Disclosed are various embodiments for controlling the operation of a guided surface waveguide probe. A control system coupled to the guided surface waveguide probe can monitor and control the guided surface waveguide probe and one or more subsystems associated with the guided surface waveguide probe. Based on data collected from the guided surface waveguide probe and/or the various subsystems, the control system can adjust the operation of the guided surface waveguide probe. Human operators can interact with the control system at a location outside of a safety perimeter surrounding the guided surface waveguide probe.