I recently discovered the Icom RS-BA1 software which includes the Icom Remote Utility.
This software allows me to connect to my IC-705 from a windows PC 100% over WiFi – that’s for CAT Control as well as sound. This has allowed me to use a single tablet for both home and portable operation.
Prior to this I would be using a rasberry pi with an iPad and keyboard connected over VNC for the display and control of the pi, although I have been able to connect the pi to the radio over WiFi I currently prefer the windows tablet setup.
the windows tablet I am using is the Surface Pro 7. This is quiet a high end ultra portable PC so is significantly more expensive than a Raspberry Pi but when you think of the cost of an iPad or Android tablet (with 4G capability) that I have been using as a display then the cost doesn’t seem so much more.
The surface pro 7 will charge from a 12volt car charger I have but obviously I need to increase my portable power budget to account for this. As it stands I have enough power in the Surface to operate for 4+ hours at a time backpack portable and much longer if I’m not walking too far as I can use my 20ah LiFePo4 battery and solar charger in that situation.
Using the Icom Remote Utility means I can set up a remote connection to my IC-705 over the WiFi network at home and on my Samsung Note 20 when operating portable. This has proven to work flawlessly and I will be publishing notes on how to set up the connection.
I will let you all know how I get on with this setup. Powering the Surface Pro 7 when portable is going to be the biggest challenge but I think its more than possible, and I am also considering the Surface Go 2 which is slightly less power hungry and smaller so more portable.
And no, I’m not giving up on using the raspberry pi or MacBook I simply want to explore all available options, EMCOMM is all about using what is available and I think its important to ensure we have the knowledge to do so easily.
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Mark, M0IAX
Absolutely outstanding article Mark. The Surface Go 3 is also on my wish list. I forgot to ask. Can you set up multiple devices to connect to the 705 depending on which one you happen to be using at that day or location?
Yes, you dont set up the IC705 to connect to a specific device it’s essentially a server presenting its services over the network it doesn’t need to know anything about a client connecting to it. You set up the client device to connect and provide a username/password to connect as. So you can connect as many devices as you like, but I guess only one at a time 🙂 Note that it works by connecting to an existing WiFi network or you can have the IC705 create a WiFi network to connect your client device to.
Absolutely magnificent Mark. Now the winter field day is over, I’m going to set it up.
Informative article, thanks. I have the Icom remote working well both on my LAN & WAN (when away from home). What settings are you using to get the audio from the remote rig into JS8Call? So far I have been unable to achieve this, although I’ve only just started to play with these Apps and will keep trying any pointers would be very welcome.
I will create a new post detailing the JS8Call settings later today.
Just read another of your great articles, although for a different rig, I’ve now got it sorted. Remotely operating my IC-7300 using JS8Call, thanks!