Print

[AC7CW]

Do solutions exist to monitor station parameters remotely? I'd like to monitor swr, power out, heatsink temp, ambient temp even. I guess I could become an Arduino builder and get this done, and that would be a challenge and fun, but maybe there are existing solutions?

Cheers!
AC7CW

[K0JEG]

Argent Data Systems APRS trackers have analog and digital telemetry ports. It shouldn't be too difficult to identify test point locations and thermistors that will provide what you need and send it out as APRS data. Might not update often enough for you though.

Elecraft makes SWR meters that have serial ports that can send power/SWR to any attached serial device. The W1 kit is a 1 night build and will handle up to 140 Watts. It is fairly accurate up to 6 Meters.

And as you said, there are Arduino designs for temperature sensors and the like. Many are simple to build and include sample programs that are fairly complete.

Finally, a lot of information is available on the CAT interface, although temperatures aren't normally.

[K1UO]

Depending on what you want to spend there are existing remote monitoring solutions available over IP.   I assume you are looking for monitor and control without using a PC at the remote end?
A couple solutions are the Moxa NPort serial server (IP over rs232) and the Webswitch 1216H unit from Microbit come to mind.  A multiport Moxa unit could monitor a multitude of Ham units that have rs232 ports. (Power and SWR monitoring from an LP100 or Array Solutions wattmeter or even monitor and control of a SPE1.3K or SPE2K solid state amplifiers for example)  The Webswitch can switch antennas, Do rotor direction control , etc.

Regards and good luck
Larry  K1UO