Hi, Lu! Nice station! Your RS-232 switch is just what the doctor ordered for K3 and P3 firmware updates.
The KPA500 serial port is not daisy chained with the K3 and P3. The KPA500 uses a separate RS-232 port to the PC, and its "other" 9-pin back panel connector is intended for Kenwood transceivers. I have been very happy with a Gearmo 4-port USB to serial adapter that uses the FTDI chip set: http://www.amazon.com/FT4232HL-Professional-Retention-Certified-Microsoft/dp /B004ETDC8K The four ports go to a P3 (daisy chained to a K3), a KPA500, a KAT500 (adding a KXSER cable for DB-9 to 3.5mm TRS plug) and another with KXSER for KX3 or XG3 or W2. This enables me to use my logging program (N1MM) and the KPA and KAT500 Utilities concurrently, and I don't have to fiddle with cables or change COM port numbers on programs. Your assumptions on the Y cable are correct. My configuration is slightly different in that I don't use a microKeyer right now (mine worked great, no complaints), but in a temporary station I found that I could key the radio acceptably with the N1MM CW keying through the same serial port it uses for CAT control (through the Gearmo USB to Serial adapter) and therefore don't need the Y on the K3. 73 de Dick, K6KR -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Lu Romero Sent: Sunday, November 25, 2012 3:23 PM To: [email protected] Subject: [Elecraft] K-Line system integration questions Hello All: I now have the "complete" K-Line and Im wondering how others here have hooked up their system. Although I dont mind researching and doing the integration myself, so as not to reinvent the wheel and save time, how have others on this reflector dealt with these issues? Here is what I have: - K3 - P3 - KPA500 - microHAM microKEYER 2 - N1MM Logger/Logger 32 - 2x1 RS232 manual switch I use a microHAM microKEYER2 for rig control and DVK. I have a manual RS232 switch that either delegates the MK2's Serial output *OR* a direct feed from my computer's COM port to the Elecraft system's input, currently the P3's serial port. When updating rig and panadaptor software, I always use the direct feed from the computer serial port, and NOT through the microKEYER. My question now becomes: Where do I insert the KPA500 in this chain of serial devices, or do I need to at all? The KPA500 manual specifically states that you cannot "Daisy Chain" through the amplifier's serial ports. I have always been successful daisy chaining through the P3, so if I have to chain them together for control, who is "first" in line (nearest to the computer)? Or do I now need a SEPARATE serial port for the KPA500? Also, I use N1MM Logger and Logger32. These software packages read and control the rig via the microKEYER 2's CAT interface via USB and microHAM uRouter. The cable for the microKEYER2 has a plug that mates to the AUX port on the K3. This port on the K3 will now need to go to the KPA500 via the KPAK3AUX cable. I use a MFJ 998 autotuner, therefore, I will have to put the interruptor in line with this cable, and will have to use the RCA PA Key cable as well, through the MFJ998 and then to the KPA500 for amp PTT control during tuning or High SWR events. Do I now need a "Y" cable at the K3's AUX port as well to handle the comms to the amplifier and the microKEYER Aux port needs? Can I assume that this Y cable has to be a "straight thru" DB-15 cable with the pins paralelled to the two outputs, or is there yet another special cable that is needed to make all of this work together? Anybody have a similar configuration out there that works well that can get me started down this integration process? Thanks in advance! Lu Romero - W4LT K3/KRX3/P3/KPA500 and K1 ______________________________________________________________ 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 ______________________________________________________________ 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
