Can I split or share my ACC port?
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Can I split or share my ACC port?
 
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I spend a lot of my time connecting and disconnecting accessories from the
back of my K3 and I find this tedious. In my shack I have a, Expert 1K linear amp and a Microkeyer II which both like to use the ACC Port on the K3 I use a Remote-rig unit to control the K3 when I am away and this too needs the ACC. Instead of connecting one of these items at a time, is it OK to use a VGA cable splitter and have both or three connected simultaneously? Is this port a strictly one-at-a-time guy? In addition to the issue with the ACC port, the accessories above (+ add to this a Signalink USB) I find that I am regularly having to change the plugs into my: Line-in , line-out, Paddle, Key, PTT and Speakers sockets and RS232 port. Which of these 'ports' can be shared or split and which will will only safely take one I/O? I am tempted to build an external 'Patch Box' to give me handier and easier access to the K3 back-panel . Has anyone built one of these or is it even necessary if the ports can be split and permanently shared? I believe that Y cables are available for the RS232 on the K3. Into how many RS232's can these be split? 2...3....4? I have an Expert-1K, a CAT, and a Steppir controller and a Remote-rig - all of which would like a place on the nipple! Thanks and GB 73 de EI9KF Hugh ______________________________________________________________ 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 |
Re: Can I split or share my ACC port?
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Hugh,
If you are not using the RemoteRig's COM1 port to control another device, you can route CAT over that port to sync devices such as the SPE Expert (which I do). Just change the radio RRC to mode-6. Then connect a serial cable between (for example) the SPE's CAT input port (one of the DB25's) and COM1 of the RRC. Note that the pinout of COM1 is different than COM2 (mirrored). In some cases, using a Y-cable as you said allows you to sync as well, but no guarantee. If you are not yet using CAT on the control RRC, just use the same trick with mode-6 on that RRC to be able to control the K3 that way. You can then use LP-Bridge or similar to sync with other devices on the control PC. 73, Mitch DJ0QN On 07.08.2012 22:43, Hugh Bradley wrote: > I spend a lot of my time connecting and disconnecting accessories from the > back of my K3 and I find this tedious. > > In my shack I have a, Expert 1K linear amp and a Microkeyer II which both > like to use the ACC Port on the K3 I use a Remote-rig unit to control the > K3 when I am away and this too needs the ACC. > > Instead of connecting one of these items at a time, is it OK to use a VGA > cable splitter and have both or three connected simultaneously? > Is this port a strictly one-at-a-time guy? > > In addition to the issue with the ACC port, the accessories above (+ add to > this a Signalink USB) I find that I am regularly having to change the plugs > into my: Line-in , line-out, Paddle, Key, PTT and Speakers sockets and > RS232 port. > > Which of these 'ports' can be shared or split and which will will only > safely take one I/O? > > I am tempted to build an external 'Patch Box' to give me handier and easier > access to the K3 back-panel . > > Has anyone built one of these or is it even necessary if the ports can be > split and permanently shared? > > I believe that Y cables are available for the RS232 on the K3. > Into how many RS232's can these be split? > 2...3....4? > I have an Expert-1K, a CAT, and a Steppir controller and a Remote-rig - all > of which would like a place on the nipple! > > Thanks and GB > > 73 de EI9KF > Hugh > ______________________________________________________________ > 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 > -- Mitch Wolfson DJØQN / K7DX Georg-Kerschensteiner-Str. 42, 81829 Muenchen, Germany Skype: mitchwo - Home:+49 89 32152700 - Mobile:+49 172 8374436 Echolink: 3001 - IRLP: 5378 ______________________________________________________________ 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 |
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In reply to this post by Hugh Bradley
RS232 is an end-to-end interface, not a multipdrop. That's just the Physical Layer, but more than one device driving will cause contention.
