Jim, K9YC, Let me address the questions you posed in your e-mail: 1. The K3 was powered directly from a 54-AH AGM battery using a 4-foot #10 red/black wire pair (same as what I use in the shack with an Astron RS-35M). 2. The computer/laptop (IBM Thinkpad 390X -- with genuine RS232 serial port) is powered by a mobile power supply specifically designed for the Thinkpads by IBM). 3. RF is not the issue here...the failure is obvious in receive mode...no rig control as manifested by no frequency display/readout in N1MM Logger. So the antenna (an Outbacker Outreach with a 4-foot Hustler mast extension on the base to resonate the antenna in the CW portion of the band -- measured with an MFJ-259B). 4. The serial cable is the same cable I use in the shack. A non-issue since I tried another cable. The point I tried to make is that IN THE CAR, I substituted an AC supply (AC thru75-Watt inverter/converter plugged into an Astron SS-30 power supply that produces 13.8 VDC -- receive mode on the K3 because of power limitations) for the battery (unplug one, plug in the other, leaving all other cables attached) and the laptop now communicated with the K3 (manifested by the proper frequency being displayed by N1MM Logger). The only thing that changed was the power source. Ordinarily, I never power my K3 from other that more-than-adequate 13.8-Volt DC supplies, but this was like an emergency/field day setup and it disclosed a problem. Now, you see my concern about the K3 serial port failing with a lowered supply voltage to the K3? Thanks for your other suggestions. Bert, N4CW ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[email protected]
This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
