Cable for K3 to Expert 1.3K-FA

[K4PX K4PX]

Anybody got a spare cable to run from K3 to Expert 1.3K-FA they would like
to part with?
73,
Joe
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[Bob Wilson, N6TV]

Joe,

A single cable can work, but it may not be the ideal solution for the long
run, should your equipment expand or change.

Instead of a custom K3 to SPE cable, consider an alternative that will
allow stock cables to work, no matter which radio or amplifier you want to
connect.  I designed the Serial Box (S-BOX <https://bit.ly/S-BOX>) to make
it easy to connect the K3 (or any modern transceiver) to any device
designed to monitor serial port traffic for automatic band switching and
auto-tuning, including all SPE Expert amplifiers and most ACOM automatic
amplifiers, plust the Elecraft KPA1500 and any serial port band decoders /
antenna switches and SteppIR controllers.  The goal was to allow all of
these devices to track the transmit frequency of the transceiver
automatically (not just the band), with all devices switching at the same
time.  The S-BOX can also be configured to support the custom "null-modem"
connection from the 9-pin SPE "PORT" terminal to a SteppIR controller, if
you have more than one transceiver connected to the SPE, and are using both
inputs.  The SPE firmware automatically translates the frequency data of
the active radio to a common format for the SteppIR controller.

Using a simple cable with "Band Data" pins on the K3 ACC connector (instead
of serial data) isn't ideal if you intend to use the Expert's built-in
tuner on some band segments, because that cable only provides band
information to the amplifier, instead of frequency information to the tuner.

Using a simple cable to the K3 RS-232 connector precludes using it for
other purposes, such as a logging program.

The S-BOX was designed to work around these common interconnection issues.

73,
Bob, N6TV
https://bit.ly/S-BOX


On Thu, Aug 6, 2020 at 7:06 AM K4PX K4PX <[hidden email]> wrote:

> Anybody got a spare cable to run from K3 to Expert 1.3K-FA they would like
> to part with?
> 73,
> Joe
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> Message delivered to [hidden email]
>

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[Adrian-3]

Joe, just a note on SPE amplifier interfacing, is that not all rigs are
supported for cat frequency read interfacing or even band switching.

This is essential for the SPE atu (if fitted and active), to set its tune
setting before first keyup on band preventing a possible swr alarm and
switch to strandby.
Without CAT freq read the ATU had then used SPE internal RF sense freq
counter  during that keyup, but not fast enough to prevent that initial
alarm,
so the amp still needs to be switched back to 'Operate' to continue, so CAT
freq tracking is very convenient for the ATU to function before first keyup
on band.

I found DXLab Commander an excellent program in between SPE and transceiver
to solve these situations

For the Elecraft KX3 SPE with freq/band follow ;

https://youtu.be/k87_lkO4mmY

I also use it with my FTDX101MP to follow the SUB freq as well (does not
work direct connected), The FT991 profile in SPE, and secondary Commander
CAT
works fine with either the MP and KX3 as primary Commander CAT connection.
The amp has two inputs and 2 cat connections as you know.
The Commander program is easily switched between the two, or a start profile
setup for each transceiver.

The CAT connection from SPE to PC has DB9 2&3 reversed or a nullmodem patch
cable inserted in series with usual rig cat cable for rs-232 setups.

Adrian Fewster

VK4TUX


> Anybody got a spare cable to run from K3 to Expert 1.3K-FA they would
> like to part with?
> 73,
> Joe

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[Elecraft mailing list]

Joe,

I don't know if you have received this information, but I have cables that I
ordered from Dan Tassell of Expert Linears: [hidden email] .  He makes plug
and play cables for various rigs to interface with the Expert Linears.  He
does good work and stands behind his products.  More information is on their
website http://expertlinears.com/ .

'73 de JIM N2ZZ



-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email]
[mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Adrian
Sent: Friday, August 07, 2020 10:09 PM
To: 'Elecraft Reflector'
Cc: [hidden email]; [hidden email]; [hidden email]
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Cable for K3 to Expert 1.3K-FA

Joe, just a note on SPE amplifier interfacing, is that not all rigs are
supported for cat frequency read interfacing or even band switching.

This is essential for the SPE atu (if fitted and active), to set its tune
setting before first keyup on band preventing a possible swr alarm and
switch to strandby.
Without CAT freq read the ATU had then used SPE internal RF sense freq
counter  during that keyup, but not fast enough to prevent that initial
alarm,
so the amp still needs to be switched back to 'Operate' to continue, so CAT
freq tracking is very convenient for the ATU to function before first keyup
on band.

I found DXLab Commander an excellent program in between SPE and transceiver
to solve these situations

For the Elecraft KX3 SPE with freq/band follow ;

https://youtu.be/k87_lkO4mmY

I also use it with my FTDX101MP to follow the SUB freq as well (does not
work direct connected), The FT991 profile in SPE, and secondary Commander
CAT
works fine with either the MP and KX3 as primary Commander CAT connection.
The amp has two inputs and 2 cat connections as you know.
The Commander program is easily switched between the two, or a start profile
setup for each transceiver.

The CAT connection from SPE to PC has DB9 2&3 reversed or a nullmodem patch
cable inserted in series with usual rig cat cable for rs-232 setups.

Adrian Fewster

VK4TUX


> Anybody got a spare cable to run from K3 to Expert 1.3K-FA they would
> like to part with?
> 73,
> Joe

______________________________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
Post: mailto:[hidden email]

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Message delivered to [hidden email]

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