[Elecraft] [OT] K9YC's Control Cable: Part Two

[Don Wilhelm]

Brian,

Tie the signal returns (ground) for for the K2 to other Elecraft gear to 
pin 1.
Note that pin 5 is only the signal return (ground) in the RS-232 (PC) 
portion of the cable (K2 and PC ends)

For the W1 to PC cable, the signal return is pin 5, just as in the K2 to 
PC case.

I have not looked at the SignaLink schematics (they are not convenient 
and on-line), so you are on your own there.  I thought the SignaLink to 
PC connection was USB in any case.  Certainly the audio cables can be 
made from twisted pair - it does not have to be shielded in most cases, 
the twist does most of the extraneous signal rejection.

73,
Don W3FPR


On 9/19/2011 5:12 PM, Brian - N5BCN wrote:
> Hi All,
>
> I've taken Jim Brown and Don's advise and constructed a K2 to PC control
> cable using Shielded Cat 6 ethernet cable.  The shield is tied to the DB9
> shell on both ends of the cable, signal returns using the "striped wire" of
> each pair tied to pin 5.
>
> The cable appears to be a success: RFI problems are much improved!
>
> Now I'd like to construct similar control cables for other gear in the
> shack:
> 1) The cable from the K2 to a remoted KPA100
> 2) The cable from the W1 to the PC
> 3) Cable from a SignaLink to the PC and K2
> 4) etc
>
> Many of the above cables do not seem to have a "return" line and/or do not
> use Pin 5.  Assuming I'm still tying the shield to the DB9 shell, where
> should I tie the "striped wires" of each pair to?
>
>