Perhaps the RRC-Micro-PC Client advertised at http://www.remoterig.com will be interesting to those who wish to put their radio on the internet for access by a PC from another site.
Dick, K6KR -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Martin Sole Sent: Sunday, August 29, 2010 5:59 PM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Give us a network interface I'll admit to not having a horse in this race directly so far as it relates to Elecraft radios. I do see that Ethernet as the interface medium is becoming more widely used and one way that this affects commercial equipment but does not seem to have been picked up here is that the use of Ethernet brings other possible functions to the party. For work I am involved in Air Traffic communications and one of the changes currently being implemented on the infrastructure side is to move from analogue voice interfaces to digital voice interfaces. This seems primarily driven by Telco's wishes to cheapen their networks perhaps but is a reality nonetheless. Faced with this radio equipment is being essentially forced into providing the necessary interfaces to work with what Telco's are willing to provide. Traditionally this was a 4 wire analogue line circuit with separate signalling interfaces. As the infrastructure moved to digital PDH and SDH other functions became available such as channels on links catering for RS232 etc. Today direct interfacing to a higher level such as E1 is almost mandatory as Telco's pursue a desire to reduce investment in hardware by not providing the de/multiplex functionality. More recent changes are the move to IP based systems, typically Ethernet, through a standard that allows this in the commercial Air Traffic communications world. Clearly there are benefits when installing and maintaining a large system whereby one essentially generic hardware interface, CAT-X/RJ, fits all and additionally allows integration of multiple services. Typically ham radios have various and different interfaces with their attendant level and matching variances. Whilst RS232 or some such remains the de-facto standard this will likely remain. A move to an IP interface would remove the need for much of this hardware. One port for all, control, signalling (PTT/FSK), audio. Any sort of audio and communications interface in a radio like a K3 could easily be exchanged for one do-everything port. Since any on board CODEC would be designed to suit the radio, interfacing of audio would become almost a thing of the past, as much as dipping the plate :) Nobody 'wants' to do this. Talk to any hardware or software provider and they will all roll out many reasons not to do it. In the commercial world the costs drive it and Telco's demand for an ever fatter bottom line is what drives it in that sphere. At the amateur level it really should be coming from another angle altogether. Ask a manufacturer of any product to add such new untested and essentially innovative functionality is unlikely to be successful, they too are in it for the money. Providers of free software, N1MM, DX-lab, HRD etc, are another matter, more driven it seems to provide functionality and expand on the various hardware capabilities for everyone's enjoyment but they are really the cart behind the horse. I don't know the hardware that well but looking at the rear of the K3 I see the audio interfaces and the RS232 as well as the multi-function ACC connector are on one panel. I wonder if they share a common interface? This would naturally lend itself to being removed and replaced with an Ethernet port. Hey maybe this is why they are all together? Dunno! I think from a field and expedition point of view Ethernet makes sense if fully implemented including control, signalling and voice. You only need carry an Ethernet cable and having been to some of the world's most out of the way places I can assure you Ethernet cables, made up or in component parts are available anywhere, PC headsets too are universally available. Today everything from a netbook to a desktop and every portable computer in between has an Ethernet port. There seems little reason not to do it other than entrenched views and catering to a market led by users whose demands seem to rarely expand beyond a basic set of wishes. I'd add my voice to the call for Ethernet and on several fronts. Interface simplicity for the user, this means the hardware and software providers have to get it right to make it simple but that should be the challenge. Greater flexibility with multiple connections sharing one interface. Near ubiquity of Ethernet on all other system parts, pc's. A more elegant interface scheme, products like the radio, add on panadaptor, computer, SteppIR controller, rotator, other semi intelligent hardware, all connected to a router operating as a mini radio network all able to talk to each other and arbitrate control. Martin, HS0ZED ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[email protected] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[email protected] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
