K2 not 'Talking' to Computer

[Chris Page-3]

I have a situation that is defying all logic and driving me nuts, and would
appreciate any ideas, please, as I have run out!

We recently returned to our Florida QTH where I use a K2/100, a KRC2 for
antenna switching and Logger32 on a Windows 98 computer for logging.  When we
left Florida in May to go back to the UK for the summer, everything was working
fine in that the K2 was 'talking' to the computer, but when I switched on after
our return here the K2 is not 'talking' to the computer!  Nothing had changed
in the meantime.  Logger32 does connect to the DXcluster ok.  

I have checked that the port on the K2 is switched on and that the STL setting
is U8-4 in the K2's menu options.  I have checked the original cable between
the KRC2 and the computer and have also tried a new cable.  I have also tried
using both cables direct from the K2 to the computer (bypassing the KRC2).  

I have been unable to establish any contact between the K2 and the computer
using Hyperterminal with either cable and with/without the KRC2.  I was
originally using the proper serial port (Com 1) on the computer but have since
tried using one of the USB ports with an adapter cable that I know works (Com
3) (after ensuring I changed the setting in the Hyperterminal and Logger32
configuration from Com 1 to Com 3).  I have run a diagnostics program on the
computer to confirm that both the serial port and the USB port are working
correctly.

I have also tried getting the K2 to 'talk' to my laptop running Windows XP,
using one of the USB ports and the adapter cable, but neither work with
Hyperterminal or Logger32 with either of the cables and with/without the KRC2.  

I use N1MM for contest logging and this program also doesn't communicate with
the K2 using any of the wiring combinations.

Despite disconnecting everything in the shack when we leave our Florida QTH for
the summer, I wondered if something could have been hit by lightning while we
were in the UK, causing it to stop working, but because the K2 is switching the
KRC2 ok, I am assuming the RS-232 port on the K2 is working fine.  That being
the case, I have eliminated the KRC2 as the problem (by bypassing it), I have
eliminated a bad cable (by replacing the original), and have eliminated the
computer (by checking the ports and trying another computer)!  That doesn't
leave anything else to eliminate that I can think of, hence my request at the
beginning of this email for any ideas, please?  I have gone back through the
Elecraft Reflector archives but cannot find anything different to try.

Thanks and 73 de Chris, N4CJ (G4BUE)
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[Don Wilhelm-4]

  Chris,

The KRC2 does not use the RS-232 signals in the KIO2, but rather uses
the AUXBUS signals, so the fact that the KRC2 works is not a valid check
on the RS-232 part of the cable.
Yes, it is possible that lightning is to blame, Florida is a high
lightning incidence area.

What tools do you have there? I assume a DMM but not much more.

You may want to make a check on the cable between the computer and the
KPA100.  Pins 2, 3, and 5 should show continuity between the computer
end and the end that plugs into the K2.  If you also have the KAT100,
the connector having two cables from its backshell must connect on the
K2 and not the KAT100 - if you plugged the cable in the wrong way around
when you re-cabled things, everything would work except the computer
communication.

Further checks - Use a DMM to check the resistance of chokes RFC6
through RFC9 (located near the AUX I/O connector).
Then check for proper DC voltages at KPA100 U4.  If the DC voltages are
correct, I would suspect that U4 will have to be replaced.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 11/5/2010 8:27 AM, Chris Page wrote:

> I have a situation that is defying all logic and driving me nuts, and would
> appreciate any ideas, please, as I have run out!
>
> We recently returned to our Florida QTH where I use a K2/100, a KRC2 for
> antenna switching and Logger32 on a Windows 98 computer for logging.  When we
> left Florida in May to go back to the UK for the summer, everything was working
> fine in that the K2 was 'talking' to the computer, but when I switched on after
> our return here the K2 is not 'talking' to the computer!  Nothing had changed
> in the meantime.  Logger32 does connect to the DXcluster ok.
>
> I have checked that the port on the K2 is switched on and that the STL setting
> is U8-4 in the K2's menu options.  I have checked the original cable between
> the KRC2 and the computer and have also tried a new cable.  I have also tried
> using both cables direct from the K2 to the computer (bypassing the KRC2).
>
> I have been unable to establish any contact between the K2 and the computer
> using Hyperterminal with either cable and with/without the KRC2.  I was
> originally using the proper serial port (Com 1) on the computer but have since
> tried using one of the USB ports with an adapter cable that I know works (Com
> 3) (after ensuring I changed the setting in the Hyperterminal and Logger32
> configuration from Com 1 to Com 3).  I have run a diagnostics program on the
> computer to confirm that both the serial port and the USB port are working
> correctly.
>
> I have also tried getting the K2 to 'talk' to my laptop running Windows XP,
> using one of the USB ports and the adapter cable, but neither work with
> Hyperterminal or Logger32 with either of the cables and with/without the KRC2.
>
> I use N1MM for contest logging and this program also doesn't communicate with
> the K2 using any of the wiring combinations.
>
> Despite disconnecting everything in the shack when we leave our Florida QTH for
> the summer, I wondered if something could have been hit by lightning while we
> were in the UK, causing it to stop working, but because the K2 is switching the
> KRC2 ok, I am assuming the RS-232 port on the K2 is working fine.  That being
> the case, I have eliminated the KRC2 as the problem (by bypassing it), I have
> eliminated a bad cable (by replacing the original), and have eliminated the
> computer (by checking the ports and trying another computer)!  That doesn't
> leave anything else to eliminate that I can think of, hence my request at the
> beginning of this email for any ideas, please?  I have gone back through the
> Elecraft Reflector archives but cannot find anything different to try.
>
> Thanks and 73 de Chris, N4CJ (G4BUE)
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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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Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
Post: mailto:[hidden email]

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