Need help with 6 meter setup for KRC2 with K3

[Lewis Phelps]

I know this topic has been on the list before, but all the discussion I have found raises questions but doesn’t give answers.

I recently acquired a used RKC2, which I’m trying to set up with my K3 (barefoot version; 12 watts and no KAT3)

My question concerns the mapping for 6 meters.

The K3 manual refers to the Menu setting for the KRC2 as follows:
===========

"Controls the KRC2 band decoder’s accessory output settings. Shows ACC OFF or ACC1-3 if a KRC2 is detected; - - if not.
To ensure compatibility with both old and new KRC2 firmware, two different 6 meter band decodes are provided. Tap to select BAND6=B6 (addr=10) or BAND6=B10 (addr=9). Refer to the KRC2 manual for further details.

============
However, I am unable to find anything in the KRC2 manual that discusses the mapping for the 6 meter band.  Presuming for discussion that I have “newer” firmware installed,

1. do I want to select BAND6=B6, or BAND6=B10?

2.  what control line in the KRC2 should I use to energize devices associated with my 6 meter setup (e.g. coaxial relays used to connect the main K3 antenna port to an external 6 meter amplifier, rather than to my HF antenna).

ALSO

I find reference in prior discussion to  a Mac version of the KRC2 utility, but I can’t find it anywhere online. Does it exist?  Where might I get a copy?

For that matter, where can I get ANY version of the KRC2 Utility that’s used for band mapping of the device? The only thing I can find on the Elecraft site is a Download program, not the utility that allows you to modify band mapping.

In sum, is there actually a way for me to use the KCR2 with my K3 in such a way that I can control external devices used for 6 meters? The K3 and RCR2 manuals are beyond opaque in this respect — a disappointing variance from the usual clarity of documentation.

73

Lew N6LEW
Lew Phelps N6LEW
Pasadena, CA DM04wd
Elecraft K3-10 / KXV144 / XV432
Yaesu FT-7800
[hidden email]
www.n6lew.us

Generalized Law of Entropy: Sooner or later, everything that has been put together will fall apart.





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[Jack Brindle-2]

Hi Lew;

See below…

> On Jan 22, 2016, at 3:08 PM, Lewis Phelps <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> I know this topic has been on the list before, but all the discussion I have found raises questions but doesn’t give answers.
>
> I recently acquired a used RKC2, which I’m trying to set up with my K3 (barefoot version; 12 watts and no KAT3)
>
> My question concerns the mapping for 6 meters.
>
> The K3 manual refers to the Menu setting for the KRC2 as follows:
> ===========
>
> "Controls the KRC2 band decoder’s accessory output settings. Shows ACC OFF or ACC1-3 if a KRC2 is detected; - - if not.
> To ensure compatibility with both old and new KRC2 firmware, two different 6 meter band decodes are provided. Tap to select BAND6=B6 (addr=10) or BAND6=B10 (addr=9). Refer to the KRC2 manual for further details.
>
> ============
> However, I am unable to find anything in the KRC2 manual that discusses the mapping for the 6 meter band.  Presuming for discussion that I have “newer” firmware installed,
>
> 1. do I want to select BAND6=B6, or BAND6=B10?

BAND6=B6 will work with the 1.6 KRC2 firmware.

> 2.  what control line in the KRC2 should I use to energize devices associated with my 6 meter setup (e.g. coaxial relays used to connect the main K3 antenna port to an external 6 meter amplifier, rather than to my HF antenna).

XV1 with the standard mapping. You can set it to whatever you’d like with the KRC2 Utility.

Also, you can restore the original settings and mappings by holding the F4 button at KRC2 power-up. This only works in the V1.6 firmware.

> ALSO
>
> I find reference in prior discussion to  a Mac version of the KRC2 utility, but I can’t find it anywhere online. Does it exist?  Where might I get a copy?

There is no official version of the KRC2 Utility for the Mac. I have one for my own use that might be usable by others. Is this what you are looking for?

