Remote Control for ICOM via Ethernet , Internet & LAN

 An amazing little card that allows you to directly interface your ICOM CI-V controlled transceiver / scanner via your local Ethernet (LAN). From there, it's an easy stretch to the Internet. And best of all, no PC is needed at the unattended site for radio control. Provides the much needed redundant control of remote, isolated sites and the auto-shutoff features required by law.

Run your EXISTING rig control software without any modification. No jumping through hoops to get two PCs to talk to each other reliably.

Simply plug one end into your radio, the other end into your wireless router and enjoy operating your station from anywhere in your house!

Run HR Deluxe on a traveling laptop and control your station at home via the internet. Or simply operate from anywhere in your house. The RTE allows you to control the auxiliary outputs directly from the HRD panel by simply adding buttons to your HRD control panel. It doesn't get any cooler than that! Works with all other rig control programs. Note: adding additional buttons and commands is a feature of Ham Radio Deluxe. Check out your existing control software to see if yours has this feature too.

Glentek's RTE Controller (Radio to Ethernet Controller). See the manual at http://www.glentekcorp.com http://www.GlentekCorp.com

NEW! Watch the descriptive YOUTUBE video at     http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xsaJkbpOOPw   (copy and paste into your browser)
 

One end is a magnetically isolated and filtered RJ45 jack that attaches to your LAN (Ethernet). The other end is a CI-V jack that connects DIRECTLY to your radio without going through a PC. No additional RS232 to CI-V adapter is required. It's built in !

Isolation means that you can isolate a local PC from your radio and antenna grounds. When operated locally, you can operate your radio without a direct connection. You isolate your sound card connections. Now you can isolate your rig control too. And when you're ready, you can operate your station over the internet.

Software is included that allows a distant PC to connect to your ICOM.via the Ethernet's IP protocol ... and best of all, you can use virtually any rig control software of your choice as if you were directly attached! Run your home station in California from your vacation home in FIJI using HAM Radio Deluxe ! (You won't need an operating license from FIJI, but of course contacts will only count as your home station). Run CW Sweepstakes from your home in New Jersey while languishing on the beach in Miami (well, OK, you're going to need an internet connection while on the beach).

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.
  
• 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. 

What more will you need?

• A method of returning/sending audio. The RTE is a radio control interface only.
• There are many excellent methods of sending and receiving audio. For example, consider SKYPE. It's easy, clear, and FREE. The whole concept of the RTE is to provide an INDEPENDENT radio and control link without a PC. If your PC crashes, you can simply reboot it using one of the isolated output pins. The key to successful internet control is REDUNDANCY. You don't want to call your friends at 3:00 am local time to go over to your house and reset your station. Skype provides video interfacing too so that you can actually see what's going on. See http://www.SKYPE.com for details.
  
• The RTE needs to be fed 9-16 Volts DC (100mA) via its 2.5mm power jack. Internal electronics needs 3.3 volts, but we've included an ultra-efficient DC-DC converter to avoid unecessary power loss. External power supply is not included but low current draw means you can even battery backup the RTE.
  
• A local Ethernet connection, an ICOM radio station (we have versions for KENWOOD, YAESU and others too) and your spot on the beach.  THAT'S ALL !!

A full Glentek Corporation warranty is included

All necessary software (except your existing rig control software) is included.

Download the manual at http://www.glentekcorp.com for more details.

FAQs

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 such as the PTT function work only at 9600 or 19200 BPS.

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 "F2" 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.

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.

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 FAQ: 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.

FAQ: 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.

FAQ: How do I switch higher power or AC loads?

The output couplers shipped with the units are rated at 40v, 40mA. Swithcing 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. See for example http://www.mouser.com/Search/ProductDetail.aspx?qs=sGAEpiMZZMtLEhJ5P%2fNsZx%2fVqDTYcQwamYMh1RNGSig%3d .(or search Mouser.com for AQW212A). The RTE will directly accept the AQW series of "solid state relays".

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 FAQ: I prefer to switch my PTT lead another way.

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.

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 FAQ: You say secure... how does this add security to my system?

If you're planning on operating over the internet, whether you will use the RTE or a PC, you must leave a port open at all times that is directed to an internal (LAN) IP address. Hackers just love to sweep the internet looking for systems with open ports. If they find one that's directed to your PC, you're going to be in trouble. On the other hand, if the port is directed to an RTE, the little so and so won't know what to do. It's no fun to hack into an RTE. As far as the hackers are concerned, it won't do anything! That's no fun... they'll just move on to someone that's using a PC for their remote control. All the rig control software will be accessible on the hacked PC (so they'll know what to do) and they'll have a blast tearing his station apart, not yours. I know... this has happened to me twice when I was using the PC approach. After the second time, I started using an RTE. Remember, in today's world, it's not IF you get hacked ... it's WHEN you get hacked.