[Elecraft] from John Klokis kb3hqh

[Frank Van Cleef W1WCG]

Hi John,

If you got your K2 as a kit, you also received the parts neede to build a 
cable to go from the K2 to an RS232 serial port on a computer.  If you 
bought the K2 assembled, you hopefully got either the cable made up, or the 
parts to build it with.  Either way,
you should start with a cable built to Elecrafts specs, and plug the K2 end 
into the radio.  Since you have the 100w option, see pages 52-53 in the 
K2/100 RS232 manual for the wiring and usage of this cable.  The computer 
end of this cable is designed to be plugged into a serial port on a 
computer, however since your laptop doesn't have one these things, you'll 
have to use a USB to serial dongle/cable to do the conversion.  Keyscan 
makes one that works well; I've used it here for things like that.  You can 
try your Radio Shack USB-to-serial cable by simply connect the computer end 
of the K2/100 cable to it and plugging the other end into your USB 
connector.  Be advised that not all USB-to-serial converters work equally or 
even at all.

Hope this helps,

Van, W1WCG
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "John Klokis" <klokis at verizon.net>
To: <elecraft at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Monday, November 05, 2007 5:03 PM
Subject: [Elecraft] from John Klokis kb3hqh


Good afternoon

      this is John Klokis, kb3hqh.  I recently became a proud owner of a 
Elecraft K2 with 100 watt option and automatic antenna tuner.  I would like 
to ask you for some help in getting the right computer cable to run the 
setup I have with my computer.  I do  not need to run the antenna tuner if 
it is to complicated to interface. I canuse an outboard tuner.

      I do not have a serial port with my new desktop.  I only have USB 
ports. I am running a Ten Tec Jupiter with a serial port to USB cable from 
radio shack.  I can not connect this cable to the K2.  I have been reading 
on the reflector that the computer cable is different on the K2.  Is this 
correct?  And can you advise me on what cable to use with a USB port?  Is 
there a cable that I can use just with a USB port and software to install 
the cable?

     Thanks again,

     John Klokis kb3hqh