[K3] Built in USB interface for K3

[Allan G Duncan]

Lyle and Don both make excellent points regarding this "USB Conversion".
IMHO their posts should be ignored at your peril. I completely agree with
Don's comments regarding the driverless nature of plain RS232.

I myself was not considering this mod myself, as I stated in my original
post. I have an RS232/USB cable I purchased while in the USA last year from
Fry's for $15 which works faultlessly (FTDI chipset). It also has jackscrews
on the serial end which engage with the posts on the K3. As an owner of the
SPE Expert 1K-FA (which I use with the K3), I need the K3 RS232 port to band
switch the amplifier automatically. Band data (on the DB15HD port) is not
sufficient as the Expert needs to know exact frequency for ATU control.

The RS232 connection required by the P3 is a point I had not considered -
it's interesting the P3 does not use the Elecraft proprietary AUXBUS for
control unlike the KRC2 and XV transverters. Perhaps they are considering a
P3 version that could interface to non-Elecraft transceivers with IF outputs
and RS232 ports? Maybe the KPA500 is similar?

73

Allan
GM4ZUK


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[Phil Hystad-3]

But, how is this any different then using an external RS232 to USB converter cable or whatever.

My own desire is to get rid of the funky antiquated RS232 protocol that is troubled by line speed issues, signaling lines that aren't needed and so on.  USB offers so much more but you lose that when you have to filter it out by converting to an RS232 device no matter where you put it.

73, phil, K7PEH

On May 21, 2010, at 3:56 AM, Allan G Duncan wrote:

> I don't wish to re-ignite the RS232 vs USB connectivity debates which have
> regularly appeared on the reflector
> but some K3 owners may be interested in this product recently launched by
> FTDI.
>
> http://www.ftdichip.com/Documents/DataSheets/Modules/DS_DB9-USB-RS232.pdf
>
> It is a USB/RS232 converter built into the same form factor as a PCB
> mounting DB9 connector as used in the
> Elecraft KIO3 module. This has the advantage that the existing DB9 connector
> on the KIO3 could be carefully
> desoldered and replaced with the new FTDI connector. This would provide a
> neat way of providing a rear panel
> USB (mini B type) connector on the rear panel of the K3.
>
>> From looking at the specification sheet the "DB9-USB-F" would be a drop in
> replacement for the existing
> DB9-F on the KIO3 without any track cutting etc. A neat solution.
>
> Personally, I am happy with the K3 RS232 connection and external USB/RS232
> cable but I can see the attraction
> for some of a built in USB interface. I have always found the FTDI device
> drivers to be stable and work well
> with the K3 Utility under both Windows XP and Windows 7.
>
> If anyone does try it, I'd be interested in how they find this "USB
> conversion". Note that this will NOT
> work with the K2 KIO2 as it is not a standard RS232 DB9 connector.
>
>
> Usual disclaimers apply - I have no connection with FTDI and have not tried
> the device myself.
>
> 73
>
> Allan
> GM4ZUK
>
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[Bill W4ZV]

Allan Duncan-3 wrote

Perhaps they are considering a
P3 version that could interface to non-Elecraft transceivers with IF outputs
and RS232 ports? Maybe the KPA500 is similar?

I know the P3 can be used with non-Elecraft rigs and would be surprised if the KPA500 were not designed with the same goal.  It only makes sense that Elecraft would greatly expand their potential market by designing for use with other rigs.

73,  Bill

[Eric Swartz - WA6HHQ]

Yes, and Yes. :-)

73, Eric   WA6HHQ
Elecraft
---

On 5/21/2010 8:01 AM, Bill W4ZV wrote:

> Allan Duncan-3 wrote:
>    
>> Perhaps they are considering a
>> P3 version that could interface to non-Elecraft transceivers with IF
>> outputs
>> and RS232 ports? Maybe the KPA500 is similar?
>>
>> I know the P3 can be used with non-Elecraft rigs and would be surprised if
>> the KPA500 were not designed with the same goal.  It only makes sense that
>> Elecraft would greatly expand their potential market by designing for use
>> with other rigs.
>>
>> 73,  Bill
>>      

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[Lu Romero - W4LT]

All:

The same device has been available from Saelig for almost 9
months now:

http://www.saelig.com/USBO/USSP002.htm

Lu Romero
W4LT
K3 #3192


Date: Fri, 21 May 2010 05:29:01 -0600
From: "Bill VanAlstyne W5WVO" <[hidden email]>
To: "Allan G Duncan" <[hidden email]>,
    <[hidden email]>
Message-ID: <5E94A2CA6D8B450C811878FA815D2DB1@BILLHP9250>
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed;
charset="iso-8859-1";
    reply-type=original

This looks extremely cool. However, it doesn't appear that
Mouser or
Digi-Key in the US are carrying it yet, so getting one-off
quantities might
be problematic until the retail distribution chain catches
up.

Obviously a possibility here for Elecraft to offer the KIO3
in either
version (RS-232 or USB connector) as an ordering option, if
they've a mind
to...

Thanks, Allan.

Bill W5WVO
New Mexico

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[Julian, G4ILO]

Phil Hystad-3 wrote

USB offers so much more but you lose that when you have to filter it out by converting to an RS232 device no matter where you put it.

Yes, but someone needs to write special drivers to take advantage of that extra functionality. Not a trivial task, and it is multiplied by the number of operating systems you need to support.

I'll wager that K3s will hold their value better than IC7600s in 10 - 15 years time because the chances are the Icom drivers won't work in whatever OS people use then, while K3s will still be able to use plain old serial. Come to that, how many IC7600 owners who use Linux or MacOS are able to access that extra USB functionality today?