[Elecraft] USB for K2

[Don Wilhelm]

Tom,

It has been covered many, many times.  All those who have purchased a 
used K2 and do not have the special K2 to PC special cable, please pay 
attenion - the health of your K2 may be at stake.

Do *not* plug a computer serial cable into that connector.  Note that it 
is labeled "AUX I/O" and that does *not* mean "RS-232"
In addition to 3 RS-232 signal lines (TXD, RXD and Signal Ground), it 
contains internal K2 signals that are used to control the KAT100, XV 
series tranverters and the KRC2.  RS-232 level signals from a computer 
port can damage those internal K2 signals, or at least cause "strange 
operation".

Download the K2 KIO2 and/or KPA100 manual and build the cable that is 
shown in those manuals.
You will need a length of shielded 4 conductor with ground wire, a male 
and a female DE-9 connector and 2 backshells to hold the connectors.
You can plug that special cable into a computer serial port or connect 
the PC end of that cable to a USB to serial adapter (use an adapter with 
an FTDI chipset for best results).

73,
Don W3FPR

On 11/5/2015 6:50 PM, Tom McCulloch wrote:
> Hi gang,
>
> I think this may have been previously covered, so I apologize if I'm 
> redundant.
>
> 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:
>
> http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00425S1H8/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=2BU7MNUYG3YU2&coliid=I1591SJBBKODFX 
>
>
> Thanks for your help with this,
>
> Tom, WB2QDG
> K2 #1103
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