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, [email protected] 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
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