Re: [Elecraft] K3: As remote Base

[Fred Jensen]

It's the I/O RJ45 connector on the back of the 1258, pin 4, that will 
key the remote radio, I use it with a Winkey3.  Pin 8 it ground, and 
while it is documented in a combination of schematic and pin-out 
diagram, it is, as Rick says, decidedly non-obvious.


73,
Fred ["Skip"] K6DGW
Sparks NV DM09dn
Washoe County

On 4/15/2019 8:53 AM, Rick Tavan wrote:

I use an external CW keyer at the control site and inject keying
into the RRC through a rear-panel connection, documented but non-obvious.



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Re: [Elecraft] K3: As remote Base

[Rick Tavan]

Dave, I've been very successful using a RemoteRig configuration similar to
that described by Barry. Instead of a K3/0-Mini, I have a full K3 at the
control site where I can also operate locally when the suburban QRN
subsides. I use an external CW keyer at the control site and inject keying
into the RRC through a rear-panel connection, documented but non-obvious.
The local monitor in the RRC avoids the confusion caused by latency on the
remote K3's own sidetone. I use KPA500 Remote and KAT500 Remote instead of
the RC-1216 and I'm very happy with their UIs. They and other utilities I
use do require a server computer running at the radio site. I have a remote
power strip so I can power down individual devices. A remotely controlled
relay board controls various accessories. I use PstRotatorAz to control my
rotator and SteppIR beam.

The big and new difference between my config and Barry's is remote
panadapter. I was dissatisfied with a camera facing the P3 as it provided
no access to the P3 controls. But my logging program, N1MM Logger+, now has
a Spectrum Display window that I drive with an inexpensive Airspy HF+ SDR
at the radio site. It not only provides large-screen display and control of
spectrum and waterfall but also integrates with the band map in Logger and
the mouse for click-to-QSY functionality. Click on a callsign or signal
(with smart zero-beating), or click on a gap between signals, and you're
there! I can drive it either from the K3 I.F. Out signal or the K3 RX ANT
IN/OUT loop. Both work great and it has introduced a whole new dimension to
station control.

Internet connection is critical. You don't need high bandwidth but you do
need reliable packet delivery. At first, at the rural location of my
station, this was a problem - lots of snap, crackle, and pops in received
audio. But over time the ISP improved the cable plant and central office
equipment and now I can comfortably operate a contest with very little
evidence that I'm not actually sitting there.

The system integration is a challenging but fun project - don't get
discouraged by the many "moving parts." Get it going one piece at a time
and you'll be very satisfied with the accomplishment and the eventual
result of enjoying a quiet location for the radio while sitting where you
need to be sitting!

GL & 73,

/Rick N6XI
--

Rick Tavan
Truckee, CA


On Thu, Apr 11, 2019 at 10:01 PM Barry Baines via Elecraft <
elecraft@mailman.qth.net> wrote:

> Dave:
>
> > On Apr 11, 2019, at 11:51 PM, Dave Cole (NK7Z)  wrote:
> >
> > Hello,
> >
> > I am considering the use of a remote base type of setup to get away from
> the RFI in my area.  I have finally given up on trying to fight it, and
> want to move the rig away from the city, as opposed to hunting down and
> correcting every new RFI source endlessly.
> >
> > My station consists of a KPA500, P3, and K3.  I am using a P3 external
> keyboard, running an external computer to do FT8, and finally CW via the
> radio, not using a computer.
> >
> > Is there a system which would allow the same functionality I now have,
> remotely via the Internet?
>
> Remote operation is certainly feasible, but it does introduce new
> considerations/tradeoffs.  I’ve been operating remote since purchasing my
> K3 system in 2014 specifically for remote operation.  About 80% of my
> operating is done remotely.
>
> 1.  I use a K3/IO-mini with the Remote Rig setup to control the K3 because
> the K3/IO-Mini front panel is the same as the K3 and I avoid the need to
> use a computer to control the K3.
>
> 2.  I control the KPA-500 using the Remote Rig RC-1216H as it provides a
> web-based front panel that matches the KPA-500.  As it is a web-based
> interface, I can use any device (Mac, ioS iPhone or iPAD, Windows PC) to
> access the KPA-500 front panel.
>
> 3.  I have the KAT-500 Tuner which I am forced to run the Elecraft Utility
> to manage it.  I have a serial-to-ethernet converter in the ham shack and
> my network at the ham shack location is linked to my location (through
> VPN)  so that the Windows computer at my location will connect to the
> KAT-500 serial interface.
>
> 4. I do not have access to my P3 operating remotely.  Others have
> installed video cams aimed at their P3 to forward imagery to their location
> to see what the P3 is displaying.   Others who do this may have some
> thoughts on managing the P3 remotely.
>
> 5. Antenna selection is done using an Antenna Genius from 4O3A.  There are
> a total of 8 antenna ports and two radio ports.  The K3 system is connected
> to Port A and communicates with the Elecraft through BCD to select the
> antenna based upon the band that the K3 is set (e.g. 10-15-20 goes to the
> tribander, other bands such as 40 and 80 to an EFHW with additional ports
> for a dummy load and future 6M antenna).  The Elecraft interface to the AG
> is based upon Y-boxes developed by Bob Wilson, N6TV.  See:
> https://www.kkn.net/~n6tv/Y-BOX/ 
>
> Antenna Genius 

