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K3 Edgeport Adapter with K3 and SteppIR

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Bud Governale, W3LL

K3 Edgeport Adapter with K3 and SteppIR

I have my K3 and SteppIR controller talking perfectly thru the computer logging program and "Y" cable using a Prolific
USB to Serial converter cable.

I purchased an "Edgeport 8" USB to Serial converter and removed all the Prolific cables to existing devices and
connected all
directly to the Edgeport. All three devices work perfectly. However the K3 no longer responds to computer control. It's
not recognized by the software.

I discovered that the K3 is recognized and controlled by the software (both DX4win and N1MM) when I remove the "Y" cable
connection to the SteppIR.

If I reconnect the SteppIR controller then the K3 is no longer controlled by software.
If I go back to the Prolific USB to Serial cable all works well again.

Anyone know or care to guess why the K3 to SteppIR combination won't work thru the Edgeport 8 port adapter or any other
of its 7 other ports?

73,

Bud W3LL
[hidden email]

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Joe Subich, W4TV-4

Re: K3 Edgeport Adapter with K3 and SteppIR

Have you checked the "Y" cable to make sure it is appropriate
for the new hardware?

If you disconnect the leg of the "Y" cable that attaches to
the SteppIR control box but leave the Y cable in place does
the K3 begin to respond?

73,

... Joe, W4TV

> -----Original Message-----
> From: [hidden email]
> [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Bud
> Governale, W3LL
> Sent: Monday, March 29, 2010 1:31 PM
> To: [hidden email]
> Subject: [Elecraft] K3 Edgeport Adapter with K3 and SteppIR
>
>
> I have my K3 and SteppIR controller talking perfectly thru
> the computer logging program and "Y" cable using a Prolific
> USB to Serial converter cable.
>
> I purchased an "Edgeport 8" USB to Serial converter and
> removed all the Prolific cables to existing devices and
> connected all
> directly to the Edgeport. All three devices work perfectly.
> However the K3 no longer responds to computer control. It's
> not recognized by the software.
>
> I discovered that the K3 is recognized and controlled by the
> software (both DX4win and N1MM) when I remove the "Y" cable
> connection to the SteppIR.
>
> If I reconnect the SteppIR controller then the K3 is no
> longer controlled by software. If I go back to the Prolific
> USB to Serial cable all works well again.
>
> Anyone know or care to guess why the K3 to SteppIR
> combination won't work thru the Edgeport 8 port adapter or
> any other of its 7 other ports?
>
> 73,
>
> Bud W3LL
> [hidden email]
>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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

______________________________________________________________
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

Joe Subich, W4TV-4

Re: K3 Edgeport Adapter with K3 and SteppIR

In reply to this post by Bud Governale, W3LL

Do you have an application (the K3 Utility) that can send a
command to the K3 and determine if the K3 is responding (e.g.,
changes mode in response to the MD0;/MD1; commands)?

My guess is that the SteppIR controller loads the data line
from the K3 to the Edgeport. That loading is most likely
too much pull-up current which prevents the K3 from pulling
the output data line below -3V as required by the RS-232
standard.

It is likely that the "consumer grade" Prolific converter
worked when the data line went below 1V. The Edgeport
interfaces are widely used in industrial control applications
where the noise margin is critical so they adhere much more
closely to the +/-3V minimum signal level standards.

