[Elecraft] KRC2 Questions

[Jack Brindle]

Hi Dennis;

On Nov 3, 2003, at 11:17 PM, Dennis Ponsness wrote:

>   Got a couple of questions about the KRC2,  First,  about the  
> interface cables going from the PC to the KRC2 and then to the K2.  In  
> the KIO2 manual, it states in no uncertain terms that you are NOT to  
> use a standard serial cable between the 'puter and the K2 - I recall a  
> posting a few days ago that an op accidentally did that (hope that you  
> got your K2 back up and running).  It looks like to me in the KRC2  
> manual that the cable from the KRC2 to the K2 is set up as a standard  
> serial cable.  Am I correct in my thinking that the jumper settings  
> inside the KRC2 takes care of that warning in the KIO2 manual?

The warning in the KIO2 manual is correct. The DB9 on the KIO2/K2  
carries  other signals beyond the basic RxD and TxD for RS-232 that  
would be harmed by RS-232 levels. Thus you should never plug a true  
RS-232 cable/port into the K2/KIO2 or KPA100. The XCVR port on the KRC2  
matches the K2/KIO2's signals, and indeed makes use of those signals in  
its operation. Thus you really do need a straight-through serial port  
cable between the KRC2 and the K2/KIO2.

The PC port on the KRC2 then provides the same signals and  
configuration as the DB9 on the KIO2. It is functionally the same port  
when the KRC2 is connected to the K2. The RS-232 warnings that cover  
the K2/KIO2 then also cover the KRC2. In the KRC2 manual, I even tell  
the builder to use the KIO2/PC cable to connect from the KRC2 to the  
PC. Having said that, by removing some of the jumpers in the KRC2, the  
"bad" signals can be disconnected form the port, helping this  
requirement. Still, it is a VERY GOOD IDEA to use the 2-signal cable  
that is built with the KIO2 or KPA100 between the KRC2 and the PC.

> Second, will this configuration work - I currently have my K2 being  
> controlled by the NA contesting program using the standard KIO2  
> interface and the "custom" cable.  If I were to put the KRC2 in  
> between the contest 'puter and the K2, would I still have all the rig  
> control functions available that I have now with NA?

Yes! That works very well. I used that same configuration with N1MM  
software for SS this weekend, and also use it with a Macintosh-based  
logging program that is slowly evolving in my shack.

> What I would like to do is to use the KRC2 to switch monoband dipoles  
> for the different bands connected to a remote antenna relay that will  
> be hooked up to ANT2 - I am leaving the vertical connected to ANT1.  I  
> can either use the band change function _or_ enter a frequency into NA  
> and the K2 will go to that band/freq - I take it that I would still  
> have that ability with the KRC2 inline?  Looks to me like it will, but  
> I want to be sure.

Yup. This should work just fine. You just need to add the right relay  
combination connected properly in the RF path. The KRC2 should do a  
great job controlling the relays. Note that if you change bands while  
using the vertical, the relays will still switch, but you will still be  
using the antenna connected on ANT1. When using ANT2, that switching  
will have a definite effect!

If you have any other questions, just ask!

73,

- Jack Brindle, WA4FIB
------------------------------------------------------------------------ 
---------------------