Recent Posts

[Notes]

Notes
New Feature, DX Spots! This is still being improved but is working!
Fixed Issue with Reserved Slots not being restored if client gets disconnected.
Changed "Publish" checkbox on Publish tab to a Dropdown list of option "Everyone, Members Only, Owner Only" like before.
Edit memory bug fixed.

Latest Download
RCForb-v0.5.3900r2.zip

Min Requirements
Windows (XP, Vista, 7)
1 GHz or higher processor.
~64Mb of free ram
Microsoft .NET Framework 4
 (Web Installer)
 (Standalone Installer)

Installing / Unpacking
Just unzip the RCForb-XXX.zip to any folder; where you can find it

Upgrading
Copy (Backup) your "Settings/server.xml", "Settings/radio.xml", and "Data/database.db" files to a temporary location. Extract the contents of RCForb-XXX.zip overwriting the old files. Restore your backup files. Note, some releases contain changes to the database structure and your database will be cleared to upgrade the database structure. Make sure to compare your old "Settings" files with the new ones to find any new settings that may be needed in RCForb.

First Run
Run RCForb.exe from the extracted files.
On first run, you will be asked to login with your RemoteHams.com username and password. This step is only required once.
The dummy radio will be started on first run, you can configure your radio connection by going to (MainMenu->Radio->Configure).

Firewall / Ports
By Default, RCForb listen on ports 843,943,4525 (All TCP). You must open these ports in your computer's Firewall and forward them to the proper local IP in your Router. (192.168.xx.xx in most cases)

You may find information on how to setup your router for port forwarding here
http://portforward.com/english/routers/port_forwarding/routerindex.htm

There is a known bug in the Memory Manager that doesn't allow you to save a memory when editing. You can still add a memory or delete one.

There is a known crash bug in the Security Manager. If you try to open it when there is no connection to a radio, RCForb crashes.

[Notes]

Notes
This will clear your database in order to upgrade its structure. Good news, you can now Export/Import your memories.
Slowed down polling in the SWLog driver, to help increase stability.
Reserved Slots are now working in RCForb. Although if you get disconnected, you will loose your slot. I am working on a method to restore your slot.
You can now Add/Edit/Delete from the Memory Manager along with Exporting your memories for backup.

Latest Download
RCForb-v0.5.3899.zip

Min Requirements
Windows (XP, Vista, 7)
1 GHz or higher processor.
~64Mb of free ram
Microsoft .NET Framework 4
  (Web Installer)
  (Standalone Installer)

Installing / Unpacking
Just unzip the RCForb-XXX.zip to any folder; where you can find it

Upgrading
Copy (Backup) your "Settings/server.xml", "Settings/radio.xml", and "Data/database.db" files to a temporary location. Extract the contents of RCForb-XXX.zip overwriting the old files. Restore your backup files. Note, some releases contain changes to the database structure and your database will be cleared to upgrade the database structure. Make sure to compare your old "Settings" files with the new ones to find any new settings that may be needed in RCForb.

First Run
Run RCForb.exe from the extracted files.
On first run, you will be asked to login with your RemoteHams.com username and password. This step is only required once.
The dummy radio will be started on first run, you can configure your radio connection by going to (MainMenu->Radio->Configure).

Firewall / Ports
By Default, RCForb listen on ports 843,943,4525 (All TCP). You must open these ports in your computer's Firewall and forward them to the proper local IP in your Router. (192.168.xx.xx in most cases)

You may find information on how to setup your router for port forwarding here
http://portforward.com/english/routers/port_forwarding/routerindex.htm

[Installing / Configuring]

There is now a package for obtaining everything you need to setup your radio on your own custom web server.

This package is a complete bare bones example.
http://download.remotehams.com/orb/RCFweb.zip

You need to setup a web server, a very small one is AnalogX SimpleServerWWW
http://www.analogx.com/contents/download/Network/sswww/Freeware.htm

Eventually RCForb will have a very basic HTTP server built-in to host a custom webpage itself.

From time to time, I will release updates to this package as changes are made to the flash based clients, etc.

