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

[Jorge Patino]

The navigator provides an RS-232 port for the K3 and an additional RS-232 port that can control whatever you want. I use mine for rotor control but it can be used for the SteppIR controller. No Y cable needed. 

Jorge


On Feb 24, 2012, at 9:12 PM, Don Wilhelm <w3fpr at embarqmail.com> wrote:

> 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.
>>> 
>> 
>> 
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