Re: [Elecraft] K3: As remote Base

[Barry Baines via Elecraft]

Dave:

> On Apr 11, 2019, at 11:51 PM, Dave Cole (NK7Z)  wrote:
> 
> Hello,
> 
> I am considering the use of a remote base type of setup to get away from the 
> RFI in my area.  I have finally given up on trying to fight it, and want to 
> move the rig away from the city, as opposed to hunting down and correcting 
> every new RFI source endlessly.
> 
> My station consists of a KPA500, P3, and K3.  I am using a P3 external 
> keyboard, running an external computer to do FT8, and finally CW via the 
> radio, not using a computer.
> 
> Is there a system which would allow the same functionality I now have, 
> remotely via the Internet?

Remote operation is certainly feasible, but it does introduce new 
considerations/tradeoffs.  I’ve been operating remote since purchasing my K3 
system in 2014 specifically for remote operation.  About 80% of my operating is 
done remotely.  

1.  I use a K3/IO-mini with the Remote Rig setup to control the K3 because the 
K3/IO-Mini front panel is the same as the K3 and I avoid the need to use a 
computer to control the K3.

2.  I control the KPA-500 using the Remote Rig RC-1216H as it provides a 
web-based front panel that matches the KPA-500.  As it is a web-based 
interface, I can use any device (Mac, ioS iPhone or iPAD, Windows PC) to access 
the KPA-500 front panel.

3.  I have the KAT-500 Tuner which I am forced to run the Elecraft Utility to 
manage it.  I have a serial-to-ethernet converter in the ham shack and my 
network at the ham shack location is linked to my location (through VPN)  so 
that the Windows computer at my location will connect to the KAT-500 serial 
interface.  

4. I do not have access to my P3 operating remotely.  Others have installed 
video cams aimed at their P3 to forward imagery to their location to see what 
the P3 is displaying.   Others who do this may have some thoughts on managing 
the P3 remotely.

5. Antenna selection is done using an Antenna Genius from 4O3A.  There are a 
total of 8 antenna ports and two radio ports.  The K3 system is connected to 
Port A and communicates with the Elecraft through BCD to select the antenna 
based upon the band that the K3 is set (e.g. 10-15-20 goes to the tribander, 
other bands such as 40 and 80 to an EFHW with additional ports for a dummy load 
and future 6M antenna).  The Elecraft interface to the AG is based upon Y-boxes 
developed by Bob Wilson, N6TV.  See:  https://www.kkn.net/~n6tv/Y-BOX/ 


Antenna Genius Port B is used by my Flex-6700 Antenna Port ‘1” and associated 
hardware.  The Flex communicates directly with the AG through a CAT5/Local Area 
Network connection.  

I also use the AG utility but it can only run in Windows and works with a 
remote connection through VPN.  

My primary use for the K3 is voice communications, so I have not delved into 
digital modes (yet).   My presumption is that operating digital may require 
using the PC in the ham shack to do the actual digital operation while 
connecting to the shack PC via Team Viewer or other remote access software to 
manage the process.  Again, others who are actually doing digital modes while 
operating remote may have specific suggestions.  

Overall, I’ve been very pleased with the K3 setup operating remotely.  The 
Codec(s) used by Remote Rig require very low bandwidth while providing 
excellent audio.  As my station is located in rural SE Georgia where internet 
access (at best) is typically 768 Kbps upload/20 Mbps download, I have no 
problems running the K3 remotely while using SSB.  While I also enjoy the Flex 
(particularly since SmartSDR v2 was introduced that allows remote connection), 
slow internet is better handled by the K3 system because of the Remote Rig 
audio Codecs and the lack of panadapter/waterfall display that can take up 
bandwidth.  

FWIW,

Barry Baines, WD4ASW


> 
> -- 
> 73s and thanks,
> Dave (NK7Z)
> https://www.nk7z.net
> ARRL Technical Specialist
> ARRL Volunteer Examiner
> ARRL OOC for Oregon
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