K2-P3 Interface Project

[Heinz Baertschi]

Eric, Wayne, Alan, K2 owners, PIC experts, et al.

As a very satisfied K2 line owner I did recently add the Z10000B-K2 Buffer Amplifier and the high-performance P3.
The most important part missing now (and with me maybe hundreds/thousands? of other satisfied K2 owners) is a "tiny" PIC
based interface.

This K2-Interface should emulate/execute the "P3-specific command set of the K3" and the "P3-K3 communications
protocol", so that the P3 acts as a best possible integrated extension of the K2 (integration as far as
technically/economically reasonable).

If I understand aright the situation at Elecraft, they don't aim now/further on to allocate any resources to realize
this project. So could this definite project eventually be done by students/trainees (to intern at Elecraft or at a
college of technology)? Another solution could be to outsource this project to a well skilled/equiped PIC expert?
If such a solution should be sponsored, could a call for donations be published on this list server?

Contributions and proposals to realize this project (quickly...) would be very appreciated.

73,
Heinz HB9BCB



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[Alan Bloom]

Hi Heinz,

K2 support for the P3 has been on my list for a long time.  I have a K2
with RS-232 interface option and the Z10000 kit which I still need to
install.  There are a couple other features ahead of it in the list, but
I would really like to get to it.  When it happens, it will only require
a firmware upgrade to the P3.

The K3 has several P3-specific commands that don't exist in the K2.
That means in particular that fixed-tune mode is not possible with the
K2.  Also the K3 uses a special protocol to talk to the P3 which is not
implemented in the K2.  However, I think I should be able to get
reasonably-good integration between the two so that you can read out the
proper frequency on the P3 display, click-to-QSY etc.

73,

Alan N1AL

On Fri, 2011-10-21 at 12:24 +0200, Heinz Bärtschi wrote:

> Eric, Wayne, Alan, K2 owners, PIC experts, et al.
>
> As a very satisfied K2 line owner I did recently add the Z10000B-K2 Buffer Amplifier and the high-performance P3.
> The most important part missing now (and with me maybe hundreds/thousands? of other satisfied K2 owners) is a "tiny" PIC
> based interface.
>
> This K2-Interface should emulate/execute the "P3-specific command set of the K3" and the "P3-K3 communications
> protocol", so that the P3 acts as a best possible integrated extension of the K2 (integration as far as
> technically/economically reasonable).
>
> If I understand aright the situation at Elecraft, they don't aim now/further on to allocate any resources to realize
> this project. So could this definite project eventually be done by students/trainees (to intern at Elecraft or at a
> college of technology)? Another solution could be to outsource this project to a well skilled/equiped PIC expert?
> If such a solution should be sponsored, could a call for donations be published on this list server?
>
> Contributions and proposals to realize this project (quickly...) would be very appreciated.
>
> 73,
> Heinz HB9BCB
>
>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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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[Heinz Baertschi]

Hi Alan,

Exactly! Please let it happen soon!

To speedup the project, I could provide the built K2 IF Buffer Interface with cables/connectors (including the noise blanker if desired). A picture of my installation will be sent to your direct e-mail address.
Ok?

73,
Heinz  HB9BCB


-----Ursprüngliche Nachricht-----
Von: Alan Bloom [mailto:[hidden email]]
Gesendet: Freitag, 21. Oktober 2011 21:04
An: Heinz Bärtschi
Cc: [hidden email]
Betreff: Re: [Elecraft] K2-P3 Interface Project


Hi Heinz,

K2 support for the P3 has been on my list for a long time.  I have a K2 with RS-232 interface option and the Z10000 kit which I still need to install.  There are a couple other features ahead of it in the list, but I would really like to get to it.  When it happens, it will only require a firmware upgrade to the P3.

The K3 has several P3-specific commands that don't exist in the K2. That means in particular that fixed-tune mode is not possible with the K2.  Also the K3 uses a special protocol to talk to the P3 which is not implemented in the K2.  However, I think I should be able to get reasonably-good integration between the two so that you can read out the proper frequency on the P3 display, click-to-QSY etc.

73,

Alan N1AL


______________________________________________________________
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