[Elecraft] internet remote to K3

[Björn Mohr]

On 30 mar 2010, at 05.18, Chris Hembree wrote:

> Can you remote into the K3 from the internet and talk on your rig?
> 
> Chris W7CTH

Yes you can. There are several paths to take, most of the including software like Ham Radio Deluxe but also at least two options using hardware to solve some of the communication between the station and control location.

I have been using both TRX-Manager and HRD with my K3 and they work fine, although not as stable as I would like things to be. Also the setup is complicated, turning on the radio has never been more complicated and the one-click-power-on approach has not really been implemented in those complex software packages. I have also used N1MM to control my K3 via a HRD serial server connection and it works very well, still a complicated setup.

All those software solutions lacks is the audio link and they assume you will use Skype or another VoIP solution for transferring RX and TX audio. I have found Skype convenient and easy to setup and use, but rather worthless when chasing weak DX because of the codecs, audio gating and auto leveling. Skype is simply optimized for telephony, not to carry SSB and CW information hidden i hight levels of background noise. The alternative is to use IPSound which requires a bit of work in setting it up, but you have a pick-list of audio codecs to customize the audio link for your needs. It also lets you transfer stereo sound for using the sub RX or diversity.

The other area where most software packages lacks are in CW. I have successfully used a Winkeyer USB in the station location, keying the station using macros and keyboard entry of messages. I am now trying to finds the best solution to use paddles in the control end of the link. Winkeyer recently released a server software enabling one Winkeyer to talk to another. I have not made it work properly yet, CW is choppy and some characters are dropped along the way. Guess I need to spend more time tuning the setup. The other option including CW is a hardware remote control system called Remoterig. It handles more than just CW, it is a complete solution including data communication, audio and CW. For the K3 you still need a computer in the control end, but with radios like the IC-706 Remoterig lets you replace the control cable between the front panel and the radio with an IP link eliminating the need of computers. 

I am hoping that Elecraft will consider a way to remote control the K3 via a hardware interface, ie. using one K3 to control another or simply a K3 front panel turned into a hardware controller usable with those hardware modems.

Here are the links to the above mentioned stuff;

HRD: http://www.ham-radio-deluxe.com/
TRX: http://trx-manager.com/
Winkeyer: http://k1el.com/
Remoterig: http://remoterig.com/
IPSound: http://xoomer.virgilio.it/ham-radio-manuals/
Skype: http://www.skype.com/

Have fun!

73 de Björn,
SM0MDG
SE0X