[Elecraft] K3: USB port

[Don Wilhelm]

  I have another solution (sort of tongue-in-cheek) for those who want 
the USB directly on the K3 rather than converting it to serial out of 
the computer.
Attach the serial end of the USB to serial adapter permanently into the 
K3 RS-232 connector, and if you need more cable to make the run to the 
computer, just use a USB extension cable.

On a more practical side, it permits use of the SteppIR Y cable, or any 
other device that is similarly designed to listen in on the RS-232 
communication, I think that is a solution to answer all needs - many K3 
owners also run the SteppIR, and I hope they are not among those who 
clamor for native USB support in the K3.  Those who want to use USB can 
then connect between the computer and the K3 (via the captive adapter) 
with a USB cable, and those who are more inclined to not mind running an 
RS-232 cable can do so easily by connecting their USB to serial adapter 
directly to the computer.

I think this is more in the choice of cable than it is an RS-232/USB 
question - Yes, if the K3 has a native USB port it brings along all its 
problems - see the W4TV post.  RS-232 is not device dependent, USB IS 
device dependent, and that is the real difference.

I see the problem as a computer problem (no RS-232 ports), and NOT a K3 
problem (there are good adapters available).
When the "Universal" Serial Bus becomes actually universal, and not 
device dependent, I will likely change my mind, but right now, the only 
really Universal Serial Bus is the RS-232 serial port.  Your definition 
of "Universal" may vary from mine.

Until the support code for generating RS-232 signals disappears from 
operating systems, I will continue to use them - I think desktops are 
more suitable for the hamshack computer than a laptop - they are less 
expensive and more reliable -as an example of one with 2 serial ports, 
see the
IBM ThinkCentre M52 9210 Desktop Computer for $179.95 at 
Tigerdirect.com, Add a monitor for $100 and you have a dedicated 
hamshack computer with real serial ports.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 11/19/2010 2:20 PM, Lu Romero wrote:
> Since the day it first powered on, my K3, #3192, has
> featured full USB radio CAT/keyer  support with dual channel
> embedded audio I/O.  All I need to do is plug a single USB
> cable in to any computer for all of this functionality with
> any popular logger/rig control software.
>
> Totally painless and plug and play on any recent MS OS, from
>   Win2k to Win 7, on laptops, desktops and even netbooks
> (I've tried them all).
>
> What is it?  Its called "The microHAM microKEYER 2"  :)
>