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KPA500 Firmware Update and USB-Serial Cable ?

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Phil Hystad-3

KPA500 Firmware Update and USB-Serial Cable ?

Gang,

OK, I was going to update the firmware with the latest (1.18 I think) version for the KPA500 and realized that I did not have a PC USB to KPA500 Serial (DB9) cable for this.

My first question: was one supposed to come with the KPA500? If so, I will need to look around better. If not, I am wondering how I missed ordering that.

Second question: is the USB to Serial cable needed by the KPA500 the same as used with the K3. I mean, on the order page, under the K3 category do you order that particular cable or is there something listed for each rig component (e.g. KPA500). I know the KAT500 is different, using the little 3.5 mm connector I think on the KAT500 side.

Thanks for clarification.

73, phil, K7PEH

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Tony Scandurra K4QE

Re: KPA500 Firmware Update and USB-Serial Cable ?

Phil,

It's the same cable as for the K3. When I need to do the more rare KPA500
firmware upgrade, I just switch it over temporarily to the KPA500.

73, Tony K4QE

On Sun, Dec 16, 2012 at 5:54 PM, Phil Hystad <[hidden email]> wrote:

> Gang,
>
> OK, I was going to update the firmware with the latest (1.18 I think)
> version for the KPA500 and realized that I did not have a PC USB to KPA500
> Serial (DB9) cable for this.
>
> My first question: was one supposed to come with the KPA500? If so, I
> will need to look around better. If not, I am wondering how I missed
> ordering that.
>
> Second question: is the USB to Serial cable needed by the KPA500 the same
> as used with the K3. I mean, on the order page, under the K3 category do
> you order that particular cable or is there something listed for each rig
> component (e.g. KPA500). I know the KAT500 is different, using the little
> 3.5 mm connector I think on the KAT500 side.
>
> Thanks for clarification.
>
> 73, phil, K7PEH
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
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>

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Don Wilhelm-4

Re: KPA500 Firmware Update and USB-Serial Cable ?

In reply to this post by Phil Hystad-3

Phil,

The serial cable for the KPA500 is the same as the one for the K3. You
can either change it temporarily to the KPA500 or use one of those DE-9
RS-232 A/B switch boxes to change it from the K3 to the KPA500 - or you
can use another cable dedicated to the KPA500.
That cable does not automatically come with the KPA500, you must order
it separately.

Yes, the KAT500 cable is different, and is the same cable that is used
with the XG3, the KX3 and the XV144.

73,
Don W3FPR
On 12/16/2012 5:54 PM, Phil Hystad wrote:

> Gang,
>
> OK, I was going to update the firmware with the latest (1.18 I think) version for the KPA500 and realized that I did not have a PC USB to KPA500 Serial (DB9) cable for this.
>
> My first question: was one supposed to come with the KPA500? If so, I will need to look around better. If not, I am wondering how I missed ordering that.
>
> Second question: is the USB to Serial cable needed by the KPA500 the same as used with the K3. I mean, on the order page, under the K3 category do you order that particular cable or is there something listed for each rig component (e.g. KPA500). I know the KAT500 is different, using the little 3.5 mm connector I think on the KAT500 side.
>
> Thanks for clarification.
>
> 73, phil, K7PEH
>

Phil Hystad-3

Re: KPA500 Firmware Update and USB-Serial Cable ?

Thanks Don (and, Anthony who also replied),

I will order a separate KPA500 cable. Even though I could share the K3 cable for those more rare updates, the hassle of disconnecting and connecting is not worth the extra dollars. I just wish my shack were larger so I could actually walk behind my equipment. They have so many cables on them with the full K-line plus KAT500 with its many cables it is really messy to fool with.

