Microbit RC-1216H User manual

USER MANUAL
m crob t
RC-1216H
Ba-RC1216H-PA9
Microbit 2.0 AB 2010. All rights reserved
a
User manual
Rev. PA9 –2014 Sept 10
1 of 79
RC-1216H
Web based remote control for
SteppIR, ACOM-2000A, Expert 1K-FA,
Elecraft KPA500 and Rotators
User Manual

USER MANUAL
m crob t
RC-1216H
Ba-RC1216H-PA9
Microbit 2.0 AB 2010. All rights reserved
a
User manual
Rev. PA9 –2014 Sept 10
2 of 79
Table of contents
Statement of Conditions..............................................................................4
General Description.....................................................................................5
Step by step RC-1216 H setup .....................................................................7
Hardware ....................................................................................................9
Front ...........................................................................................................9
Back .......................................................................................................... 11
Configuration with Microbit Setup Manager ..............................................12
FW/HW ...................................................................................................... 13
FW update.................................................................................................. 14
Setup......................................................................................................... 15
Net info...................................................................................................... 16
Initial IP setup ..........................................................................................17
Configuration with WEB-interface .............................................................21
IP Settings.................................................................................................. 23
Dynamic DNS setting ................................................................................... 26
Remoterig dynamic dns service ..................................................................... 27
DynDNS dynamic DNSservice........................................................................ 29
Application firmware upgrade ........................................................................ 31
Bootloader firmware upgrade ........................................................................ 32
Restart device ............................................................................................. 32
Networks and Firewalls.............................................................................32
Portforwarding ............................................................................................ 33
RC-1216H setup for SteppIR Antenna Control ...........................................34
Installation of the RC-1216H for SteppIR control.............................................. 35
Settings for SteppIR..................................................................................36
RC-1216H setup for ACOM 2000A control..................................................39
Installation with ACOM-2000A ....................................................................... 40
ACOM-2000A with ACOM-2000S Antenna Switch ............................................. 41
ACOM-2000A –230VAC Power switching ........................................................ 42
Settings for ACOM-2000A..........................................................................43
RC-1216H setup for Expert 1K-FA control .................................................48
Installation with Expert 1K-FA ....................................................................... 49
Edxpert 1K-FA –230VAC Power switching....................................................... 50

USER MANUAL
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RC-1216H
Ba-RC1216H-PA9
Microbit 2.0 AB 2010. All rights reserved
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User manual
Rev. PA9 –2014 Sept 10
3 of 79
Settings for Expert 1K-FA.........................................................................51
Error and Warnings...................................................................................... 54
AUX SW1 Relay ........................................................................................... 56
Serial port server ........................................................................................ 57
Using Setup Microbit Setup Manager to create a virtual serial port ..................... 58
RC-1216H setup for Elecraft KPA500 control.............................................62
Installation with Elecraft KPA500 ................................................................... 63
Elecraft KPA-500 –230VAC Power switching ................................................... 64
Settings for Elecraft KPA500 .....................................................................64
Error and Warnings...................................................................................... 69
AUX SW1 Relay ........................................................................................... 69
RC-1216H setup for Rotator control ..........................................................70
Installation example with Prosistel or AlfaSpid ................................................. 71
Rotator –230VAC Power switching ................................................................ 72
AlfaSpid Power switching .............................................................................. 72
Settings for Rotator control.......................................................................73
Appendix D - Technical Data .....................................................................77
Appendix E - Safety and Regulatory Information ......................................78
FCC Statement............................................................................................ 78
Safety Notice .............................................................................................. 78
Disclaimer .................................................................................................. 79
FCC / CE - Declaration of conformity .............................................................. 79

USER MANUAL
m crob t
RC-1216H
Ba-RC1216H-PA9
Microbit 2.0 AB 2010. All rights reserved
a
User manual
Rev. PA9 –2014 Sept 10
4 of 79
Statement of Conditions
In the interest of improving internal design, operational function, and/or reliability, Microbit
2.0 AB reserves the right to make changes to the product described in this document without
notice. Microbit does not assume any liability that may occur due to the use or application of
the product(s) or circuit layout(s) described herein.
All parts of the software are property of Microbit 2.0 AB. The hardware design, schematics
PCB layout, concept, graphics, user manual, etc. are property of Microbit 2.0 AB. The device
may not be disassembled, copied or reversed engineered.
Copyright © 2010,2011
Microbit 2.0 AB
All rights reserved.

