[Elecraft] Re: K2 Remote/Server

[Larry Phipps]

Mike, I have been emailing back and forth today with Julian, G4ILO, about this remote stuff. I am new to the list and not familiar with any of the software history here, but I am very familiar with remote control of rigs over a network.

I will summarize some of that here on the reflector since the partial posts with Julian were probably confusing.

I have been remotely controlling a TS850S (similar protocol to K2) over ISDN, wireless and DSL for a couple years now. I use TRX-Manager as the controlling software, although any compatible control program should work. An earlier post to the list gives links to the studf I will mention in this post. There are two ways to do this. 

Use a computer at the "remote" site running a program called a Serial Device Server. The cheaprest one I have tried is IPCOMServer at $9.95.  It channels the data from the computer's com ports to tcp ports which can be accessed remotely through a telnet client or a com port redirector (more on this later).

I don't use a software serial server... I use a hardware Serial Device Server from Lantronix. They sell a number of them that would work. I currently use a ETS8P which provides 8 com ports. The advantage of the hardware approach is that it is more reliable, cheaper, smaller, easier to backup in case of power failures, etc. All that is required is the server hardware box and modem (ISDN, cable, DSL, dialup). I regularly see ETS8Ps on eBay for about $50.

At the home site, you need a software client package that will redirect the tcp port data to a virtual com port that allows access to applications. Lantronix makes a free one. There is another freebie out there, but I can't remember the name. Tactical Software sells some commercial ones as well, but they have recently raised the price a lot.

There is a lot more info on my website, www.telepostinc.com/n8lp.html under the link "Remote Control of Networked Station Equipment". QST will be publishing my article on this as well in the near future.

73,
Larry N8LP



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