[Elecraft] K2 connection to Laptop

[Don Wilhelm]

  Ray,

Yes, Elecraft does have the KUSB USB to RS-232 cable available.

Do NOT plug that cable directly into the K2.  You must use the cable 
described in the KAT2 manual - connect the USB to serial adapter to the 
PC end of the special cable.

The instructions on the website are for the K3 which has a dedicated 
RS-232 port.

You should note that only TXD, RXD, and Signal Ground are connected in 
that special cable.  Other signals on the AUX I/O connector are internal 
K2 signals needed by the KAT100 (and other external Elecraft devices 
such as the KRC2 or the XV series transverters.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 5/17/2011 9:19 AM, Ray Spreadbury wrote:
> Good Morning Don
>
> OK I've found the full cable instructions in the KAT100 manual thank you, I
> was looking in the K2 manual&  didn't find it!
>
> However, there appears to be a USB/RS-232 cable available from Elecraft i.e.
> the KUSB. You'll find it in the Elecraft price list page on the website
> under the K2 section described as a USB adaptor for the KIO2 or the KPA100,
> now with an FTDI chipset. It's also referred to in the K3 section under K3
> Utilities&  Drivers and I quote "The K3 uses a standard RS232 port
> implemented via a female DB9 for interfacing to external devices and
> programs. If your computer has a standard serial port, all you will need is
> a straight through serial cable with a male DB9 on one end and the proper
> connector (usually a female DB9 or DB25) on the other end to plug into your
> computer's serial port and you are all set. Most modern computers no longer
> have serial ports but instead use USB (Universal Serial Bus) ports for
> connecting to external devices. Elecraft provides the KUSB - USB to Serial
> adapter to connect the K3 to these computers"
>
> So, thanks for your help once again (!) Don, I think I'll talk to Elecraft
> later today&  see if it will do the trick for me, failing that I'll have to
> get some shielded cable from them&  make up the cable&  plugs as they
> suggest in the KAT100 manual
>
> Regards
> Ray G3XLG
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Don Wilhelm [mailto:w3fpr at embarqmail.com]
> Sent: 17 May 2011 13:32
> To: Ray Spreadbury
> Cc: elecraft at mailman.qth.net
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K2 connection to Laptop
>
>    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)?
>>
>>
>>
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