[Elecraft] K3, KPA500, StepIRR, Navigator, PC cabling

[Don Wilhelm]

Jim,

Look at the navigator for this purpose as a USB to RS-232 converter.
So, you have the USB cable from the computer to the Navigator (I trust 
you have loaded the applicable drivers).  That enables the RS-232 port 
on the Navigator to be connected to the K3 - use the 'Y' connector that 
you got with your SteppIR at the K3, and connect the cable to the 
Navigator to one side of the Y and the SteppIR controller to the other 
side of the Y.  Mechanical stuff is complete, all the rest is software 
applications - it should work.

Note, the other part of the Navigator provides an external soundcard 
function - that has nothing to do with the Navigator USB to RS-232 
conversion - keep the two separate in your mind.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 2/24/2012 8:01 PM, James Meade wrote:
> The K3 is connected to the Navigator and the KPA500 via the ACC port 
> which is a 15 pin D.  KPA500 RS232 port is unused.  This is per the 
> KPA500 Owners manual.  K3 is connected to PC via the RS232 port.  This 
> leaves no place to plug in the SteppIRR, which has 9 pin D plugs.  I'm 
> still confused.
>
> Jim NO0B
>
> On Fri, 24 Feb 2012 16:19:06 -0600, Don Wilhelm <w3fpr at embarqmail.com> 
> wrote:
>
>> Jim,
>>
>> Remove the RS-232 cable to the KPA500 - it needs to be on a port that 
>> is different (or not connected at the same time) from that used by 
>> the K3.  The KPA500 port is only used for firmware updates.
>>
>> In fact, since the KPA500 and the K3 both contain RS-232 drivers, 
>> they will get confused and not work properly if connected together.  
>> RS-232 is point to point only, no daisy chaining.
>>
>> Plug the SteppIR cable into the Y that connects to the K3.  The 
>> SteppIR has only receivers and just listens on the conversation 
>> between the computer Navigator) and the K3 - that is OK since no 
>> drivers are involved.
>>
>
>