| Web Browser Interface: The browser interface does not require any setup.
TESTED WITH: IE7 amd IE8 Beta; Firefox 3.05.
Requires Flash, and Java installed. With Firefox 3.05 it is supported on the Mac.
Please use SKYPE for the sound.
I recommend Skype (www.skype.com). If you
install Skype, its current default is to install itself as the 'callto:" client in
the computer. The web browser control is setup to handle that. By clicking the Audio
button in the lower left shoud connect you via Skype to W4MQ. If not the address to type
in is w4mq_remotebase.
WebXCVR Application
Before you operate you need to setup the
WebXCVR.
1. Do you have the latest version of the
software
This may sound silly, but make sure you have the
latest version or update as indicated on the DOWNLOAD page. The version number is
displayed just below the blue window title line at the far right of the gray line. If it
is not completely visible then make the WebXCVR window a bit wider.
2. It is best to be connected to the Internet
before starting the WebXCVR
3. Setting the IP/URL of the remotebase
stations and the user passwords
Go to the top left SETUP menu and select the Enter
Logon Info tab. You will see the logon table. If this is your first install, you may only
see two IRB stations in the table, W4MQ and W7DXX. This table is designed to allow the
user to enter in all the IRBs they desire to connect with and define and save the logon ID
and password for each station. Make sure the URL for W4MQ is set at
w4mq.no-ip.com You may have to delete the default one and enter this new URL
for W4MQ.
Proceed to enter your callsign and password as
assigned by the IRB station in the appropriate boxes in the table and when finished hit
the save button on the bottom of the table
4. Sound over the Internet
Sound over the Internet is handled by special
programs which use an approach generally referred to as Voice-over-Internet Protocol or
VoIP for short. Several VoIP options are supported by the RemoteBase. The VoIP option is
selectable from the Setup-->Select Sound Type menu. While choices are provided
for maximum flexibility, but most users will use the default and will never even touch
this menu.
- The program default is software especially written to
address the needs of the HF amateur radio environment where both good audio quality with
rapid turnover between transmit and receive are required. This software is called
IRB Sound and is full duplex, i.e. provides a simultaneous transmit and receive capability
(unlike the Echolink half duplex system) with very low latency, thus providing exceptional
turn-around times. Contest operations both in SSB and CW can successfully be operated
using this VoIP software. One potential drawback is that it has not been that extensively
tested and may not be supported by a few sounds cards and computers.
- Another option is to use the Skype software from
www.skype.com.
You can test the suitability of the IRB Sound by
connecting the W4MQ and using the Local Loopback button to check if you can process the
audio correctly within your computer. If you hear yourself clearly then it is working
fine. The Remote Loopback demonstrates that the audio is actually reaching the far end
station, and give an indication of the Internet delay that you are experiencing.
The "Start Sound" button on the lower right
of the WebXCVR can be used to recycle the VoIP. Usually one click terminates the
connection, then the second click will re-establish it.
Time now to LOGIN and have fun. You may want to
read the HELP documentation if you have any other questions.
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