73,

... Joe, W4TV

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Bud Governale, W3LL [mailto:[hidden email]]
> Sent: Monday, March 29, 2010 5:19 PM
> To: Joe Subich, W4TV
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 Edgeport Adapter with K3 and SteppIR
>
>
> Yes, when I disconnect the leg of the "Y" cable that attaches to
> the SteppIR control box and leave the "Y" cable in place
> the K3 begins to respond.
>
> 73,
>
> Bud W3LL
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Joe Subich, W4TV" <[hidden email]>
> To: "'Bud Governale, W3LL'" <[hidden email]>;
> <[hidden email]>
> Sent: Monday, March 29, 2010 5:04 PM
> Subject: RE: [Elecraft] K3 Edgeport Adapter with K3 and SteppIR
>
>
>
> Have you checked the "Y" cable to make sure it is appropriate
> for the new hardware?
>
> If you disconnect the leg of the "Y" cable that attaches to
> the SteppIR control box but leave the Y cable in place does
> the K3 begin to respond?
>
> 73,
>
> ... Joe, W4TV
>
>
>
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: [hidden email]
> > [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Bud
> > Governale, W3LL
> > Sent: Monday, March 29, 2010 1:31 PM
> > To: [hidden email]
> > Subject: [Elecraft] K3 Edgeport Adapter with K3 and SteppIR
> >
> >
> > I have my K3 and SteppIR controller talking perfectly thru
> > the computer logging program and "Y" cable using a Prolific
> > USB to Serial converter cable.
> >
> > I purchased an "Edgeport 8" USB to Serial converter and
> > removed all the Prolific cables to existing devices and
> > connected all
> > directly to the Edgeport. All three devices work perfectly.
> > However the K3 no longer responds to computer control. It's
> > not recognized by the software.
> >
> > I discovered that the K3 is recognized and controlled by the
> > software (both DX4win and N1MM) when I remove the "Y" cable
> > connection to the SteppIR.
> >
> > If I reconnect the SteppIR controller then the K3 is no
> > longer controlled by software. If I go back to the Prolific
> > USB to Serial cable all works well again.
> >
> > Anyone know or care to guess why the K3 to SteppIR
> > combination won't work thru the Edgeport 8 port adapter or
> > any other of its 7 other ports?
> >
> > 73,
> >
> > Bud W3LL
> > [hidden email]
> >
> >
> > ______________________________________________________________
> > 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
>
>
>

Bud Governale, W3LL

Re: K3 Edgeport Adapter with K3 and SteppIR

In reply to this post by Bud Governale, W3LL

Joe,

You were right!

The "Y" cable at the SteppIR connector had the other leads of the RS232 connector connected.

I disconnected all cable leads and left only 2 and 5 cable leads connected. I confirmed that 7 and 9 were already
jumpered.

All is working now using the Edgeport USB>SERIAL converter.

Thanks!

73,

Bud W3LL
[hidden email]

----- Original Message -----
From: "Joe Subich, W4TV" <[hidden email]>
To: "'Bud Governale, W3LL'" <[hidden email]>
Sent: Tuesday, March 30, 2010 12:38 PM
Subject: RE: [Elecraft] K3 Edgeport Adapter with K3 and SteppIR

> My K3 serial number is 2285. Not sure if this is early or not.

As far as I know its after the problem was resolved. However,
you could check the -V generator on the KIO3 board.

> I will check the Y cable. I think there are more than 2 wires
> connected to the SteppIR controller.

Should only be 2 and 5 with a jumper between 7 and 9 (if I recall
correctly).

