[Repeating posting from this morning, since we quickly updated from BETA1 to
BETA2 to correct a bug -- Wayne, N6KR.]
With the release of beta version R36.BETA2, our long-anticipated K4 Remote
feature is now available to all K4 owners. A K4 can be either a client radio or
a server radio, with no additional hardware or software needed beyond an
Internet router at each end.
K4 field testers, who have helped us refine and test the Remote experience over
several months, have described K4 Remote as a "game-changer" and "very easy to
use." Now we're anxious to help everyone else who's interested in Remote get
started.
All we ask is that you Read The Manual :) The K4 operating manual has been
updated with a chapter on Remote setup and operation. You can find it on the
radio itself by tapping the "?" button, or on our K4 manuals web page.
An introductory excerpt from the manual appears below.
Other new features include:
- "RX AUDIO GAIN BOOST" MENU ENTRY: This menu entry allows users who prefer
high overall audio output to specify additional gain.
- AGC THRESHOLD can now be set to values 2 and 3. These lower thresholds may be
useful for those who prefer more aggressive AGC on weaker signals, such as on
quiet bands or with preamps OFF.
- DIVERSITY-ON BUG FIX: When diversity is turned on, we no longer copy preamp,
attenuator, or RF gain settings from VFO A to VFO B. This was creating extra
work for operators, especially on 160 m. (Also applies on band change with
diversity already ON.)
- FSK TRANSMIT BANDWIDTH NOW MUCH NARROWER: Now using controlled sigmoidal
tone-shift method to greatly reduce FSK TX bandwidth.
Full release notes are attached.
73,
Wayne
N6KR
========================================
Remote Front Panel Emulation -- Overview
========================================
Remote front panel emulation is typically used to access a server K4 from
another location at your home or property, or one at a location with better
antennas or propagation. This remote server radio may be your own, or one
anywhere else in the world that another operator has allowed you to use (by
prearrangement). A client device is used to emulate the front panel of the
server radio, as if you were at the server location. Instead, you might be at
your home, in a hotel room, in an RV – or virtually anywhere network
connectivity is available.
The K4's implementation of remote makes such operation simple, seamless, and
immersive. You'll have complete control over the distant station. No special
interface devices are needed – just a router at each end. There is also no need
to change your K4's cabling for computer logging, data modes, etc. The client
seamlessly routes commands, data, and audio from these to the server as
required.
Several client devices and applications are supported: (1) another K4, (2) our
K4/0** compact front-panel unit, or (3) our VK4 Windows application**, or (4) a
third-party iOS** application. Other apps and platforms may be available in the
future. (**In development.)
A K4 used as a client can be disconnected from the server, when desired, to use
the radio with local antennas. The K4/0 is a control-only device (no RF), with
the same display, knobs, and switches as the K4 itself, in an enclosure just 4"
deep.
======================================================
====================== R36.BETA2 =====================
======================================================
May 3, 2024
-------
BUG FIX
-------
- NON-FT RADIOS UNABLE TO DO REMOTE CONNECTION: In rev R36.BETA1, one of the
Remote host commands ("RRT;") was blocked for non-FT radios.
------------
NEW FEATURES
------------
- REMOTE SETTINGS BUTTON ADDED TO LCD: There's a new button ("globe" icon) in
the lower left-hand corner of the LCD, next to the "?" (INFO) button. Tap this
to access the client or server settings screens. Refer to the REMOTE feature
details below, and the REMOTE section of the manual, for details on client and
server setup.
- REMOTE FRONT PANEL EMULATION (AKA "REMOTE"): The new Remote feature allows
you to easily control a K4 transceiver anywhere in the world over the Internet.
The K4 can act as either a client or server, and no additional hardware or
interface devices are required beyond a router at each end. Additional client
devices and software are in development, including our K4/0 remote front panel
unit, VK4 Windows application, and a third-party iOS app. (Additional client
software applications may be developed in the future, thanks to the K4's large
host command set and streaming capability.)
- REMOTE FRONT PANEL EMULATION DOCUMENTATION: The latest K4 operating manual
includes a comprehensive section on setting up Remote. Please read this section
carefully if you plan to use your K4 as a Remote server or client. To get to
the REMOTE section, start at the Table of Contents (under "III. Operation"),
then click on REMOTE near the bottom of the list.
