[Elecraft] (K3 Remote) Snap, Crackle and Pop

[Rick WA6NHC]

And make sure that ALL logging is OFF.

73,
Rick wa6nhc

On 2/24/2014 6:23 PM, Matt Zilmer wrote:
> Hi Rick,
>
> You might want to have a look at the QoS settings on those routers.  I
> *think* the EA5400 has a setting for SIP or VoIP (buried in the menus
> somewhere, not sure).  Quality of Service settings can make all the
> difference on priority of WAN packets but it can't do anything about
> how well your provider or the backbone network handles UDP packets,
> either direction.  Sometimes UDP packets just get dropped at the
> switch (part of the ISP's system, or at the backbone switch).
>
> I'm not the expert on all this, but I know networking.  For the best
> information, contact Brandon Hansen at Elecraft HQ for his ideas. He's
> our expert on remote operation.
>
> Of course, it's possible that there is an issue with Elecraft
> equipment.  But the best course is to first make sure your network
> connectivity is in shape to handle the data flow required.
>
> 73,
> matt W6NIA
>
>
> On Mon, 24 Feb 2014 17:25:09 -0800, you wrote:
>
>> I'm having intermittent problems with pops in the audio stream from my remote K3 to my control site. They sound like brief, sub-second audio stream outages. When it's bad, it's several pops per second for 10-30 seconds, then clean operation for a minute or three. I've had some reports of interruptions on the transmit side, too. This is unacceptable. When it's "good," I hear only the occasional pop, quite survivable, but doing almost anything on the remote network, especially something with Chrome Remote Desktop, causes a flurry of pops.
>>
>> I'm also seeing frequent delays in LCD updates, especially at initial connection time. I also see frequent UI artifacts, such as bogus RIT LEDs on the panel and incorrect LCD segments that come and go.
>>
>> The remote side is nominally a fast, TV cable network, recently refurbished with new RG11 cable on the long run from the street. It shows ping times from 15 to 40 msec, download 25-32 Mbps and upload (the critical parameter) 1.5-2 Mbps. All these numbers "should be" acceptable. The client side speeds are even better, especially upload, but that's probably not relevant.
>>
>> I've tried RRC jitter and packet size parameters in many combinations and the only noticeable impact is lengthening or shortening the duration of the individual pops, not their frequency of occurrence.
>>
>> I'm using Linksys EA4500 routers at both the remote and client side networks, albeit with totally different user interfaces. Both claim to be "up to date" when I check for software revisions. Streaming audio and video work OK on both sides using various Web browsers and media players. Of course, they all have the luxury of being able to do deep buffering, something the RRC doesn't want to do.
>>
>> I've had another K3 Remote user connect to my remote site from his control site with inconclusive results. One time he heard no pops for a few minutes, leading me to suspect my client side, but he didn't listen long enough to rule out just being there at a quiet time. Another time he heard badly distorted audio (which I've never heard at my place) and decided his home network must be saturated, so that test was invalid. I think he's out of time or patience for further testing.
>>
>> The RRC tells me to open both UDP and TCP ports. Does anyone know which they use for audio? If it's UDP, then lost packets might sound like this. Lost packets would also explain the LCD and panel update problems. If that's the problem, what do I do about it? Does anyone have any other advice on how to further characterize and possibly solve this problem?
>>
>> Thanks & 73,
>>
>> /Rick N6XI
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> Matt Zilmer, W6NIA
> www.elecraft.com
> 831-763-4211  x129
> Skype: matt.zilmer
>
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