Scenario 7 – DXpedition Option B WZ6ZZZ station in Visalia, CA:South Georgia DXpedition operation: Huge storm blows Braveheart off course to South Orkney Island Team uses quad helicopter to drop radio station on this island Operators use remote radio control from the boat to operate station Intend to apply for landing permits Callsign used: VP8LID TX /R X WZ6ZZZ station in Visalia, CA: Signing WZ6ZZZ, completes 160 m CW contact with VP8LID TX/ RX Count or Not Count? Remote operation from boat OK, but Operation from South Orkney NOT OK

DXUniversity – Visalia 2016 Operating Ethics DXCC is not a contest DXCC is a personal quest (why ordered lists?) Do those who compliantly operate remote stations have an advantage? Does everyone know who is not playing fair? Suggestions: Keep up with the rules Follow the rules Have fun