[Elecraft] Cable for K3 Aux I/O

[Jim Brown]

On Fri, 29 Aug 2008 16:37:08 -0400, K8TB wrote:

>I found a source for cables for the K3 AUX I/O connector, which uses all 
>15 pins of a HD-15 connector. You can find many cables for the HD-15, 
>but almost all of them are for video extension cables. 

This is NOT a good idea. First, parallel conductor cable is a lousy choice  
where RFI is a potential issue. Most uses of the AUX I/O connector should 
use TWISTED PAIRS for immunity from RFI and noise. In general, TWISTING is 
FAR more important than a cable shield in rejecting RFI and noise. Second, 
most uses of the AUX I/O connector will require only a few circuits, not 
all 15 pins. 

Thus, a FAR better way to do this is buy some DB15 connectors, some CAT5 
(or CAT6), and some connector hoods and wire them yourselves. Use one pair 
per circuit -- for example, for FSK, orange to pin 1, orange/white to pin 
5; for PTT, brown to pin 4, brown/white to pin 5. And so on. 

73,

Jim Brown K9YC