Re: [Elecraft] RS-232 Cable Question
On Thu, 18 Mar 2010 14:52:28 -0700, Jack Brindle wrote: The computer cable for the K2 requires only three wires connecting pins 2, 3 and 5 on each end. For any serial cable used in a ham shack, including this one, you should use twisted pair cable for each circuit to minimize RFI susceptibility. I learned this the hard way in Chicago, when my 160M/80M TX antenna was a long wire ending in the shack. The best, most readily available twisted pair cable is CAT5. Shielding is NOT important. It also helps to terminate the return for each circuit to the connector shell, NOT to pin 5. This bypasses the pin 1 problem common to most serial interfaces. For detailed info on how to build this serial cable, see http://audiosystemsgroup.com/RFI-Ham.pdf and http://audiosystemsgroup.com/HamInterfacing.pdf The stock K2 cable, made with shielded parallel conductors, locked up keying from the computer with less than 10 watts out of the K2 running barefoot. The cable I made using CAT5 allowed me to run full legal power with my K2 driving a Ten Tec Titan to legal power. I told Wayne about this more than five years ago, but last I heard, the K2 cable is still made with straight parallel wires. 73, Jim Brown K9YC __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] RS-232 Cable Question
Ken, For those purchasing a used K2, this seems to be a common problem, the seller may not provide all the cables and accessories that originally came with the K2 and its options. That includes a 2.1mm coaxial power plug, a 3.5mm stereo plug that may be used for the key jack, the internal frequency counter probe (needed for filter alignment), the KIO2 (or KPA100) cable to the computer, and for the KPA100, the power cable with the fuse, Anderson Power Pole connector parts and #12 wire. Recent K2s also had the parts for constructing an RF probe using the Switch Spacing Tool for the PC board - an alignment tool and a hex wrench set (for the knob setscrews) were also provided with the original K2 kit. All those parts can be ordered from Elecraft. In the case of the K2 computer cable the wire, connectors, and backshells to construct a cable may be ordered from most any distributor since these are standard items (look under D-sub connectors), although a short (4 to 6 foot) length of 4 conductor shielded cable (only 3 conductors are needed) may be difficult to find - you may have to buy a much longer spool of it unless the distributor sells it by the foot. 73, Don W3FPR K. Edwards wrote: Thanks Dick and Jack... I just wanted to be certain I was not missing something IRT to the K3. I saw the info in the KIO2 manual on building the cable, but thought I had seen something about pre-made cables (which would undoubtedly be MUCH prettier than anything I can turn out!). As I bought the K2 already assembled, with the KIO2 installed, I guess I didn't get the cable or connectors. __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] RS-232 Cable Question
2. Does any manufacture K2 RS232 cables? Sure ... You do! The K2 is a 'melt-solder' kit. The K2 manual spells out how to make the correct cable. The K3 uses 'normal' 9pin serial cables. The K2's cable included Elecraft's aux-bus info for the external ATU. The K3 mounts the ATU internally. If a K3 external accessory needs aux-bus data, it is available on the ACC connector. (Which is _not_ a VGA cable!) Mark AD5SS On Thu, Mar 18, 2010 at 4:25 PM, K. Edwards kredwa...@gmail.com wrote: I have a K2 and a K3. I clearly see in the K2 manual that a special cable is needed but it appears the K3 is a standard RS232 pinout. 1, I want to confirm the K3 does use a regular RS232 cable (before I fry something!) 2. Does any manufacture K2 RS232 cables? I didn't see anything on the Elecraft site or a quick web check... TIA! 73... --Ken WA4SQM -- __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] RS-232 Cable Question
The computer cable for the K2 requires only three wires connecting pins 2, 3 and 5 on each end. The other pins must not be connected since the KIO2 signals on these pins are not RS-232 capable. Connecting them to an RS-232 connector will cause damage in the K2. The K3 can use a standard RS-232 cable. A standard 9-conductor straight-through cable will work just fine. AD5SS is correct. While the KRC2 and Transverters can connect to the K2 using a short straight-through cable, you need a two conductor cable connected to the K3's Aux IO port to use these devices with the K3. Hope this helps. Jack Brindle, W6FB Elecraft Engineering On Mar 18, 2010, at 2:25 PM, K. Edwards wrote: I have a K2 and a K3. I clearly see in the K2 manual that a special cable is needed but it appears the K3 is a standard RS232 pinout. 1, I want to confirm the K3 does use a regular RS232 cable (before I fry something!) 2. Does any manufacture K2 RS232 cables? I didn't see anything on the Elecraft site or a quick web check... TIA! 73... --Ken WA4SQM -- The Lord's Prayer is 66 words, the Gettysburg Address is 286 words, there are 1,322 words in the Declaration of Independence, but government regulations on the sale of cabbage total 26,911 words. __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net 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:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] RS-232 Cable Question
