[Elecraft] Digital Interface

[John Clifford]

The Tigertronics looks like a good interface except that it requires a power
source.  This may be okay for shack usage, but is a drag in the field -- one
more cord to bring/forget, one more device to pull on the battery.

I have used both the WRM Rigblaster NOMIC and the BuxComm RASCAL interfaces.
I find that the NOMIC is almost perfect for the K2... the cables are
detachable so it's easier to store everything, doesn't require external
power, in a metal box so if you step on it you won't hurt it.  It's my
choice for portable HF digital ops.

The BuxComm RASCAL kits are of good design although they come in a cheezy
soft plastic box... I replaced mine with a metal box from the local Active
Electronics.  They are also rig-specific in that they come with cables for
specific rigs (types of plugs, wiring configurations).  You could modify the
kits by putting jacks on the interface enclosure (you will need another
enclosure) to make it more flexible.  These kits offer one advantage over
the NOMIC... both transmit and receive audio are transformer isolated
(transmit audio ONLY is isolated on the NOMIC).  Of course, the RASCAL
requires no external power.

You can buy the NOMIC without any cables for $35 or so including shipping
(don't get the software if you are going to use MixW, or if you have enough
skills to download Digipan from the 'net, and if you can build/operate a K2
you have the skills)... that's how you want it since you will be making up
your own cables anyway.  You can get stereo patch cords from RS cheaply in
the configuration you need, and you will have to make up your own
interface-to-K2 cable... I bought a $6 6' Ethernet cable, cut off the end,
and attached an 8-pin mic plug to it.

My best K2 QRP HF digital QSO was to EM1KCC running PSK31 at 5 watts.

Good luck,

 - jgc

John Clifford KD7KGX

Heathkit HW-9 WARC/HFT-9/HM-9
Elecraft K2 #1678 /KSB2/KIO2/KBT2/KAT2/KNB2/KAF2/KPA100
Ten-Tec Omni VI/Opt1

email: kd7kgx@arrl.net