Installing / Configuring
Just extract the zip contents to any folder on your web server. Then try loading the index.html file in your web browser. By default, its configured to connect to KG6YPI's radio. To make it connect to your radio, change the JavaScript variables (located in the <head> then <script>  section) to reflect your setup.

Note
Radio.swf file only works with RCForb.
SimpleRadio.swf works with both RCFserver and RCForb.

We plan on getting Radio.swf to support the old RCFserver, its almost there

[HamRadioDeluxe]

Notes with RCForb 3

After installing RCForb 3 you will notice that there are no drivers for other radios, only dummy and Yaesu Ft857.
Other radios will be added in the future release of RCForb 3.

To get any other radio working you will need either HRD (HamRadio Deluxe) or SWlog(ShortWavelog).
NOTE:- HamRadioDeluxe does not support PCR1500/2500. You can use SWlog for these radios

HamRadioDeluxe

HamRadioDeluxe version 5 link
http://www.ham-radio-deluxe.com/HRDv5.aspx

Install, Run and add new connection.
In version 5 the IPserver is automatically turned on, This is required for RCF0rb. Port number is 7809 (default).
RCForb select Radio/Configure HRD/SWLOG select
Protocol:- Ham Radio Deluxe v5 or v4 (which ever version of HRD you have installed)
Domain:- localhost
Port:- 7809
SAVE----Close
Radio Server button then Start.
RadioServer()->Initialized
Connecting to radio...
RadioServer()->Start()->Listening on 0.0.0.0:PORT NUMBER

ShortWavelog

SWlog link
http://www.shortwavelog.com/download.aspx

Install SWlog.
Note:- MYSQL needs to be installed or will be installed on the fly.
Follow all instructions carefully.

After installing has finished, you may need to reboot your PC, depends on what OPS you are using.

Run SWlog. This will start and add the database (MYSQL) logs files to your system.
If errors popup, you may need to install the full version of MYSQL.

http://www.microsoft.com/express/database/
If no errors, SWlog will start.
Goto Preferences, check no log files, SAVE.
Close SWlog .
Run RadioControl
Goto preferences, add radio(com ports and stuff), save and a message will popup, saying you need to shutdown the controller.
Do this, then rerun radio controller.
If all is correct, then your radio will be enabled.

RCForb select Radio/Configure HRD/SWLOG select
Protocol:- Shortwave Log
Domain:- localhost
Port:- 4502
SAVE----Close
Radio Server button then Start.
RadioServer()->Initialized
Connecting to radio...
RadioServer()->Start()->Listening on 0.0.0.0:PORT NUMBER

Please NOTE:-
If you do not wish to have your radio PUBLISHED at this time, then goto Publish and uncheck the Publish box in RCForb 3.


Done, your Radio is now online.

External Web Hosting

You may have noticed in RCForb that there is no reference to host RCForb externally.
This can be done with a few added changes to your Web Server html files.

See topic on adding external web support for RCForb
http://forums.remotehams.com/index.php/topic,302.0.html

[Remote Server Help]

Remote Server Help

A brief description on how to set up and start RCForb 3.
Also read this topic if upgrading.
http://forums.remotehams.com/index.php/topic,292.0.html

Min Requirements
Windows (XP, Vista, 7)
1 GHz or higher processor.
~64Mb of free ram
Microsoft .NET Framework 4
  (Web Installer)
  (Standalone Installer)


Firstly Download RCForb version 3
Install Run the .exe file, follow instruction carefully.
The fun part Setting up RCForb 3

Top Menu Tabs

File
Remote Administrator, View your remote, Minimize to tray.

Radio
Configure, Security, Connect, Disconnect.

Audio

Help
Support Forums, About.


File Tab




Remote Admin :- Allows the owner or owners of RCForb to access your remote ??