Matt Zilmer Consultant - Product Management Dept. Magellan Navigation / MiTAC Digital Corp. Tel: (909) 394-6052 Cell: (909) 730-6552 Si fractum non sit, noli id reficere -----Original Message----- From: [hidden email] [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Hugh Bradley Sent: Tuesday, August 07, 2012 1:43 PM To: [hidden email] Subject: [Elecraft] Can I split or share my ACC port? I spend a lot of my time connecting and disconnecting accessories from the back of my K3 and I find this tedious. In my shack I have a, Expert 1K linear amp and a Microkeyer II which both like to use the ACC Port on the K3 I use a Remote-rig unit to control the K3 when I am away and this too needs the ACC. Instead of connecting one of these items at a time, is it OK to use a VGA cable splitter and have both or three connected simultaneously? Is this port a strictly one-at-a-time guy? In addition to the issue with the ACC port, the accessories above (+ add to this a Signalink USB) I find that I am regularly having to change the plugs into my: Line-in , line-out, Paddle, Key, PTT and Speakers sockets and RS232 port. Which of these 'ports' can be shared or split and which will will only safely take one I/O? I am tempted to build an external 'Patch Box' to give me handier and easier access to the K3 back-panel . Has anyone built one of these or is it even necessary if the ports can be split and permanently shared? I believe that Y cables are available for the RS232 on the K3. Into how many RS232's can these be split? 2...3....4? I have an Expert-1K, a CAT, and a Steppir controller and a Remote-rig - all of which would like a place on the nipple! Thanks and GB 73 de EI9KF Hugh ______________________________________________________________ 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 ______________________________________________________________ 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 |
Re: Can I split or share my ACC port?
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In reply to this post by Hugh Bradley
On Tue, Aug 7, 2012 at 1:43 PM, Hugh Bradley <[hidden email]> wrote:
> I spend a lot of my time connecting and disconnecting accessories from the > back of my K3 and I find this tedious. > > In my shack I have a, Expert 1K linear amp and a Microkeyer II which both > like to use the ACC Port on the K3 I use a Remote-rig unit to control the > K3 when I am away and this too needs the ACC. > > Instead of connecting one of these items at a time, is it OK to use a VGA > cable splitter and have both or three connected simultaneously? > Is this port a strictly one-at-a-time guy? It depends which pins each device needs to use. You can certainly use a HD15 "Y" on the ACC port if each device is using different pins (e.g. band-decoder using AUXBUS, amp using band-data, FSK interface, etc)... but you can get in trouble, for example, if multiple devices try to use the band data pins. Beware of cables splitters designed for VGA, though - since VGA doesn't use all 15 pins, often the unused pins are not connected, or, worse, shorted to ground! > In addition to the issue with the ACC port, the accessories above (+ add to > this a Signalink USB) I find that I am regularly having to change the plugs > into my: Line-in , line-out, Paddle, Key, PTT and Speakers sockets and > RS232 port. > > Which of these 'ports' can be shared or split and which will will only > safely take one I/O? You can probably get away with some splitting of audio lines, and the keying inputs are just switches, so you can probably get away it there too. Trying to use "KEY OUT" with splitter could produce unexpected results, though. > I am tempted to build an external 'Patch Box' to give me handier and easier > access to the K3 back-panel . > > Has anyone built one of these or is it even necessary if the ports can be > split and permanently shared? > > I believe that Y cables are available for the RS232 on the K3. > Into how many RS232's can these be split? > 2...3....4? > I have an Expert-1K, a CAT, and a Steppir controller and a Remote-rig - all > of which would like a place on the nipple! You generally cannot split a serial port with a 'Y". Only one device should be transmitting on a serial line. One exception is the SteppIR, which can be configured to receive only on the serial line from the K3, so it can track your K3's frequency. There's a design for a splitter cable on the SteppIR website (or there was, when I last looked). 73, ~iain / N6ML ______________________________________________________________ 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 |
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In reply to this post by Hugh Bradley
Hi Hugh,
15 pin Y cable. Fully shielded, all pins wired end to end: http://www.winfordeng.com/products/cdy15hd.php 15 pin cables. Fully shielded, all pins wired: http://www.winfordeng.com/products/ext15hd.php 15 pin breakout board: http://www.winfordeng.com/products/cat_brk.php 73, Mike K2MK
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Re: Can I split or share my ACC port?
