The zBitx can be remotely controlled by a PC, phone, or tablet connected to the same WiFi network as the zBitx.
To connect to the zBitx over WiFi,
1. Power on the zBitx and ensure that it is connected to the local WiFi network.
2. Connect your PC/phone/tablet to the same WiFi network as the zBitx.
3. Open the browser on your PC/phone/tablet and navigate to http://sbitx.local.
4. The zBitx web interface will now be displayed. Login with the pass key you had set earlier in the SET menu. The default pass key is 123.
5. Once you log in, you should see the web interface with all the controls on the zBitx here. Any change you make on the web interface is mirrored on the zBitx.
The audio from the zBitx can be heard on your PC/phone/tablet, allowing you to work CW and FT8 remotely.
6. In CW, can either use the built in macros or type out a message in the TEXT field. In FT8, you can use the preset macros to make contacts.
7. It is possible to work USB/LSB/AM via the web interface, but an external microphone needs to be connected to the zBitx as the radio does not support voice transmission from a PC/phone/tablet at the moment.
The controls on the web interface are similar to the zBitx interface, except for a few additions.
1. KNOB – This bring up the virtual tuning knob. This is useful when you don’t have a mouse. With a mouse attached to a PC/tablet, click on the VFO and use the scroll function on the mouse (when operating the interface from a PC) to set the frequency.
2. SOUND – This mutes and unmutes the audio from the zBitx on the PC/phone/tablet.
3. CMD – Used to bring up the command terminal for use with text commands. (Work in progress)
4. REC – This function allows you to record a QSO in progress. (Work in progress)
5. SET – This brings up the settings window for settings your web interface pass key, callsign, grid, and telnet server.
6. MACRO – This brings up a list of available macros in CW. This is useful during contesting and Dxing, as it allows the user to quickly select and send regularly sent exchanges.
7. TEXT – This field allows the user to quickly type out a message when in CW mode. The text is transmitted in real time by the zBitx when it is entered here.