[Elecraft] USB for K2

[Fred Jensen]

There are only 3 of the 9 pins on the K2 DE9 that are RS-232 levels [+/- 
12 V more or less, greater than the logic levels in the K2 at any rate]: 
TXD, RXD, and Sig Gnd.  All the rest are internal levels [+5/0 I think] 
and are internal control signals for accessories.

The one you mentioned looks like a standard USB-Serial adapter.  It also 
has the Prolific chipset.  I haven't had any problems with Prolific but 
many folks have.  The FTDI chipset is recommended by Elecraft.

I sold my KPA100 and KAT100 when I went QRP on my K2, but while I had 
them, I just made a Y-cable from the K2 that split out the 3 RS-232 to 
one connector and the remainder to another.  It wasn't hard.

I think that's pretty much what you have to do.  Elecraft may sell the 
Y-cable adapter.

73,

Fred K6DGW
- Northern California Contest Club
- CU in the Cal QSO Party 1-2 Oct 2016
- www.cqp.org


On 11/5/2015 3:50 PM, Tom McCulloch wrote:

> I know the cable from the K2 to the nine pin plug is not wired in a
> "standard" way,  but how do I go about interfacing my K2 to the USB port
> on my computer?
>
> I see this on Amazon, but I'm hesitant to try it: