[Elecraft] K3 Remote question

[Fred Jensen]

Tom:  The K3 [with latest or almost latest FW] has a TERM mode.  A long 
hold on the MENU button will engage it. The K3/0 and K3/0 mini are in 
TERM mode all the time.  In TERM mode, two K3's can be used for remote 
control by connecting the RS-232 serial ports via a null modem cable.  
Getting it onto the Internet is a bit harder. [:-)

The RemoteRig RRC-1258 MK2 creates 4 virtual COM ports when it's USB 
port is connected to the PC.  Conceptually, they provide 4 "serial 
pipes" to the remote location.  The RRC puts the control K3 into TERM 
mode when it detects power on and transmits commands to the remote K3 
and receives status.  With only a couple of exceptions, the control K3 
looks and feels just like it is making RF, only in TERM mode it isn't.

Typically, the "serial pipes" are also used for CAT control of the 
remote radio from a logger and station automation [antenna switches, 
rotator control].  The RRC contains a WinKey USB [not sure if it's a 
real one or an emulation] to which you can direct ASCII character 
strings from a logger.

The RRC will operate with a multitude of radios.  It is thus somewhat 
tricky to get configured.  The remote radio site needs a routeable IP 
address [i.e. static].  Beware when buying the RRC's ... the control and 
remote ends are NOT the same, however they are both RRC-1258 MK2's.  The 
control end has a CW speed pot on the front, the Remote end does not.

The external connections between RRC and control radio's differ some 
between K3, K3s, K3/0, and K3/0 mini.  The system works well, just be 
aware that there are a lot of "moving parts" in remote operation.  
Single user systems are much easier to keep working than multi-user systems.

73,

Fred ["Skip"] K6DGW
Sparks NV DM09dn
Washoe County


On 3/15/2018 9:53 AM, Tom Georgens wrote:
> Hello
>
>   
>
> I am contemplating building some remote capability for my station.  I am
> early in the process and want to do some basic testing.  Can I just connect
> two K3 radios with a Null Modem serial cable or do I actually need the
> RemoteRig hardware to make the remote functionality work?  It looks like my
> setup is the opposite of the design intent of the RemoteRig and I am
> interested in seeing how  the radios behave before I move to the design
> phase
>
>   
>
> Thanks and 73
>
>   
>
> Tom W2SC
>
>