Here's a RemotRig expert's answer to not needing to have a Static IP:
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Mitch Wolfson DJØQN
dj0qn@gmx.net May 30 (5 days ago)
to me
Hi David,
My pleasure, just let me know if you have any further questions. I also have checklists for CAT and 3G if you need them.
Good luck & 73,
Mitch DJ0QN
1) Assuming your router is running a DHCP server (NAT) as most do, then use the Setup Manager to change the radio RRC to DHCP. Ignore what is written in the IP fields, since this is completely irrelevant.
COMMENT: The reason I suggest this step, is because the factory default uses a fixed intenal IP number that is often incompabitble with home networks (different subnet). This step makes sure that the RRC books into the network and can reach the internet.
2) Click on the Net Info tab and the get your new IP number (wait about 30 seconds). You can go from there to open up your browser and go directly to your RRC to make further changes. Note this new internal IP number (192.168.XX:YYY), it is critical for the following steps.
3) Do the same for the control RRC
COMMENT: It is critical to have the control RRC using DHCP if you intend to move this RRC around different external networks. Otherwise, it will never pull an internal IP number off of a different network and nothing will work
4) If you insist on having a different internal IP number as your router provided, I suggest that you assign the radio RRC MAC address (IP address "bind") in the router under the NAT or similar menu. This step should be unnecessary, unless you have a problem remembering the internal IP number, or if your router requires this for port forwarding or the DMZ (you can save as a bookmark in your browser).
5) Using the browser, go to the Advanced Settings and change the SIP port to something else other than 5060 (mainly because of conflicts with routers that already use this port for for VoIP).
COMMENT: This change is very important, my list is very long of those that skipped this step, only to find that it didn't work when they tried connecting from outside, because the router already used port 5060.
6) I also recommend that you change the web server port and telnet server port (radio RRC only) for the same reason. You should change the web server port from port 80, otherwise you will always land on your router directly from outside your QTH, which usually uses port 80.
COMMENT: Unless you use a VPN, this step is very important to allow you to be able to access your radio RRC when away from home to make adjustments, etc. Don't skip it!
COMMENT: If you do forward the web server port, you should place a password in the web page user and password fields (under IP settings), otherwise someone can reconfigure your RRC if they find your IP numer!
7) From that point, you need to always add the port to your web call-up, e.g.
http://192.168.1.228:1234 (change your browser bookmark from step 4 above). To access your radio RRC's web interface from outside of your home network, you will need to add this port number (e.g. :1234) to the Dynamic DNS address that you use under point 11 below.
Go to your control RRC and change the SIP port (SIP contact) to match the radio RRC.
9) Change the control RRC web port to a different web port, but not the same as the radio RRC (remember this number and change your browser bookmark as well!). This change is optional, since you will likely always be accessing the control RRC locally.
10) Go to your router and do only one of the following:
a) EITHER move your radio RRC into the "DMZ" (exposed host). Your router may require the RRC to have a fixed internal IP number. If so, just do so as I described in 4) above
b) OR else forward the ports: 12000 (UDP), 11000 (UDP), SIP port you gave (UDP) and web server port you gave (TCP). It is not necessary to forward the telnet port in most cases.
c) Do NOT do both!!!
COMMENT: This step is very critical for the radio RRC, it won't work from outside of your network without it. Note that this is NOT necessary or recommended for the control RRC, only the radio RRC!
11) If you do not have a fixed external IP number at the radio QTH, then create a Dynamic DNS account, unless you have one already from
http://www.dyndns.com/. Since DynDNS started charging for their accounts, Microbit began their own service for their products. All you need to do is to:
- Go to the Dynamic DNS settings tab (radio RRC only)
- Change the check interval to i.e. 10 minutes
- Make sure the drop-down is on RemoteRig's service
- Click on apply changes
The Microbit Dynamic DNS address is entered automatically into the "own host name" field if you use this service. If you are using DynDNS instead, then enter that address into either your radio RRC under the DynDNS settings, or into your router's DynDNS setting. Note that if you do already have a Dynamic DNS account (either paid, or an older free one) and prefer that over the one from Microbit, then I suggest you use your router's DynDNS setting if available, since it only updates if there is a change. Never enter the same DynDNS account into both devices! Also note that the default RRC setting of 10 minute updates causes DynDNS to lock your (free) account, so change this to 24 hours.
COMMENT: Even if you believe that your external IP number never changes, make this step anyway! Your ISP can change the address on a whim, or a power outage, even for a split second, can change the address. I have had a couple of cases where this was skipped and the user could not access for several weeks until they reached the station again.
12) On the control RRC, place the information from the radio RRC's "own host name" on the Radio Settings tab under SIP contact. When testing at the same QTH as the radio, you should temporarily place the radio RRC's internal IP number into this field, just don't forget to change it when you take the RRC with you. Note that this address is WITHOUT a port suffix (like :1234), since the port is entered into the SIP contact field separately. Everything should work now. Just don't forget to use the Dynamic DNS address when not at the station, this is the #1 cause of the system not working when leaving your local network this first time!
COMMENT: Note that using the external IP address or Dynamic DNS address from inside of your network will often not work (blocked by the router), you usually must use the internal IP number. Using the internal IP address from outside of your LAN will never work!
13) All other settings are optional and MUST be the same on both RRC's, e.g. SIP password, audio quality, etc. Use the handbook to understand them. Exception: if you use the PC Client to access your radio RRC, then you can make changes in that software that makes these changes only for that session.
14) Note that I have separate checklists for setting-up remote CAT control and optimizing for 3G access or low bandwidth networks. Let me know if you need either of these.
15) Have fun!
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