The present invention is directed to a remotely controlled welding machine that uses serializing and modulating circuits to transfer modulated data packets to a welding power source across a weld cable. A transmitter transmits the data packets of desired welding operational parameters to a receiver disposed in the power source across a weld cable also designed to carry welding power from the power source to the wire feeder. The transmitter and other electronics of the wire feeder are constructed to use only a small amount of power which, preferably, is supplied by a DC power supply external to the wire feeder. The DC power supply is designed to provide power to the electronics of the wire feeder when the wire feeder is in a standby mode of operation.