[Elecraft] RS232 cable source

[Ron D'Eau Claire]

Paul's quite right. The K2 does *not* have an RS232 port while the K3 does. 

The three-wire cable used on K2s will work FB to connect a K3 to a computer
serial port for firmware updates, configuring filters using the utility
program, etc. As it happens, the K2's AUX IO connector uses the same pins
for the data communications as are used by an RS232 connection. I use my K2
AUX IO cable in just that way to hook the K3 to my computer RS232 port.  

But do not connect a standard RS232 cable to a K2's "AUX IO" connector, even
though the connectors mate. The other connections in a standard RS232
connector are not compatible with the K2's AUX IO interface and you can
damage your K2. 

Ron AC7AC



-----Original Message-----

Bill,
Just a word of Caution - though the K3 can take a standard Serial cable -
I've read that the K2 CANNOT. If you plug a standard serial cable into a K2
you will Blow the I/O board. I mention that because when you mentioned your
K2 was at the lake cabin, it sounded like you thought the cables were
interchangeable. The K3 may work with the special K2 cable - I don't know
about that. But again, It's been posted that plugging an "off the shelf"
serial cable into a K2 (turned on of course) will destroy the I/O board.
Paul



NZ0T wrote:
> 
> In anticipation of my K3 arriving next week I'm tying to find the
> RS232 interface cable.  I'm going to be out of town a lot and pressed 
> for shopping time so I hope nobody minds my asking a dumb question.  
> Where can I get the needed cable - Best Buy, Radio Shack, Wal-Mart?  
> My K2 will now be at the lake cabin so that cable goes with it.
> 
> 73,
> 
> Bill NZ0T
>