K2 USB interface

[g0who]

When using the K2 with PSK I use the computer 9-pin serial port for the PTT. With only one serial port I then lose the digital read-out from the K2 into my logging program (LOG-EQF).
Is there any published advice on connecting the K2 digital output to a USB port?
thanks
Robert (g0who)

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[Don Wilhelm-4]

Robert,

You may find the best luck using the USB to serial adapter for PTT
control for your PSK application and using the real serial port for
communications with the logging application.

The PTT control is less critical for timing considerations than the
communications done by the logging software.

73,
Don W3FPR

Robert Clutson wrote:
> When using the K2 with PSK I use the computer 9-pin serial port for the PTT. With only one serial port I then lose the digital read-out from the K2 into my logging program (LOG-EQF).
> Is there any published advice on connecting the K2 digital output to a USB port?
> thanks
> Robert (g0who)
>
>  
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[Logan Zintsmaster]

I split my serial port with two cables.  One cable picks up the RTS/CTS for
the PTT function.  The other one picks up TXD and RXD for the K2.
Alternatively, some control programs will use the serial interface to send a
serial Transmit command to the K2 instead of using the PTT.

Hope this helps.
Logan, KZ6O
#1609

-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email]
[mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Robert Clutson
Sent: Thursday, July 31, 2008 3:35 PM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: [Elecraft] K2 USB interface

When using the K2 with PSK I use the computer 9-pin serial port for the PTT.
With only one serial port I then lose the digital read-out from the K2 into
my logging program (LOG-EQF).
Is there any published advice on connecting the K2 digital output to a USB
port?
thanks
Robert (g0who)

--
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[Julian, G4ILO]

Logan Zintsmaster wrote

I split my serial port with two cables.  One cable picks up the RTS/CTS for
the PTT function.  The other one picks up TXD and RXD for the K2.
Alternatively, some control programs will use the serial interface to send a
serial Transmit command to the K2 instead of using the PTT.

I don't see the need for two cables, never mind two serial ports. I made up the K2 serial cable as described in the KIO2 manual. In the D shell at the PC end there is just enough space to insert a switching transistor circuit. I made it up on a tiny bit of perf board. I think it was just one transistor, one diode and one resistor. At the K2 end the wire coming from the output of the transistor is connected to a thin coaxial cable that comes back out of the back of the D shell, and has a 3.5mm jack to plug in the K2's Key jack. This works fine for CW keying using MixW, but also functions as a PTT in other modes, though as has already been stated, most programs that can talk to the radio can send RX and TX commands over the serial protocol so for that purpose the additional control line isn't necessary.