I've not used the -batch mode, so gave it a whirl.
<code>
~ [user] sqlite -batch
select x'c3a1',hex(??);
Error: near line 1: no such column: รก
</code>
This is typed in, but even when pasted in it came back empty, but changed the pasted input:
<code>
SELECT x'c3a1', hex('??');
</code>
It seems this thread (as helpful as it has been) is out of scope for this forum so I don't want to take up any more resources here. I've managed to get it working under Big Sur, and that will likely be my next migration.