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Can KPA500 Operate Remotely?

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k5aj@gmx.com

Can KPA500 Operate Remotely?

Hi, Can a KPA500 be operated remotely, for example, in a different room
from the operator?
Specifically would such remote operations be possible via USB cable or
additional hardware,
or even via IP using additional hardware on the amplifier side.
The need is to be able to switch remotely between standby and oper.
Ultimately this might
allow both a flex radio and KPA500 to be separated from the operator.
Thanks very much,
Jack
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Michael Walker

Re: Can KPA500 Operate Remotely?

Yes

Many options

You can use an rs232 cable connected to a rs232/USB adapter on your desk computer.

You can do IP, but you'll need a computer at the amp end and the operator end and use a LAN in between.

You can also do serial over ip to your computer at the operator end with a rpi running ser2net or a serial over ip interface box.

I control mine from a hundred miles away.

Mike va3mw

> On Jun 7, 2017, at 10:08 AM, "[hidden email]" <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> Hi, Can a KPA500 be operated remotely, for example, in a different room from the operator?
> Specifically would such remote operations be possible via USB cable or additional hardware,
> or even via IP using additional hardware on the amplifier side.
> The need is to be able to switch remotely between standby and oper. Ultimately this might
> allow both a flex radio and KPA500 to be separated from the operator.
> Thanks very much,
> Jack
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
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> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
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Tim Seed

Fwd: Can KPA500 Operate Remotely?

Jacl,
I have just knocked up a web based KPA Control program.

I need about another 5-7 days to document and to test, and then I can post how too.

You would need

a) Remote Shack
b) KPA 500 in remote shack
c) Network connection with a public IP Address to remote shack
d) Small PC/Raspberry/Laptop etc
e) Python 3 Ecosystem

I already do this for my rotator, so using an iPad standing on the roof I can control my antenna, which has saved countless trips up and down the stairs. Same principle for the KPA.

I have the full Elecraft command set for the KPA 500 available as a web page.

If you are interested please drop me a PM… and I will link you to my web-page which details how this can be accomplished.

Regards

Tim, A45WG

> Begin forwarded message:
>
> From: Mike va3mw <[hidden email]>
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Can KPA500 Operate Remotely?
> Date: June 7, 2017 at 7:35:23 PM GMT+4
> To: "[hidden email]" <[hidden email]>, "Charles R. Tropp via Elecraft" <[hidden email]>
> Cc: [hidden email]
>
> Yes
>
> Many options
>
> You can use an rs232 cable connected to a rs232/USB adapter on your desk computer.
>
> You can do IP, but you'll need a computer at the amp end and the operator end and use a LAN in between.
>
> You can also do serial over ip to your computer at the operator end with a rpi running ser2net or a serial over ip interface box.
>
> I control mine from a hundred miles away.
>
> Mike va3mw
>
>> On Jun 7, 2017, at 10:08 AM, "[hidden email] <mailto:[hidden email]>" <[hidden email] <mailto:[hidden email]>> wrote:
>>
>> Hi, Can a KPA500 be operated remotely, for example, in a different room from the operator?
>> Specifically would such remote operations be possible via USB cable or additional hardware,
>> or even via IP using additional hardware on the amplifier side.
>> The need is to be able to switch remotely between standby and oper. Ultimately this might
>> allow both a flex radio and KPA500 to be separated from the operator.
>> Thanks very much,
>> Jack
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> Elecraft mailing list
>> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
>> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
>> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>>
>> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
>> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>> Message delivered to [hidden email] <mailto:[hidden email]>
> ______________________________________________________________
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>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net <http://www.qsl.net/>
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html <http://www.qsl.net/donate.html>
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Barry Baines

Re: Can KPA500 Operate Remotely?

In reply to this post by k5aj@gmx.com

Jack:

One potential solution is to use the Remote Rig RC-1216H to control the KPA500 via a web page. See:

http://www.remoterig.com/wp/?page_id=1010#tabs-3 <http://www.remoterig.com/wp/?page_id=1010#tabs-3>

These are available through Ham Radio Outlet in the US. I’m using two of the devices to remotely control my KPA-500 as well as my Orion rotor through a Green Heron RT-21 controller where the ham shack is in Georgia and I’m in MA or TX.

The key advantages are:

-Web-based, so any device (iPhone, iPad, Mac, Windows PC, etc.) can be used to control them from wherever I am.
-Display is a rendition of the KPA-500 front panel, providing complete control as if you’re sitting in front of the amplifier.
-No need for a PC, Arduino or Raspberry Pi to be running 24/7 at the shack, improving remote reliability as these devices may require an occasional reboot
-Easy to configure
-Can be managed by the router for static addressing and UDP Port for port forwarding (essential for remote access)
-Highly reliable— I’ve never lost a connection due to a RC-1216H “hiccup” in the past 18 months.

As these are Ethernet devices, you can run a Ethernet Cat5 connection directly to area of the amplifier and plug in the RC-1216H, or put in a Wireless Access Point at the amplifier location and plug the RC-1216H to connect to your Local Area Network (LAN) through WiFi. This approach eliminates the need for control wiring between your operating position and the amplifier, but it does introduce a potential failure point if the WiFi goes down.

This is not necessarily an inexpensive solution, but I’ve found this this approach to be highly reliable and works well with low speed DSL access (e.g. 768 Kilobaud upload/6 MB download service) from a rural ISP that services my ham site.

FWIW,

Barry Baines, WD4ASW
(Currently in West Roxbury, MA)

> On Jun 7, 2017, at 10:08 AM, [hidden email] wrote:
>
> Hi, Can a KPA500 be operated remotely, for example, in a different room from the operator?
> Specifically would such remote operations be possible via USB cable or additional hardware,
> or even via IP using additional hardware on the amplifier side.
> The need is to be able to switch remotely between standby and oper. Ultimately this might
> allow both a flex radio and KPA500 to be separated from the operator.
> Thanks very much,
> Jack
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> Message delivered to [hidden email]