[Elecraft] MicroHam microkeyer

[Stewart Baker]

Don and all,
Thanks for your replies. 

I have read all the tales of distress and solutions to the mix of RS232 and 
non-RS232 re the K2 interface. Don't want to go there.

The standard MicroKeyer to K2 lead set as far as I can tell seems to have a 
RS232 D type connector presumably male to go directly into a K2. 
My system has the link cable between the K2 and a separate KPA100 & KAT100.
As the PC end of that cable is female I think that the MicroKeyer male connector 
should mate with that. MicroHam say look at the diagrams and  modify the cable 
to suit. They only use TX, RX and ground pins.

I was really hoping for someone who was using the MicroKeyer
with a separate K2 and KPA100 combination so I can verify things.

73
Stewart G3RXQ


On Sun, 23 Oct 2005 14:34:04 -0400, Don Wilhelm wrote:
> Stewart and all,
>
> That is precisely why I hesitate to refer to the DE9 connector on the KIO2
> and the KPA100 as an 'RS232' connector.
>
> To those not yet informed, please be aware that connecting a standard RS232
> serial cable to this K2 connector (and the other end to a computer) will
> most certainly do harm to your K2.  This connector carries K2 control
> signals (non-RS232) as well as the RS232 signals (only TXD and RXD and
> Signal Ground are RS232 standard levels).  The connector itself does not
> follow the RS232 standard - perhaps it would have been better implemented as
> a DIN connector, but it is too late for that now.
>
> There are only 3 pins (OK, 4 if you include frame ground on pin 1) that are
> RS232 signals.  The rest of the pins should not be subjected to the up-to
> plus/minus 25 volts levels that may be present should the other end of the
> cable be connected to a device which presents  standard RS232 signals.
>
> For my own K2, I have put a plug into pin 4 and broken off pin 4 of the
> mating cable, so only that special cable can be plugged into the K2 to
> prevent an accident that can happen to the best of us.
>
> 73,
> Don W3FPR
>
>> -----Original Message-----
>>
>> It seems to have the ability to send commands to the K2 via the
>> serial port.
>> What I meant to have said, was that Elecraft have some fairly non
>> standard usage
>> of the pins on a RS232 D type.
>>
>> 73
>> Stewart G3RXQ