Remote Bases

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[edit] What is it?

A "remote base", or "remotely controlled station" is a radio whose frequency (and sometimes mode, transmit power, etc.) can be controlled remotely. Typically a remote base is located at the same site as a repeater and connected to the same repeater controller. When the remote base is enabled, the repeater controller passes audio back and forth between the repeater and the remote base, and will decode DTMF commands received by the repeater and use them to control the remote base radio. Remote base radios can operate on any band including the HF voice bands, allowing anyone that can operate the repeater to (theoretically, subject to FCC rules) operate on any band supported by the remote base. Remote bases can be used to establish links to other repeaters or to operate on simplex frequencies. They are nearly always half-duplex (it is difficult to provide the RF filtering needed for duplex operation while changing frequencies). A dedicated "link radio", on the other hand, is typically fixed frequency and may be half or full-duplex (some people also call such fixed-frequency links remote bases). For more information, see <http://www.arrl.org/FandES/field/regulations/faq-aux.html#_Toc70492012>.

[edit] Methods for Controlling

Remote bases may be categorized by the frequency bands they operate on or by the method used to control them. The two are often related, as historically HF radios were controlled via serial ports, and VHF/UHF radios were controlled via proprietary hardware interfaces (because the radio manufacturers didn't provide the ability to control them any other way). Since many modern "HF" radios now also cover the VHF and UHF bands, there is some overlap.

Recommended remote base radio types, grouped by the method used to control them:

  • Serial-controlled radios. Almost all of the "HF" radios (some, like the IC-706MKII do VHF and UHF too) from Kenwood and Icom are supported by the RLC controllers. Many Yaesu HF radios are too, but since Yaesu keeps changing the control codes for their new radios, the ones that aren't specifically listed as being compatible may not work at all, or some features may not work. See SerialControlledRadios for more information.
  • Proprietary interfaces.
    • Doug Hall Electronics' RBI-1 (discontinued in 2006). The RBI-1 provides an interface between a repeater controller and certain older-model Kenwood mobile radios (link to compatiblity chart). Up to four single and dual-band radios can be connected, providing a single interface for accessing the 2m, 220MHz, 440MHz and 1.2GHz bands. Special commands in the RLC controllers send control information to the RBI-1, which in turn sends control commands to the radios.
    • Tait mobiles. Tait's commercial VHF and UHF mobiles also cover the amateur frequency ranges out of the box. They have a serial port which can be used (after doing a small hardware mod) to directly control the frequency, power level, PL/DPL, modulation bandwidth, etc. in a manner very similar to the serial-controlled HF radios mentioned above. The DSP404 controller has support for them built in. They can also be interfaced to other controllers (we have used the RLC-Club) and controlled using macros that send serial commands; see Tait Serial Control. We have also considered making a remote base interface that would accept RBI-1 commands and translate them to Tait serial commands; contact us for more information about that.
  • DTMF controlled radios. Some mobile radios have built-in DTMF decoders (and possibly speech synthesizers) and can be controlled remotely without any special interface to the repeater controller.
    • Some Kenwood mobile radios can be controlled by sending them DTMF digits without PTT. An optional voice synthesizer can be used to provide feedback. Such a radio can be connected to a radio port of a repeater controller without a data interface. It can be controlled either by passing the user's DTMF tones directly through to the radio (possibly after forcing the controller's PTT off to put the radio into control mode) or by the user executing macros on the controller that cause the controller to send appropriate DTMF commands to the radio (there is no built-in support for this...anyone have example macros?).
    • Someone reported that the Yaesu FT-100 "Field Commander" can also be controlled remotely via DTMF. I don't have any further details.

