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K3 CAT connection to SPE Amplifier information needed

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Barry Simpson

K3 CAT connection to SPE Amplifier information needed

Thank you to all those of you who replied to my earlier query regarding
band data information.

I am now also looking for a way to provide a CAT interface to the SPE
amplifier without using a separate computer program.

My set up is a K3 fully upgraded with the RJ45 serial port which connects
via the Elecraft custom cable to a P3.

Both connectors on the P3 are DB9, ie normal serial connectors.

As such, can I simply insert a further Y cable between one of the P3 serial
ports and the incoming cable from the K3 and then use the extra leg (with a
DB9 on the end) to connect to the SPE amplifier for CAT control ?

Or is that idea too simple ?

Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks and 73

Barry VK2BJ
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Don Wilhelm

Re: K3 CAT connection to SPE Amplifier information needed

Barry,

Connect the "Y" cable at the PC port on the P3.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 7/20/2018 11:43 PM, Barry Simpson wrote:

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Clay Autery-2

Re: K3 CAT connection to SPE Amplifier information needed

In reply to this post by Barry Simpson

You have to use the AUX connector and a custom cable.... Did you watch
the video link I gave you?

That video describes how to make the cable.... and/or you can also
figure it out from reading the SPE and K3s manuals...

OR you can call Dan Tassell at Exper Linears (SPE Distro in US) and ask
him to make you one... http://expertlinears.com/contact.html

73,

______________________
Clay Autery, KY5G
(318) 518-1389

On 20-Jul-18 22:43, Barry Simpson wrote:

> Thank you to all those of you who replied to my earlier query regarding
> band data information.
>
> I am now also looking for a way to provide a CAT interface to the SPE
> amplifier without using a separate computer program.
>
> My set up is a K3 fully upgraded with the RJ45 serial port which connects
> via the Elecraft custom cable to a P3.
>
> Both connectors on the P3 are DB9, ie normal serial connectors.
>
> As such, can I simply insert a further Y cable between one of the P3 serial
> ports and the incoming cable from the K3 and then use the extra leg (with a
> DB9 on the end) to connect to the SPE amplifier for CAT control ?
>
> Or is that idea too simple ?
>
> Any advice would be appreciated.
>
> Thanks and 73
>
> Barry VK2BJ
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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]

Bob Wilson, N6TV

Re: K3 CAT connection to SPE Amplifier information needed

In reply to this post by Barry Simpson

My new Serial Box (or "S-BOX") is specifically intended to be a flexible
interface between the K3/K3S, KX2, KX3 and an SPE Amp's CAT port. It will
also do the same for an ACOM CAT port or an Elecraft KPA1500 3.5 mm stereo
"PC DATA" connector (for non-Elecraft radios).

A serial Y-Cable alone on the P3 may not work unless you take care to make
no connection from the SPE amp's CAT port to Pin 3 (TXD) of the P3's "PC
RS232" port. I would need to see a schematic of the CBLP3Y to make sure,
but I think TXD line from the K3 must be connected to the P3 there, which
means you cannot connect anything else.

Has anyone ever found a CBLP3Y schematic? If so, please share.

SPE amps use a DA-15 "CAT" connector. To follow the K3's frequency data,
they require on that 15 pin connector:

Pin 1 = RS232 RXD (DE-9 pin 2)
Pin 4 = Ground (DE-9 pin 5)
Pin 9 = RS232 TXD (DE-9 pin 3) (*)

(*) The TXD line should only be connected if the amp. *alone* is going to
"poll" the K3 for frequency data. You cannot use a logging program on the
USB port to poll the radio at the same time as the amp, and you cannot
connect two TXD lines to each other in parallel. To get the amp. to always
track the radio, you will need to have a logging programming polling the
radio continuously, or use CONFIG:AUTOINF 1, while letting the amp. "just
listen" on the RXD pin.

The S-BOX will be sold with a new 100% shielded Amphenol cable that has all
15 pins wired straight through. It connects the DE-15 connector on the
S-BOX to the DA-15 connector on the SPE CAT. One can then break out any
pin on the SPE CAT connector via internal jumpers in the S-BOX, providing
easy access to any pin required (e.g. RXD RS-232, TXD RS-232, RXD-TTL,
TXD-TTL, Signal Ground, Amp Relay, Remote Power ON, ALC, TX Inhibit,
etc.). Connect any SPE pin to an RCA connector on the S-BOX or to the
proper pins on the DE-9 serial connectors, using the jumper wires provided.

Stay tuned for more info. about the new S-BOX.

73,
Bob, N6TV

On Fri, Jul 20, 2018 at 8:43 PM, Barry Simpson <[hidden email]>
wrote: