[Elecraft] Query, KPA500 Remote Opns

[Rick WA6NHC]

The bottom line is that you have to have some form of PC/device at the 
amplifier to get the status data to your location.  It must contain a 
serial (via USB acceptable) port to communicate with the KPA500.

You can use an older computer (or you could add a Raspberry Pi 3 for 
cheap, WiFi connect), running Win7+ or linux then the KPA500 utility 
program (remote or not; some careful port forwarding on your router).  
That can be done for under $100US if you don't get carried away in 
packaging the device.

If you have a power outage, the computer/device should be set to reboot 
upon power available.  Likewise, a means of remotely rebooting it is 
very useful (Murphy lives).

An option (what I do) is to run the entire station (K3, KAT500, KPA500, 
later a rotator) on a PC, then run that PC remotely.  Since I run HRD, 
whatever tools I choose (rig control, logging for examples) are remotely 
available (logging being location accurate since I'm 'operating' from 
that station).  I add the KPA/KAT utilities and I have access to all 
aspects of the station, at the station console or remotely. [Eventually 
it will all be run on battery, including the network, so a power outage 
means less problems.]

I use TeamViewer (available on many platforms) to run the station PC 
remotely.  That may involve a means to determine the current control 
device IP (Dynamic DNS), but since I also run an IRLP node, that issue 
is resolved since that is a feature of IRLP (I use the node address FQDN).

In my configuration, I can 'see' the freq/mode (HRD), power output, SWR, 
voltage, temps etc on the KAP500, verify the power/SWR/antenna choice on 
the KAT500; all via HRD and the KPA/KAT utilities.  For audio, I use 
Skype (via a SignaLink which I also use for some digital modes) with the 
bonus that if I have enough local (where I am) bandwidth, I can enable 
the web cam to see the P3, front panel(s) or whatever I choose (before I 
leave). Your Flexware should be similar, just add a device for your 
other components of the station.

Since the K line was designed so well, no one knows is I'm home or 
away.  Well done Elecraft.

I use PTT remotely, not VOX, so the only caveat is if there is 
borderline bandwidth, I must be super careful to not let the transmitter 
be locked up. For that I tend to use HRD macros for digital modes (with 
an end transmission command at the end of each message) or K3 memories 
(CW).  If I lose a connection mid phone transmission,the transmitter 
will be active but (almost) nothing would be sent (no audio); then I 
simply reconnect (TeamViewer only, nothing else, minimize the limited 
bandwidth) to disable the transmitter until I have better bandwidth.  
Even a marginal 3G cell signal has been enough from BFE to control the 
station.

It sounds complex; it isn't.  Manage your (entire) station from a local 
computer; run that computer remotely.

In the case of your Flex, use the Flexware for remote radio, a device to 
control non-Flex items and software to use that device remotely.  I've 
used an Android device, iPhone, iPad or another computer to manage the 
station remotely; it's great fun.

73,
Rick wa6nhc/7 North ID


On 7/28/2017 12:03 PM, Barry Baines wrote:
> Jack:
>
> The way I manage my KPA500 remotely is via a Remote Rig RC-1216H which provides a web-based interface to manage the KPA500.
>
> S...
> Barry, WD4ASW
> (Currently in Columbia, SC)
>
>   
>
>> On Jul 28, 2017, at 1:49 PM, k5aj at gmx.com wrote:
>>
>> Hello,
>> This is my 2nd attempt to get this into the digest.
>> Is there a way to remotely cause the KPA500 to switch
>> between OPERATE and STANDBY?
>>
>> With the new Flex 2.0 Software, the entire flex
>> radio can be operated over IP.  Ultimately, there
>> ought to be a way to allow the KPA500 to switch Standby/Operate
>> over IP in tandem with the Flex SDR 2.0 software.
>>
>> Next question, and this may be too hard to do.  Is there a
>> way for a remote operator to ascertain the KPA500's SWR/Pwr
>> remotely over IP, so I won't have to beam an IP camera to the
>> Elecraft front panel?
>>
>> Thanks much,
>> Jack
>> _______