N2JEU's Internet Remote Base software for the
Ten-Tec Pegasus/Jupiter

The Internet Remote Base software version for the Ten-Tec Pegasus/Jupiter transceiver works with PC control software by Carl  Moreschi N4PY to provide web based alternative for remote operation of the transceiver. This page describes the web interface software and the requirements for using it.

The Basics - You'll need either a Ten-Tec Pegasus or Jupiter transceiver connected to the PC that will act as the Interface to the Internet. It MUST be operational on the PC using the Ten-Tec supplied software BEFORE you attempt to place it on the Internet.

You'll also need:

1) A copy of N4PY's software (version 1.48 or newer). You can contact N4PY at: n4py@earthlink.net. Please keep in mind that Carl's software is NOT FREEWARE. He has spent many hours adding new features and refining his software and deserves the small compensation he asks of his users for the software. This project would not be operational as soon as it is without Carl's efforts to expand his software at my request. A web site will be available soon with more information on his software. Carl's web site is now online at: www.ralabs.com/n4py/ .

2) Some type of web server software that functions under Windows 98, 98SE or ME. At this time I do NOT recommend Windows 2000 or NT to run the web based control application. The current version uses some support DLLs that do not work under NT or 2000. I'm working to correct this but it will take some time. Check out the free web server software at: http://www.xitami.com/. It's the software that I used to test the package. Almost any web server software that provides standard CGI support should work. Please DO NOT ASK ME TO SUPPORT THE PERSONAL WEB SERVER from Microsoft. The standard CGI support does not exist in this software since it was written as a way for users to test applications intended for use with Microsoft's IIS server under NT/2000. PWS will just NOT support this application.

3) Some type of Internet connection. The software has been tested on an ISDN connection running at a TRUE 56K bits per second. It will run on almost any Internet connection running at a full 56K bits per second or faster including cable modems and DSL connections. While I know many people want to do this over a standard dial-up connection there just isn't enough bandwidth available at anything less than a true 56K bits per second to support the quality of audio most people want. Possibly in the future as audio over the Internet gets a bit more developed it may become possible. For the moment, PLEASE DO NOT ASK ME TO SUPPORT DIAL-UP LINES other than ISDN connections using data or data over voice channels.

4) An IP adress that doesn't change every time you boot the computer. It's better to have what's called a STATIC IP ADDRESS for the PC that will be running your transceiver and web site. That way it's easier for people to find your site. The are some options if you can't get a static IP address that can be supported by other software to make your PC look like it has a static address to the rest of the world. Search for something called DYNAMIC DNS on any of the major search engines like http://www.google.com to find out more about it.

5) A REAL IP ADDRESS. If you can't directly PING the IP address you have from another computer OUTSIDE of your internal network you won't be able to see if from the Internet. You need to be able to connect to your PC from the Internet to have the web pages and audio stream available to you and others using the system remotely. There are some options for this problem too but they are much too complex to attempt to cover here.

6) A copy of some type of two way audio software for the host PC. I suggest Microsoft's NetMeeting software. It's free, it has some password support built in to prevent un-authorized users from connecting and it provides good quality audio both ways using reasonable bandwidth. Users will also need a copy of the SAME SOFTWARE for their PC. Requiring users to buy expensive software to access the audio channel of the remote is not a good idea if you will be opening up your system to the general amateur community.

7) Some additional hardware. Some additional things like an external relay board connected to the host PC's parallel printer port and hardware to interface the radio to the PC's sound card will be needed. They will be described in the features section below.

FEATRUES - (Subject to change and additions)

IRB will provide control of these transceiver features:
1) Receive and translit frequencies including split frequency operation
2) Mode control (USB, LSB, AM, FM, CW - NOTE: CW mode supported for RECEIVE ONLY)
3) Transmitter power level (1 to 100 watts)
4) External amplifier ON/OFF
5) Receiver filter bandwidth, RX atten On/OFF, Noide Reduction On/OFF, Noise blanker (all 7 levels and OFF)
6) Auto notch filter On/OFF and AGC mode (Fast/Medium/Slow)

IRB also supports these additional options with aditional hardware:
1) a one of 6 type remote antenna switch using relays. Units from W0XB Array Solutions and  Top Ten Devices are supported. This requires a parallel port relay board kit that can be purchased from http://kitsrus.com/ as kit number 74. See their web site for a list of dealers in the US and other countries.