- "TX MONITOR LEVEL, REMOTE" MENU ENTRY: This menu entry sets Remote TX monitor
audio level *only* for CW M1..M4 message play and FSK/PSK tones. It does not
affect normal paddle-sent CW sidetone in Remote, which is regenerated locally
at the client K4.
- "RX AUDIO GAIN BOOST" MENU ENTRY: This menu entry allows users who prefer
high overall audio output to specify up to 6 dB of additional gain. NOTE: The
default setting (0 dB) is generally recommended. Higher settings should be used
only if the maximum AF GAIN setting is not adequate for the operator. (The max
of 6 dB is intended to reduce the possibility of AF-stage clipping on strong
signals.)
- AGC THRESHOLD can now be set to values 2 and 3. These lower thresholds may be
useful for those who prefer more aggressive AGC on weaker signals, such as on
quiet bands or with preamps OFF.
- DIVERSITY-ON BUG FIX: When diversity is turned on, we no longer copy preamp,
attenuator, or RF gain settings from VFO A to VFO B. This was creating extra
work for operators, especially on 160 m. (Also applies on band change with
diversity already ON.)
- FSK TRANSMIT BANDWIDTH NOW MUCH NARROWER: Now using controlled sigmoidal
tone-shift method to greatly reduce FSK TX bandwidth.
-----------------------
FOR SOFTWARE DEVELOPERS
-----------------------
=== K-POD COMMANDS ===
- K-POD LED AND AUX COMMANDS IMPLEMENTED: These include KPLEDROFF/ON,
KPLED1OFF/ON...KPLED4OFF/ON, and KPOUT1OFF/ON..KPOUT3OFF/ON. Note that because
the 4th LED is not used by the KPOD, it can be turned on and off without
sending the KPod the "KPLEDROFF" command.
=== SERVER K4 SOFTWARE UPDATE COMMANDS ===
Basic server K4 setup is now done via the server setup screen, including
password and max connected clients. But you may still wish to use commands from
the list below to remotely switch between releases and update your K4's
software.
RLP; Select Production version
RLX; Select Prior Production version
RLB; Select Beta version
RLF; Select Field Test version
(RLN; Select Nightly version; developer-enabled K4s only)
RL; Returns currently selected release (RRP; RRF; etc.)
PS88; Update currently-selected release to latest
PS89; While connected to a server, update the firmware on the server to the
currently selected release on the server.
RRThost:port?password; Connect client to server (host is IP address or
hostname of the server)
RRN; Disconnect
RRPmypassword -- set Password
RRP; - display current Password
CC; ClientConnectedCount: Returns -1 you are a client, if 0 if no clients
connected, any other number is indicates how many clients are connected
RS; query Remote Set state.
RS1; enables remote set. This only affects commands that are client-only such
as MLxnnn; Full list TBD.
RS0; disable remote set
RS/; - Toggle between RS0; and RS1; mode
----------------------
K4 REMOTE KNOWN ISSUES
----------------------
- DVR FUNCTIONS NOT YET IMPLEMENTED.
- XVTR MENU FUNCTIONS NOT YET IMPLEMENTED.
- FREQUENCY MEMORIES: The current implementation saves quick memory (and GP
memory) data on the client radio for each individual server to which you
connect, based on the target radio's serial number. It creates a different
freqMemory in a sub-directory for each remote K4 to which you connect. So, if
you connect to a server first, then reprogram all the per-band quick memories,
they will be stored and usable on the client while connected. They do not
change any other quick memory, including the clients "normal, unconnected"
memories. Then you can use them on the client. This behavior is unexpected and
may change in the future.
- TX / MAIN RX / SUB RX functions: During Remote operation, these usually apply
to the SERVER radio. In the future an asterisk (*) will be added to all
functions that apply to the server.
- LOGGING CONSIDERATIONS FOR REMOTE CONTACTS: Be careful logging contacts when
switching between local and remote. Your radio has the same LAN IP address and
COM port numbers whether operating locally or connected to a remote server.
Your logger can't tell the difference but your logs need to document the actual
locations of the active radios.
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