[Elecraft] Give us a network interface

[Dick Dievendorff]

Perhaps the RRC-Micro-PC Client advertised at http://www.remoterig.com will
be interesting to those who wish to put their radio on the internet for
access by a PC from another site.

Dick, K6KR

-----Original Message-----
From: elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net
[mailto:elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Martin Sole
Sent: Sunday, August 29, 2010 5:59 PM
To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Give us a network interface

I'll admit to not having a horse in this race directly so far as it relates
to Elecraft radios. I do see that Ethernet as the interface medium is
becoming more widely used and one way that this affects commercial equipment
but does not seem to have been picked up here is that the use of Ethernet
brings other possible functions to the party. For work I am involved in Air
Traffic communications and one of the changes currently being implemented on
the infrastructure side is to move from analogue voice interfaces to digital
voice interfaces. This seems primarily driven by Telco's wishes to cheapen
their networks perhaps but is a reality nonetheless. Faced with this radio
equipment is being essentially forced into providing the necessary
interfaces to work with what Telco's are willing to provide. Traditionally
this was a 4 wire analogue line circuit with separate signalling interfaces.
As the infrastructure moved to digital PDH and SDH other functions became
available such as channels on links catering for RS232 etc. Today direct
interfacing to a higher level such as E1 is almost mandatory as Telco's
pursue a desire to reduce investment in hardware by not providing the
de/multiplex functionality. More recent changes are the move to IP based
systems, typically Ethernet, through a standard that allows this in the
commercial Air Traffic communications world. Clearly there are benefits when
installing and maintaining a large system whereby one essentially generic
hardware interface, CAT-X/RJ, fits all and additionally allows integration
of multiple services.

Typically ham radios have various and different interfaces with their
attendant level and matching variances. Whilst RS232 or some such remains
the de-facto standard this will likely remain. A move to an IP interface
would remove the need for much of this hardware. One port for all, control,
signalling (PTT/FSK), audio. Any sort of audio and communications interface
in a radio like a K3 could easily be exchanged for one do-everything port.
Since any on board CODEC would be designed to suit the radio, interfacing of
audio would become almost a thing of the past, as much as dipping the plate
:)

Nobody 'wants' to do this. Talk to any hardware or software provider and
they will all roll out many reasons not to do it. In the commercial world
the costs drive it and Telco's demand for an ever fatter bottom line is what
drives it in that sphere. At the amateur level it really should be coming
from another angle altogether. Ask a manufacturer of any product to add such
new untested and essentially innovative functionality is unlikely to be
successful, they too are in it for the money. Providers of free software,
N1MM, DX-lab, HRD etc, are another matter, more driven it seems to provide
functionality and expand on the various hardware capabilities for everyone's
enjoyment but they are really the cart behind the horse.

I don't know the hardware that well but looking at the rear of the K3 I see
the audio interfaces and the RS232 as well as the multi-function ACC
connector are on one panel. I wonder if they share a common interface? This
would naturally lend itself to being removed and replaced with an Ethernet
port. Hey maybe this is why they are all together? Dunno! I think from a
field and expedition point of view Ethernet makes sense if fully implemented
including control, signalling and voice. You only need carry an Ethernet
cable and having been to some of the world's most out of the way places I
can assure you Ethernet cables, made up or in component parts are available
anywhere, PC headsets too are universally available. Today everything from a
netbook to a desktop and every portable computer in between has an Ethernet
port. There seems little reason not to do it other than entrenched views and
catering to a market led by users whose demands seem to rarely expand beyond
a basic set of wishes.

I'd add my voice to the call for Ethernet and on several fronts. Interface
simplicity for the user, this means the hardware and software providers have
to get it right to make it simple but that should be the challenge. Greater
flexibility with multiple connections sharing one interface. Near ubiquity
of Ethernet on all other system parts, pc's. A more elegant interface
scheme, products like the radio, add on panadaptor, computer, SteppIR
controller, rotator, other semi intelligent hardware, all connected to a
router operating as a mini radio network all able to talk to each other and
arbitrate control.

Martin, HS0ZED



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