[Elecraft] K3 USB option

[Dick Dievendorff]

The KUSB is a USB to Serial Adapter that connects the K3 to your personal
computer, and should be used if your personal computer has no RS-232 serial
ports but has USB (Universal Serial Bus) ports.

The KUSB is not something built into the K3, it is an external cable with a
USB-to-Serial conversion function in a microcontroller built into the cable.


There is a picture of it in the K3 Utility Help.  You can install the K3
Utility before your K3 arrives.  Under K3 Utility Help, select "Getting
started" and "cable requirements".

If your PC has an RS-232 serial port, then the KUSB is not necessary.
Instead you'll need a straight-through 9-pin RS-232 cable.  

Firmware updates require that the PC be able to communicate with the K3,
either with a 9-pin RS-232 cable attached to your PC's RS-232 serial port,
or if your computer has no RS-232 port but has USB ports, you'll need a USB
to Serial Adapter like the KUSB for firmware updates (and any other computer
rig control you may desire).

The KUSB has the right "gender" of connectors (nuts instead of jack screws)
so that it will attach correctly to the back of the K3.  If you choose
another USB to Serial Adapter and it has jack screw connectors, you should
also acquire a 9-pin male-to-female "straight thru" RS-232 cable that has
screw connectors on each end. 

Dick, K6KR


-----Original Message-----
From: elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net
[mailto:elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Jim Miller
Sent: Thursday, June 19, 2008 7:30 AM
To: Elecraft Reflector
Subject: [Elecraft] K3 USB option

Is it necessary to have the USB option to install firmware updates or is it
simply a faster method that I can add on later?  What other capabilities
does it add?

73, de Jim KG0KP
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