[Elecraft] Going Portable with KX/0 mini

[Hugh Bradley]

*Going Portable with K3/0 mini.*   (Portable / Mobile)

The new K3/0 mini is like an outsized KX3 . It shares the front panel of
the K3 but is only an inch or so deep. It has a built in loudspeaker. The
unit links neatly with a single cable to the RemoteRig control unit
RRC1258.  The combination is designed to be operated anywhere that has
access to an internet router. The IP address of the Router is programmed
into the RRC unit. This IP has to be reprogrammed if moved to
a different spot with a different router present.

I thought it would be interesting to see if I could go wireless with the
K3/0.

To operate the K3/0 'anywhere' it can be tethered to Wi-Fi. For this it
is necessary to have a mobile wi-fi provider who supplies either a wi-fi
dongle or a wireless device that will broadcast a wifi signal for your use.
You essentially bring your wi-fi signal with you, wherever you go .

I use an small Asus router (WL339N3G) which picks up a wireless signal and
provides a wired ethernet connection to the RemoteRig control unit. This
Asus unit is remarkably small and it will take a 3G USB plug-in  dongle if
you have one. The router will take a 3G signal from the dongle and give you
a connection via the ethernet port, or it will pick up a wi-fi signal
produced by a mobile or fixed device and likewise provide connectivity via
the ethernet port.  (The RRC1258 requires a wired connection.) The Asus
router is programmed in 'Set-up' to the wi-fi network name and password of
the wi-fi device . You ascertain what the IP address  of the Asus router is
- and program this into the RRC1258 Remote-rig unit. Once entered there the
connection is stored. You are now mobile!

I have built a Go-Box which holds the K3/0 mini, a SignaLink sound card,
the Asus router, a LiPo battery as well as a small USB hub. A go anywhere
Shack in a box.

For more details see my QRZ page:   http://qrz.com/db/EI9KF

It works really well and the wi-fi connection can be shared with a laptop .
Is this the shape of things to come? A more compact RRC box from RemoteRig
would be welcome.


73   Hugh   EI9KF
-- 
Hugh Bradley,
Orthodontist
22 Park St., Dundalk,
Co Louth
T+  353 (0) 42-9336517
F + 353 (0) 42-9326777