[Elecraft] [K3] Built in USB interface for K3

[Allan G Duncan]

Lyle and Don both make excellent points regarding this "USB Conversion".
IMHO their posts should be ignored at your peril. I completely agree with
Don's comments regarding the driverless nature of plain RS232.

I myself was not considering this mod myself, as I stated in my original
post. I have an RS232/USB cable I purchased while in the USA last year from
Fry's for $15 which works faultlessly (FTDI chipset). It also has jackscrews
on the serial end which engage with the posts on the K3. As an owner of the
SPE Expert 1K-FA (which I use with the K3), I need the K3 RS232 port to band
switch the amplifier automatically. Band data (on the DB15HD port) is not
sufficient as the Expert needs to know exact frequency for ATU control. 

The RS232 connection required by the P3 is a point I had not considered -
it's interesting the P3 does not use the Elecraft proprietary AUXBUS for
control unlike the KRC2 and XV transverters. Perhaps they are considering a
P3 version that could interface to non-Elecraft transceivers with IF outputs
and RS232 ports? Maybe the KPA500 is similar?

73

Allan
GM4ZUK