View your remote :- via logging into Remote Hams

Minimize to tray

Radio Tab



Configure Radio :- This is where you add your radio com ports baud rate and or using SW-log or Hamradio Deluxe



Security :- For frequency banning RX or TX as well as Global ban Buttons Drop-Downs and Sliders



Connect :- Start your radio connecting to the network

Disconnect :- Disconnect Radio from Network

Audio Tab


Still work going on

Help Tab


Support Forums :- Link to Remote Hams support

Help :- Version info and help

Main Console Area

Console:- this is where all connection are viewed.
Audio:- setting up your audio config



Policy Server:- Where flash and silverlight policy can be configured or leave as is



Radio Server:- Configure your remote



Publish:- Publish your remote API key and Info about your remote




Further help will be added within the coming week

This topic has been moved to Documentation.

http://forums.remotehams.com/index.php?topic=294.0

The Web Client

This client is flash based and is easily used.
Each radio or remote has different options. Some have extra buttons, pull downs and sliders.
Mainly they all have the same interface features.

1. The chat section.
Chat list box is where you will see your entered text.
Enter chat text box. This is where you start entering your chat text to be received in the chat list box.
Hover your mouse pointer over the text "CHAT" and a list of commands will over write the chat area ( mainly for admins only).

2. Current Users area.
List current users on the remote and also list current user who has control of remote.

3. Memories and Logs.
Button will open available memories enter by the administrator.
System logs area (admin only).

4. VFOs
2 VFOs are present. Top one is for fine tuning and bottom one is for fast tuning, this will also depends on the  tuning speed, which is a pull down menu just above the 2 VFOs. Mouse wheel and point click and drag can change frequency.

5. Numerical Pad.
Enter desired frequency by pressing numbers on the pad.
There is a drop down menu just above the numerical pad that allows MHz Khz Hertz, depending on what you needs are.
Changing this from default will also change how the display looks.
Default is MHz.
EG: 14.195 (one four point one nine five) will give 14.195 MHz (20meter band).
PLEASE NOTE that if the remote radio server is using version 2.1 then you need to clear "C" frequency text before entering new frequency in. If Remote server is version 3 then frequency is automatically cleared once you have pressed Enter.

6. The display area.
Shows what frequency you are listening to and also below this is signal meter.
If no signal is being displayed, then maybe squelch is on.

7. Radio Controls Buttons.
This area list what controls have been allocated to the remote.
Each remote is different.
EG: ATT AGC TX VOX PREAMP etc.
ATT:- Attenuation
AGC:- Automatic Gain Control
TX:- Transmit
VOX:- Voice operated switch

8. Modes and Filters.
Depending on the remote radio depends on what mode and filters are available
LSB . lower side band
USB upper side band
CW continuous wave
AM amplitude modulation
NFM narrow frequency modulation
WFM wide frequency modulation
RTTY radio teletype

Narrow usually 2.8 kHz or below
Medium usually 5 to 50 kHz
wide 50 to 230 kHz

9. Sliders
Depending on what remote is in use can range from AF gain to TX power output.

10. Log out and remote info.
Log out button disconnects you from the remote and transfers you to the main page on RemoteHams.com
Version number of server being used.
What the remote is using in conjunction with Remote Hams.
Small text field displaying what the remote's antenna and place of origin.

11. Audio control.
This for U media, Skype and or Icecast/Shout cast.

More info on setting up a remote will coming shortly.

Cheers
VK4FSGW Steve

[Notes]

Notes
This will clear your database in order to upgrade its structure.
Replaced globally blocked features with allowed buttons, dropdowns, sliders. This now functions as it did in RCFserver.
Other bug fixes and improvements.

Download
RCForb-v0.5.3870.zip

Min Requirements
Windows (XP, Vista, 7)
1 GHz or higher processor.
~64Mb of free ram
Microsoft .NET Framework 4
 (Web Installer)
 (Standalone Installer)

Installing / Unpacking
Just unzip the RCForb-XXX.zip to any folder; where you can find it

Upgrading
Copy (Backup) your "Settings/server.xml", "Settings/radio.xml", and "Data/database.db" files to a temporary location. Extract contents of the RCForb zip overwriting the old files. Restore your backup files. Note, some releases contain changes to the database structure and your database will be cleared to upgrade the database structure. Make sure to compare your old "Settings" files with the new ones to find any new settings that may be needed in RCForb. We are still working on a export/import routine so you can backup your data and easily restore it after upgrading.

