Frequently Asked Questions
What is iShareRadio
Is this just a secure proxy?
Creating a secure proxy is one of the major features of this platform... built with some special sauce to keep Software Define Radios protocols low-latency and happy over long distances :) The other main feature of this platform is to allow Owners & Operators to use their equipment in a controlled environment and without having to exchange passwords.
Which Radios do you support?
For a full remote experience, the current solution is Flex-only because this is by far the easiest and most popular remote-ready platform. Our plan is to incorporate more manufacturers such as iCom, Elecraft, as we build out our roadmap and they continue to build out their remote capabilities.
How is my radio shared?
You decide whether to share your radio or not. The platform provides ways to restrict access, schedule times and also monetize use of your equipment.
There are some safeguards in place to not share your credentials, use secure connections and also restrict radio operations based on the Operators license and country.
What we do not do is emulate or interpret the control of the radio itself. In the case of Flex Radio, we nail up a connection between the Flex Radio and SmartSDR and then SmartSDR is driving the radio. This is no different to how SmartSDR and SmartLink operatel.
What the Operator does with the radio is then unrestricted except for Band and Power management. The iShareRadio platform will, in real time, enforce band and power limitations based on the Operators license. The license is configured by the Operator and it is their responsibility to make sure it is valid and accurate.
Given that the iShareRadio platform organises the remote access and scheduling the platform will attempt to tear down the connection once the booking period expires. This will instruct the iSR Client and the radio to tear down the remote connection.
Is this a web-frontend to the Radio?
No, we have not created a web front end to control a radio. This is already done very well by the manufacturer and other third parties. This was not the original problem we were trying to solve. We want people to use the remote software that already exists and simplify the credential and time sharing of the radio and shack.
Is this a web-frontend to Station Controller
Yes, this is an alternative to NodeRed that comes packaged with the Station Controller and integrated into iShareRadio as a first-class citizen. The NodeRed interface is very useful for local (LAN) control but does not have the credential, security and time-sharing capabilities that this platform provides. This platform will also allow an Owner of Station Controller to share some but not all of their capabilities as part of an Offering.
Are you an Open Source project?
The core of the product is not open source. The ISR Client and Hub however support open-source interfaces, APIs and data exchange standards to make it easier to integrate with monitoring, telemetry and control software like Prometheus, MQTT and RESTful APIs.
Do you accept feature requests?
Yes, if you have a feature or integration suggestion then please get in touch. Depending on the size and effort we may include it in our roadmap or as one-time feature request.
Do you accept feedback?
Yes, and any shape or size is welcome from documentation, UX, performance or bugs. Please use thegroups.io to subscribe and provide your input!
Networking
Do I need the Internet to use this service?
Yes. The iShareRadio version of this platform requires the SDR radios, end users and client software to all be on good, stable internet. Enterprise editions of this platform can be run on private networks with minimal internet access.
Do I need a PhD in Computer Networks?
No, for the typical residential internet, use cases, limitations we have made this solution as push-button as possible. There are of course some surprises as not every residential or coffee shop internet behave the same way. Most of our limitations surround how the actual radio software works.
Our team can collaborate with you where networking is a challenge however we cannot change the laws of physics or how UPnP, firewalls and port forwarding works across the internet.
UPnP and Flex Radio WAN setup
UPnP is the "Automatic" option Flex SmartLink can use to open WAN ports without hand-editing your router. In practice it may not work for a given Flex radio: double NAT, strict firewalls, carrier-grade NAT, and similar issues often stop automatic port mapping from succeeding.
For Flex radios the recommended approach is Manual port forwarding in SmartLink (configure the radio for Manual mode and forward its TCP and UDP ports on the router). See the Smartlink documentation for Automatic (UPnP) versus Manual (port forwarding) and what to set on the router.
The main portal hub.ishareradio.com is unreachable
There have been some reports that certain residental ISPs block this domain, or IP address behind it. Usually the message to the user implies a firewall has blocked access. It would appear in most cases that this is being done at the ISP and not at hub.ishareradio.com servers. The iShareRadio platform has a layered approach to security and may block, rate limit and protect against web exploits and this is a moving target.
If you cannot reach the main portal then please contact support to troubleshoot further.
Remote Radio control over 5G/LTE Mobile Hotspots
In general, mobile network providers do not support UDP traffic at all or ports between "unknown" IP addresses. In the case of Flex Radio, it uses UDP to stream waterfall and audio data and this does not work over a mobile hotspot. The iShareRadio platform does not solve this problem. The iSR Client connected to the mobile hotspot connection will be attempting to open TCP and UDP connections to the Flex Radio WAN port on the internet.
To compound problems, mobile hotspots commonly block VPNs (which usually use UDP).
What is the Station Controller?
The iShareRadio platform can integrate to a number of products and one of the most exciting is the Station Controller by Sierra Radio Systems. This is a robust, modular and easy to configure solution to manage, control and monitor your radio equipment.
The iShareRadio platform has integrated with the Station Controller as it is perfect solution to managing all the equipment around a radio.
What are Station Controller Modules
The Station Controller consists of a variety of hardware components called Modules. These range from GPIO, RaspPi, Power, RF COAX switches etc. The full range of modules is supported by iShareRadio platform and presented graphically on the Hub portal.
These modules can be connected together easily and use a protocol to send and receive measurements, control commands and other functionality.
Station Controller Alerts
The Station Controller modules provide readings and the iShareRadio platform can monitor and send out alerts on screen, via email or SMS text. The user can configure Contact Groups to receive these notifications.
The alerts are evaluated constantly and there are a range of conditions that can be configured including duration, threshold and latch/unlatch behaviours. These evaluations run server-side on the iShareRadio platform based on readings sent by the Station Controller through the iSR Client.
How does SMS Texting Work?
It is assumed any phone number you provide is capable of receiving SMS texts. You have the choice on the platform to opt-in and then select your preferred notification method (email or text).
The system will send you SMS texts through a third party provider.
To opt in to SMS messaging, review the iShareRadio SMS terms at https://hub.ishareradio.com/terms#/terms.
The iShareRadio SMS sender number is +1.833.354.1549.
What are iShareRadio SMS Credits?
The platform uses email and SMS text for various verification, notificaiton and alert features. Platform security related notifications and alerts are included in the platform free of charge, such as 2FA verification checks.
Other features do not include free SMS texting. For example, the Alerting under Station Controller, that allow you to configure custom alerts that can notify one or more contacts via email or SMS text. These alert texts are not provided free of charge and consume SMS credits against your account.
You can add credits to your balance at any time. If your balance falls to zero, then SMS texting for these types of features will stop.
Alert SMS Texting
The Station Controller Alerting feature allows you to set up Contact Groups of third party individuals email and phone numbers. The platform will send texts to those individuals on your behalf for any alert notifications. It is important you manage those contacts properly and avoid sending unwanted texts to those recipients.
What is the Booking Policy?
The booking policy helps keep station access fair, reliable, and predictable for everyone. It explains how bookings, changes, cancellations, and related expectations are handled so operators and owners can plan with confidence.
You can read the full booking policy here: https://hub.ishareradio.com/booking-policy#/booking-policy.
Software bill of materials (SBOM)
High-level lists of third-party software names associated with the portal and desktop client are published on the hub (no login required):