Ken: The K3 uses a straight-through RS-232 cable with DB-9 connectors on either end. The most common of these cables has all 9 pins connected, M-F, no crossovers. The cable is described in the K3 Utility Help. Not all of these pins are required for normal operation, but it doesn't hurt to have them all connected. You can load firmware with just ground, TxD and RxD connected. CTS and DTR can be also used for PTT and CW keying. The K2 cable is part of the KIO2 kit. The wiring for it can be found on page 13 of the KIO2 manual, and a link to the KIO2 manual PDF is on the Elecraft web site's manual page. I know of no commercially available cable that has this wiring. Do not use your K2 KIO2 cable for your K3. 73 de Dick, K6KR -Original Message- From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net [mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of K. Edwards Sent: Thursday, March 18, 2010 2:26 PM To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: [Elecraft] RS-232 Cable Question I have a K2 and a K3. I clearly see in the K2 manual that a special cable is needed but it appears the K3 is a standard RS232 pinout. 1, I want to confirm the K3 does use a regular RS232 cable (before I fry something!) 2. Does any manufacture K2 RS232 cables? I didn't see anything on the Elecraft site or a quick web check... TIA! 73... --Ken WA4SQM -- The Lord's Prayer is 66 words, the Gettysburg Address is 286 words, there are 1,322 words in the Declaration of Independence, but government regulations on the sale of cabbage total 26,911 words. __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net 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:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] RS-232 Cable Question
Thanks Dick and Jack... I just wanted to be certain I was not missing something IRT to the K3. I saw the info in the KIO2 manual on building the cable, but thought I had seen something about pre-made cables (which would undoubtedly be MUCH prettier than anything I can turn out!). As I bought the K2 already assembled, with the KIO2 installed, I guess I didn't get the cable or connectors. 73... --Ken On Thu, Mar 18, 2010 at 6:24 PM, Dick Dievendorff die...@comcast.netwrote: Ken: The K3 uses a straight-through RS-232 cable with DB-9 connectors on either end. The most common of these cables has all 9 pins connected, M-F, no crossovers. The cable is described in the K3 Utility Help. Not all of these pins are required for normal operation, but it doesn't hurt to have them all connected. You can load firmware with just ground, TxD and RxD connected. CTS and DTR can be also used for PTT and CW keying. The K2 cable is part of the KIO2 kit. The wiring for it can be found on page 13 of the KIO2 manual, and a link to the KIO2 manual PDF is on the Elecraft web site's manual page. I know of no commercially available cable that has this wiring. Do not use your K2 KIO2 cable for your K3. 73 de Dick, K6KR -Original Message- From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net [mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of K. Edwards Sent: Thursday, March 18, 2010 2:26 PM To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: [Elecraft] RS-232 Cable Question I have a K2 and a K3. I clearly see in the K2 manual that a special cable is needed but it appears the K3 is a standard RS232 pinout. 1, I want to confirm the K3 does use a regular RS232 cable (before I fry something!) 2. Does any manufacture K2 RS232 cables? I didn't see anything on the Elecraft site or a quick web check... TIA! 73... --Ken WA4SQM -- The Lord's Prayer is 66 words, the Gettysburg Address is 286 words, there are 1,322 words in the Declaration of Independence, but government regulations on the sale of cabbage total 26,911 words. __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html -- The Lord's Prayer is 66 words, the Gettysburg Address is 286 words, there are 1,322 words in the Declaration of Independence, but government regulations on the sale of cabbage total 26,911 words. __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] RS 232 cable?
Cleve, Jim Brown K9YC has posted much good advice on this subject. Take a look at his website information at http://audiosystemsgroup.com/HamInterfacing.pdf and http://audiosystemsgroup.com/RFI-Ham.pdf Pay particular attention to his comments about using twisted pair (CAT5) for RS-232 interconnects to minimize RFI - shielded cable may not 'hack' it.. 73, Don W3FPR W5CEM wrote: What is the proper RF isolation for the GND on a RS232 cable? I want several for different QTHs, so will build them myself. thankscleve/W5CEM No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - http://www.avg.com Version: 8.0.176 / Virus Database: 270.10.1/1868 - Release Date: 12/29/2008 10:48 AM ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] RS-232 cable
On Thu, 11 Oct 2007, Joe, aa4nn wrote: The K3 Manual has been flogged. The RS232 cable has been whipped. What's next, fellers? Asking about the next flogging, of course. And for those that care to discuss things without treading of the toes of varios folks...there's a venue at www.zerobeat.net/smf/ Of course it's not luddite in nature, so your email box won't get filled up 73-k3hrn Thom,EIEIO Email, Internet, Electronic Information Officer www.baltimorehon.com/Home of the Baltimore Lexicon www.tlchost.net/hosting/ Web Hosting as low as 3.49/month ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] RS-232 cable
On 10/11/07, Thom LaCosta [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: And for those that care to discuss things without treading of the toes of varios folks...there's a venue at www.zerobeat.net/smf/ Thom is so 31337. :-D -- JT Croteau, N1ESE - Manchester, NH (FN42gx) ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] RS-232 cable
hehe.. I expect we'll see quite a bit of flogging over the next few months. :- I found the manual to be very well done. It is well written, coherent and very easy to understand. Everything makes sense. Kudos to those that worked on it. I can't believe people are whining about the serial cable. Come on guys.. Wouldn't you rather use a standard serial cable than to have to make a custom one yourself (like the K2) ? Congrats, Wayne and Eric, et al.. Can't wait to play with mine.. David, W4SMT In on the first batch Joe, aa4nn [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: The K3 Manual has been flogged. The RS232 cable has been whipped. What's next, fellers? de Joe, aa4nn ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