73,

... Joe, W4TV

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Bud Governale, W3LL [mailto:[hidden email]]
> Sent: Tuesday, March 30, 2010 11:37 AM
> To: Joe Subich, W4TV
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 Edgeport Adapter with K3 and SteppIR
>
>
> Joe,
>
> I will check the Y cable. I think there are more than 2 wires
> connected to the SteppIR controller.
>
> My K3 serial number is 2285. Not sure if this is early or not.
>
> 73,
>
> Bud W3LL
> [hidden email]
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Joe Subich, W4TV" <[hidden email]>
> To: "'Bud Governale, W3LL'" <[hidden email]>
> Sent: Tuesday, March 30, 2010 11:15 AM
> Subject: RE: [Elecraft] K3 Edgeport Adapter with K3 and SteppIR
>
>
>
> Bud,
>
> Also make sure the K3 is able to pull a reasonable load
> to at least -3V. Some early units had "weak" DC to DC
> converters and did not necessarily handle the a solid
> RS-232 signal well.
>
> Make sure your Y cable has only two wires to the SteppIR
> controller as well. There are additional voltages on some
> pins that can cause an issue.
>
> 73,
>
> ... Joe, W4TV
>
>
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Bud Governale, W3LL [mailto:[hidden email]]
> > Sent: Monday, March 29, 2010 10:11 PM
> > To: Joe Subich, W4TV
> > Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 Edgeport Adapter with K3 and SteppIR
> >
> >
> > Joe,
> >
> > I completely agree with your analysis.
> >
> > I'll be in touch with SteppIR for a remedial suggestion.
> >
> > Thanks and 73,
> >
> > Bud W3LL
> >
> >
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: "Joe Subich, W4TV" <[hidden email]>
> > To: "'Bud Governale, W3LL'" <[hidden email]>;
> > <[hidden email]>
> > Sent: Monday, March 29, 2010 6:15 PM
> > Subject: RE: [Elecraft] K3 Edgeport Adapter with K3 and SteppIR
> >
> >
> >
> > Do you have an application (the K3 Utility) that can send a
> > command to the K3 and determine if the K3 is responding (e.g.,
> > changes mode in response to the MD0;/MD1; commands)?
> >
> > My guess is that the SteppIR controller loads the data line
> > from the K3 to the Edgeport. That loading is most likely
> > too much pull-up current which prevents the K3 from pulling
> > the output data line below -3V as required by the RS-232
> > standard.
> >
> > It is likely that the "consumer grade" Prolific converter
> > worked when the data line went below 1V. The Edgeport
> > interfaces are widely used in industrial control applications
> > where the noise margin is critical so they adhere much more
> > closely to the +/-3V minimum signal level standards.
> >
> > 73,
> >
> > ... Joe, W4TV
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > > -----Original Message-----
> > > From: Bud Governale, W3LL [mailto:[hidden email]]
> > > Sent: Monday, March 29, 2010 5:19 PM
> > > To: Joe Subich, W4TV
> > > Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 Edgeport Adapter with K3 and SteppIR
> > >
> > >
> > > Yes, when I disconnect the leg of the "Y" cable that
> attaches to the
> > > SteppIR control box and leave the "Y" cable in place the
> K3 begins
> > > to respond.
> > >
> > > 73,
> > >
> > > Bud W3LL
> > >
> > >
> > > ----- Original Message -----
> > > From: "Joe Subich, W4TV" <[hidden email]>
> > > To: "'Bud Governale, W3LL'" <[hidden email]>;
> > > <[hidden email]>
> > > Sent: Monday, March 29, 2010 5:04 PM
> > > Subject: RE: [Elecraft] K3 Edgeport Adapter with K3 and SteppIR
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > Have you checked the "Y" cable to make sure it is appropriate for
> > > the new hardware?
> > >
> > > If you disconnect the leg of the "Y" cable that attaches to the
> > > SteppIR control box but leave the Y cable in place does
> the K3 begin
> > > to respond?
> > >
> > > 73,
> > >
> > > ... Joe, W4TV
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > > -----Original Message-----
> > > > From: [hidden email]
> > > > [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Bud
> > > > Governale, W3LL
> > > > Sent: Monday, March 29, 2010 1:31 PM
> > > > To: [hidden email]
> > > > Subject: [Elecraft] K3 Edgeport Adapter with K3 and SteppIR
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > I have my K3 and SteppIR controller talking perfectly thru the
> > > > computer logging program and "Y" cable using a Prolific USB to
> > > > Serial converter cable.
> > > >
> > > > I purchased an "Edgeport 8" USB to Serial converter and
> > removed all
> > > > the Prolific cables to existing devices and connected
> all directly
> > > > to the Edgeport. All three devices work perfectly.
> However the K3
> > > > no longer responds to computer control. It's not
> recognized by the
> > > > software.
> > > >
> > > > I discovered that the K3 is recognized and controlled by the
> > > > software (both DX4win and N1MM) when I remove the "Y" cable
> > > > connection to the SteppIR.
> > > >
> > > > If I reconnect the SteppIR controller then the K3 is no longer
> > > > controlled by software. If I go back to the Prolific USB
> > to Serial
> > > > cable all works well again.
> > > >
> > > > Anyone know or care to guess why the K3 to SteppIR
> > combination won't
> > > > work thru the Edgeport 8 port adapter or any other of
> its 7 other
> > > > ports?
> > > >
> > > > 73,
> > > >
> > > > Bud W3LL
> > > > [hidden email]
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > ______________________________________________________________
> > > > 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
> > >
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
> >
>
>
>