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K2 RS232 port problem

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RobertG

K2 RS232 port problem

Hello...

I have been using HamRadioDelux ver 4.0 SP4 for the better part of two
years without problems with K2 5957 and KP100 amp. Tonight, the program
couldn't get a frequency reading from the radio and wouldn't connect.
Yes, the radio is on, the PORT is enabled, and the computer RS232 port
is properly configured. I note the following details:

When HRD is trying to connect, and when I'm in PORT, if I press DISPLAY
[sending a frequency reading to the computer, a la the manual] a
"partial" HRD connect screen will come up with the correct frequency,
but in a moment "disconnects." When this happens, all the "partial"
display items on the computer screen from HRD disappear leaving me with
a blank HRD window.

Since this "just" happened after a long time of successful operation,
I'm suspicious. I rolled back WindowsXP to a previous date with no
success. I cycled the radio and computer numerous times with no success.
I disconnected and reconnected the cables. I've been at computers for
almost 30 years, so I don't think I'm overlooking something obvious. I'm
concerned that something in the K2 might have failed. Any help much
appreciated.

...robert
--
Robert G. Strickland PhD ABPH - KE2WY
[hidden email]
Syracuse, New York, USA
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Don Wilhelm-4

Re: K2 RS232 port problem

Robert,

Does your K2 still have sidetone? If not, change the sidetone source.
If you do have sidetone, you will have to look for what the real problem is.

73,
Don W3FPR

Robert G. Strickland wrote:

> Hello...
>
> I have been using HamRadioDelux ver 4.0 SP4 for the better part of two
> years without problems with K2 5957 and KP100 amp. Tonight, the
> program couldn't get a frequency reading from the radio and wouldn't
> connect. Yes, the radio is on, the PORT is enabled, and the computer
> RS232 port is properly configured. I note the following details:
>
> When HRD is trying to connect, and when I'm in PORT, if I press
> DISPLAY [sending a frequency reading to the computer, a la the manual]
> a "partial" HRD connect screen will come up with the correct
> frequency, but in a moment "disconnects." When this happens, all the
> "partial" display items on the computer screen from HRD disappear
> leaving me with a blank HRD window.
>
> Since this "just" happened after a long time of successful operation,
> I'm suspicious. I rolled back WindowsXP to a previous date with no
> success. I cycled the radio and computer numerous times with no
> success. I disconnected and reconnected the cables. I've been at
> computers for almost 30 years, so I don't think I'm overlooking
> something obvious. I'm concerned that something in the K2 might have
> failed. Any help much appreciated.
>
> ...robert
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>
> No virus found in this incoming message.
> Checked by AVG - http://www.avg.com
> Version: 8.0.169 / Virus Database: 270.6.21/1674 - Release Date: 9/16/2008 8:15 AM
>
>

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RobertG

Re: K2 RS232 port problem

Don...

If by "sidetone" you mean the CW sidetone, then yes, it's still there.
Otherwise, I'm not sure what you mean by "change the sidetone source;"
I'd appreciate a brief one on that "feature." If that's that, then I'm a
bit intimidated by your "real problem." That's what I'm hoping to get
some lead about and hoping that it doesn't mean a component failure in
the K2. Thanks much for replying.

...robert

Don Wilhelm wrote:

> Robert,
>
> Does your K2 still have sidetone? If not, change the sidetone source.
> If you do have sidetone, you will have to look for what the real problem
> is.
>
> 73,
> Don W3FPR
>
> Robert G. Strickland wrote:
>> Hello...
>>
>> I have been using HamRadioDelux ver 4.0 SP4 for the better part of two
>> years without problems with K2 5957 and KP100 amp. Tonight, the
>> program couldn't get a frequency reading from the radio and wouldn't
>> connect. Yes, the radio is on, the PORT is enabled, and the computer
>> RS232 port is properly configured. I note the following details:
>>
>> When HRD is trying to connect, and when I'm in PORT, if I press
>> DISPLAY [sending a frequency reading to the computer, a la the manual]
>> a "partial" HRD connect screen will come up with the correct
>> frequency, but in a moment "disconnects." When this happens, all the
>> "partial" display items on the computer screen from HRD disappear
>> leaving me with a blank HRD window.
>>
>> Since this "just" happened after a long time of successful operation,
>> I'm suspicious. I rolled back WindowsXP to a previous date with no
>> success. I cycled the radio and computer numerous times with no
>> success. I disconnected and reconnected the cables. I've been at
>> computers for almost 30 years, so I don't think I'm overlooking
>> something obvious. I'm concerned that something in the K2 might have
>> failed. Any help much appreciated.
>>
>> ...robert
>> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>>
>>
>> No virus found in this incoming message.
>> Checked by AVG - http://www.avg.com Version: 8.0.169 / Virus Database:
>> 270.6.21/1674 - Release Date: 9/16/2008 8:15 AM
>>
>>
>

