[Elecraft] k3 with acom2000

[Bill Turner]

------------ ORIGINAL MESSAGE ------------(may be snipped)

On Wed, 12 Nov 2014 16:11:40 -0600, you wrote:

>
>i am considering purchasing an ACOM 2000A amplifier to use with my K3.  all
>comments/suggestions regarding usage, installation, cabling, options, etc.
>are welcome.
>
>thanks
>
>buddy spiegel, w3bs

REPLY:

I've been using that combination for about two months now and couldn't
be more pleased. The only issue at all is the digital connections
between the radio, the amp and the PC.  I put together a short
tutorial which I think explains it better than the ACOM manual does.
It is copied below. 

If you have any questions, feel free to contact me directly. 

You won't be disappointed. 

73, Bill W6WRT
dezrat at outlook.com

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

When operating an ACOM 2000A with an Elecraft K3, there are two
possible modes of frequency control. Each mode requires a different
cable. 

When a PC is NOT connected: 

Use a cable like that shown in figure 7.6 of the ACOM 2000A manual.
You should set the K3 AUTOINF menu option to "nor", the default. In
this mode the 2000A will poll the K3 for band data and will change
bands accordingly. The K3 will also send band data when you manually
change bands on the K3. 

When a PC IS connected:  

Use the cable shown in figure 7.2 in the 2000A manual. You should set
the K3 AUTOINF menu option to "nor", the default.  Note that this
cable does NOT have the TXD wire going to the ACOM 2000A, but it does
have the TXD wire running between the legs of the Y connector. This
cable can be either a single cable terminating in two DB-9 connectors
or it can be a single cable with a "Y" adaptor connected at the DB-9
end. In either case, it must be the electrical equivalent of figure
7.2.  In this mode, the ACOM 2000A gets band data information ONLY
from the logging program, not from the K3. If you close the logging
program, the ACOM 2000A will NOT follow band changes from the K3. You
can still do band changes by sending a "dit" as explained in the ACOM
2000A manual.