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In reply to this post by Hugh Bradley
Hugh,
Certainly the ACC port can be split out to multiple destinations. But be careful if any one signal line is driving (or receiving) multiple boxes. The original K3 design used open drain drivers on the signal lines so that the pullup resistors could be located in the most remote box while any other boxes on that same line would not have a pullup resistor. (soapbox on) But then many hams did not know what pullup resistors were, nor how to use open drain output drivers - and most other ham gear did not have provisions for adding pullup resistors at the end of the signal line - as a result the pullup resistors were moved into the K3 by modifications. One of the complications that created was in the KPA500 design where the KPA500 had to provide protection diodes on the band data lines because some band decoders put higher voltages on those lines - the K3 can handle that, but the KPA500 input circuits could not. (soapbox off) So, yes, you can split out the ACC connector to multiple places. Only one caution - if a single signal goes to multiple places, look at the situation carefully. In general, there should be only one driver on any one signal line. Multiple receivers are usually OK, but multiple drivers are a recipe for trouble. Do NOT use a VGA splitter - find a splitter that implements all 15 pins. Many VGA splitters connect several lines to a common pin or pins. An alternative is to split out the 15 pin connector to individual signal connection points (a "fan-out box"). The RS-232 connection is different - that is a point to point signalling standard. It can not be used with multiple drivers. Yes, there is a "Y" cable that can be used with the SteppIR controller, but that is because SteppIR put in a special mode where it only "listens" on the RS-232 traffic, it does not transmit - therefore in that mode, the SteppIR end disconnects any RS-232 drivers. 73, Don W3FPR On 8/7/2012 4:43 PM, Hugh Bradley wrote: > I spend a lot of my time connecting and disconnecting accessories from the > back of my K3 and I find this tedious. > > In my shack I have a, Expert 1K linear amp and a Microkeyer II which both > like to use the ACC Port on the K3 I use a Remote-rig unit to control the > K3 when I am away and this too needs the ACC. > > Instead of connecting one of these items at a time, is it OK to use a VGA > cable splitter and have both or three connected simultaneously? > ______________________________________________________________ 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 |
Re: Can I split or share my ACC port?
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Sounds like this applies to the K2 also?
I have a K2 and KAT100. When used together no I/O port is left for rig control/data. Would a simple splitter cable be likely to cause problems between the K2 and KAT100 if the computer is in the mix too, or is that only likely to happen if if the computer tries to talk at the same time as the K2 or KAT100? Thanks, Chip AE5KA On Tue, Aug 7, 2012 at 5:07 PM, Don Wilhelm <[hidden email]> wrote: > Hugh, > > Certainly the ACC port can be split out to multiple destinations. But be > careful if any one signal line is driving (or receiving) multiple > boxes. The original K3 design used open drain drivers on the signal > lines so that the pullup resistors could be located in the most remote > box while any other boxes on that same line would not have a pullup > resistor. > > (soapbox on) > But then many hams did not know what pullup resistors were, nor how to > use open drain output drivers - and most other ham gear did not have > provisions for adding pullup resistors at the end of the signal line - > as a result the pullup resistors were moved into the K3 by > modifications. One of the complications that created was in the KPA500 > design where the KPA500 had to provide protection diodes on the band > data lines because some band decoders put higher voltages on those lines > - the K3 can handle that, but the KPA500 input circuits could not. > (soapbox off) > > So, yes, you can split out the ACC connector to multiple places. Only > one caution - if a single signal goes to multiple places, look at the > situation carefully. In general, there should be only one driver on any > one signal line. Multiple receivers are usually OK, but multiple > drivers are a recipe for trouble. > Do NOT use a VGA splitter - find a splitter that implements all 15 > pins. Many VGA splitters connect several lines to a common pin or pins. > An alternative is to split out the 15 pin connector to individual signal > connection points (a "fan-out box"). > > > The RS-232 connection is different - that is a point to point signalling > standard. It can not be used with multiple drivers. Yes, there is a "Y" > cable that can be used with the SteppIR controller, but that is because > SteppIR put in a special mode where it only "listens" on the RS-232 > traffic, it does not transmit - therefore in that mode, the SteppIR end > disconnects any RS-232 drivers. > > 73, > Don W3FPR > > On 8/7/2012 4:43 PM, Hugh Bradley wrote: > > I spend a lot of my time connecting and disconnecting accessories from > the > > back of my K3 and I find this tedious. > > > > In my shack I have a, Expert 1K linear amp and a Microkeyer II which both > > like to use the ACC Port on the K3 I use a Remote-rig unit to control the > > K3 when I am away and this too needs the ACC. > > > > Instead of connecting one of these items at a time, is it OK to use a VGA > > cable splitter and have both or three connected simultaneously? > > > > ______________________________________________________________ > 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 > 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 |
Re: Can I split or share my ACC port?