Less common remote base radio types, grouped by the method used to control them:

  • Channel controlled radios. Typically a few lines are switched high or low to select a channel in the radio. Three lines can be used to select one of eight channels; four can select one of 16. Logic output lines from the repeater controller can be used to control those lines.
    • Some channel controlled radios use a single button to cycle through the channels. An output line from the repeater controller can be used to "push the button", but it is sometimes difficult to tell which channel is currently selected.
  • BCD frequency controlled radios. This is an extension of the channel controlled radio method. Four lines are used to control each digit of the frequency (typically the MHz, 100KHz, 10KHz digits), with one line controlling a 5KHz offset, and sometimes more lines to control the power level, CTCSS, offset/split, etc. This obviously takes a lot of output lines, so a serial-to-parallel shift register board is often used with two or three logic outputs from the repeater controller to generate all of the signals. The IC-2AT was often used this way. The RLC controllers can control BCD radios using the RBI-1 commands
    • (fixme: include link to schematic and bit definitions).
    • Several interfaces to modified commercial radios have been made over the years. Most of them replace the EPROM in the radio that would normally hold channel information. Make sure to ask about getting them to switch frequencies when they change from receive to transmit.
      • The Xcat is a replacement memory module for the Motorola Syntor X series of radios which interfaces to repeater controllers using either the "Doug Hall" or Icom CI-V protocols (according to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/xcat/). Most RLC controllers support both of those formats; please let us know if you are using one (along with which controller, which interface and any other info you would like to share).
      • Apparently the "whozit" board is an "agile controller" for the Syntor and Syntor X. The info below is all I have; please let us know if you have more info about it:
  • Proprietary interfaces.
    • ACC (now out of business) made an interface called the FC-900 that would control the Icom IC-900 radio modules (10m, 6m, 2m, 220MHz, 440MHz, and 1200MHz). The RLC (Linkcomm) controllers will not directly control the FC-900, but it is possible to connect an ACC controller (RC-85, RC-96 or RC-850) to a port of an RLC controller, then use it to control the FC-900, which would in turn control the IC-900 radios.
    • Link Communications used to make an IC-900 remote base interface called the RLC-ICM that used a variation of the RBI-1 control codes to interface with Icom IC-900 radio modules (all but the 1200MHz band). It has been discontinued.
    • In March 2009 Bob NO6B posted the following to the Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com mailing list:
      • A couple of months ago I announced that I built a few prototypes of a remote base interface that uses the "RBI" or "generic" synchronous serial remote base protocol used in LinkComm & SCom controllers to provide full remote base control for Yaesu FT-8500 & Kenwood TM-G707 radios. Although some expressed initial interest, I'm now not getting any responses from those individuals.
      • So, I'm re-announcing the availability of a couple of these units. Please e-mail me directly at no6b@no6b.com if you're interested.
      • If there is interest I may develop units to interface other radios well-suited for remote base operation such as the Kenwood TR-7950, TM-3530 & Yaesu FT-8900. The Kenwoods have poor CTCSS support, but the SCom 7K & 7330 can provide CTCSS for those radios, & those who own a 7950 know how solid the front end is on that model. None of those models will be easy to interface, but it can be done on the Kenwoods by bringing the "2 of 8" keyboard lines out. Complete control of the FT-8900 should be possible with just one wire run out of the control head & connections to the mic & packet connectors.
  • Mobile radios with data modems. It would seem like a radio with a serial port and a data modem would also provide a way to control the radio itself from the serial port. We haven't found one that allows it yet.
  • The control codes for the Midland Syntech II are reportedly "fairly simple." The Tentec line of radio was also mentioned, both here: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/RLC/message/5784.

