FAQs on RTE units     

The RTE is part of the more complete RTE/FXO system. Think of the RTE as a very, very long RS-232 (or CI-V) cable  ... but with a LOT of extra control features including a 3 minute timer as required by law when operating remotely. 

 What does it do?

• Direct Ethernet to ICOM CI-V port connection without an intervening PC to crash. And without an additional RS232 to CI-V adapter. 

• OR ... direct Ethernet to RS-232 for Kenwood and Yaesu radios without a local PC to crash. Plugs directly into the radio RS-232 jack.
• Can be configured to automatically turn on or off your radio upon connection or loss of the internet connection. 
  • What if you're in the middle of 450 MHz FM QSO and you're talking when your internet connection crashes at your hotel site? Are you in an embarrassing key-down lock up condition? You would be without this feature. The built-in Etherner activity sensor can operate an external relay that controls the radio's AC or DC power source. 30 seconds after connection loss, your radio simply turns off. When your connection is restored, the RTE will detect activity and turn the radio back on.
• PTT (Push to Talk) is not controllable via software on many ICOM radios (the most notable example is the IC-706 series). The RTE responds directly to CI-V commands for PTT and operates one of its isolated outputs. So for example in HR Deluxe, you can program your own PTT key. This feature also includes an automatic 3 minute PTT time-out timer as required by law for remote operation. More redundancy!
• External PTT 3 minute timer (if, for example you wish to control PTT via some other means).
• Internal web server for super easy setup and configuration. Your radio will have a website!
• Set it up for DHCP or you can force your own static IP address.
• Two  additional isolated outputs that can be programmed to respond to CI-V commands (4 total isolated outputs if you include the radio turn on/off feature and the PTT control). Remotely control more stuff.
  • You're going to want a PC for other reasons at the radio site, but now you can remotely reboot it using one of these control pin outputs.
• Operates at all serial speeds (the RTE command controller output pins respond only to 19,200 or 9600 baud).
• "Fools" your distant rig control software into thinking it's connected directly to the radio. Operation and setup is the same as if you were there. It couldn't be simpler.
  
  • Included "Com Port Redirector" software sets up a "virtual COM port" on your distant (where you are) PC. Point your rig control software to that COM port and all data is actually forwarded to your radio's IP address. The Com Port Redirector software operates automatically and in the background whenever that COM port is accessed.

 Will it work with MY radio? 

There are only two models of the RTE controller: RTE-CI-V for Icom and RTE-232 for any RS-232 controlled radio. This includes Kenwood, Yaesu, Elecraft, TenTec, SDR, and many others including scanner radios.  So yes, it will work with your radio... we guarantee it. Be sure to review what functions are controllable via computer. 

What baud rates does it support?
Every standard baud rate that your radio can use. Virtually no limit to speed, but Icom radios are limited to 19,200. External controls buttons on the RTE such as the PTT function work only at 9600 or 19200 BPS. Contact us about a simple programming mod for 4800 baud radios.

How do I set it up?
The card is factory set up for 19,200 port 3001, and DHCP. Since the RTE doubles as a web server, you can easily modify the settings by accessing the internal web server with your standard browser software.

Can I set a static IP address?
Yes, via the internal web server configuration feature.

How can I configure the auto on/off feature?
This is a hardware-configured feature of the first isolated output pin. You will need an external power relay to control your radio's AC or DC power source. A Lowell RPC-1 remote duplex outlet can be directly controlled. So your radio will power up upon detection of the first CI-V activity and will power down 30 seconds after disconnect. No fear of lockups when an Ethernet connection goes down.

My IC-706 doesn't have software control of the PTT function. What can I do?
With the RTE, it can. The RTE will respond to a Z2 CI-V command. You can program a button on most rig control programs, label it "PTT", and send the command for full PTT functionality including the 3 minute timer.

Can I control an antenna rotator?

The RTE-232 unit is fully compatible with RS-232 interfaces for rotator control. A separate RTE-232 is required dedicated to the rotator conrol. 

