[Elecraft] KAT500 remote

[Gordon LaPoint]

Barry,
      Thanks for the comments and hints.  I'm using the KAT500-Remote 
Version 1.0.15.0 software over the internet to a remote system in a 
different town.
This is NOT the utility software, it allows for hosting a KAT500 over 
the internet for control by multiple clients,  a different program.  The 
client end does not have a clear indication of the power status of the 
remote KAT500.
Thanks,
Gordon - N1MGO

On 10/10/2020 11:19 AM, Barry Baines wrote:
> Gordon:
>
> I know you’ve received several e-mails pertaining to your query. 
>  Hopefully, my comments below will be helpful...
>
>> On Oct 9, 2020, at 2:13 PM, Gordon LaPoint <gordon.lapoint at gmail.com 
>> <mailto:gordon.lapoint at gmail.com>> wrote:
>>
>> I use the KAT500 remote software and it works great. I have only one 
>> problem with it, I can not tell if the power is on or off. This 
>> matters because when the remote site looses power the state of the 
>> KAT500 is unknown and the program does not indicate if the power is 
>> ON or OFF.  Is there a way to tell?
>>
>> I can keep trying the POWER button then the TUNE button until it 
>> works, but it would be much better for a positive indication of the 
>> power state by button color or some other indication in the application.
>>
>> I have set the "Initial Power" in the KAT500 utility to be "Power On" 
>> when DC  is applied, but not sure this is always observed.  I have no 
>> other way to see the remote site when this happens.
>
> That is the key step.  With “Initial Power set to Power On” when DC is 
> applied, the KAT500 will indeed always be on when power is applied. 
>  The question is what happens if power is removed and recognizing that 
> the KAT500 is without power.
>
> The Elecraft Utility tests for a Com Port connection when it opens. 
>  If the KAT500 is not on, the utility will not see the KAT500’s com 
> port and it will be unable to connect.  If the KAT500 is on, the 
> connection to the PC will established (assuming your RS232 cable is 
> connected to a PC).  You can see the results in one of two ways:
>
> 1.  Under the Port Tab, selecting that and you’ll see a box open 
> reporting the connection and the serial speed of that connection, or
>
> 2.  Under the Firmware Tab, there is an activity log that shows the 
> sequence of events to open the Com Port and establish a connection.
>
> If the KAT500 does not have power, these tests will fail.  Under the 
> Firmware->Activity Log you’ll see entries stating (for example):
>
> 10:56:02 Attempting to contact KAT500 on port COM2 at 38400 bit/s
>
> as it scrolls through different baud rates attempting to connect.  If 
> you see this, the KAT500 is not getting power.
>
> Presumably you have a way to remotely turn on the power supply 
> connection to the KAT500. When power is restored you’ll see 
> confirmation in the activity log:
>
> 10:59:39 KAT500 version 01.75. Serial port speed 38400 bit/s
>
>
> I use a West Mountain Radio R40051 which is a web-based device that 
> has five power ports (Anderson Power Poles) where one provides power 
> to the K3, a second port provides power to the KAT500, a third port 
> provides power to the Remote Rig, and a fourth port provides power to 
> the Antenna Genius 8x2.  Thus, I can shutdown/recycle these devices 
> remotely. I shutdown the equipment when severe storms are expected, or 
> it appears that there may be a glitch that a reboot might resolve. 
>  Given that I’m currently 1,280 miles from the shack, redundancy in 
> the form of being able to power down/power up equipment is a nice feature.
>
> I can also remotely shutdown and restart the power supply that powers 
> my Elecraft equipment  (except the KPA500 which is on 240VAC) by using 
> an AC-PWR module from WMR that allows the R40051 to power on/off the 
> power supply through a different port on the same R40051.  I use a 3A 
> power supply to power the R4005i (it is always on) and second 30A 
> power supply to power the K3-KAT500-Remote Rig-Antenna Genius.
>
> The KPA500 is controlled separately through a Remote Rig RC-1216H that 
> provides a web-based screen mimicking the KPA500 front panel where I 
> can power on/off and set standby/operate through the interface as well 
> as see the LED meters,  As I use Remote Rig with the K3, the K3/0-mini 
> activates the K3 when the Mini is powered on.  I also use a second 
> RC-1216H to control my Green Heron rotor controller.
>
> BTW, I did a copy/paste of the Activity Log remotely to provide this 
> information to you  as I use a PC in the shack to control the KAT500 
> and connect via VNC Client from my MacBook Pro.  I accessed the R4005i 
> directly through a web browser to be able to turn on/off the KAT500 
> with a MacBook Pro.  Thus, I don’t need a PC at my location to control 
> my station as I can use an iPhone or iPad to do it as well.  The 
> station is in Southeast Georgia and I’m currently in Rosllndale 
> (Boston), MA.
>
> Hope this helps,
>
> Barry, WD4ASW/1
>
>
>
>>
>> Any suggestions?
>>
>> Gordon - N1MGO
>>
>