USB to Serial adapter for KIO2

[Paul Huff-4]

I am adding a KIO2 to my Elecraft K2 and will of course build the required interface cable per the Elecraft instructions.  But my computer will require adapting the serial connection to a USB.  I have heard that some adapters work well and others do not.  I would be interested in hearing specific brand suggestions for a good adapter.

Thanks and 73,

Paul - N8XMS
NAQCC President
NAQCC #0675
http://www.naqcc.info/ <http://www.naqcc.info/>


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[Don Wilhelm]

Paul,

The FTDI adapters seem to work well.  You can get one from Elecraft.
Be certain that you do use the K2 to PC cable.  If you get a USB to
serial adapter that has a long tail, you may want to shorten the K2 to
PC cable, but it must be present to avoid damaging the K2 or the serial
port.  Do not plug a serial port (or adapter) into the KIO2 directly.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 3/30/2017 9:43 AM, Paul Huff wrote:
> I am adding a KIO2 to my Elecraft K2 and will of course build the required interface cable per the Elecraft instructions.  But my computer will require adapting the serial connection to a USB.  I have heard that some adapters work well and others do not.  I would be interested in hearing specific brand suggestions for a good adapter.
>
> Thanks and 73,
>
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[k6dgw]

Paul:  There seem to be two distinct USB-serial chipsets, FTDI and
Prolific.  Others [like Keyspan] appear to use the Prolific [most of the
time].  Three older Prolific models are not supported in Windows 10 and
will give "Error 10" when plugged in.  Prolific has also had problems
with counterfeit chipsets from "you know where."  Many of these do not
implement the entire standard and people have had problems with them and
drivers, beyond the Win 10 issue.

You can purchase a guaranteed FTDI adapter cable from Elecraft, I just
did and it works fine.  You can also find them on Amazon, however I
decided against those since their provenance is not really clear.

BEWARE:  The DE-9 on the back of the K2 is *NOT* a regular RS-232 serial
port.  Three of the pins [RXD, TXD, GND] conform to RS-232 standards,
the remainder are internal K2 signals for the 100W ATU.  Elecraft sells
an adapter cable that passes just the three signals, or you can easily
make your own.  Plugging the USB-Serial adapter directly into the K2
will likely damage the radio.

73,

Fred ("Skip") K6DGW
Sparks NV USA
Washoe County DM09dn



On 3/30/2017 6:43 AM, Paul Huff wrote:

> I am adding a KIO2 to my Elecraft K2 and will of course build the required interface cable per the Elecraft instructions.  But my computer will require adapting the serial connection to a USB.  I have heard that some adapters work well and others do not.  I would be interested in hearing specific brand suggestions for a good adapter.
>
> Thanks and 73,
>
> Paul - N8XMS
> NAQCC President
> NAQCC #0675
> http://www.naqcc.info/ <http://www.naqcc.info/>
>
>
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[Elecraft mailing list]

Instead of a KIO2 I am installing a DB9-USB-D5-F
USB straight to the K2

     

   
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[Don Wilhelm]

Harry,

OK in broad concept - EXCEPT, things get bogged down in the details:
You will have some problems to solve if using that device.

First of all, the K2 MCU RX and TX signals need to be TTL (0 to 5V)
instead of RS-232 and the polarity must be inverted - so you will need
some more logic circuits to make it work.

2nd, the KIO2 provides internal K2 signals needed for Elecraft
accessories like the KAT100, KRC2, XVseries Transverters.  If you ever
want to add any of those accessories, you will be back "where you started".

3rd, if you ever add the KPA100, you will have to give up all your work.
Although that device will mount on the KPA100 board, the levels and
polarity are not right AND it contains ALL the RS-232 signal lines, not
just TXD and RXD and Signal Ground.  You would have to make extensive
modifications to the KPA100 board to make it work - and you still do not
have the internal K2 signal lines to support the external Elecraft
accessory boxes.

Simple "solutions" are often complex.  It is easier to use an external
USB to serial adapter IMHO.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 3/30/2017 3:43 PM, Harry Yingst wrote:
>
> Instead of a KIO2 I am installing a DB9-USB-D5-F
>
> USB straight to the K2
>
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>

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[Elecraft mailing list]

For my use it fits my needs better as I do not plan to use Elecrafts Transverters nor their 100 watt amp remotely.
So it becomes a simpler solution.



      From: Don Wilhelm <[hidden email]>
 To: Harry Yingst <[hidden email]>; Elecraft Email List <[hidden email]>
 Sent: Thursday, March 30, 2017 4:30 PM
 Subject: Re: [Elecraft] USB to Serial adapter for KIO2
   
Harry,

OK in broad concept - EXCEPT, things get bogged down in the details:
You will have some problems to solve if using that device.

First of all, the K2 MCU RX and TX signals need to be TTL (0 to 5V)
instead of RS-232 and the polarity must be inverted - so you will need
some more logic circuits to make it work.

2nd, the KIO2 provides internal K2 signals needed for Elecraft
accessories like the KAT100, KRC2, XVseries Transverters.  If you ever
want to add any of those accessories, you will be back "where you started".

