[Elecraft] Baud rates and more baud rates.

[Jim Rogers]

For years the following setup worked well. USB Connected 
K3s/P3/KPA500/KAT500. CAT is COM10. Device manager says COM10 is set for 
9600 baud, no parity, 8 data bits, 1 stop bit (9600,n,8,1). HRD is my 
main control and logging program. Everything is all hooked up and 
working well.

Then I installed SatPC32 tracking software for future satellite work. 
The K3s is configured with TRN1 for my XV144 2M transverter. I turn on 
SatPC32's CAT switch and I can see the K3 display pausing for a split 
second every time SatPC32 sends a frequency update to the K3s. But the 
K3s is not getting the update. Checked the P3 baud rate and it  is 
38,400 (remember this has not been a problem until now).  So I begin 
adjusting its baud rate and eventually drop to 4800 baud. Bingo! it is 
all working together, frequency updates to the K3s are getting there, 
everything is cool....

Until I get out of satellite "mode" and go back to HRD. Now HRD is not 
communicating with the K3s, until I set COM10 for 4800 baud as well. 
That actually makes good sense. The same baud rate throughout the entire 
connected system, but how did it work before with COM10 CAT baud rate a 
9600, and the P3 running at 38,400?

If you look in the K3s manual (p.63) for the RS232 menu item you will 
notice that it says the default is 4800b. To set it to any other value, 
you must get out of USB mode and use the RS232 port. At that point it is 
no longer COM10 but is whatever port your USB/Serial adapter is assigned 
by the computer.

COM problems are sometimes difficult to resolve. I found an invaluable 
aid in Eltima software's "Serial Port Monitor".  The pro version is 
recommended. At 150 bucks, it is worth the money and is packed with 
features.

FWIW, Jim, W4ATK