[edit] Serial Controlled Radios

  • Radios listed as compatible in the controller manuals (if you test one of these, please add it to the table below):
    • Kenwood TS-50, TS-140S, TS-440, TS-440S, TS-680, TS-711, TS-790A, TS-811, TS-940, R-5000 and other early radios
    • Kenwood TS-450, TS-570, TS-690, TS-850, TS-870, TS-950 and other recent radios
    • Yaesu FT-736, Yaesu FT-757 (no control of modes), FT757GXII, Yaesu FT-767, FT-747GX, FT-890, FT-900, FT-990, FT-1000
    • Icom IC-735, IC-R7000, IC-275 A/E/H, IC-375 A, IC-475 A/E/H, IC-575 A/H, IC-1275 A/E, IC-R71 A/E/D, IC-751 A, IC-761, IC-271 A/E/H, IC-471 A/E/H, IC-1271 A/E, IC-781, IC-725, IC-R9000, IC-765, IC-970 A/E/H, IC-726, IC-R72, IC-R7100, IC-706, IC-706 MK2, IC-746.
      • Note: Icom has been very good about keeping the control codes for their radios the same, so it is very likely that any other computer-controllable Icom radios will also work.
  • Radios that are definitely NOT supported:
    • Yaesu FT-727R, FT-8500, FRG-8800
  • Note: Only some Icom radios support controlling the split function from the serial port.
    • Those that do include the IC-725, IC-726, IC-765, IC-781, and IC-970.
    • The IC-R71, IC-R72, IC-271, IC-275, IC-375A, IC-475, IC-735, IC-471, IC-575, IC-751, IC-751A, IC-761, IC-1271, IC-1275, IC-R7000, IC-R7100, and IC-R9000 do not support turning split on and off from their CI-V interfaces. If you attempt to turn split mode on for a radio that doesn't support it, the controller will send the command and respond as if it worked, but the radio will not change. If you want to control split mode remotely, you can wire one of the controller's open collector output lines to the split button on the radio. Then you will be able to "push" the split button by turning the open collector output line on and off.
  • If you use command 199 to control a Kenwood or Yaesu radio without using the interactive mode (which is enabled with command 198), see Won't Transmit Problem.
  • Yaesu FT-847/817 CAT Command Structure has some very technical information about how to use the RLC-Club's macros to add new HF radio control commands to support radios or radio features that are not built into the firmware. The principles apply to all types of HF radios, though the specific examples are for the Yaesu FT-847/817. Remote Base Kenwood TS-2000 shows a couple more examples.
  • To interface the RLC-3 and RLC-Club serial ports to Kenwood radios with internal level converters, connect pin 2 to 2 and 5 to 5 (3 isn't used, but could be connected if desired).
  • Some radios (the IC-735 is one) may seem to lock up and cause the controller to quit working when turn HF mode off (this doesn't affect the RLC-3 because it has dedicated serial port for remote base control). This can be caused by the serial ports of the radio and controller getting into a loop. The easiest solution is to disconnect the serial data wire that carries information from the radio to the controller (pin 3 of the controller's serial port). That wire is not used anyway, since the controller ignores the information sent from the radio.
  • Please add any notes about specific models below:
Radio Features that can be controlled
Make and Model CTCSS Split Notes
Kenwood TS-440SAT  ?  ? Set the controller for the TS-450, not the TS-440.
Kenwood TS-570  ?  ? Phil Pheis wrote: RLC-2 HF command 1501, selects the memory but stays on currently selected VFO until do FN2; to switch to that memory with the Kenwood 570.
Kenwood TS-2000 Encode only Doesn't set mode for TX? Set radio for 4800 baud. Use null-modem cable. See Kenwood TS-2000. Tommy2r wrote: Remote control of PL encode on/off and tone selection work, but PL decode does not (it does work from the radio's front panel).

Clayton Hewitt (KF8UI) wrote: RLC-Club Deluxe v1.79 and Kenwood TS-2000 HF: While in HF mode you can't enable the RX PL with the 21 command. The controller responds but the radio doesn't respond. The TX PL works ok. Also the 2<Hz> set PL command is flaky. It responds with wrong PL freqs and loads the radio with them. Enter 100hz and it responds 107.2 and loads the radio with 107.2hz.

