[Elecraft] K3/K3S DB9 Conn - If it plugs in, then it should work

[Bob McGraw - K4TAX]

Standard use of connectors is a good thing.  It saves the various number 
of different connectors that we must retain for various uses.  However, 
there is no standards in the ham radio community regarding the use and 
types of connectors.

In the military, they use a different connector for every different 
application and a different connector for each series of equipment. The 
result is that no two connectors are really alike.  However, the 
advantage is the fact if one didn't have the proper connector and cable 
for the specific application, then the user could not connect anything.

Both methods are correct just as both methods are incorrect, depending 
on the users point of view.

73
Bob, K4TAX
K3S s/n 10,163

On 8/23/2015 10:25 AM, Jerry Moore wrote:
> I respectfully offer that it's a very good thing Elecraft used a commonly
> found connector in their radio designs. One bane of technology is when
> manufacturers use a myriad of proprietary connections. The huge advantage
> that we have in using common connections is the availability of plugs,
> sockets, and cables. The responsibility we have is to always ensure the
> connections are as intended. In the case of Elecraft radios with a DB9
> connection we CAN use an RS-232 spec cable from the rig to our computer with
> the requirement that certain pins or wires be removed/cut/disconnected due
> to the nature of the connection. The Beauty of RS-232 is that it's a 3 wire
> system. The other connections are typically used for HARDWARE support
> (DTS/RTS) and aren't required for RS-232. So out of a DB9 connection we are
> left with 6 usable lines. What's a better design, combining purposes into a
> common connection where the consumers are technically skilled and educated,
> or having 10 extra connections on the back?
>
> If you were homebrewing the radio how would you build it? I'm betting that
> most of us would use single connectors and bundle the functions/features
> there. It just makes more sense.
>
> One thing that may help would be to label a warning on the connector if you
> may tend to forget that it's not a modem connection, rather, it's a
> multi-function DB9 connection.
>
> Just my opinion.
> Jerry Moore
>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> Message delivered to rmcgraw at blomand.net
>
>
>