USER MANUAL
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RC-1216H
Ba-RC1216H-PA9
Microbit 2.0 AB 2010. All rights reserved
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User manual
Rev. PA9 –2014 Sept 10
5 of 79
General Description
The RC-1216H is developed especially for remote control of Amateur radio accessories like
Antennas, Power Amplifiers and rotators via the Internet in a user-friendly and cost-effective
way. Lot of radio accessories are designed to be controlled from a PC via a serial port (RS-
232). Serial ports are not very convenient to transfer over the Internet. The RC-1216H acts
as PC against the connected equipment at the same time as it shows a more user friendly
web based user interface for the operator. The web interface is much more convenient to use
over the Internet as no special software need to be installed in the PC and it can be reach
from any Internet connected PC or other device like smartphones, pads etc. around the world.
For the moment the Remote control RC-1216H can be configured to control SteppIR
antennas, the ACOM-2000A Power Amp, Expert K-FA Power Amp, Elecraft KPA500 Power
Amp, Prositel and AlfaSpid Rotators, Yaesu rotators with GS-232B interface and other Green
Heron controlled rotators.
The Remote control unit RC-1216H system is connected to the Internet primarily via 10 or
100 Mbit Ethernet and fixed connections like DSL, cable and WLAN or 3G/4G Mobile systems.
The RC-1216H is easily configured via modern USB and WEB based user interfaces.

USER MANUAL
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RC-1216H
Ba-RC1216H-PA9
Microbit 2.0 AB 2010. All rights reserved
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User manual
Rev. PA9 –2014 Sept 10
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SteppIR Control
ACOM-2000A Control
Expert 1K-FA Control
The RC-1216 can be
configured to remote control
a SteppIR antenna. The
controls are the same as on
the SDA-100 control box. You
can use Retract, Calibrate,
Bi-directional, 180 degree
switch etc. Frequency
adjustment can be done
manual or automatic.
The RC-1216 can be
configured to remote control
a ACOM-2000A Power
amplifier. The controls and
indicators are almost the
same as on ACOM-2000A
control Panel (RCU) so you
will recognize them
immediately.
The RC-1216 can be
configured to remote control
a Expert 1K-FA Power
amplifier. The daily used
controls and indicators are
available direct from the web
interface. The RC-1216H also
act as a serialport server so
you can connect with the
original PC-program in
parallel if you have to do
some setups.
Elecraft KPA500 Control
Rotator Control
The RC-1216 can be
configured to remote control
a Elecraft KPA500 Power
amplifier. The daily used
controls and indicators are
available direct from the web
interface.
The RC-1216 can be
configured to remote control
rotators. At this moment it
support Prosistel rotators
with the D-type control box,
and AlfaSpid rotators,
rotators controlled by Green
Heron control box, Yaesu
rotators with GS-232B serial
interface and other rotators
with serial interfaces using
the DCU-1 protocol

USER MANUAL
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RC-1216H
Ba-RC1216H-PA9
Microbit 2.0 AB 2010. All rights reserved
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User manual
Rev. PA9 –2014 Sept 10
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Step by step RC-1216 H setup
Below follows a recommendation about how to proceed when setting up the system.
1. Spend some time to read thru this user manual to get familiar with the product.
2. Apply 12V DC (good stabilized power) to the unit.
3. Connect the unit with a CAT5 patch cables to the same Ethernet switch or router as
your PC which you will use to setup the system is connected.
4. Download the Microbit Setup Manager and the latest firmware from
http://www.remoterig.com to your PC. Follow the instructions about how to install the
Microbit Setup Manager (see chapter Configuration with Microbit Setup Manager).
5. Find out how your network is configured and configure the RC-1216H to fit into your
network (see chapter Initial IP Setup) with the Microbit Setup Manager. This has to be
done with both units.
6. Check the installed firmware version. If the one you downloaded from Remoterig is
newer, update the unit with the new firmware. (see chapter FW/HW about how to
update).
7. When you have configured the unit to fit into your network, Start your Web browser
and connect to the unite by entering the IP-address. If you get in contact with the
internal web server everything is OK.
8. Make the basic software configuration for your system which is described the later in
this user manual.
9. Prepare the cables needed for your PA, Antenna or Rotator according to the cable
drawings provided in this user manual and the manual of the connected equipment.
Double check your home made cables with an ohm meter before connecting them to
the units to prevent harm of any equipment. Microbit do not take any responsibility of
damaged units or connected equipment.
10. After preparing the cables connect them to the controlled equipment. Connect the
power to all equipment. Check with your web browser again that you are in contact
with unit and can control the connected equipment.
11. When everything works as it should on your local network it’s time to setup your
Internet router so you can reach the unit from the outside world over the Internet. If
you already have other equipment that you remote control you can go direct to 14 as
you don’t need to use a separate Dynamic DNS service.
12. The first thing is to determine if your Internet Service Provider (ISP) are providing you
with a fixed or dynamic IP-address. Fixed IP:s are rare so you probably have a
dynamic IP-address if you are not paying extra for a fixed one. A dynamic IP is no
problem but you need to use a dynamic DNS service. You can use Remoterigs free
dynamic DNS service or a DynDNS account. New DynDNS account are no longer free.