Kenwood D7 (HT) Yes  ? Reported to work with the RLC-Club, including control of the PL.
Kenwood D7000 (VHF/UHF mobile) Yes  ? Reported to work with the RLC-Club, including control of the PL.
TM-V7a/TM-G707 and TM-271A  ?  ? Reported to have a serial port using a mini-DIN plug that can be used for full control, including PL. More information about the serial protocol is needed (contact us).
Yaesu FT-100  ?  ? Arlen Hatlestad wrote: the FT100D is controllable using the RLC-Club V1.72; set the HF mode to look like the FT900.
Yaesu FT-817 See Notes See Notes Jeff Brown wrote: Yaesu 817 is a QRP version of the 847, 5 watts max output. Uses same serial commands. 817's cat enable cmd locks the front panel (you can override it) while the 847 does not.
Yaesu FT-847 See Notes See Notes Set the controller for the FT-736. Most features work (offset, CTCSS/DCS enable and tone set do not). If select AM, will get LSB instead, because the 736 didn't support it. PL enable/disable logic is slightly different, and the frequencies are totally different. See Yaesu FT-847/817 CAT Command Structure for workarounds. Unlike most other Yaesu transceivers, the FT-847 serial data cable is a 'null modem' type, not a straight serial data cable when connecting to a computer. It would be the opposite when connecting to a controller.
Yaesu FT-920  ? No Set the controller for the FT-990. Chuck (N3ETV) wrote: As far as I can tell, all commands on the HF remote for the Yaesu 920 are working except for repeater splits. When I try to put in the offset the radio goes to a split vfo, but will not set transmit frequency. If I set it manually from the radio it works okay.
Yaesu FT-1000MP  ?  ? James Cook wrote: Oh, as side note on scanning, the RLC2A when connected to a FT-1000MP using controller based scanning just doesn't work. The radio mutes the audio during a frequency update. The controller seems to update the radio at a rate that in effect causes the radio to remain muted during a scan. (radio's fault, not the controller)
Icom IC-R71  ? Not supported by the radio
Icom IC-R72  ? Not supported by the radio
Icom IC-271  ? Not supported by the radio
Icom IC-275  ? Not supported by the radio
Icom IC-375A  ? Not supported by the radio
Icom IC-471  ? Not supported by the radio
Icom IC-475  ? Not supported by the radio
Icom IC-575  ? Not supported by the radio
Icom IC-706 With memories only  ? The IC-706 works well overall, but does not support remote control of the CTCSS encode/decode/frequency. It is possible to program memories with CTCSS, then recall them remotely. The RLC-1 Plus and RLC-2 will recall such memories using the memory commands built into the controller's firmware. The RLC-3 and RLC-Club memory commands work differently, so macros must be used to recall radio memories with CTCSS when using those controllers. Also check the CI-V address if the radio won't respond to the controller at all. The RLC-3 and RLC-Club manuals specify address 72 (decimal), which requires the radio to be set to be set to 48 (hex). The RLC-2 doesn't support decimal addresses above 52, so the radio's address will need to be changed from its default. The RLC-2 manual says to use an address of 47 (decimal), which requires the radio to be set for 2F (hex). We have also tested setting the RLC-2 for address 32 (decimal) and the radio for address 20 (hex).
Icom IC-706 MK2 With memories only  ? Same as IC-706 above, except that the default CI-V address is 4E (hex, used on the radio), which is 78 decimal (used on the controller).
Icom IC-725  ? Yes
Icom IC-726  ? Yes
Icom IC-735  ? Not supported by the radio
Icom IC-746  ?  ? Default CI-V address is 56 hex (set on the radio), which is 86 decimal (the value used by the controller).
Icom IC-751/751A  ? Not supported by the radio
Icom IC-756 Pro  ?  ? Default CI-V address is 64 hex (set on the radio), which is 100 decimal (the value used by the controller). The address can be changed, and may need to be if the controller won't support a three-digit address. Using the same address as any other radio except the IC-735 (address 4) should work.
Icom IC-761  ? Not supported by the radio
Icom IC-765  ? Yes
Icom IC-781  ? Yes
Icom IC-970  ? Yes
Icom IC-1271  ? Not supported by the radio
Icom IC-1275  ? Not supported by the radio
Icom IC-R7000  ? Not supported by the radio
Icom IC-R7100  ? Not supported by the radio
Icom IC-7000 With macros?  ? See Icom IC-7000
Icom IC-R9000  ? Not supported by the radio
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