A method and system for activating a backup radio frequency transmitter based upon a status of a primary radio frequency transmitter, the backup radio frequency transmitter being controllable by a backup control device. The method comprises providing a primary control device, receiving in the primary control device from the primary radio frequency transmitter status information relating to the primary radio frequency transmitter, generating a data message from the status information, and sending the data message information to the backup control device over an Internet Protocol based network for processing by the backup control device. The method may also include receiving the data message in the backup control device over the Internet Protocol based network, and activating the backup radio frequency transmitter using a control signal from the backup control device based upon the data message.