[Elecraft] How 'bout a USB interface?

[Rich Lentz]

Doug:

Motorola has an evaluation board
http://www.elektronikladen.de/en_usb08.html that would probably do most
of this. From the info I read, the module would be very easy to adapt by
someone that could write the needed program. As far as talking to the
K2, there would be no need for the KIO2 as all it does is translate the
TTL level K2TX & K2RX to RS232 level RXD/TXD signals.  The USB interface
would not need to convert the serial data to RS232 and then back to TTL.
The USB interface could leave it at TTL level, and input the signal
right into P4 on the control board at /K2TX &/K2RX (these are identified
as host and the blank pin one on most diagrams unless you marked up the
drawings by hand to reflect the wire added and changes made by the KIO2
module changes, When will we get updated drawings???).  However, you
would need the adapter like provided with the KIO2 so that other modules
could also access the info on P4. This would probably be easier than
trying to talk directly to the K2 Aux bus line. Additionally, this same
interface could also directly connect to most ICOM rigs as their CAT
interface is at TTL level.  I recently modified a KIO2 module to provide
signals for my IC706M2G - works great.  Thus this interface, if built in
a separate box, with (isolated) audio in, (isolated) audio out, PTT,
Key, dot & dash paddle, Power on/off, could be used with many rigs.

Rich,
KE0X