I don't know very much about this IP stuff. How hard is it to set up?
The RTE requires a local LAN connection. If you have a wireless router, there are LAN connectors at the rear of the router box. Once connected, run our software on any computer connected to the LAN (even computers connected via WIFI) and it will search for connected devices automatically. Once found it will display an IP address. Something like "192.168.1.3". Then point the virtual com port to this address, configure your rig control software to that com port and you're done.

How can I reboot my computer remotely?

RTE units have two unassigned isolated output ports (in addition to the rig AC control and PTT outputs). These can be used to switch a variety of pieces of equipment. If used to switch the AC power to a computer, it must be interfaced via a relay. But many computers are not configured to restart after a power failure (or when the AC power is switched off). In this case, the power switch must be interfaced directly. The front panel switch on most PCs go directly to the PC Mother board. This is typically not an AC switch, but a software request to turn off the computer. As such, the voatage across the switch (open circuit) is typically only 5v and the switch current is usually in the low mA range. That means, watching polarity, that the isolated NPN transistor on the output port can be wired directly across the switch terminals. Holding this button "pressed" for 5 seconds will force a turn off on most PCs. Release and then press again will restart the computer. There are control codes to do this automatically too.

Do I need a computer at the radio site to work with virtual static IP services such as NO-IP.COM ?

No, you do not need a computer, but you need something to communicate with such services. Most modern routers will perform that function. Routers will immediately detect a change in IP address and ping the service to make the necessary routing changes.

What if I do something stupid and blow up the output isolators?
Not to worry, the output couplers are socketted and cost less than $1 for replacement parts from your local electronics supplier.

How do I switch higher power or AC loads?
The output couplers shipped with the units are rated at 80v, 40mA. Switching loads larger than this requires buffering (such as via a relay). Panasonic makes some output couplers that are higher voltage and can switch small AC loads directly. For example, search MOUSER for AQW212A. The RTE will directly accept the AQW series of "solid state relays" as they are pin-for-pin compatible.

I have another way to switch the PTT lead.
That's fine, but remember that for any remote operation the law requires that you have a 3 minute timer to assure that you won't "lock up". Using the RTE software PTT lead gives you that feature. But if you have another way that you like, the RTE still can accept an external hardware PTT ground. If you run that external PTT lead through the RTE, it will simply repeat the PTT ground at the isolated output port ... but it will still function as a 3 minute timer and shut off to keep you legal in the event of trouble. Like a repeater time-out timer, this lock-out will reset when the external PTT lead is cleared.

How do I add buttons under Ham Radio Deluxe to control the RTE outputs?

The best source for this information is in the HRD User guide ... but here's the basic outline:

 

How do I add buttons under Ham Radio Deluxe to control the RTE outputs?

The best source for this information is in the HRD User guide ... but here's the basic outline:

You must first create a CAT command. You do this by selecting  the CAT COMMAND MANAGER under the MACRO menu. Select NEW.  If, for example, you wish to create a PTT button, enter PTT  in the TITLE box (this can be anything, but it will appear on the button you program) and Z1  in the CAT COMMAND box. (Z1 is the RTE command for the PTT feature... see the RTE manual) Enter any description you like.

Icom users with HRD will need to enter the ASCII equivalent of Z1. This is 5A-31. Without the quotes, enter exactly "5A-31" into the command box that controls your new PTT button.

 

Then, in the CUSTOMIZE section, either create a new button or choose an existing one to reprogram (see page 32 of the manual).  Click on SELECT, then MAPPED ENTRY. Your newly created CAT COMMAND should appear in the list. Select that and you're done. Pressing the new button will toggle the K2 output on and off. You may want to program an OFF button using the F4 command to force all outputs OFF (in case you lose track).

Note that while the preprogrammed "PTT" command may key your radio, you MUST assert the appropriate PTT command as recognized by the RTE.

 See the manual for additional details.