--
Robert G. Strickland PhD ABPH - KE2WY
[hidden email]
Syracuse, New York, USA
_______________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Post to: [hidden email]
You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.):
http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft

Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm
Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com

Don Wilhelm-4

Re: K2 RS232 port problem

Robert,

Since you do have sidetone, that means that your sidetone source is set
correctly. That also means that U6 pin 25 is available to be used for
the TXD signal.

You apparently have a problem with the RXD signal since you can cause
HRD to 'pause' when you issue some data by pressing DISPLAY (that
frequency output is what HRD is looking for). So I conclude that the K2
TXD is working, but the K2 RXD signal line is not.

The most likely problem is a failure of the MAX 1406 IC on the KIO2 or
KPA100. You might get some indication by checking the DC voltages, but
that is not a definite analysis. You can do DC level analysis if you
have access to a +12 volt and a -12 volt voltage source. I can give you
details of how to check it (let's do that off-reflector). An
alternative is to arbitrarily replace KPA100 U4 or KIO2 U1.

73,
Don W3FPR

Robert G. Strickland wrote:

> Don...
>
> If by "sidetone" you mean the CW sidetone, then yes, it's still there.
> Otherwise, I'm not sure what you mean by "change the sidetone source;"
> I'd appreciate a brief one on that "feature." If that's that, then I'm
> a bit intimidated by your "real problem." That's what I'm hoping to
> get some lead about and hoping that it doesn't mean a component
> failure in the K2. Thanks much for replying.
>
> ...robert
>
> Don Wilhelm wrote:
>> Robert,
>>
>> Does your K2 still have sidetone? If not, change the sidetone source.
>> If you do have sidetone, you will have to look for what the real
>> problem is.
>>
>> 73,
>> Don W3FPR
>>
>> Robert G. Strickland wrote:
>>> Hello...
>>>
>>> I have been using HamRadioDelux ver 4.0 SP4 for the better part of
>>> two years without problems with K2 5957 and KP100 amp. Tonight, the
>>> program couldn't get a frequency reading from the radio and wouldn't
>>> connect. Yes, the radio is on, the PORT is enabled, and the computer
>>> RS232 port is properly configured. I note the following details:
>>>
>>> When HRD is trying to connect, and when I'm in PORT, if I press
>>> DISPLAY [sending a frequency reading to the computer, a la the
>>> manual] a "partial" HRD connect screen will come up with the correct
>>> frequency, but in a moment "disconnects." When this happens, all the
>>> "partial" display items on the computer screen from HRD disappear
>>> leaving me with a blank HRD window.
>>>
>>> Since this "just" happened after a long time of successful
>>> operation, I'm suspicious. I rolled back WindowsXP to a previous
>>> date with no success. I cycled the radio and computer numerous times
>>> with no success. I disconnected and reconnected the cables. I've
>>> been at computers for almost 30 years, so I don't think I'm
>>> overlooking something obvious. I'm concerned that something in the
>>> K2 might have failed. Any help much appreciated.
>>>
>>> ...robert
>>> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> No virus found in this incoming message.
>>> Checked by AVG - http://www.avg.com Version: 8.0.169 / Virus
>>> Database: 270.6.21/1674 - Release Date: 9/16/2008 8:15 AM
>>>
>>>
>>
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>
> No virus found in this incoming message.
> Checked by AVG - http://www.avg.com
> Version: 8.0.169 / Virus Database: 270.6.21/1674 - Release Date: 9/16/2008 8:15 AM
>
>