Kenwood remote config

[yo3irm]

Hello,

before asking my questions, I will present my current shack configuration:
Transceiver - Kenwood TS870
microHam Digikeyer II
   - connect to serial port, ACC, key, RTTY on TRX
   - it gives me COM ports via USB for WinKeyer, PTT/CAT/FSK
   - it also gives in/out audio for digital modes
LP-PAN 2 + Soundcard EMU0204
   - connects to TRX IF out
   - connects to USB port, used for SDR software, band waterfall display

Software - DXLab Suite
   - control radio via CAT
   - send CW through microHam Digikeyer II Winkeyer
   - used for digital modes
Software - NaP3, CWskimmer
   - SDR application
   - audio input from EMU 0204
   - display band waterfall & find CW spots (http://youtu.be/YfkWBaR72cQ)
   
I would like to setup a remote station and I would like to know if RemoteRig solution can give me at least a couple of features that I am using now.
I'm working 99.99% CW.

Reading about RemoteRig solution seems that it is simple to configure if you use only the transceiver and an external key.
My questions:
1. Is it possible to integrate in this solution, microHam DigiKeyer II ?
   - I would like to have the possibility to use DXLab Suite program or N1MM to control my rig and send CW. Perhaps I don't need microHam for this but I'm not sure.
2. Can I use digital modes with RemoteRig ?
   - DXLab suite has a nice module for digital modes also FLDIGI, can I use this programs with RemoteRig ?
3. This one I don't think is possible but I will ask to be sure. Is it possible to transport audio from the output of my EMU 0204 soundcard to the control station through RemoteRig ?

Thank you for your feedback !

[sm2o]

Hi

It's almost impossible to give a answer a question like that. The Remoterig systems solves the basic functions needed for remote operation like

Phone, CW, RTTY, digital modes like PSK31 where you can use the Mic and speaker audio path for the signaling. There are also serial ports available for CAT control from Log programs, Control progs. etc.

For other systems like SDR receiver etc you have to use other solutions.

73 de mike

[yo3irm]

Thank you for your answer. I've manage to read the manual and I would like to confirm with you the following:
1. at remote location remote rig connect to TS870 as follow:
- TRX serial port for CAT
- TRX microphone
- TRX speaker
- TRX cw key
2. at control station remoterig connect to:
- microphone
- CW paddle
- speaker
- USB connection to computer

The USB connection will give me virtual COM ports for:
- PTT
- CAT
- WinKey
Data will be transmitted through these virtual ports to the remote COM2 and Key on the remoterig and to the transceiver.
So at the control station I can use any logging / contest program and I can control my remote TRX and send CW through program/Winkey.

Is this correct ?

If yes, than I see no problem in using this solution for TS870 remote operation.

Thank you !

[yo3irm]

Hi Mike,

is the above assumption correct ?

Thank you !

[sm2o]

Yes it's correct

/mike

[yo3irm]

In my case I would like to use the RRC USB interface. From the manual I understand this will give me two virtual ports:
COM2 for CAT control
COM3 for winkey

I would like to control the transceiver through DXlab Commander or HRD and also I would like to send CW through N1MM or DXLab WinWarbler.
My understanding is that I don't need any other hardware in order to do that, just configure the above programs, when they ask for PTT/CAT I will select COM2, when they will ask for WinKey port I will select COM3 and in the same time if I want I can send CW through the paddle.

What confused me is a picture I found on the net and also reading on the manual about the I/O port.
Do I need to connect the I/O port through that piece of hardware in order to send CW from the N1MM or other program installed on PC ?
I thought this COM3 is created as a virtual port by the USB connection and I only just need to connect on RRC-Console:
- the USB cable to PC
- paddle to PAD
- mic to AUX/MIC
- power
- ethernet

I'm not a very technical person so any explanation will be very appreciated.
Anyway I hope I understand correctly and I don't need to connect I/O to the PC in order to use N1MM software to generate CW.

Thanks

[sm2o]

Hi

There are more than one way to to do the same thing, Your drawing is correct but as you have a USB cable from PC to Control RRC you do not need any serial ports or CW interface. You can use USB for com1,com2,com3

73 de mike