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Reviews For: Remote Ham Radio (RHR)

Category: Specialized Amateur Communication Products

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Review Summary For : Remote Ham Radio (RHR)
Reviews: 23MSRP: $99/yr + $0.09-$0.49/min
Description:
Provides remote access to a number of DX and contesting stations in the USA and worldwide.
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.remotehamradio.com/
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
15234.7
KQ4Y Rating: 2023-01-28
Great Service and Great Support Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I just started my subscription recently. I live in a noisy location with limited antenna options. My operating has been mostly FT8 because of that. I signed up with RHR and began using the 100-watt stations with dipoles at 100 feet, and the difference is just amazing. I'll try one of the big gun stations after I have a little more experience.

Finally, I can make SSB contacts again where I can hear and be heard. The software is easy to set up, and the learning curve is not steep.

I'd rather have my own station with a tower in the backyard. But that simply isn't going to happen, as far as I can see.

I don't have to worry about the noise that the washing machine makes or a host of other RFI and noise problems that can occur when an antenna is low and close to the house.

The staff at RHR have been very helpful and are quick to respond. I'd recommend it to anyone who can't get on the air from their location or find it challenging to do so.

After getting licensed in the best sunspot peak of my life 55 years ago, I've been given a new lease on my ham radio life with RHR!

KU7I Rating: 2021-08-24
Easy to learn how to use, very simple and fun! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
My wife and I are taking nursing travel assignments all over the country. Rather than lug around my personal gear I opted to try RHR. Wow. It is so easy and fun to use. I have a dedicated 13 inch smaller laptop with a blue tooth mic/headset I bought at Wal Mart. You can also run your home HF station while also running RHR to compare signal reports with dx which I have done a few times. On 40 meters at home I have an apex up delta loop, corner fed. Working my friend EA3BOX I was able to compare how my home station running 1500 watts into the delta loop in New Mexico compares to a 2 element yagi at 85 feet running the same power in the same general area as me using the W0/Meeker remote station in Colorado.

This is a great and fun option for those who are challenged by HOAs or on the road a lot. Be advised, the hours and charges rack up really fast.

Watch the intro You Tube video. It just does not get any easier than this. It really is very easy to learn the remote console. I am not tech savvy at all and I became totally comfortable after watching the intro video and after a few hours of air time.

I am so glad I found this option. Highly recommend. BTW if you log on in the listening mode only, which is always the cheapest charge, expect to be booted off by someone else who logged into the same station but is paying the higher receive and transmit rate.

Lane
ku7i
New Mexico
ER Traveling Nurse
K6BFL Rating: 2021-03-11
Great for all Ham Radio uses! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
RHR is so fantastic for anyone to use. It allows people to operate stations all over the world. I am a youth operator and RHR has allowed me not only overcome the challenges of talking around the world from CO but also got many other kids and even adults into the hobby. I have used RHR for contesting both CW, RTTY, and SSB and I have never had any problems. I would recommend this to anyone because it is so easy to use and is the the best technology out there.
W0AAE Rating: 2021-03-10
Best Thing For People in an HOA! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Remote Ham Radio has beaten the problem of people in HOAs or people without space to put up a big tower; they do it for you! No issues with latency and incredible Flex integration, it makes ham radio into a roadster on a computer...With so many more features than any other remote company or organization! The possibilities are endless, with incredible contest stations in Maine, Haiti, and countries yet to come....Maybe even DXpeditions? We shall see, but Remote Ham Radio has gotten and is getting more people on the air through their incredible remote stations and software.
W4IPC Rating: 2021-03-09
Great for contesting, DXing, and casual contacts Time Owned: more than 12 months.
RHR has allowed me and friends to get involved with serious contesting and dxing. With the low latency and ease of use we operate contests on a weekly basis and even operate contests such as WPX as M/M setting records and winning the contest!

The support is fantastic and RHR just works. There is no need to fuss around with interface boxes or clunky software to contest with RHR
F5VHJ Rating: 2021-03-09
Not fit for pupose if you are going to do a contest. Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Rented the Puerto Rico station for 2021 ARRL SSB.
Had latency issues before the contest but decided to live with it. Two hours before the contest was asked if I wanted to cancel the contest . Replied in the negative.
After the first hour of the contest, the link failed at the site and sent an email notifying W2RE of the problem. Received a reply 20 hours later the site was now working.
Great concept and enjoyed using it casually before the contest, but for my purpose, it was a failure.
73, Al, NH7A, 6W1RY, TO5A, TM5A, etc.
AF3K Rating: 2020-06-14
Just awesome! Innovative, powerful and polished. Time Owned: more than 12 months.
RHR is the most integrated, out-of-the-box ham radio station I've ever used.

