[Elecraft] K4 Remote: Station design

[Rick NK7I]

  * Elecraft has no control in how one sets up (or uses) a station.
  * A remote station needs all of the same protection enjoyed by any
    other station; they are the same except one is used remotely.

On the last premise; set up the remote station as if it were any other 
station; RFI and noise mitigation, generator back up power, UPS, 
lightning protection*; GROUNDING AND BONDING, heating and (!) cooling 
(!); again just like any station should appear and operate (even if it's 
stuffed into a closet).

The power supply system should provide for continuous power to the 
network too.  It's MORE important if the station is intended for remote 
ops.  The control operator (local or remote) is required to have FULL 
control over the station operations; plan for worst case events that 
would affect that; loss of network is a key consideration for remote use.

[I have a lot of UPS, one per mesh node included, for the approx one 
minute until the generator switches in upon power failure and one  UPS 
per computer power source to keep the services I provide, online.  
Simply because Starlink and the network takes over ten minutes to 
re-establish with a power loss.  That's a long key down time!]

It is up to the USER (remote in particular) to operate the station 
(remote or local) in a way that does not cause harm (on the air or 
through ab/use).  This means small things like making sure the 
transmitter is not locked on (CW key down, FSK transmit) in the event of 
a network fail so it cannot be unkeyed (use of VOX or macros and memory 
use for sending non-phone message strings)

That's nothing new.  A remote station, is just another station with the 
same needs and planning as any other station; except the goal is to use 
it remotely and the ability to control it at all times during use.

73,
Rick nk7i

* Lightning protection how-to or discussion is beyond the scope of this 
group, but EVERY STATION should have a system in place WITH grounding 
and bonding of every item in the shack, includes every wire that enters 
the building (cable TV, phone, power, DSL) or that sticks into the air 
for radio (tower/mast, sat dishes, antennas).

Even if the station location rarely has lightning.  Properly done, the 
protection system would also help static buildup, from rain, wind, snow, 
dust or any other cause.  Static discharge cause is more than lightning 
and can also damage (or destroy) equipment.

Even then, a direct hit may not save the station but it will show what 
was NOT properly taken care of, what was missed in the protection system.

In some cases, it can even lower the noise floor (MAY, not will).


On 5/4/2024 9:36 AM, G4GNX wrote:
> I don’t think you can expect Elecraft to take care of any safety issues, especially with lightning.
>
> You could install a remote camera to keep an eye on things, along with smoke detectors and some form of extinguisher, such as those now available for 3D printers.
> To protect from lightning, you’d need to install antenna switches which can be controlled either automatically or remotely.
> You also need to install lightning arrestors.
> Of course all of this won’t prevent damage if you get a direct strike.
> To internally protect a K4 or any other Elecraft product is just downright impossible.
> “Acts of God” are just what they are and mostly out of our control.
>
> 73,
> Alan - G4GNX
> South Coast UK
> Elecraft K4D / KPA500 / KAT500 / IC-9700
>
>
>
>
>> On 4 May 2024, at 17:10, Jorge Diez - CX6VM<cx6vm.jorge at gmail.com>  wrote:
>>
>> Wayne
>>
>> What worries me is having a very expensive device like a K4 connected in a
>> remote place, to the antennas, power and internet
>>
>> How to avoid damage to the equipment?
>>
>> Last week I experienced a lightning strike and the I/O module of my KPA1500
>> was damaged, what has Elecraft thought to ensure that the equipment is not
>> damaged?
>>
>> With the remote K3, what was connected to the network was the remoterig,
>> with the K4 what is connected to the network is a device worth more than
>> 6000 dollars
>>
>> So, since the I/O module does not have sufficient protections, what is
>> Elecraft's recommendation to protect them?
>>
>> thanks,
>> Jorge
>> CX6VM/CW5W
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home:http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help:http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post:mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net
>
> This list hosted by:http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list:http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> Message delivered torick.nk7i at gmail.com