Mitch: > On Feb 28, 2019, at 5:50 PM, Mitch Wolfson DJ0QN / K7DX <[email protected]> wrote: > > Barry, > > Understand your standpoint now, but that is the opposite of what you wrote > below. You said that you wanted to be able to run the KAT-500 utility > remotely, which prompted me to let you know about the serial servers that > would be the solution. The Apple part of course makes that somewhat more > complicated.
I don’t believe I changed anything in my posting. I originally stated that I was already controlling the KAT500 remotely through a serial-to-ethernet interface. (My original post stated, "What I miss is the direct controllability of the KAT500 which requires the KAT500 utility to be controlled remotely. I’ve done this using a Serial-to-Ethernet converter, but I don’t like it because it requires a PC to run it”) By “direct controllability” I mean not using a PC running specific software (KAT500 utility) requiring virtual com ports and instead using a web-based interface such as the RC-1216H for ease of use and compatibility with a multitude of devices to control it. Until such an interface is available, however, I’m forced to stick with the current solution of using a PC, virtual serial port(s), serial-to-ethernet converter, and KAT500 utility software. Much about remote operating boils down to personal preference. There is no ‘right’ answer; rather how one uses their station, lessons learned over time, and new technical offerings will cause evolution of how ‘best’ it can be done on a case-by-case basis. How I manage my station today is totally different that what I did back in 2014. > > Hopefully someone on the list will now know about these devices which are > wonderful to use for remoting. I agree these devices are very helpful; without the Lantronics EDS4100 my setup would be much more “kludgy” to manage the KAT500 remotely. 73, Barry, WD4ASW > > 73, > Mitch DJ0QN / K7DX > > -- > Mitch Wolfson K7DX / DJ0QN > 10285 Boca Cir, Naples, FL 34109 > Skype: mitchwo > USA: Home:+1-239-221-9600 - Mobile:+1-424-288-9171 > Germany: Home:+49 89 32152700 - Mobile/WhatsApp:+49 172 8374436 > > On 28.02.2019 14:52, Barry Baines wrote: >> Mitch: >> >>> On Feb 28, 2019, at 11:27 AM, Mitch Wolfson DJ0QN / K7DX <[email protected]> >>> wrote: >>> >>> Barry, >>> >>> I have been using serial to ethernet servers for over 10 years to control >>> rotors, amplifiers and other serial devices. You set these up once and can >>> forget about them. You install a virtual serial port on the control PC for >>> which you can use any kind of client software to control that device, but >>> there is of course no web interface. No local PC on the radio side needs to >>> be running. I use these devices instead of the (expensive) dedicated >>> RC-1216H devices that only provide a web interface. My favorite ones are >>> the Lantronix UDS2100, which I have bought over Ebay. >> I’m currently using the Lantronics EDS4100 serial-to-ethernet which works >> well. As you note, one creates a virtual com port on the controlling PC >> running Windows. This device can manage up to four serial ports at the >> remote site. Thus, I have the virtual com configuration installed on >> Win-7Pro machine in the shack as well as on a Win10Pro virtual machine >> running on my MacBook Pro running Parallels that’s with me. >> >> However, that’s the problem… I want to use web-based devices because I have >> no desire to run a Windows in the shack or where I am. A web-based device >> such as the RC-1216H is much more convenient, doesn’t require a PC to access >> and avoids having to specially configure the controlling computer such as is >> required to manage a Lantronics device that is only compatible with Windows >> OS. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve used my iPhone, iPad, MacBook Pro, >> etc. to remotely manage my station to turn on/off devices (through West >> Mountain Radio’s 4005i) or even reboot computers (through Digital Loggers >> Pro Switch). >> >>> Note that the WebSwitch 1216H (not the RC-1216H) allows rotor control and >>> also has a serial port server to provide a virtual serial port. This port >>> can however only be used for the rotor, plus the web interface and virtual >>> serial port can not be used at the same time. >> >> To further clarify: >> >> The RC-1216H can be configured to manage the KPA-500, the SteppIR, >> ACOM-200A, Expert 1K-FA, and specific rotators. According to the RC-1216H >> manual, “At the moment it support Prositel rotators with the D-type control >> box, AlfaSpid rotators, rotators controlled by Green Heron control box and >> other rotators with serial interfaces with the DCU-1 protocol.” In my case, >> the RC-1216H is compatible with the Green Heron RT-21 control box. Along >> with managing the rotor direction, jt can also power on/off the Green Heron >> controller through a relay box (such as from West Mountain Radio) that >> allows 12 VDC to power on/off a 120 VAC device. Keep the Green Heron power >> switch set to ‘on’ and I have remote on/off capability for the Green Heron >> itself through the RC-1216H. Thus, I have two RC-1216H devices: one to >> manage the KPA500 and the other to manage my Green Heron/Orion rotor system. >> >> The Webswitch 1216H is certainly an alternative for rotor control and people >> do get confused with the two model designations. When I ordered the >> RC-1216H from HRO, they sent me the webswitch 1216H in error. I like the >> RC-1216H because it is a simple RS232 cable connection between the RC-1216H >> and Green Heron; configure the RC-1216H to manage a rotor, and it basically >> works out-of-the-box. There are eight predefined aziumth bearings that >> can be labeled as well as the ability to direct the antenna to a specific >> bearing. >> >> In summary, the trend is for more seamless web-based management of remote >> devices both in the consumer market and amateur radio as it eliminates the >> need for specific hardware/software to remotely manage devices. If I could >> replace using KAT-500 Utility software with a web-based device such as the >> RC-1216H to manage the tuner, I could stick with running Apple devices (and >> avoid running Windows under Parallels on a MacBook Pro) and be able to fully >> control my K3 station from anywhere (in conjunction with the K3/0-Mini). >> >> 73, >> >> Barry, WD4ASW >> (Keller, TX) >> >> >> >>> 73, >>> Mitch DJ0QN / K7DX >>> >>> -- >>> Mitch Wolfson K7DX / DJ0QN >>> 10285 Boca Cir, Naples, FL 34109 >>> Skype: mitchwo >>> USA: Home:+1-239-221-9600 - Mobile:+1-424-288-9171 >>> Germany: Home:+49 89 32152700 - Mobile/WhatsApp:+49 172 8374436 >>> >> > ______________________________________________________________ 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
