I used two client computers to connect to one server, and both controlled the radio. This could be very helpful for us since we will have multiple users. To me it would be like clearing a frequency for use before actually transmitting. On Wfview users could tell that the server is in use, and wait until it was free. Do I have this right?
Multiple users can log on and hear audio provided both use the same sample rate for the audio, but I donāt see any way for different users to āseeā one another unless they check out the log. In my own setup using a USB cable to control the IC-7300, the setup allows only a single username and password, so that means everyone/anyone with the login information can control the radio and transmit. Obviously for a club station this is a security issue. Iām still not exactly clear how this could be made to work for a club station.
True. There isnāt a way currently.
You can add other accounts in wfview if you wish to.
Just like a club station with keys, it is the responsibility of the club and its control operators to manage access and keep an eye on things.
You may see some additional tools to assist with that in future versions of wfview, but we donāt have any specific plans yet.
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I must be missing something here. I have two client receivers both on different networks from the server, and when I tune either one of the clients, the cursor moves on the other client, the radio, and the server. If I tune in on a client, and I see the cursor moving, I would sure know that someone else was using the system. I can also hear the same station on both clients.
Additionally someone can be using the IC7300 at the radio, and I can tell on both clients that the system is in use by observing the cursor and listening.
Our objective is to allow anyone of the hams, in our senior community, to use the IC7300 from their apartments rather than having to go to the physical shack. Our average age is 80, and a trek to the shack is often not possible. It would be up to the user to ascertain if the system is in use, much like clearing a frequency before use.
That sounds like a good use case for your senior community, and indeed everyone logged into the client would see the frequency change during tuning of the receiver while also hearing the receiver audio. But no one using the clients or at the rig will hear the transmitted audio, so only the op toggling the TX will know everything thatās going on in the QSO. Of course if everyone was at their own radios, the usual āis this frequency in useā would alert anyone on frequency, and callsigns would be exchanged. That canāt work to clear the frequency with multiple users on the same radio. Maybe use a group chat app or something like thatā¦? But if the group station is lightly used and the hams there arenāt in the habit of checking into the same nets, maybe itās not an issue.
Absolutely right Patrick. We are counting on the screen freezing when the client is transmitting to provide another sign to a prospective user that the system is busy, and to come back later.
As you say, it will really depend on the number of users. If we only have a few, I think the various in use signals will work to control/schedule usage.
Currently, we are just one community (a very lucky one with a good antenna) with about 5 (out of 22) hams, active. It is possible that with the remote operation ability, we might get a few more to get active again. After we test the system for a few months, and all is well, we might open our radio/antenna up to hams in the other 23 Ericson communities. We will, no doubt, need some kind of scheduling system. We have enough attic space that we can add additional antennas. So we are even considering running another radio remotely if the number of users warrant it. It is kinda tough on us old hams to just give up the hobby when we move into a retirement community. wfview is really a fantastic product, and since our little club has no means of revenue, being free software is very important to us.
Thanks for the input. Keep your fingers crossed that wfview will be the answer to many hams getting back on the air. Any help that anyone can provide concerning this rather nonconventional use of the software will be greatly appreciated.
It should be obvious as the taskbar at the bottom of wfview will say āRX Onlyā if you are not the first user connected.
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Fantastic. Another indication that the system is currently in use.
Thanks Phil. Not so obvious to me. Even after a bunch of testing I didnāt notice it until you pointed it out. May I ask what prompted you to include that in the software? Were you contemplating multiple users?
Yes, support for multiple (co-operating) simultaneous users has always been there.
Good to know. Thanks Phil.