By combining custom superstations with excellent software engineering and personal support, RHR provides an innovative, powerful and polished operating experience.

Regardless of the fact that it works "remote", the RHR control panel (called the universal console) goes way beyond what my old Kenwood, Elecraft and new Flex transceiver provide in terms putting the most useful things needed in one integrated control surface.

The RHR Console running on a PC not only takes the place of radio knobs, it also has controls for the most used station accessories. It includes a panadapter, s-meter, RF watt-meter, spotting system, amplifier control, antenna selection, and antenna rotation. The integrated logbook and LoTw synchronization automatically log the correct transmitting location for each QSO. The DX spotting system highlights needed DX and automatically adjusts the antenna to the optimal heading. The integrated NG3K DX Calendar tab shows both active and upcoming DXpeditions.

All of this works in the same manner regardless of the underling equipment at each RHR location. The benefit of the architecture was clear when RHR recently upgraded some stations to Flex 6xxx series transceivers while keeping some on Elecraft. The same RHR Console is used while controlling a Flex 6xxx or K3, or if the amplifier is an Elecraft, Flex, OM or SPE.

Transceiver manufacturers should really take note... this to me is what the future looks like. The fundamental differences are:

1) The console user interface is separate from the back end hardware.
2) The console controls more than the radio, including antennas, amplifiers, etc.
3) There is no lock-in to a specific brand of radio or accessory. Just as Windows runs independently of the PC, printer and monitor, the RHR Console acts like the operating system for an entire shack.
4) The connection between the user interface and the hardware uses Internet standards (TCP/IP, Ethernet, WiFi, etc.) replacing the need for proprietary connections.

Most of my ham radio time is on my own modest station, but when I'm traveling I need to unplug everything as Florida lightning is famous for frying equipment. RHR keeps me on the air with just a laptop.

It's also fun to be a big gun every now and then, running DX, being DX, or just trying out stacked monobanders on 20 or a full size 4 Square on 80 so I know what to expect when I build my own dream station!

I've used RHR since 2013 and have watched in amazement as the system has evolved. Since I use Flex radios at home, I am very happy with RHR's latest move to integrate panadapters, Flex 6xxx radios and Flex DAX and CAT programs. This means I can easily use RHR to work any mode, including CW, digital and FT8 (+ JTAlert), without any special setup and while staying integrated with my everyday (N3FJP Amateur Contact Log) laptop logging program.

I recommend RHR highly if you are looking to explore a new, fun dimension in the hobby.

73,
John, AF3K
W4LI Rating: 2019-08-13
Great service, stations, remote experience Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have a decent station with a limiting antenna situation (vertical). It works but isn't ideal. Also, I am away from home often with bursts of operating time.

I've used RHR for several years and have been really impressed with the service, stations, etc. It's always worked well but seems smoother to me than early on.

I also like the recent standby/receive-only mode, as that lets me check the bands at reduced cost and then switch to full station use as needed.

I highly recommend it if you have no station or need to augment what you have.
NA0B Rating: 2019-05-03
iOS use experience Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I am updating my review to note that the iOS App that I used often has been replaced by the web version using Safari in iOS devices. For me this results is a worse user experience.
W2QL Rating: 2017-10-01
Fantastic Service! Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I returned to active operating in Fall, 2016 and the the XYL gave me a membership for my birthday. It is a fantastic service!

1. The stations are all top-notch installations, offering a range of capabilities from 100w into a 100' dipole to a KW into a tall tower w/ arrays.

2. The software is very easy to use. The GUI provides all the essential controls. Add the K3/0 and if you didn't know differently, you'd think you were sitting at the end of the feedline (which you are, if you include the IP connection!).

The logging function integrates with LoTW.

3. The iOS apps allow operation from almost anywhere.

4. The web portal includes easy to understand tutorials and FAQs on how to use the network's capabilities.

5. The staff is quick to answer questions with very complete and helpful responses.

6. RHR is continually improving the network, adding stations and capabilities.

7. There is a cost. But there is a cost to installing and maintaining any station.

It seems that for someone in my situation the cost of RHR usage is a better deal than the cost of relocating (not happening!) or buying land to build/maintain my own remote station. With RHR, you can control the cost by controlling your usage.

8. Bottom line: RHR is a perfect match to my home based qrp/portable capabilities. The quality of the service provided is outstanding. I cannot say enough positive about it. I will definitely renew my membership!