KUSB vs K2

[Jim Harris-5]

Hi,

Does anyone know conclusively if the KUSB USB to serial adapter listed on the Electaft website will work with a K2 and Vista?  The KUSB is listed on the website with the K3 items.  I've searched the archive and I found one remark that said the KUSB should work with a K2....no mention of OS.  I had to buy a new laptop and it has Vista and only USB ports.  I have a couple of other adapters that will work with my FT-897 but not with my K2.  After testing per the procedure in the KPA100 manual the K2 will send to the laptop but the laptop will not send to the K2 with my present adapters.

Thanks and 73,

Jim, AB0UK
K2/100  S/N 4787
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[Vic K2VCO]

Jim Harris wrote:
> Hi,
>
> Does anyone know conclusively if the KUSB USB to serial adapter
> listed on the Electaft website will work with a K2 and Vista?  

Regarding USB adapters: there are several variables, including the
hardware and software of the computer, plus of course the adapter and
its drivers, etc. So the answer has to be a resounding MAYBE.

One thing for sure, be VERY careful to use a cable between the K2 and
the adapter that only connects the RS232 signals and not the K2-specific
lines that appear on the connector on the K2. See the K2 manual for details.

If you just connect an RS232 port (or USB adapter) to the K2's 9-pin
connector you stand a good chance of damaging the K2.
--
73,
Vic, K2VCO
Fresno CA
http://www.qsl.net/k2vco
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[dj7mgq]

Hallo,

>> Does anyone know conclusively if the KUSB USB to serial adapter
>> listed on the Electaft website will work with a K2 and Vista?  
>
> Regarding USB adapters: there are several variables, including the
> hardware and software of the computer, plus of course the adapter and
> its drivers, etc. So the answer has to be a resounding MAYBE.

As far as Vista is concerned, I don't know. I've used various USB to
Serial adapters for my K2 with Windows 200 & Windows XP for years now
and they have worked very well, and the KUSB is nothing more than an USB
to Serial adapter, using afaik a widespread solution (chip) by Prolific
<http://www.prolific.com.tw/eng/support.asp>.

That said, shortly before my K3 arrived, my old Sony laptop decided it
was time to go to the big bit bucket in the sky. My new computer is an
Apple MacBook Pro, which allows me to run MacOS and, with Boot Camp, I
can also run Windows XP Professional as a "native" OS. The KUSB mostly
works with the Boot Camp/Windows combination and my K3. Unfortunately
only mostly, because the Win-Test logger is occasionally confused by the
data coming from the adapter, and some versions of the K3 firmware
loader were not able to switch the baud rate as needed. These issues
almost certainly have to do with the USB/Serial drivers running on my
slightly unusual combination of hard- and software. I'll be doing some
more testing this weekend.

Bottom line: If the KUSB works correctly with Vista, it will work with
your K2 and there is a very good chance that the KUSB will work well
with Vista running on a "standard" hardware surrounding.


> One thing for sure, be VERY careful to use a cable between the K2 and
> the adapter that only connects the RS232 signals and not the K2-specific
> lines that appear on the connector on the K2. See the K2 manual for
> details.

*** THIS IS IMPORTANT! DO NOT CONNECT THE KUSB DIRECTLY TO YOUR K2! ***

You will need an adapter from standard RS-232 (KUSB) pinning to the K2
pinning.


vy 73 de toby

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[Bill N2BC]

----- Original Message -----
From: "Toby Deinhardt" <[hidden email]>
To: "Jim Harris" <[hidden email]>
Cc: <[hidden email]>
Sent: Friday, December 14, 2007 6:00 AM
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KUSB vs K2


snip:
> As far as Vista is concerned, I don't know. I've used various USB to
> Serial adapters for my K2 with Windows 200 & Windows XP for years now and
> they have worked very well, and the KUSB is nothing more than an USB to
> Serial adapter, using afaik a widespread solution (chip) by Prolific
> <http://www.prolific.com.tw/eng/support.asp>.

FWIW:  I have a USB to 4-serial port box and a 1-port USB to serial 'dongle'
style. Both are 'no-name' devices and both use FTDI chipsets
(http://www.ftdichip.com/).  There are Vista certified FTDI drivers & they
work FB on Vista and XP with my K2 and a pile of assorted serial stuff (ICOM
CI-V, rotor, SWR bridge, ancient TNC, my buddy's Orion, etc. etc).

73, Bill N2BC


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[Buck - k4ia]

In a message dated 12/14/2007 9:39:26 A.M.  Eastern Standard Time,
[hidden email] writes:
If the KUSB works  correctly with Vista, it will work with
your K2 and there is a very good  chance that the KUSB will work well
with Vista running on a "standard"  hardware surrounding.

I don't think that is right.  The K2 cable was  "special" in that they wired
the pins in an unconventional way and warned  everyone not to use a standard
serial cable with the K2.  You'll have to do  some research on that.  I used a
Keyspan USB>serial box but used the K2  serial cable from the box to the
radio.  It worked fine but I was using the  K2 serial cable for the final run.  A
straight USB>serial may need to be  rewired on the pin-out side.

k4ia
Craig "Buck"
Fredericksburg,  Virginia
K3 #101  




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[dj7mgq]

> I don't think that is right.  The K2 cable was  "special" in that they wired
> the pins in an unconventional way and warned  everyone not to use a standard
> serial cable with the K2.  You'll have to do  some research on that.  I used a


Which is why I wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
*** THIS IS IMPORTANT! DO NOT CONNECT THE KUSB DIRECTLY TO YOUR K2! ***

You will need an adapter from standard RS-232 (KUSB) pinning to the K2
pinning.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

If the adapter works or not has nothing to do with the pin outs, but has
  a lot to do with drivers, hardware platform and operating system.

vy 73 de toby
--
DD5FZ (ex 4n6fz, dj7mgq, dg5mgq, dd5fz)
K2/10  #885
K2/100 #3248
K3/100 #67
DOK C12, BCC, DL-QRP-AG, JN58td
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