KX2 USB Connection Problems

[Elecraft mailing list]

I'm having a hard time getting my KX2 connected to the KX2 Utility. The KXUSB cable drivers are installed correctly and functioning. I have tried setting the COM port and KX2 baud rates to various values. Have tried different USB ports, two different computers, radio plugged in to external power/battery, etc. 
With the KXUSB plugged in to the computer and not the radio, I can push the Test Communication button and the KXUSB cable will flash red in sequence with the software trying different baud rates. When I plug the KXUSB in to the computer AND radio, I push Test Communication and the software halts on the "Attempting to contact KX2 on port COM2 at 38400 bit/s", and the red AND green light on the cable flash 10 times and then stop. This happens regardless if the KX2 is on or off. I've tried looking up what the status lights on the cable indicate, but haven't found anything.
Now the quirky thing is I was having this problem a few nights ago and finally just gave up. Next day I tried again with all the same settings and whatnot and magically it worked fine, and I was able to change the banner message, etc. but now again tonight I left everything the same and it's not working at all. 
The only thing I haven't done is try a different KXUSB cable, but before I order one I figured I'd ask the collective and see if anyone had any insight.
Thanks for your time!
Luke AD0KI
______________________________________________________________
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]

[Don Wilhelm]

Luke,

First make certain that the 3.5mm plug on the KXUSB cable is fully
inserted into the jack - give it that little extra push.

If that does not solve it, go into the menu and make certain the RS232
parameter is set to 38400.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 6/4/2016 2:07 AM, Luke via Elecraft wrote:
> I'm having a hard time getting my KX2 connected to the KX2 Utility. The KXUSB cable drivers are installed correctly and functioning. I have tried setting the COM port and KX2 baud rates to various values. Have tried different USB ports, two different computers, radio plugged in to external power/battery, etc.
> With the KXUSB plugged in to the computer and not the radio, I can push the Test Communication button and the KXUSB cable will flash red in sequence with the software trying different baud rates. When I plug the KXUSB in to the computer AND radio, I push Test Communication and the software halts on the "Attempting to contact KX2 on port COM2 at 38400 bit/s", and the red AND green light on the cable flash 10 times and then stop. This happens regardless if the KX2 is on or off. I've tried looking up what the status lights on the cable indicate, but haven't found anything.
> Now the quirky thing is I was having this problem a few nights ago and finally just gave up. Next day I tried again with all the same settings and whatnot and magically it worked fine, and I was able to change the banner message, etc. but now again tonight I left everything the same and it's not working at all.
> The only thing I haven't done is try a different KXUSB cable, but before I order one I figured I'd ask the collective and see if anyone had any insight.
> Thanks for your time!
>

______________________________________________________________
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]

[Guy Olinger K2AV]

Hi Luke,

When I first tried to connect my KAT500 to my PC, it didn't connect. The
3.5 mm plug was in the jack and *looked* like it was inserted all the way.
But when I pushed hard on it, it went in further, and problem solved. So
much stuff is purely mechanical and involves.

Your list of symptoms perfectly matches my problems before I pushed the 3.5
mm plug in all the way.

The other thing is that new or long-time not used plugs and jacks sometimes
have a non-conductive patina on their contact surfaces. Can be solved by
repeated in and out on the plug and a LOT of rotations when fully inserted.
Also if you have some Deoxit on hand, a TINY drop on the tip ring and
sleeve of the plug before insertion, followed by repeated insertions and
rotations when inserted. I repeat, TINY drop.

73, Guy K2AV

On Sat, Jun 4, 2016 at 8:58 AM, Don Wilhelm <[hidden email]> wrote:

> Luke,
>
> First make certain that the 3.5mm plug on the KXUSB cable is fully
> inserted into the jack - give it that little extra push.
>
> If that does not solve it, go into the menu and make certain the RS232
> parameter is set to 38400.
>
> 73,
> Don W3FPR
>
> On 6/4/2016 2:07 AM, Luke via Elecraft wrote:
>
>> I'm having a hard time getting my KX2 connected to the KX2 Utility. The
>> KXUSB cable drivers are installed correctly and functioning. I have tried
>> setting the COM port and KX2 baud rates to various values. Have tried
>> different USB ports, two different computers, radio plugged in to external
>> power/battery, etc.
>> With the KXUSB plugged in to the computer and not the radio, I can push
>> the Test Communication button and the KXUSB cable will flash red in
>> sequence with the software trying different baud rates. When I plug the
>> KXUSB in to the computer AND radio, I push Test Communication and the
>> software halts on the "Attempting to contact KX2 on port COM2 at 38400
>> bit/s", and the red AND green light on the cable flash 10 times and then
>> stop. This happens regardless if the KX2 is on or off. I've tried looking
>> up what the status lights on the cable indicate, but haven't found anything.
>> Now the quirky thing is I was having this problem a few nights ago and
>> finally just gave up. Next day I tried again with all the same settings and
>> whatnot and magically it worked fine, and I was able to change the banner
>> message, etc. but now again tonight I left everything the same and it's not
>> working at all.
>> The only thing I haven't done is try a different KXUSB cable, but before
>> I order one I figured I'd ask the collective and see if anyone had any
>> insight.
>> Thanks for your time!
>>
>>
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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]
>

______________________________________________________________
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]