I get halfway there and realize, when you select "disable kenwood remote" in emplode, that probably disables the new remotes also. silly me.

Disabling the Kenwood remote should not disable the Rio remote.

The purpose of this feature is for people who have a double-DIN dash opening with a Kenwood CD player next to their empeg. That way they can control the Kenwood without also controlling the empeg at the same time.

If your Rio remote seems to die, try changing its battery first.

Sometimes the simple act of removing and re-inserting the battery can resurrect a "dead" remote.