73, phil, K7PEH

On Dec 16, 2012, at 3:30 PM, Don Wilhelm <[hidden email]> wrote:

> Phil,
>
> The serial cable for the KPA500 is the same as the one for the K3. You can either change it temporarily to the KPA500 or use one of those DE-9 RS-232 A/B switch boxes to change it from the K3 to the KPA500 - or you can use another cable dedicated to the KPA500.
> That cable does not automatically come with the KPA500, you must order it separately.
>
> Yes, the KAT500 cable is different, and is the same cable that is used with the XG3, the KX3 and the XV144.
>
> 73,
> Don W3FPR
> On 12/16/2012 5:54 PM, Phil Hystad wrote:
>> Gang,
>>
>> OK, I was going to update the firmware with the latest (1.18 I think) version for the KPA500 and realized that I did not have a PC USB to KPA500 Serial (DB9) cable for this.
>>
>> My first question: was one supposed to come with the KPA500? If so, I will need to look around better. If not, I am wondering how I missed ordering that.
>>
>> Second question: is the USB to Serial cable needed by the KPA500 the same as used with the K3. I mean, on the order page, under the K3 category do you order that particular cable or is there something listed for each rig component (e.g. KPA500). I know the KAT500 is different, using the little 3.5 mm connector I think on the KAT500 side.
>>
>> Thanks for clarification.
>>
>> 73, phil, K7PEH
>>
>

Dick Dievendorff

Re: KPA500 Firmware Update and USB-Serial Cable ?

In reply to this post by Phil Hystad-3

For the short term, you can use the same cable you use for installing K3
firmware, just move it over to the KPA500. A standard serial cable, either
USB to Serial or 9-pin to a "real" RS-232 port is required, just the same
requirement as your K3. I don't believe one came with the KPA500 unless you
specifically ordered it. We have been sending a USB to Serial Adapter with
our devices that have 3.5mm connectors (KX3, XG3, KAT500), but the more
generic K3 and KPA500 don't come with a cable. At least that's my
recollection.

I use a four-port Gearmo USB to Serial adapter that uses the FTDI chip set.
I use one port (COM2) for my P3/K3, another (COM3) for a KPA500, another
(COM4) with an Elecraft KXSER cable for a KAT500 and the last COM5 with
another KXSER cable for the KX3 or XG3, I have to choose between these. I
use COM1 for an LP-100A.

<http://www.amazon.com/FT4232HL-Professional-Retention-Certified-Microsoft/d
p/B004ETDC8K/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1355703302&sr=8-2&keywords=4-port+usb+to
+serial+adapter>

The KXSER cable has a 9-pin D shell on one end and a 3.5mm plug on the
other.

I able to use N1MM's logger and one serial port for CW keying and PTT, using
the RTS/DTR lines of the same serial port used for P3 / K3 rig control.

There are certainly other options. This one works for me. I may eventually
get another one for COM6-COM9.

73 de Dick, K6KR

-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email]
[mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Phil Hystad
Sent: Sunday, December 16, 2012 2:54 PM
To: [hidden email] List
Subject: [Elecraft] KPA500 Firmware Update and USB-Serial Cable ?

Gang,

OK, I was going to update the firmware with the latest (1.18 I think)
version for the KPA500 and realized that I did not have a PC USB to KPA500
Serial (DB9) cable for this.

My first question: was one supposed to come with the KPA500? If so, I will
need to look around better. If not, I am wondering how I missed ordering
that.

Second question: is the USB to Serial cable needed by the KPA500 the same
as used with the K3. I mean, on the order page, under the K3 category do
you order that particular cable or is there something listed for each rig
component (e.g. KPA500). I know the KAT500 is different, using the little
3.5 mm connector I think on the KAT500 side.

Thanks for clarification.

73, phil, K7PEH

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Phil Salas

Re: KPA500 Firmware Update and USB-Serial Cable ?

I also use a Gearmo 4-port USB/serial converter. Got mine from Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/FT4232HL-Professional-Retention-Certified-Microsoft/dp/B004ETDC8K/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1355712034&sr=8-2&keywords=gearmo+usb+to+rs-232

Phil – AD5X
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N7US

Re: KPA500 Firmware Update and USB-Serial Cable ?

Has anyone tested this with RTTY?

73, Jim N7US

-----Original Message-----
I also use a Gearmo 4-port USB/serial converter. Got mine from Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/FT4232HL-Professional-Retention-Certified-Microsoft/dp/B004ETDC8K/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1355712034&sr=8-2&keywords=gearmo+usb+to+rs-232

Phil – AD5X

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