The present invention is directed to a remote control that uses a welding circuit to transfer control information to a welding power source. The information to be communicated to the power source includes welding power source output command information (amperage/voltage control), welding circuit on/off information (power source output contactor control), and power source mode control (constant voltage/constant current). The control information may be transmitted in a serial communication and/or encoded using frequency and or voltage coding. The control information may be transmitted during dedicated transmission intervals or as an offset to an open circuit voltage between the power source and wire feeder.