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Guide / Box-to-Box

Your paddle. Over the network.

Put one OpenShack Box beside the operator and another beside the radio. Configure them in Chrome on Windows, Linux or macOS, then let the two Boxes carry CW timing and PTT on their own.

By Frank Grossmann, DL2CCHardware at both ends5-minute read
Box-to-Box CW and PTT between operator and station
PADDLE / NETWORK / RADIO

What Box-to-Box carries

The Client Box reads the paddle, produces immediate local sidetone and accepts footswitch PTT. The Host Box recreates CW timing and PTT at the radio. Audio and radio control remain the job of your chosen remote system.

This makes Box-to-Box a focused addition when you already have a remote audio and CAT solution but are missing a satisfactory physical CW/PTT path.

Where a PC (Windows or Linux) or Mac is required

A Windows or Linux PC, or a Mac, running Chrome is used to configure both Boxes through a USB-serial connection. This is where you configure the Wi-Fi network, select Box-to-Box mode and enter the shared session password in each Box. After setup, no computer has to remain in the keying path: the Boxes can exchange CW and PTT independently.

Preferred arrangementIf a Windows PC is available at either end, using it remains preferable. A wired connection between the PC and Box is generally more reliable and provides lower latency and jitter than Wi-Fi. The two ends can also use different arrangements: for example, use one Box wirelessly through your phone's hotspot while travelling, while the station end runs through the Windows PC connected to your radio.

The Wi-Fi condition

Standalone Box-to-Box needs a good Wi-Fi connection, with an access point close to each OpenShack Box. Weak or congested Wi-Fi adds latency, jitter and packet loss before the traffic even reaches the Internet.

The firmware performs its own connection measurement. That helps the system choose and operate the path, but it cannot compensate for a poor local radio link to the access point.

When Box-to-Box is the right choice

  • You already have reliable remote audio and CAT.
  • You want to use a real paddle and footswitch away from the shack.
  • You want immediate sidetone beside you.
  • You prefer a dedicated hardware path for CW and PTT.

Continue reading

Host Box versus Client Box →
How timing survives network jitter →

Hardware at both ends. Your CW in between.

Box-to-Box brings the paddle and PTT path to an existing remote station.

See Box-to-Box