3rd, if you ever add the KPA100, you will have to give up all your work.
Although that device will mount on the KPA100 board, the levels and
polarity are not right AND it contains ALL the RS-232 signal lines, not
just TXD and RXD and Signal Ground.  You would have to make extensive
modifications to the KPA100 board to make it work - and you still do not
have the internal K2 signal lines to support the external Elecraft
accessory boxes.

Simple "solutions" are often complex.  It is easier to use an external
USB to serial adapter IMHO.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 3/30/2017 3:43 PM, Harry Yingst wrote:
>
> Instead of a KIO2 I am installing a DB9-USB-D5-F
>
> USB straight to the K2
>
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>



   
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[Elecraft mailing list]

The DB9-USB-D5-F cost about $15, so for about the price of a USB to RS-232 Cable you can put the USB interface right n the K2.
If you decide in the future you want to go a different route you simply remove it and get the KIO2 from Elecraft.







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[k6dgw]

OK Harry, as you wish, but just DO NOT plug a USB-Serial adapter cable
into the DE-9 connector on the back of the K2 ... unless you strive to
have Don repair it for you afterward. The connector on the back of your
K2 is *NOT* an RS-232 serial port.  It does have 2 standard RS-232 wires
in it [3 if you count signal ground], but all the other pins are
internal signals at TTL levels and will not tolerate RS-232 signal
levels which can range up to +/-12V.

73,

Fred ("Skip") K6DGW
Sparks NV USA
Washoe County DM09dn

On 3/30/2017 2:20 PM, Harry Yingst via Elecraft wrote:

> For my use it fits my needs better as I do not plan to use Elecrafts Transverters nor their 100 watt amp remotely.
> So it becomes a simpler solution.
>
>
>
>        From: Don Wilhelm <[hidden email]>
>   To: Harry Yingst <[hidden email]>; Elecraft Email List <[hidden email]>
>   Sent: Thursday, March 30, 2017 4:30 PM
>   Subject: Re: [Elecraft] USB to Serial adapter for KIO2
>    
> Harry,
>
> OK in broad concept - EXCEPT, things get bogged down in the details:
> You will have some problems to solve if using that device.
>
> First of all, the K2 MCU RX and TX signals need to be TTL (0 to 5V)
> instead of RS-232 and the polarity must be inverted - so you will need
> some more logic circuits to make it work.
>
> 2nd, the KIO2 provides internal K2 signals needed for Elecraft
> accessories like the KAT100, KRC2, XVseries Transverters.  If you ever
> want to add any of those accessories, you will be back "where you started".
>
> 3rd, if you ever add the KPA100, you will have to give up all your work.
> Although that device will mount on the KPA100 board, the levels and
> polarity are not right AND it contains ALL the RS-232 signal lines, not
> just TXD and RXD and Signal Ground.  You would have to make extensive
> modifications to the KPA100 board to make it work - and you still do not
> have the internal K2 signal lines to support the external Elecraft
> accessory boxes.
>
> Simple "solutions" are often complex.  It is easier to use an external
> USB to serial adapter IMHO.
>
> 73,
> Don W3FPR
>
>

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[Elecraft mailing list]

As there seems to be some confusion on your part I would suggest that downloadand Read The Data Sheet for the "DB9-USB family of USB to UART Converters"
Available Here :  http://www.mouser.com/ds/2/163/DS_DB9-USB-15654.pdf
You will then understand what it is and how it functions.









      From: Fred Jensen <[hidden email]>
 To: [hidden email]
 Sent: Thursday, March 30, 2017 8:02 PM
 Subject: Re: [Elecraft] USB to Serial adapter for KIO2
   
OK Harry, as you wish, but just DO NOT plug a USB-Serial adapter cable
into the DE-9 connector on the back of the K2 ... unless you strive to
have Don repair it for you afterward. The connector on the back of your
K2 is *NOT* an RS-232 serial port.  It does have 2 standard RS-232 wires
in it [3 if you count signal ground], but all the other pins are
internal signals at TTL levels and will not tolerate RS-232 signal
levels which can range up to +/-12V.

73,

Fred ("Skip") K6DGW
Sparks NV USA
Washoe County DM09dn

   
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[Elecraft mailing list]

Sabrent USB 2.0 to Serial (9-Pin) DB-9 RS-232 Adapter Cable 6ft Cable [FTDI Chipset] (CB-FTDI)
Available on amazon for about 14 dollars 
They work well




   


-------- Original message --------
From: Paul Huff <[hidden email]>
Date: 2017-03-30  9:43 AM  (GMT-05:00)
To: Elecraft Email List <[hidden email]>
Subject: [Elecraft] USB to Serial adapter for KIO2

I am adding a KIO2 to my Elecraft K2 and will of course build the required interface cable per the Elecraft instructions.  But my computer will require adapting the serial connection to a USB.  I have heard that some adapters work well and others do not.  I would be interested in hearing specific brand suggestions for a good adapter.

Thanks and 73,

Paul - N8XMS
NAQCC President
NAQCC #0675
http://www.naqcc.info/ <http://www.naqcc.info/>


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