[Elecraft] K2 question (KUSB and KIO2)

[Dave Sublette]

Thanks for the info. I will have to make up that short cable! Fortunately
my K2 is the B level.

73,

Dave

On Sat, Feb 27, 2021 at 5:10 PM Geert Jan de Groot <pe1hzg at xs4all.nl> wrote:

>
> > Is the KUSB cable compatible with the K2?  Should have asked this before
> I
> > bought the cable.  My K2 has worked with a serial port adapter from
> Keyspan
> > for several years and with a variety of logging programs.
> > So I went with the KUSB.  When I connect it, the K2 does strange things.
> > Power control turned all the way down results in a nice 10 watt output
> and
> > normal operation.  When Power control is turned up I get a HiCurr and
> LoPWR
> > error and the display only shows power, not frequency.
>
> Please read the KIO2 documentation: any serial device may only be
> connected *if only pin 2, 3, 5* are connected. If you connect a serial
> device with the other pins connected, which the KUSB as well as most
> other devices have, *you can cause serious damage to your K2*.
>
> It is essential that the other pins are left unconnected, they are used
> for other signals and the RS232 signals give voltages that cause damage.
>
> So, if you use the KUSB, make sure to insert a short cable that ONLY
> connects these 3 wires, NOTHING ELSE.
>
> How much damage is done partially depends on the hardware mod version of
> your K2. The "B" mods includes some modifications that should limit some
> of the most serious damage, like blowing up the main processor of your
> K2. There is a document somewhere that describes what damage a K2
> suffers because of this; it's a long list
>
> Despite the fact that the KIO2 sports a DE9 connector, it really isn't a
> standard serial port. In hindsight, Elecraft should have chosen a DE15
> connector instead (making sure that a "VGA cable" would not cause
> damage. Ah well, too late now..
>
> 73, Geert Jan
>