Elecraft

K2 Radio interface cable to connect MFJ-993B ATU

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NJMike

K2 Radio interface cable to connect MFJ-993B ATU

In order to put the MFJ-993B automatic antenna tuner into TUNE mode from the
radio, an interface cable is required.

MFJ has cables for the major radio brands. I’m not sure if it’s even
possible for the K2 since I’m already using the RS-232 port to interface
with the laptop.

The cable, I believe, does nothing more than initiate TUNE mode on the tuner
when TUNE is initiated on the radio.

If anyone has made this work please let me know!

Thanks,
Mike NJ2OM

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Don Wilhelm

Re: K2 Radio interface cable to connect MFJ-993B ATU

Mike,

It is more complicated than that - there is no TUNE information on the
RS-232 lines but if the MFJ ATU has a signal to activate TUNE on the K2,
and I do not see any reference to a TUNE signal in the Kio2 Programmer's
Reference manual.

Best to ask MFJ how they detect TUNE mode in the K2, and once you have
that answer, we can tell you how to construct the cable for both the PC
and MFJ ATU connections.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 7/5/2020 9:08 AM, NJMike wrote:

> In order to put the MFJ-993B automatic antenna tuner into TUNE mode from the
> radio, an interface cable is required.
>
> MFJ has cables for the major radio brands. I’m not sure if it’s even
> possible for the K2 since I’m already using the RS-232 port to interface
> with the laptop.
>
> The cable, I believe, does nothing more than initiate TUNE mode on the tuner
> when TUNE is initiated on the radio.
>

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NJMike

Re: K2 Radio interface cable to connect MFJ-993B ATU

I plan on calling them tomorrow (Monday).

Thanks,
Mike NJ2OM

> On Jul 5, 2020, at 11:38 AM, Don Wilhelm <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> Mike,
>
> It is more complicated than that - there is no TUNE information on the RS-232 lines but if the MFJ ATU has a signal to activate TUNE on the K2, and I do not see any reference to a TUNE signal in the Kio2 Programmer's Reference manual.
>
> Best to ask MFJ how they detect TUNE mode in the K2, and once you have that answer, we can tell you how to construct the cable for both the PC and MFJ ATU connections.
>
> 73,
> Don W3FPR
>
>> On 7/5/2020 9:08 AM, NJMike wrote:
>> In order to put the MFJ-993B automatic antenna tuner into TUNE mode from the
>> radio, an interface cable is required.
>> MFJ has cables for the major radio brands. I’m not sure if it’s even
>> possible for the K2 since I’m already using the RS-232 port to interface
>> with the laptop.
>> The cable, I believe, does nothing more than initiate TUNE mode on the tuner
>> when TUNE is initiated on the radio.

Joe Subich, W4TV-4

Re: K2 Radio interface cable to connect MFJ-993B ATU

>> Best to ask MFJ how they detect TUNE mode in the K2, and once you
>> have that answer, we can tell you how to construct the cable for
>> both the PC and MFJ ATU connections.
Based on the MFJ manual, the 993B is looking for specific protocol
from the *TUNER* connection of the Kenwood or Yaesu transceivers or
a contact closure out/contact closure in ("start"/Tuning") of the
Icom AH-3/AH-4 tuners.

None of Elecraft's transceivers are compatible with those signaling
protocols. Elecraft's transceivers/tuners communicate using Elecraft's
proprietary "Aux Bus" (protocol).

I doubt that there is any way to automate the K2/MFJ-993B interaction.

73,

... Joe, W4TV

On 2020-07-05 11:41 AM, Mike Kopacki wrote:

> I plan on calling them tomorrow (Monday).
>
> Thanks,
> Mike NJ2OM
>
>> On Jul 5, 2020, at 11:38 AM, Don Wilhelm <[hidden email]> wrote:
>>
>> Mike,
>>
>> It is more complicated than that - there is no TUNE information on the RS-232 lines but if the MFJ ATU has a signal to activate TUNE on the K2, and I do not see any reference to a TUNE signal in the Kio2 Programmer's Reference manual.
>>
>> Best to ask MFJ how they detect TUNE mode in the K2, and once you have that answer, we can tell you how to construct the cable for both the PC and MFJ ATU connections.
>>
>> 73,
>> Don W3FPR
>>
>>> On 7/5/2020 9:08 AM, NJMike wrote:
>>> In order to put the MFJ-993B automatic antenna tuner into TUNE mode from the
>>> radio, an interface cable is required.
>>> MFJ has cables for the major radio brands. I’m not sure if it’s even
>>> possible for the K2 since I’m already using the RS-232 port to interface
>>> with the laptop.
>>> The cable, I believe, does nothing more than initiate TUNE mode on the tuner
>>> when TUNE is initiated on the radio.
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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]
>

NJMike

Re: K2 Radio interface cable to connect MFJ-993B ATU

Nice reply, Joe. I kinda figured that. Fortunately it’s not a deal breaker for me.

Thanks,
Mike NJ2OM

> On Jul 5, 2020, at 1:06 PM, Joe Subich, W4TV <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
>
>
>>> Best to ask MFJ how they detect TUNE mode in the K2, and once you have that answer, we can tell you how to construct the cable for both the PC and MFJ ATU connections.
> Based on the MFJ manual, the 993B is looking for specific protocol
> from the *TUNER* connection of the Kenwood or Yaesu transceivers or
> a contact closure out/contact closure in ("start"/Tuning") of the
> Icom AH-3/AH-4 tuners.
>
> None of Elecraft's transceivers are compatible with those signaling
> protocols. Elecraft's transceivers/tuners communicate using Elecraft's
> proprietary "Aux Bus" (protocol).
>
> I doubt that there is any way to automate the K2/MFJ-993B interaction.
>
> 73,
>
> ... Joe, W4TV
>
>
>> On 2020-07-05 11:41 AM, Mike Kopacki wrote:
>> I plan on calling them tomorrow (Monday).
>> Thanks,
>> Mike NJ2OM
>>>> On Jul 5, 2020, at 11:38 AM, Don Wilhelm <[hidden email]> wrote:
>>>
>>> Mike,
>>>
>>> It is more complicated than that - there is no TUNE information on the RS-232 lines but if the MFJ ATU has a signal to activate TUNE on the K2, and I do not see any reference to a TUNE signal in the Kio2 Programmer's Reference manual.
>>>
>>> Best to ask MFJ how they detect TUNE mode in the K2, and once you have that answer, we can tell you how to construct the cable for both the PC and MFJ ATU connections.
>>>
>>> 73,
>>> Don W3FPR
>>>
>>>> On 7/5/2020 9:08 AM, NJMike wrote:
>>>> In order to put the MFJ-993B automatic antenna tuner into TUNE mode from the
>>>> radio, an interface cable is required.
>>>> MFJ has cables for the major radio brands. I’m not sure if it’s even
>>>> possible for the K2 since I’m already using the RS-232 port to interface
>>>> with the laptop.
>>>> The cable, I believe, does nothing more than initiate TUNE mode on the tuner
>>>> when TUNE is initiated on the radio.
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> 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]