2) remote Rotor Control. Rotors and control units supported are:
Kachina 505ARX rotor controller (adds control for HAM-X rotors)
Idiom Press Rotor-EX - add-on board for HAM-x and Tailtwister rotors (link at bottom of the page)
Hygain DCU-1 rotor
(other rotor types will be added as I can get units for testing)

3) COMING SOON - Support for external LDG antenna tuner -ON/OFF control (Link at bottom of page)

4) COMING SOON???? - Support for Alpha Power 87A external amplifier

5) COMING SOON???? - Additional controls using external relays and additional sensing inputs

6) COMING SOON???? - Lightning sensing and station shutdown if storms are nearby

7) COMING????? - Suggestions anyone? - Please use the email link at the bottom of the page!

Software features and Security - (Subject to change and additions)

1) Login name and password REQUIRED for ALL USERS. System operator must approve ALL login names and passwords and keep password file up to date. Password file can be edited with ordinary text editor for updates.

2) User access to transmitter and external amplifier can be limited by license privilege level. New license classes can be configured by the system operator using editable file.

3) Transmitter operation limited by antenna frequency ranges. For a selected antenna, the transmitter will ONLY be active for bands that the antenna can handle. System operator can configure using editable file.

4) Full GENERAL COVERAGE RECEIVE supported on all frequencies covered by the transceiver.

5) User time limits are imposed to prevent one user hogging the system. Feature can be disabled by system operator using editable file. Time limit can be set by system operator. Time remaining is displayed on each page update. Operator configurable "out of time" and "system busy" messages are displayed to users as required.

6) External amplifier access changeable on a per-user basis.

7) Power levels from transceiver to external amplifier can be restricted.

8) External amplifier can be disabled/enabled for specific antennas and bands.

9) All user viewable screens may altered by editing standard text files using simple text editor program.

10) This software runs in the easier to use Windows 98/98SE and ME environments. No experience with Linux or other operating systems is needed.

11) All options can be changed by editing configuration files with ordinary text editor. They will take effect the next time someone access the system.

12) Maintainance mode available. By editing a single line in the configuration file you can have the software tell the users that your system is off-line. The message displayed to the user may be configured by the system operator by editing a text file.

Internet Remote Base for the Ten-Tec Pegasus/Jupiter
Version 1.02 - 29 Jul 2001
IRBPegasus.ZIP

View the Documentation (comes as part of the .ZIP file above also)

3 August 2001 -Note: A file (plogin.txt) was accidentally left out of the first distribution version. The .ZIP file above has been corrected and now should have all of the files needed. If there appears to be something still missing please let me know via email at the address at the end of this page.

NOTE: The links below will open in a new window. Simply close the window to return here.

This software project would not be possible without support and equipment from the following companies:

Equipment on loan:
Array Solutions - 6 Port remote antenna switch
Cushcraft - Various antennas used on the development rigs
RF Applications - WinWatt PC based Power/SWR meter
Ten-Tec - Ten-Tec Pegasus 550 transceiver

I purchased equipment used in this project from these companies:
Amateur Electronic Supply (AES) - Coax cable and various supplies
Astron Corporation - Astron RS-35 Power Supply(w/ meters)
Barker and Williamson - 160 to 10 meter folded dipole antenna
BSOFT Software - DIG100/48 digital I/O board and accessories
EZ Hang - Slingshot/reel system used to get lines over trees
Idiom Press - Rotor-EZ HAM-x to computer interface
LDG Electronics - AT-11 automatic antenna tuner
Quantum Power Labs - PC Power Supplies (low noise, RF shielded)
Radio Works - Dacron rope for the antennas
Spi-Ro Manufacturing Inc - 160 to 10 meter sloper antenna
West Mountain Radio - RIGblaster computer to radio interface

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