[Elecraft] K2 connection to Laptop

[Don Wilhelm]

  Ray,

Take a look at the cable shown in the KAT100 manual.  Yes, you can 
expand the existing cable to include a serial port connection.  Yes, if 
you do not have a serial port on your computer, you will have to use an 
RS-232 to serial adapter cable.  Try to get an adapter which uses the 
FTDI chipset.  The K2 baud rate is 4800 and many adapters do not like to 
run that slow.  You may have to try several adapters before you find one 
that works without problems.

The only part of that cable that is RS-232 is the part that connects to 
the computer.  Use ONLY the cable connections specified in the manual.  
You can damage your K2 if you try anything else.

Think of the connector on the KPA100 exactly as it is marked - it is 
labeled AUX I/O - there are only 2 RS-232 level signal lines in it, the 
rest can be damage your K2 if subjected to RS-232 levels.
Unfortunately, the PC world has created a mindset that a DE-9 connector 
is an RS-232 port, and nothing could be further from the truth - that 9 
pin connector is just a connector, and can contain any kind of signals.

Build the special cable shown in the KAT100 manual and all will be 
well.  As far as I know, there is no assembled cable available from any 
source.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 5/17/2011 4:30 AM, Ray Spreadbury wrote:
> Hi Guys
>
>
>
> When I recently bought my K2, it came with the KPA100 watt amplifier&  the
> separate KAT100 watt ATU. I was advised to connect the K2 RS232 interface
> (the KIO2) to the antenna tuner using a made up serial cable the vendor gave
> me&  it all works fine.
>
>
>
> I now want to connect the K2 to a laptop to use the N1MM contest logging
> program etc.
>
>
>
> Does anyone know how do I do this&  also connect to the tuner - if that is
> necessary? (Sorry to be so dumb folks, but just returned to radio after 25
> year absence!)
>
>
>
> Also, I do not have any additional screened serial cable and my laptop
> doesn't have a serial port anyway so am I right in thinking Elekraft can
> supply additional cable with a USB/serial converter (the KUSB)?
>
>
>