SunSDR2 DX Firmware: Latest Firmware
Server Software: Server (Starter) for Expert Remote System, build 20221028
Client Software: ExpertSDR3 1.0.1 Beta (latest build)
Server PC: i7 16G Ram 250G HD latest version W10
Client PC: i7 16G Ram 250G HD latest version W10
Server Network: SunSDR2 DX radio sits on a Cat6 Gigabit Network
Server Internet Connection: 70MB down link 20MB uplink
Client Network: Client PC sits on Cat6 Gigabit Network
Client Internet Connection: 220MB downlink 200MB uplink
Server Location: Central England
Client Location: Eastern Spain
N.B. I have remote access from the Client PC to my Server PC by the following options:-
1. Team Viewer
2. Any Desk
3. Windows Remote Desktop (the best)
I mention later the importance of having this remote access to the Server PC.
Establishing the connection to the remote Transceiver
N.B. you must follow al the instruction given here first
eesdr.com/images/software/ESDR3/ERS_ENG.pdf
Using Windows Remote Desktop I ran the Starter application on the server PC (UK), ensuring in the DOS window I could see a connection and the serial number of my radio was shown.
I then ran the client software (Spain), ensuring that in the EESDR control panel (second button) all the server login information was entered and I had a successful connection to the server. My remote radio was then shown listed in the Control Panel left window as being on the EESDR cloud. I hit the start button in the left window next to the radio and the software started. The view is the same as if you were next to the radio itself. I hit the power button and the radio came to life. I had full received capabilities on the antennas connected to the remote radio, using the client PC audio output. The look and feel is as thought you were local with what appeared to be no latency.
In order to transmit I needed to use the Client PC, line or Mic input and select this in the Expert3 software status bar. I needed to restart the software once I had connected the line or Mic to the PC, this enable the software to pick up the PC audio connection. I also used the TX button on the client software in order to ‘key up’. I needed to adjust the audio level in the Client PC and or the PC Mic level in the Expert3 Software (top right) to achieve correct Mic level as shown on the new ‘S meter’ .
The first thing I noticed was the level of Latency on the TX audio as seen on the client software (by looking at the spectrum of transmit modulation). You can still see your modulation for about 2-3 seconds after you stop talking, if you 'un key' too soon the distant end loose the last 2-3 seconds of your QSO. I noted this and did not 'un key' until I could see the end of modulation on the spectrum.
Once I perfected the above the distant end did not know I was remote. I had many flawless QSO, s.
However there were one or two with some packet loss which was strange as the data rate as shown on the client software was way below my internet capabilities at the server and client end.
I also noticed that during receive if I was to use the Client PC to also lookup a call from QRZ there was some packet loss, this could be down my PC.
All in all I was impressed - for Beta software.
However if I did not have the capabilities to remotely access the Sever PC from the client PC this would be a problem. The connection from the Server PC to the EESDRcloud is not stable. It seems fine when you first connect and use for say 1 hour but if you come back the next day the connection is lost! Imagine if you had no remote access to restart the server software. You go away from the server location having connected to the EESDR cloud, and then arrive at the client end (in my case 1000miles away) not confident that server software is still running! I think this is a problem with the stability of the EESDR cloud service. When it works its fine but it must be stable in order to be confident that it will work for you, PARTICULARY if you have no remote access to your client PC running the server software, such that it can be reset if necessary.
I hope someone will find my experiences useful.
I sincerely hope that Expert Electronics can perfect this method of working remotely as being a cloud service it negates many problems and complexities of the past i.e. Port Forwarding and or VPN’s.
But the cloud service must be impeccable.
Glenn Holt
G8NOF