[Elecraft] [K3] Serial cable for my new K3

[dieven at comcast.net]

Norm:  I use a straight-thru 9-pin male-to-female 9-pin connector (commonly known as DB-9) with screw connectors on each end.  There's a picture of the cable in the K3 Utility Help and a description of it. You can install the K3 Utility from the Elecraft web site (follow the K3 software links) even before you own a K3. 

You should not use a "null modem" or "crossover" cable.

While firmware loading only requires the "bare minimum" 3 wires (TxD, RxD and signal ground), you may find a couple of other lines useful during "normal" use for PTT and CW Keying.  Just go with a straight-thru 9 pin connector, where pin 1 is wired to pin 1, pin 2 to 2, etc.  This is one of the more common serial cables.

73 de Dick,K6KR


-------------- Original message -------------- 
From: "Norm Duxbury" <duxburyn at bellsouth.net> 

> Roger Marrotte wrote: 
> 
> I know that I could cut off one end of 
> my cable and solder on a male connector. I also see that Radio Shack has a 
> pre-made cable described as a 6-Ft. DB9 M/F Extension Cable #26-117. I'm 
> leaning toward this option because the Radio Shack has nice knobs vs. screws 
> to attach and detach the cables. In either case I need to know if the K3 
> requires a straight through cable or a null modem cable where the transmit 
> and receive lines are reversed. I looked for this info in the K3 manual and 
> couldn't find it. I'm assuming the Radio Shack "Extension" cable is 
> straight through. 
> 
> Any and all help would be appreciated. 
> Roger:Radio Shack makes a "gender changer," consisting of back-to-back 9-pin 
> males. This can be used easily, without cutting cables, to solve your 
> problem.73, Norm - W1MO 
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