> For that matter, where can I get ANY version of the KRC2 Utility that’s used for band mapping of the device? The only thing I can find on the Elecraft site is a Download program, not the utility that allows you to modify band mapping.

The windows version is on the Elecraft site in the downloads and firmware section for the KRC2. Try this URL:
http://www.elecraft.com/software/KRC2/elecraft_KRC2_Config_software.htm

> In sum, is there actually a way for me to use the KCR2 with my K3 in such a way that I can control external devices used for 6 meters? The K3 and RCR2 manuals are beyond opaque in this respect — a disappointing variance from the usual clarity of documentation.

Yes. See above.

73,

Jack Brindle, W6FB

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[Lewis Phelps]

Thanks, Jack!.  This is very helpful.

I’d love to get a copy of your Mac utility. please email me offline so we can coordinate how to transfer it to me.

73

Lew N6LEW

> On Jan 22, 2016, at 5:35 PM, Jack Brindle <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> Hi Lew;
>
> See below…
>
>> On Jan 22, 2016, at 3:08 PM, Lewis Phelps <[hidden email]> wrote:
>>
>> I know this topic has been on the list before, but all the discussion I have found raises questions but doesn’t give answers.
>>
>> I recently acquired a used RKC2, which I’m trying to set up with my K3 (barefoot version; 12 watts and no KAT3)
>>
>> My question concerns the mapping for 6 meters.
>>
>> The K3 manual refers to the Menu setting for the KRC2 as follows:
>> ===========
>>
>> "Controls the KRC2 band decoder’s accessory output settings. Shows ACC OFF or ACC1-3 if a KRC2 is detected; - - if not.
>> To ensure compatibility with both old and new KRC2 firmware, two different 6 meter band decodes are provided. Tap to select BAND6=B6 (addr=10) or BAND6=B10 (addr=9). Refer to the KRC2 manual for further details.
>>
>> ============
>> However, I am unable to find anything in the KRC2 manual that discusses the mapping for the 6 meter band.  Presuming for discussion that I have “newer” firmware installed,
>>
>> 1. do I want to select BAND6=B6, or BAND6=B10?
>
> BAND6=B6 will work with the 1.6 KRC2 firmware.
>
>> 2.  what control line in the KRC2 should I use to energize devices associated with my 6 meter setup (e.g. coaxial relays used to connect the main K3 antenna port to an external 6 meter amplifier, rather than to my HF antenna).
>
> XV1 with the standard mapping. You can set it to whatever you’d like with the KRC2 Utility.
>
> Also, you can restore the original settings and mappings by holding the F4 button at KRC2 power-up. This only works in the V1.6 firmware.
>
>> ALSO
>>
>> I find reference in prior discussion to  a Mac version of the KRC2 utility, but I can’t find it anywhere online. Does it exist?  Where might I get a copy?
>
> There is no official version of the KRC2 Utility for the Mac. I have one for my own use that might be usable by others. Is this what you are looking for?
>
>> For that matter, where can I get ANY version of the KRC2 Utility that’s used for band mapping of the device? The only thing I can find on the Elecraft site is a Download program, not the utility that allows you to modify band mapping.
>
> The windows version is on the Elecraft site in the downloads and firmware section for the KRC2. Try this URL:
> http://www.elecraft.com/software/KRC2/elecraft_KRC2_Config_software.htm <http://www.elecraft.com/software/KRC2/elecraft_KRC2_Config_software.htm>
>
>> In sum, is there actually a way for me to use the KCR2 with my K3 in such a way that I can control external devices used for 6 meters? The K3 and RCR2 manuals are beyond opaque in this respect — a disappointing variance from the usual clarity of documentation.
>
> Yes. See above.
>
> 73,
>
> Jack Brindle, W6FB

Lew Phelps N6LEW
Pasadena, CA DM04wd
Elecraft K3-10 / KXV144 / XV432
Yaesu FT-7800
[hidden email]
www.n6lew.us

Generalized Law of Entropy: Sooner or later, everything that has been put together will fall apart.





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