USER MANUAL
m crob t
RC-1216H
Ba-RC1216H-PA9
Microbit 2.0 AB 2010. All rights reserved
a
User manual
Rev. PA9 –2014 Sept 10
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For detailed information about Dynamic DNS services see the Dynamic DNS chapters
under Configuration with WEB-Interface.
13. Configure the units Dynamic DNS settings (see chapter Dynamic DNS Setting).
14. Now it’s time to configure your remote router. We recommend that you first enable the
remote configuring of your router, you may need it later. After that’s done configure
port forwarding (see chapter Network and Firewalls). When this is done your remote
control unit should be reachable over the Internet.
15. When back at the Control QTH try to browse to the Dynamic DNS address “Own host
name” you registered and entered into the remote control unit. You should get in
contact with the RC:s internal web server exactly as it was local, remember to use
:port number after the dyndns address if you have changed the webserver port from
80 for example http://sm2oan.mine.nu:8000.
Enjoy the remote controlling.

USER MANUAL
m crob t
RC-1216H
Ba-RC1216H-PA9
Microbit 2.0 AB 2010. All rights reserved
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User manual
Rev. PA9 –2014 Sept 10
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Hardware
Front
RS-232
The RS232 connector is used for serial communication with the controlled equipment. Eg the
Power Amplifier, SteppIR control box, Rotator Control box etc. It has a male connector
configured like a PC. The communication parameter is set via the web interface.
Pin no
RS-232 Interface (9-pol D-sub male)
1
2
RXD (in)
3
TXD (out)
4
DTR (*Only used for Expert available after 2014-june-01)
5
GND
6
7
8
9
(* the DTR signal can be added easily by the user in older version)
RS-232

USER MANUAL
m crob t
RC-1216H
Ba-RC1216H-PA9
Microbit 2.0 AB 2010. All rights reserved
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User manual
Rev. PA9 –2014 Sept 10
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ON LED
Green flashing light is indicating normal status.
USB
The USB-interface is used to initially set up the IP parameters. It can also be used for
downloading new software (can also be done via the WEB-interface). A USB-cable is included
with the product.
ETHERNETand LNK
The unit can be connected to both 10 and 100 Mbit/s Ethernet based TCP/IP network. The
RC126H can be configured for different connection types for Ethernet port, Auto, 10HDX,
10FDX, 100HDX, 100FDX and Auto-with-preferred-10FDX. Default is Auto-with-preferred-
10FDX which works best in most cases.
Pin no
Ethernet (RJ45)
1
Out [+]
2
Out [-]
3
In [+]
4
5
6
In [-]
7
8
LNK
Green LED indicates link OK flashing LED indicates traffic
Yellow LED indicates speed = 100Mbit/s (off = 10MBits/s)

USER MANUAL
m crob t
RC-1216H
Ba-RC1216H-PA9
Microbit 2.0 AB 2010. All rights reserved
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User manual
Rev. PA9 –2014 Sept 10
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Back
PWR
The RC-1216H is powered via the PWR connector (2.1/5.5 mm) with 10-18 VDC. A DC-cord is
included with the product.
Pin no
PWR
+
+ 10-18 VDC (centre)
-
GND
PWR SW
Inside the box is a Relay (230V/16A) connected to the socket block. Safety regulations says
that max 50V can be switched with this Relay output. The Relay can are rated 10A DC at 30V
or 2A DC at 40V. This means that if you want to Switch On/Off a 230V Power amplifier etc.
you must control an external relay with this output.
AUX SW1
Inside the box is a Relay (230V/16A) connected to the socket block. Safety regulations says
that max 50V can be switched with this Relay output. The Relay can are rated 10A DC at 30V
or 2A DC at 40V. This means that if you want to Switch On/Off a 230V Power amplifier etc.
you must control an external relay with this output.
12V DC

