[Elecraft] K3/K3s Ethernet Interface

[Pierfrancesco Caci]

On 19 July 2015 23:40:51 CEST, "Dr. William J. Schmidt, II" <bill at wjschmidt.com> wrote:
>I have a prototype Ethernet interface running inside my K3 right now...
>simple replacement for the KIO3 board.  I posted a couple of times
>suggesting it but was completely ignored so I build my own.  It's just
>a pic
>with Ethernet capabilities and replaces the functions of the KIO3
>completely
>and more.  It will be available commercially soon...
>
>
>Dr. William J. Schmidt - K9HZ J68HZ 8P6HK ZF2HZ PJ4/K9HZ VP5/K9HZ
>PJ2/K9HZ 
>
>Owner - Operator
>Big Signal Ranch - K9ZC
>Staunton, Illinois
>
>Owner - Operator
>Villa Grand Piton - J68HZ
>Soufriere, St. Lucia W.I.
>Rent it: www.VillaGrandPiton.com
>
>email:  bill at wjschmidt.com
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Elecraft [mailto:elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of
>Paul
>Christensen
>Sent: Sunday, July 19, 2015 2:24 PM
>To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net
>Subject: [Elecraft] K3/K3s Ethernet Interface
>
>This inquiry is directed to both the Elecraft leadership team as well
>as
>K3/K3s owners who may have an interest in native Ethernet connectivity.
>  In
>searching through the list archives, I noted that some K3 owners had
>previously expressed an interest in an Ethernet option - and some
>owners
>have been disappointed that the new K3s and KIO3B board does not
>include
>Ethernet connectivity.
>
> 
>
>A bit of background: for the past few months, N4CC and I have been
>operating
>a remote Internet station that's located near the FL/GA state line. 
>Our
>setup includes a K3 and RemoteRig at the remote site and either a K3 or
>K3-mini at the control locations.  Since the installation, we've
>experienced
>almost no operating trouble and any issues that have developed are
>managed
>remotely though direct and back-door network access points. 
>
> 
>
>Last week, I made some internal changes to the K3  and also added an
>external USB data interface device for RTTY.  What's apparent is that
>cable
>management is getting way out of control.  To gain inside access to the
>K3
>almost requires a meditation exercise before going in.  Consider that a
>PR6
>is mounted to the back of the K3.  The rear of the K3 is an absolute
>rat's
>nest of cabling.  With the RemoteRig and PR6, It was bad enough before
>the
>inclusion of the external USB sound car/interface, but now it's
>bordering on
>ridiculous.   Moreover, RemoteRig does not allow clean access to the
>K3's
>ACC DB-15 connector for other purposes such as FSK keying.  Sure, the
>connector can be opened to access pins, but it requires a wiring
>break-out,
>leading to yet a further rat's nest of cabling.    
>
> 
>
>To help deal with the cabling issues, I am replacing the external PR6
>with
>the new KXVB3 board.  Next, a KIO3B board will be added when it's
>available
>to existing K3 owners.  That should eliminate the external sound card
>interface and clear up much of the cabling mess, but not all of it.  
>
> 
>
>The Holy Grail is an Ethernet interface that includes (optional)
>integrated
>RemoteRig hardware - just one interface board [e.g., KIO3E(thernet)
>board]
>that manages K3 Ethernet connectivity with or without RemoteRig
>attributes.
>Don't need Ethernet? Then don't get the board.  Since the RemoteRig
>hardware
>is mature and consumes little circuit board space and DC current,
>perhaps it
>would be worth opening up a discussion with RemoteRig's designer since
>Elecraft already has a close relationship with Microbit.    I know rear
>panel real estate is a concern, so it won't be easy to add yet another
>connector without adversely affecting other connectivity.  Thoughts?   
> 
>
> 
>
>Paul, W9AC
>
> 
>
> 
>
> 
>
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William,
What does it need on the control computer side? Will it be totally transparent to existing applications, k3util, fldigi, hamlib and so on? 
Does it require a specific operating system?
Does it supports firmware uploads to the radio?
Pf
-- 
Pierfrancesco Caci