[BC] Circuitwerkes Sicon-8 opinion sought

[Michael Patton]

A few weeks ago I specified a Circuitwerkes Sicon-8 remote control unit 
for a client, for the first time.  This particular installation was an 
AM/ FM combo in a remote small town; the AM had a phone line but the FM 
TX was too far off the grid, although both sites have wireless internet, 
which works pretty good.  We chose the C-W because it could handle both 
phone and internet connectivity, and so the client could have 
consistency between sites--he wants to be able to monitor both sites 
from his desktop.  Previously, the AM had a Sine, and the FM is brand new.

An associate of mine did the physical installation. The AM went just 
fine, and can be called over the phone with no problem.  However, 
neither unit can be accessed over the internet yet, and I'm told that 
the C-W folks are telling the client he needs either a fancy router or a 
"cheap PC" to run the Sicon and then use some type of VNC software, as 
it was explained to me) at both sites in order for internet connectivity 
to work.

The client is angry and claiming that we did him wrong by not telling 
him he would have to spend money on the fancy router/PC, and I'm trying 
to learn all I can and to calm him down.  He can be a bit volatile, but 
that's another story.

Nothing like this was stated or implied in C-W's website blurb, nor had 
I heard of any such requirement from any other engineer, and I've heard 
a lot of good things about the Sicon unit, both here and on other chat 
boards, and very few bad ones.

My questions are:  what are other folks' experience with these units, 
both overall and especially with web connectivity?  What, specifically, 
did you have to do to get the built-in web browser running, and/or the 
Sicon software to run on a remote PC?  Any war stories, good or bad, 
would be greatly appreciated.

And yes, I also have a call into C-W, and Kyle is supposed to call me 
back today.  In the meantime, what have been your experiences?

-- 
Mike Patton, owner, Michael Patton&  Assoc.
12231 Industriplex Blvd, Ste C, Baton Rouge, LA  70809		
225-752-4189 ofc     225-266-9745 cell     www.michaelpatton.com