USER MANUAL
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RC-1216H
Ba-RC1216H-PA9
Microbit 2.0 AB 2010. All rights reserved
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User manual
Rev. PA9 –2014 Sept 10
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Configuration with Microbit Setup Manager
The initial settings of the network parameters are easiest done with the Microbit Setup
Manager. The Setup Manager is a software which runs under Windows on a PC and connects
to the RC via USB (an USB cable is supplied with the RC-1216H).The Setup Manager can be
used for:
IP Settings and verification
oIP-address
oNetmask
oGateway
oDNS
oDHCP
Firmware upgrade
oApplication
oBootloader
oFactory default reset
Start with downloading the Microbit Setup Manager from the homepage www.remoterig.com.
Install the Setup Manager by following the instructions which shows up. If you have an older
Windows version where Netframework 2.0 is not installed, the installer will guide you through
the installation of Netframework. When you have finished the installation a new shortcut to
Microbit Setup Manager will show up on the desktop. Click on the icon to start Microbit Setup
Manager
Connect your RC-1216H to 12V and connect the USB-cable between your computer and the
USB jack on the front of the RC-1216H. Windows will automatically install the necessary
drivers. When it's done the text in the bottom field will change from "1216H not connected" to
"1216H-connected" which is an indication that you are in connection with the unit.

USER MANUAL
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RC-1216H
Ba-RC1216H-PA9
Microbit 2.0 AB 2010. All rights reserved
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User manual
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FW/HW
Click on the "Get" button and the version of the firmware will show up in the upper window.
Go to the page www.remoterig.com and under downloads you can find the latest firmware. If
there is a newer firmware available download it to your desktop, unzip it.
Change to the "FW-update" tab.

USER MANUAL
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RC-1216H
Ba-RC1216H-PA9
Microbit 2.0 AB 2010. All rights reserved
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FW update
Click on the "Select file" button and browse to the file with the new firmware, it should be
something like “1216H-CRC_v1.23_2011-10-04.bin”depending on the version and release
date. When you have selected the file click on the "Update" button and the update process
will start, the text in the bottom field will change to "Updating firmware". Attention -- Do not
interrupt the update process in any way!
After about a 1 minute the update is finished and the RC will restart. When the text "RC-
connected" shows up again in the lower field of the Microbit Setup Manager, you can change
to the "FW/HW" tab and check software version.

USER MANUAL
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RC-1216H
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Microbit 2.0 AB 2010. All rights reserved
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User manual
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Setup
A new window wills pop-up with the basic IP settings. Change the settings so they fit into your
local network and press the "Save" button to save the new settings. The RC will restart again
and when the text "1216H-connected" shows up again in the lower field of the Setup-
Manager, you can click on the "Setup" button again to verify the changes.

USER MANUAL
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RC-1216H
Ba-RC1216H-PA9
Microbit 2.0 AB 2010. All rights reserved
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User manual
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Net info
Click on the “Get” button to read the IP setting currently in use by the RC-1216H.

USER MANUAL
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RC-1216H
Ba-RC1216H-PA9
Microbit 2.0 AB 2010. All rights reserved
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User manual
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Initial IP setup
The default Ip settings from the factory is 192.168.0.236. The net mask is 255.255.255.0,
gateway and DNS is 192.168.0.1.
To be able to contact the RC-1216H via the network you must configure the units to fit into
your home network. You can check your network configuration from your PC.
On the start menu select Run. In the Run dialog box enter cmd.
You will get a DOS-window.
At the DOS-promt enter ipconfig.
Then you will get the needed information:
Your PC IP address in this example is 192.168.0.101 this means that the IP of the RC-1216H
must have IP:s in the area 192.168.0.2 to 192.168.0.255.

USER MANUAL
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RC-1216H
Ba-RC1216H-PA9
Microbit 2.0 AB 2010. All rights reserved
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User manual
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The Netmask is 255.255.255.0 the Netmask in the RC-1216H should be the same
The Default gateway 192.168.0.1 the Gateway and DNS server(*) in the RC should be the
same
In this case all the default IP setting will be OK.
(*) In most cases the Gateway and the DNS server is the same and the IP of the router.

USER MANUAL
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RC-1216H
Ba-RC1216H-PA9
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In another network, this is the result of the ipconfig command.
Your PC IP address in this example is 192.168.128.10 this means that the IP of the RC-1216H
must have IP:s in the area 192.168.128.2 to 192.168.128.255.
The Netmask is 255.255.128.0 this the Netmask in the RC should be the same
The Default gateway is 192.168.128.1 the Gateway in the RC-1216H should be the same
In this case you must change the IP:s of the RC.
Use the Microbit Setup Manager to change the IP settings.
Select the Setup tab click on the “Get Setup” button and enter the IP addresses in the Setup
info dialog box.

USER MANUAL
m crob t
RC-1216H
Ba-RC1216H-PA9
Microbit 2.0 AB 2010. All rights reserved
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User manual
Rev. PA9 –2014 Sept 10
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