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Yes, something similar applies to the K2 and KAT100.
Chip, note carefully that the K2 ACC I/O cable depicted in the KPA100 manual contains wires that connect to the PC - TXD, RXD and Signal Ground *only*. The cable to the KAT100 does not contain any of those wires (other than a connection to the shield on pin 1). The cable configuration that is depicted in the KAT100 manual is the equivalent of an effective "Y" cable specific to the K2/100 and the KAT100. Note carefully that this is not a "splitter" - pins 2 and 3 are routed to the PC and pins 6 through 9 are routed to the KPA100. This is a cable that will put the correct signals in the right places, but it has nothing to do with an RS-232 "splitter". Look carefully at the labeling on the K2 DB-9 connector - it is clearly labeled AUX I/O. Do read that literally, It is *NOT* an rs-232 connector. In addition to the 2 RS-232 level signals for TXD and RXD (and signal ground) there are internal K2 signals to support an external KPA100, or the KAT100 or the KRC2 or the XV series transverters. A 9 pin DB-9 connector does not equal an RS-232 serial port, it is just a connector with 9 pins - read the details in the instructions before making assumptions that can damage your transceiver. As a parallel, my church bought a soundboard that had a DB-25 connector on the rear panel. We could have assumed it was an LPT printer port, but that did not make much sense, so the next step was to assume that it was a full implementation of a serial port. A review of the soundboard documentation revealed that it was just a 25 pin connector that could be used to connect special effects devices to the soundboard. Bottom line - do not make any assumptions about the signals in a connector just because it "looks like" a typical computer connector. It may be something entirely different, and connecting a computer port to that connector can do damage either to the computer or to the device you are connecting. Know the interface that you are attempting to connect, and that has nothing to do with the connector - a 25 pin connector contains 25 signals and may or may not be a printer connector, and a 9 pin connector is simply a 9 pin connector and may or may not be an RS-232 connector - unless you have information to the contrary, consider all those connectors as just connectors and divorce them from the pseudo-standard provided by the IBM PC (which did not meet the standards of the day when it was introduced). 73, Don W3FPR On 8/7/2012 10:04 PM, Chip Stratton wrote: > Sounds like this applies to the K2 also? > > I have a K2 and KAT100. When used together no I/O port is left for rig > control/data. Would a simple splitter cable be likely to cause problems > between the K2 and KAT100 if the computer is in the mix too, or is that > only likely to happen if if the computer tries to talk at the same time as > the K2 or KAT100? > > ______________________________________________________________ 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 |
Re: Can I split or share my ACC port?
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In reply to this post by Chip Stratton
Actually this applies to any serial port connection.
In the specifics of the KPA100 and KAT100, there is the RXD andTXD (along with signal ground) that go to the PC while the rest of the internal K2 signals connect to the KAT100. So bottom line, a splitter cable will not work properly, the easy solution is to construct the cable wiring depicted in the KAT100 manual. 73,, Don W3FPR On 8/7/2012 10:04 PM, Chip Stratton wrote: > Sounds like this applies to the K2 also? > > I have a K2 and KAT100. When used together no I/O port is left for rig > control/data. Would a simple splitter cable be likely to cause problems > between the K2 and KAT100 if the computer is in the mix too, or is that > only likely to happen if if the computer tries to talk at the same time as > the K2 or KAT100? > > Thanks, > Chip > AE5KA > > ______________________________________________________________ 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 |
Re: Can I split or share my ACC port?
