What I what to do it relatively simple. I was thinking to write up my own application that would handle the task but then I figured out that it is 21 century and it should be something like this out there ready to go for a 3 easy payments of $9.95.

Here is what I would like to have:

1)    Send email to my home mails server

2)    By receiving the email D/A processor and tuner turns on

3)    The WaveLab starts record the  D/A’s output feed

To setup evens triggered by email is not so complicated and to have a PC to manage some kind of relay in serial port is not too troubling task as well. However, do exist any out of box software and hardware solution that I can juts buy and to employ for my remote recording objective?

Well, it would be completely cool if I were able to retune my analog tuners via email, to set the right position of antenna via email and to change antenna’s attenuation via email. Still, I have only one station - WGBH -recordings of which might be spontaneous and need to be remote-managed. So, a good email-sensitive device would be very handy as I might leave my recording tuner always fine-fine to WGBH.

I took today a drive home from my work to schedule the Prague Chamber Orchestra performs Janácek's Suite for Strings during the 147th Worcester Music Festival. The broadcast was from Worcester’s Mechanics Hall. I can’t wait to get home today to hear how it was. I would love to activate the recording via email.

In my search for remote activation of my FM recorders  came across the PS power play solution.

http://www.psaudio.com/ps/products/description/powerplay-8000?cat=power

Did anyone have any practical experience with this thing? Can all internal filtration devised might be disconnected? Does it has essentially only relays in power lines path of it do other things?

http://www.instructables.com/id/SLFC6O2FJKGWVUU/

http://www.instructables.com/id/USB-controlled-mini-lava-lamps/

…and eventually: where can I buy THIS:

Why the devise like this available ONLY for MAC?

http://www.sophisticated.com/products/powerkey/pkp_650.html

Perusing my objective to be able to do FM recording remotely by VPN to my home recording equipment I think I found the last entry that I would like to have. I do not clearly understand if it is exactly what I need but it looks very promising.

What I need is an ability o turns my antenna rotor remotely when I am not home. OK, I VPN to my PC and now I am at desktop of my recorder. I can turn the tuner and D/A on via USB managed power port but now I need to reposition antenna to a right station. So, I need PC managed antenna rotator system.

This European company looks like does that but their explanations in English not eloquent enough

http://www.ea4tx.com/products/index.htm

So, I wonder if any closer to home companies do the similar products.

Rotores Compatibles:

• Yaesu: G400S, G450A, G500 & G500A (Ele), G650A, G800S, C, SDX & DXA, G1000S,C, SDX, DXA & DXC, G2000S & RC, G2800DXA, G5400, G5500, G5600, etc.
• Telex/Hy-Gain: HAM-IV, HAM-M, T2X, HDR-300
• Kenpro: KR-400RC, KR450XL, KR-500(Elevation), KR-600RC, KR.650XL, KR-600RC, KR600S, KR-800, KR-1000, KR-5400 & 5600 (Az&El)
• Daiwa: DR-7500 series R y X, DR-7600 series R y X
• ORION: 2300, ...
• CREATIVE: RC5x-3P, RC5-1, RC5-x series.
• EMOTATOR: 1105, EV700X
• EMOTO: 1200 FXX
• Pro.Sis.Tel: Con todos los modelos y unidad de control "B"o "D"

This is ridicules – I can’t for 3 weeks to find any ready to go USB Managed Power Strip that would allow me to turn Tuner, MPX decoder and A/D processor by running remote desktop to my PC. I theoretically can build one myself but it shall be out there ready to use. Can anybody to figure out is those devises do what I need?

http://www.audio-technica.co.jp/products/pc/atc-nf552usb.html

http://www2.elecom.co.jp/products/T-Y12USB.html

http://www.sanwa.co.jp/product/syohin.asp?code=TAP-RE7U&cate=1

Why the mean Japanese have it but we do not?

Is any other serial port, USP devises or PCI cards available that can drive a regular relay?  It shall not be so difficult…

Upon talking with Insteon people I realized that all this devises are X10 devises or something that send commands over the power lines – not something that I would like to do.

The further investigation showed something that was closer to home:

http://www.transduction.com/transduc/trusb.htm

… and in the end I think I hit exactly what I need.

http://www.cpscom.com/gprod/ux3.htm

This is devise that accepts terminal commands and flip the switches. Got one today and can’t wait to put it in use.

OK, I have successfully resolved of one my need – an ability to  turn my tuner, MPX decoder and A/D processors on via a remote desktop.

I used this piece of hardware that has USB port:

http://www.cpscom.com/gprod/ux3.htm

I used this driver for USB port:

http://www.ftdichip.com/Drivers/VCP.htm

On my PC I wrote a simple serials port talking application that flips power and get status of each power port outlet.

It works wonderfully. If anyone would need the similar then the serials port talking application is free available.