First Run
Run RCForb.exe from the extracted files.
On first run, you will be asked to login with your RemoteHams.com username and password. This step is only required once.
The dummy radio will be started on first run, you can configure your radio connection by going to (MainMenu->Radio->Configure).

Firewall / Ports
By Default, RCForb listen on ports 843,943,4525 (All TCP). You must open these ports in your computer's Firewall and forward them to the proper local IP in your Router. (192.168.xx.xx in most cases)

You may find information on how to setup your router for port forwarding here
http://portforward.com/english/routers/port_forwarding/routerindex.htm

[Connecting to RCForb]

RCForb uses a dynamic protocol designed by KG6YPI & Brad DeMorrow. The concept is simple, the server notifies the clients of changes that may occur on the server when they occur. For example, if the frequency changes (either by a user or the radio itself), the server notifies all clients of the new frequency. The advantage of this protocol is clients do not have to constantly ask for information, using less bandwidth compared to other "Radio Over IP" based protocols. Another advantage, all clients stay perfectly "in-sync" with each other when the server notifies them of changes.

Connecting to RCForb
On connection you need to send the "set protocol" command to initiate your connection in the server.
set protocol rcs

Once you set protocol, you will receive the current server's status.

Code:

set protocol rcs
post::id::RCForb
post::version::0.5.3870 b20143
post::driver::Dummy Radio (1.1)
post::radio::Dummy
post::buttons::TX,NB,NR,Notch
post::dropdowns::Mode,Filter
post::sliders::AF,Squelch,Pitch
post::frequency::16191886
post::frequencyB::431650201
post::smeter::S9+20,177,255
post::smeterB::S1,25,255
post::button::NB::0
post::button::Notch::0
post::button::NR::0
post::button::TX::0
post::list::Filter::6k,15k,50k,230k
post::list::Mode::AM,FM,USB,LSB,CW
post::dropdown::Filter::6k
post::dropdown::Mode::USB
post::range::AF::0,100,0
post::range::Pitch::0,100,0
post::range::Squelch::0,100,0
post::slider::AF::0
post::slider::Pitch::0
post::slider::Squelch::0
post::heartbeat::27s 641ms
post::time::8/6/2010 12:46:32 PM
post::lasttuner:: * Remote Open *
post::user_in::Guest-80

Reading Server Posts Messages
Most of the data posted from the server is "self explanatory", so we will only mention certain commands here.

Heartbeats
You must respond back to the post::heartbeat::{data} command with post::heartbeat::{data}
If not, you will be disconnected after about 30 seconds.
post::heartbeat::1234

User In/Out
post::user_in::{name}
post::user_out::{name}

Buttons
---

Dropdowns
The server sends a comma separated list of available dropdowns in the following command:
post::dropdowns::{list}

You will then receive the available items for the dropdown as follows:
post::list::{dropdown}::{items}

Finally you will receive the current state of the dropdown:
post::dropdown::{name}::{item}

Sliders
The server sends a comma separated list of available sliders in the following command:
post::sliders::{list}

You will then receive the range (min,max,offset) of the slider as follows:
post::range::{slider}::{data}

Finally you will receive the current state of the slider:
post::slider::{name}::{item}

Auth Messages
You will receive an auth message if you try to tune and you do not have permission.
post::auth::{message}

Error Message
post::error::{message}

Info Messages
post::info::{message}

Warning Messages
post::warning::{message}[/i]

Radio In-Use Status
post::radio-open::{message}
post::radio-in-use::{inuse_by}::{message}
post::radio-closed::{message}

Login with RemoteHams.com account
The login command uses the following format
login {user_name} {pass_md5_lower_case}

To login with a username of 'test' and a password of 'password' the command would be
login test 5f4dcc3b5aa765d61d8327deb882cf99

Posting Chats
post::chat::{message}
post::chat::hello

Setting Frequency
post::frequency::{freq_in_hertz}
post::frequency::50125000

Setting Buttons
post::button::{name}::{data}
post::button::TX::1

Setting Dropdowns
post::dropdown::{name}::{data}
post::dropdown::Mode::AM

Setting Sliders
post::slider::{name}::{data}
post::slider::Squelch::5