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Re: Topband: Desktop RX antenna selection - USB relay board and GUI soft

To: Bill Conwell <bill@conwellpdx.com>
Subject: Re: Topband: Desktop RX antenna selection - USB relay board and GUI software
From: VE6WZ_Steve <ve6wz@shaw.ca>
Date: Sun, 28 Dec 2025 19:52:46 -0700
List-post: <mailto:topband@contesting.com>
Bill,
I control multiple RX arrays, including a 9 circle HI-Z array, 15 Beverage 
wires, many broadside phased and a 12 direction TX 160m array using various 
relay controllers.  This controls my remote station, from home using a remote 
desktop application. I prefer SplashTop to AnyDesk or teamViewer. I’ve used 
them all.

All the relays use PST the rotator program by YO3DMU. I consider this to be one 
of the most remarkable Ham software programs available. Point and shoot a 
direction compass to drive multiple relays for any RX or TX array.
And…control your conventional rotator too…remotely.

Don’t use the USB relays. (I used to) LAN (WEB or Ethernet) relay boards are 
much better, since they are available on any PC and less prone to USB PC 
disconnect.

I have made a number of YouTube videos about how to configure these relay 
boards.
This is my most recent, but there are others.
https://youtu.be/urntvtBTJxI <https://youtu.be/urntvtBTJxI>

I have zero association with PST rotator. I have just been using the program 
for 15 years.
PST rotator link here: https://www.pstrotator.com/ <https://www.pstrotator.com/>

I have about 70 videos on my YouTube channel describing various RX and TX 
antenna switching ideas, RX antenna construction and tech articles and remote 
station setup ideas mostly focused on 160m.
(FYI….You will NEVER see an advertisement on my channel. I do not monetize. I 
get nothing from YouTube)
https://www.youtube.com/ve6wz <https://www.youtube.com/ve6wz>

73, de steve ve6wz

> On Dec 28, 2025, at 6:00 PM, Bill Conwell <bill@conwellpdx.com> wrote:
> 
> Hi - I'd like to switch between 4 or 8 different rx antennas by a GUI on a
> Windows desktop, so that I can control RX antenna selection from locations
> remote from the shack (e.g., accessed remotely using screen-sharing
> software such as AnyDesk).
> 
> Can someone point me in the right direction to start looking?  I see
> 8-relay USB boards are a commodity, and some vendors (e.g., Denkovi) offer
> associated Windows GUI control software.  It seems a relatively
> simple matter to outfit such a board with coax connectors, etc.,  and be up
> and running.  But perhaps there are alternative solutions I should consider?
> 
> (I see DX Engineering has a  DXE-RR8B-HP system that runs $500 - $800.  I'm
> interested in a less expensive solution.)
> 
> Tnx for input,
> 
> /Bill, K2PO
> _________________
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