RS232 polling noise with MicroHAM CW Keyer

[Alan Ibbetson]

My newer laptop does not have a serial port and doesn't run DOS so I got
a MicroHAM CW Keyer. It works fine with my FT1000MP Mk5, but with my
K2/100 I get significant noise (like, S5 on the meter) on all bands
whenever the MicroHAM is polling the K2 RS232 for VFO/Mode data.

Has anyone else seen this problem? MicroHAM support says it's a known
problem with the K2 (?) and suggested asking on this list whether there
are any known fixes.
--

Cheers,

Alan G3XAQ
[hidden email]

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[Craig Rairdin]

I have a MicroKEYER that I use with my K2 and I seem to recall hearing that
noise when I was running it using my laptop but I don't get the noise when I
use my desktop PC.

Craig
NZ0R
K1 #1966
K2/100 #4941

-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email]
[mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Alan Ibbetson
Sent: Sunday, January 08, 2006 2:15 PM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: [Elecraft] RS232 polling noise with MicroHAM CW Keyer


My newer laptop does not have a serial port and doesn't run DOS so I got
a MicroHAM CW Keyer. It works fine with my FT1000MP Mk5, but with my
K2/100 I get significant noise (like, S5 on the meter) on all bands
whenever the MicroHAM is polling the K2 RS232 for VFO/Mode data.

Has anyone else seen this problem? MicroHAM support says it's a known
problem with the K2 (?) and suggested asking on this list whether there
are any known fixes.
--

Cheers,

Alan G3XAQ
[hidden email]

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[Don Wilhelm-3]

Alan,

I don't have a cure, but you may be able to reduce the level significantly
(S-5 sounds a LOT higher than the usual complaints).  Remove the right side
cover from the K2/100 and tuck the ribbon cable up near the top of the
control panel and the front of the KPA100 - do the same with the speaker
cable.

The IF amplifier IC is on the RF Board just below the ribbon cable location
and if the cable is dangling near the RF Board, some pickup of the digital
'noise' is possible, so locate the cable as far from the RF Board as
possible.

73,
Don W3FPR

> -----Original Message-----
>
> My newer laptop does not have a serial port and doesn't run DOS so I got
> a MicroHAM CW Keyer. It works fine with my FT1000MP Mk5, but with my
> K2/100 I get significant noise (like, S5 on the meter) on all bands
> whenever the MicroHAM is polling the K2 RS232 for VFO/Mode data.
>
> Has anyone else seen this problem? MicroHAM support says it's a known
> problem with the K2 (?) and suggested asking on this list whether there
> are any known fixes.
> --
>

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[Mark J. Schreiner]

I noticed this problem on 40m using N1MM logger.  I haven't used other
programs with RS232-like interface to the K2 yet.  I removed the top
cover to see if there was anything simple like moving the RS232-like
cable that is internal from the front panel to the rear panel, but that
made no difference.  I haven't done anything else to try to correct this
yet.  I don't use logging programs very often, but it is somewhat
annoying when tuning across a quiet band.  All signals I've worked have
been well stronger than this noise, but it is just another annoying
noise source to listen to (or try to filter out or ignore).  I did
resolve some discreet noises by getting rid of my CRT monitor and
upgrading to a nice LCD monitor.  Obviously that didn't help the RS232
problem though.

Mark, NK8Q
K2 4786

Alan Ibbetson wrote:

> My newer laptop does not have a serial port and doesn't run DOS so I
> got a MicroHAM CW Keyer. It works fine with my FT1000MP Mk5, but with
> my K2/100 I get significant noise (like, S5 on the meter) on all bands
> whenever the MicroHAM is polling the K2 RS232 for VFO/Mode data.
>
> Has anyone else seen this problem? MicroHAM support says it's a known
> problem with the K2 (?) and suggested asking on this list whether
> there are any known fixes.


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[Simon (HB9DRV)]

A common problem with this sort of device, not just with the K2. Use ferrite
rings on the cable between the MicroHAM and the radio, this should eliminate
the noise.

Simon Brown
---
http://blog.hb9drv.ch/

----- Original Message -----
From: "Alan Ibbetson" <[hidden email]>


> My newer laptop does not have a serial port and doesn't run DOS so I got a
> MicroHAM CW Keyer. It works fine with my FT1000MP Mk5, but with my K2/100
> I get significant noise (like, S5 on the meter) on all bands whenever the
> MicroHAM is polling the K2 RS232 for VFO/Mode data.
>
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[Alan Ibbetson]

Thanks everyone for all the replies about my RS232 polling noise. It
turned out to be cable routing. I rerouted the ribbon, the speaker, and
the RF interconnect between the KPA100 and the K2 boards. By moving
these cables away from the IF area and the DB9 rear panel socket I have
completely removed all the PC polling noise.

Regards,

Alan

In message <$$[hidden email]>, Alan Ibbetson
<[hidden email]> writes
>My newer laptop does not have a serial port and doesn't run DOS so I
>got a MicroHAM CW Keyer. It works fine with my FT1000MP Mk5, but with
>my K2/100 I get significant noise (like, S5 on the meter) on all bands
>whenever the MicroHAM is polling the K2 RS232 for VFO/Mode data.
>
>Has anyone else seen this problem? MicroHAM support says it's a known
>problem with the K2 (?) and suggested asking on this list whether there
>are any known fixes.

--

Cheers,

Alan G3XAQ
[hidden email]

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