Would a kind soul in the Sacramento, CA area (I'm in Elk Grove) be willing to meet up sometime to test their remote on my unit so I can definitively rule out my remote?
I think you already have ruled out the remote, by seeing the light blinking in your video camera viewfinder.

I know that the newer Emplode software includes an option to turn the remote off, but that shouldn't be possible with the versions I'm running, right?
I don't remember which emplode version contained the checkbox to disable the Kenwood remote. But you can look at your config.ini and be sure. Capture your config.ini and paste it into a message here...

A null modem cable was not included in the auction, I knew that in advance. I'm waiting on CompUSA to send one.
... as soon as you get that null modem cable.
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Tony Fabris