Building a "Remote" Ham Shack

January 26, 2025

This project aims to accomplish two goals: Receiving and decoding automatic picture transmissions (APT) from weather satellites and achieve APRS QSOs via the International Space Station APRS digipeater. It's turning into a two-part project as the cost ended up being a bit more than anticipated. Part 1 will focus on receiving while part 2 will focus on a transmit option.

The "remote" portion of the project includes setting this station up in the little shed attached to our carport. Remote is in quotes because while the station won't be physically located in the house, it will still be accessed on the same home wireless network. One of the sub goals is to get a good understanding of remote access best practices. (Ubuntu is already proving difficult in a way that is compromising security.)

Another sub goal is to introduce an SDR transceiver to the mix. An SDR with transmit capability turned out to be very budget unfriendly, so this will be a hybrid SDR receive, and likely a cheap mobile rig used to transmit. If it all works out and I get good use out of this project, maybe I can justify an SDR transceiver in the future.

Project Task List

In no real order, various tasks to get this project in a complete state:

Part 1

• Properly mount window AC unit
• Reseal window AC unit
• Permanently mount dehumidifier
• Route dehumidifier drain hose
• Antenna access ports
• Remove junk
• Replace door frame
  • Clean surrounding floor
  • Caulk
  • Paint
• Install shelving
• Assemble ADS-B antenna
• Assemble (EggNOGS antenna kit](https://electronics.halibut.com/product/eggnogs/)
• Mount mast bracket
  • Mount EggNOGS antenna kit
  • Mount ADS-B antenna
  • Acquire and mount mast
• Format PC / Install Ubuntu
• Set up remote desktop software
• Set up SDR++
  • Set up Inmarsat receive
  • Set up APT reception and decoding

Part 2

• Acquire transmit rig parts
  • Transceiver
  • Audio interface
  • SDR antenna switcher

Prepping the Space

The remote location is a small building attached to our carport. It's large enough to store the lawn tractor and a small workbench. The structure was added by a previous owner and unfortunately didn't consider water run-off coming from the driveway. As a result of the slab elevation being below the driveway and a rotten doorframe, the building is prone to flooding with water after heavy rains. So securing the structure from water has been a priority. Until the doorframe is repaired I've been able to sandbag both sides and keep things dry. Long-term, a drainage channel needs to be cut along the driveway.

Another water issue was the window mounted AC unit. Another add-on by a previous owner, this was also incorrectly installed resulting in the window frame nearly being at the point of no repair. The unit also wasn't sealed which resulted in insects, and moisture getting in.