RHR Helper App

The RemoteHamRadio Helper

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 is a Google Chrome Application, or “app,” that enables additional functionality for users on the RHR network.

It gives WebDX users access to serial CAT data on remote radios, enabling the operator to use their own logging software to access band, frequency and mode data in realtime. You can configure your logging software just like the radio is in your shack.

Over time the Helper will be automatically updated with more advanced functionality.

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Getting Started

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Install com0com (Windows only)

If you are on OS X, you can skip this step.

com0com is an open-source utility that emulates pairs of virtual serial ports (VSP), connected by a virtual null modem cable. These virtual ports provide a channel for the RHR Helper to communicate with your logging software.

During the installation process, uncheck CNCA0 <-> CNCB0.

com0com install

On the final step of installation, check Launch Setup.

com0com launch setup

You will be presented with the com0com setup application. On the left side you will see Virtual Port Pair 0, which is the set of virtual ports that the Helper will use to communicate with your logger. Take note of the COM port numbers of these two ports. In the example below, COM17 and COM18 have been created. Your port numbers may be different – for example, you might see COM2 and COM3.

You will need to refer to the COM port numbers later on, so write them down. This page will refer to them as the LOW and HIGH COM ports, in reference to their COM port number.

We need to set up com0com to always have the DSR, DCD, and CTS pins to be ON for the low COM port (the one on the left). Click and drag from the red ON pin to the green DSR pin. Do the same for ON to DCD, and ON to CTS. Click Apply. Your resulting pinout diagram should look like this:

Download the app

Screen Shot 2015-03-14 at 10.09.59 AM Click Add to Chrome at the top-right of the page.

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You will receive a chrome pop-up window that confirms the installation. Click Add.

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You will see this confirmation when the installation is complete.

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Launch the RHR Helper

There are a few different ways you can launch the RHR Helper app.

A. The Chrome address bar

Navigate to chrome://apps into the address bar, then click on the RHR icon to launch it.

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B. Open a new tab

Click the new tab button, then click on Apps at the top-left of the new tab. Then you can click on the RHR icon to launch it.

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C. The dock (OS X only)

You will see a new icon in your Mac’s dock:

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Go ahead click the Chrome App Launcher.

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Then click the RHR app icon to launch it.

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Log In

You will be presented with a login window. Use your existing RHR login account in this window.

If you forgot your password, follow these directions.

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Once you log in, you will be presented with the main application window.

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WINDOWS USERS: In the CAT Serial Loopback row, click (disabled) and select the LOW virtual COM ports (in this case, COM17). When applied, you should see the status change to CONNECTED. If not, double-check that you have selected the correct virtual COM port number, and that virtual COM port is not in use by any other software.

RHRhelper Serial

Configure your logger

OS X USERS: OS X cannot emulate serial ports. RUMlogNG is the only supported OS X logger because it can do CAT over TCP instead of serial.

N1MM

N1MM Logger is a popular contesting and DXpedition logger. This tutorial covers N1MM Logger+, which can be downloaded here.

Launch N1MM and go to Config -> Configure Ports, Mode Control, Audio Other… 

Configure a radio with these settings:

  • Port: The HIGH virtual COM port, the opposite of what was configured in the RHR helper above. For example, if you selected COM17 in the RHR helper, select COM18 here
  • Radio: Elecraft K3
  • CW/Other: checked

Click Set and configure your radio exactly as follows:

  • Speed: 9600
  • Parity: N
  • DataBits: 8
  • Stop Bits: 2
  • DTR (pin 4): Always On
  • RTS (pin 7): Always On
  • Enable Both Hardware & Software: checked
  • PTT via Radio Command Digital Mode: checked
  • PTT via Radio Command SSB Mode: checked
  • PTT via Radio Command CW Mode: checked

n1mm config

If N1MM is running while you are not connected to a remote station, then N1MM will complain that it cannot communicate with the radio. This is expected. You will see the dialog below; just click Retry.

n1mm retry

Configuring CW macros to send CW on the remote transceiver

 

 

Ham Radio Deluxe

Ham Radio Deluxe likes the radio to be turned on BEFORE it is launched. You must connect to an RHR station first, before launching HRD.

In the Connect window, configure:

  • Company: Elecraft
  • Radio: K3
  • COM Port: the HIGH virtual COM port (COM18 in our example)
  • Speed: 9600

After you have connected to a station, click Connect.

Once HRD has started, you can reconnect to different RHR stations and HRD will follow the radio without complaining.

hrd connect

Logger32

Go to Setup -> Radio -> Radio 1 configuration.

  • Port: the HIGH virtual COM port (COM18 in our example)
  • Baudrate: 9600
  • Radio: Elecraft K3

logger32 setup

Click Apply to close the setup window. Back at the main menu, click Setup -> Radio -> Open radio port.

RUMlogNG

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Launch RUMlogNG and go to the application Preferences.

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Go to the TRCVR tab. Here are the settings you need to change (image below):

  • Transceiver
    • Use CAT: checked
    • Manufacturer: Elecraft
    • Type: K3
    • Interface: TCP
  • CAT: TCP
    • Host: localhost
    • Port: 2001

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RUMlog is now configured for the RHR Helper. On the main logging window, the kHz and Mode labels will be either red or green. If the labels are green:

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then RUMlogNG is connected to the helper app and is ready to track radio data.

If the labels are red:

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then you must use the Reset CAT command under the Transceiver menu:

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and they will turn green:

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Notes for developers

Whitelisted K3 Command Set

The following commands are whitelisted, which means that they will be pass unfettered between the radio control software and the remote radio. Any command that is not on this list will not be passed in either direction through the serial tunnel.

  • AP – CW APF on/off
  • BG – Bargraph read
  • BN – Band number
  • BW – Filter bandwidth
  • CP – Speech compression
  • DB – VFO B text
  • DN/DNB – VFO move down
  • DS – VFO A text/icons
  • DT – Data sub-mode
  • DV – Diversity mode
  • FA – VFO A frequency
  • FB – VFO B frequency
  • FR – Receive VFO select
  • FT – Transmit VFO select
  • FW – Filter bandwidth and number
  • GT – AGC speed and on/off
  • IC – Icon and miscellaneous status
  • ID – Radio identification
  • IF – General information
  • KS – Keyer speed
  • KY – Keyboard CW/data
  • LK – VFO lock
  • LN – Link VFOs
  • MD – Operating mode
  • MG – Mic gain
  • ML – Monitor level
  • NB – Noise blanker on/off
  • NL – Noise blanker level
  • OM – Option modules
  • PA – RX preamp on/off
  • PC – Power control
  • RA – RX attenuator on/off
  • RX – Enter RX mode
  • SB – Sub or dual watch
  • SM – S-meter
  • SMH – High-res s-meter
  • SWT/SWH- Switch tap/hold
  • TB – Buffered text
  • TQ – Transmit query
  • TT – Text-to-terminal
  • TX – Enter TX mode
  • UP/UPB – VFO move up
  • VX – VOX state