RJ-11 connector on bottom of the Front Panel

[n9adg]

What signals are available on the RJ-11 connector on the bottom of the front panel?  I see some lines on the schematic that indicate the data bus is available.

Can the signals on the RJ-11 be controlled via macros, or can I cause a front-panel button to put something on those control lines without otherwise performing an in-radio operation?

I have an external switching matrix for listening antennas that I'd like to control via the front-panel; I theorize that I could build something that snoops the data bus via the RJ11 and then use M1-M4 to control which RX antenna I'm listening to....

Brian N9ADG


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[Don Wilhelm-4]

Brian,

Slight correction, it is an RJ-45 jack (Ethernet size).
Right now it has nothing accessible by the user, it is used only for
factory test-beds.
Elecraft has implied that something may be forthcoming in the future
which will use this jack, but who knows how long in the future.

73,
Don W3FPR

Brian Moran wrote:
> What signals are available on the RJ-11 connector on the bottom of the front panel?  I see some lines on the schematic that indicate the data bus is available.
>
>  
>
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[n9adg]

Thanks for everyone's responses so far -- while the FP RJ45 might not be useful w/o an update to the front-panel CPU, I propose a feature request --
Adding a new command to the K3 Repertoire, which can be used in a front-panel macro:

EO *  (EchO; GET/SET)
SET/RSP format:  EOnnnn;  nnnn are hex values from 0000-FFFF. When sent to the radio, returns what was sent as a response. Can be used in a front-panel macro to send a hex value to accessories.

Given this, one could envision peripherals attached in a passive way to the ACC port that can be informed of front-panel switch actions.



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[Bruce McLaughlin-2]

I have frequently read that the jack in question is strictly for factory
production testing and has no use beyond that purpose.  I know that in the
past folks have speculated that perhaps it could be used for an external
keyboard or some other accessory.  Unfortunately, the Elecraft response has
always been no it can't.  Beyond that, it is a mystery.

Bruce-W8FU

-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email]
[mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Brian Moran
Sent: Thursday, December 10, 2009 5:50 PM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: [Elecraft] RJ-11 connector on bottom of the Front Panel

What signals are available on the RJ-11 connector on the bottom of the front
panel?  I see some lines on the schematic that indicate the data bus is
available.

Can the signals on the RJ-11 be controlled via macros, or can I cause a
front-panel button to put something on those control lines without otherwise
performing an in-radio operation?

I have an external switching matrix for listening antennas that I'd like to
control via the front-panel; I theorize that I could build something that
snoops the data bus via the RJ11 and then use M1-M4 to control which RX
antenna I'm listening to....

Brian N9ADG


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[Don Wilhelm-4]

Bruce,

I do not recall any Elecraft response saying "no it can't" - my
recollection the response has been more like "not at this time".  There
have been hints that it could be used for future accessories, but
nothing has been brought forward yet.  Yes, it is currently used for
factory production testing.

Now, if some ambitious K3 owner would comb through the schematic to
identify the function of all the signals that appear on this connector
and develop some device that serves a useful function without breaking
the K3 or restricting the K3 function, I am certain it would be
welcomed.  As far as an Elecraft announcement of some accessory that
uses this connector, I guess we will have to wait and see - the
development resources at Elecraft are limited, and we do not know what
the development priority list contains.

73,
Don W3FPR

Bruce McLaughlin wrote:
> I have frequently read that the jack in question is strictly for factory
> production testing and has no use beyond that purpose.  I know that in the
> past folks have speculated that perhaps it could be used for an external
> keyboard or some other accessory.  Unfortunately, the Elecraft response has
> always been no it can't.  Beyond that, it is a mystery.
>
> Bruce-W8FU
>  
>
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