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I do have a properly wired Rs232 to KIO2 adapter cable which I have been
using for K2 to computer comms. What I want is to use this with a splitter cable so all three - computer, KAT100, and K2 can each do their thing together without conflict. All three will be talkers and listeners, but I expect the computer is unlikely to want to talk when the others do. Chip AE5KA - Hide quoted text - On Tuesday, August 7, 2012, Don Wilhelm wrote: > Actually this applies to any serial port connection. > > In the specifics of the KPA100 and KAT100, there is the RXD andTXD > (along with signal ground) that go to the PC while the rest of the > internal K2 signals connect to the KAT100. > > So bottom line, a splitter cable will not work properly, the easy > solution is to construct the cable wiring depicted in the KAT100 manual. > > 73,, > Don W3FPR > On 8/7/2012 10:04 PM, Chip Stratton wrote: > > Sounds like this applies to the K2 also? > > > > I have a K2 and KAT100. When used together no I/O port is left for rig > > control/data. Would a simple splitter cable be likely to cause problems > > between the K2 and KAT100 if the computer is in the mix too, or is that > > only likely to happen if if the computer tries to talk at the same time > as > > the K2 or KAT100? > > > > Thanks, > > Chip > > AE5KA > > > > > > ______________________________________________________________ > 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 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 |
Re: Can I split or share my ACC port?
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Chip,
Look at that cable with "different eyes" only the pin 2 and pin 3 connections carry RS-232 signals - Oh yes, pin 5 is also RS-232 Signal Ground. All other pins are internal K2 signals which are used between the K2 and the KPA100, KAT100, KRC2 and/or the XV series transverters. By design, there is no conflict on these internal K2 signals, If you observe carefully, you will find that pins 2, 3 and 5 connect only between the K2 and the computer. A single point to point connection - that is NOT a "Y" connection for the RS-232 signals. As an aside, if you are looking at the K2 AUX I/O connector as an RS-232 connector, forget that - it is not - all DB-9 connectors are NOT an RS-232 connector. If you plug a standard computer serial port cable into the K2 AUX I/O connector, you can damage your K2. Use the cable wired as indicated in the KAT100 manual and forget about any additional "splitter" - all will be well. 73, Don W3FPR On 8/8/2012 7:23 AM, Chip Stratton wrote: > I do have a properly wired Rs232 to KIO2 adapter cable which I have been > using for K2 to computer comms. What I want is to use this with a splitter > cable so all three - computer, KAT100, and K2 can each do their thing > together without conflict. All three will be talkers and listeners, but I > expect the computer is unlikely to want to talk when the others do. > > ______________________________________________________________ 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 |
Re: Can I split or share my ACC port?
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Ok guys, got it now. I shouldn't be such a lazy thinker, ie RTFM. Thanks.
Chip On Wednesday, August 8, 2012, Don Wilhelm wrote: > Chip, > > Look at that cable with "different eyes" only the pin 2 and pin 3 > connections carry RS-232 signals - Oh yes, pin 5 is also RS-232 Signal > Ground. > All other pins are internal K2 signals which are used between the K2 and > the KPA100, KAT100, KRC2 and/or the XV series transverters. By design, > there is no conflict on these internal K2 signals, > > If you observe carefully, you will find that pins 2, 3 and 5 connect > only between the K2 and the computer. A single point to point > connection - that is NOT a "Y" connection for the RS-232 signals. > > As an aside, if you are looking at the K2 AUX I/O connector as an RS-232 > connector, forget that - it is not - all DB-9 connectors are NOT an > RS-232 connector. If you plug a standard computer serial port cable > into the K2 AUX I/O connector, you can damage your K2. > > Use the cable wired as indicated in the KAT100 manual and forget about > any additional "splitter" - all will be well. > > 73, > Don W3FPR > > On 8/8/2012 7:23 AM, Chip Stratton wrote: > > I do have a properly wired Rs232 to KIO2 adapter cable which I have been > > using for K2 to computer comms. What I want is to use this with a > splitter > > cable so all three - computer, KAT100, and K2 can each do their thing > > together without conflict. All three will be talkers and listeners, but I > > expect the computer is unlikely to want to talk when the others do. > > > > > > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:[hidden email] <javascript:;> > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > 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 |
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