[Elecraft] KAT500 help

[Andy Durbin]

"Has anyone ever used real RS232 signal levels into one of these, or does it actually only work with USB?"

The KAT500 will accept either TTL or real RS-232 voltage levels. The KAT500 serial data transmitter is not RS-232 compliant (swings between zero and +12 V) and may not work with a true RS-232 receiver.  It does drive a MAX 3232 with no problem.

Whether the linked serial cable will work depends on the characteristics of the RS-232 port it is connected to.  If that port needs true RS-232 voltage levels then it isn't going to work.  (RS-232 swings positive and negative and is not zero referenced).

73.
Andy k3wyc