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VGA Cables (mate to K3-ACC Jack)

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Edward R Cole

VGA Cables (mate to K3-ACC Jack)

I'm wondering if there is any interest from K3 owners for obtaining
15-pin VGA cables which directly mate to the K3 ACC jack? I have 40
NEW six-foot commercially-made cables with molded VGA-male connectors
on each end. If there is enough interest we would offer them thru
e-bay in single quantities. I'm not going to quote a price unless
there is interest in them.

73, Ed - KL7UW, WD2XSH/45
======================================
BP40IQ 500 KHz - 10-GHz www.kl7uw.com
EME: 50-1.1kw?, 144-1.4kw, 432-100w, 1296-60w, 3400-?
DUBUS Magazine USA Rep [hidden email]
======================================

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Cady, Fred

Re: VGA Cables (mate to K3-ACC Jack)

I'd be up for one, Ed.
Thanks,
Fred, KE7X

-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email]
[mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Edward R. Cole
Sent: Tuesday, August 09, 2011 11:37 PM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: [Elecraft] VGA Cables (mate to K3-ACC Jack)

I'm wondering if there is any interest from K3 owners for obtaining
15-pin VGA cables which directly mate to the K3 ACC jack? I have 40 NEW
six-foot commercially-made cables with molded VGA-male connectors on
each end. If there is enough interest we would offer them thru e-bay in
single quantities. I'm not going to quote a price unless there is
interest in them.

73, Ed - KL7UW, WD2XSH/45
======================================
BP40IQ 500 KHz - 10-GHz www.kl7uw.com
EME: 50-1.1kw?, 144-1.4kw, 432-100w, 1296-60w, 3400-?
DUBUS Magazine USA Rep [hidden email]
======================================

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Don Wilhelm-4

Re: VGA Cables (mate to K3-ACC Jack)

In reply to this post by Edward R Cole

Ed,

If those are VGA cables, all the conductors may not be independent. A
standard VGA cable connects several pins together.
For use with the K3, all pins must be independent.
I bring this up only because you referred to them as VGA cables.

73
Don W3FPR

On 8/10/2011 1:37 AM, Edward R. Cole wrote:

> I'm wondering if there is any interest from K3 owners for obtaining
> 15-pin VGA cables which directly mate to the K3 ACC jack? I have 40
> NEW six-foot commercially-made cables with molded VGA-male connectors
> on each end. If there is enough interest we would offer them thru
> e-bay in single quantities. I'm not going to quote a price unless
> there is interest in them.
>
>
> 73, Ed - KL7UW, WD2XSH/45
> ======================================
> BP40IQ 500 KHz - 10-GHz www.kl7uw.com
> EME: 50-1.1kw?, 144-1.4kw, 432-100w, 1296-60w, 3400-?
> DUBUS Magazine USA Rep [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
>

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Ed Muns, W0YK

Re: VGA Cables (mate to K3-ACC Jack)

In reply to this post by Edward R Cole

This cable could be wired to a break-out box with individual connectors,
e.g., RCA Phono jacks, for each pin on the ACC connector. Some users find
it convenient to then connect to the signals of interest without having to
construct a custom cable each time a new ACC signal is desired.

Another approach is to make single-purpose 15-pin ACC cables and then use
15-pin Y-adapters to interconnect two or more cables to the K3 ACC jack. I
have FSK/PTT and band decoder cables as well as the PR6 control
cable that are used individually or in groups depending on the particular
configuration needed. Constructing single-purpose ACC cables is relatively
easy because only one or two (sometimes three) wires need to be soldered to
the 15-pin connector. Mouser and DigiKey have the 15-pin connectors, hoods
and cable.

As Don, W3FPR, cautioned, be sure any commercial VGA cables or adapters have
all 15 pins wires straight through and not interconnected to each other or
ground. One 15-pin Y-adapter that meets this requirement is branded Philco
Electronics and readily available from various parts suppliers.

Ed - W0YK

Ed - KL7UW, asked:
> I'm wondering if there is any interest from K3 owners for
> obtaining 15-pin VGA cables which directly mate to the K3 ACC
> jack? I have 40 NEW six-foot commercially-made cables with
> molded VGA-male connectors on each end. If there is enough
> interest we would offer them thru e-bay in single quantities.
> I'm not going to quote a price unless there is interest in them.

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Richard Squire - HB9ANM

Re: VGA Cables

It is clearly stated in the manual (as mentioned several times on the Reflector) that commercial VGA cables are NOT suitable for use with the KPA500 as some wires are grounded and/or connected together.
The KPA500 will work with ANY radio providing PTT to ground. No cable required, except PTT!

I do have the special cable between the K3 and the KPA500 but I also tried removing it and connecting the PTT cable only. Since the frequency sensor in the KPA500 supersedes any other band switching means (RTM!), there is no need, really, for a special cable when using non-Elecraft rigs. And the sensor does work, instantly and with only a fraction of a watt drive - even with the KPA500 in standby!

I've just ordered another KPA500 for a friend (an Icom user), that's why I tried this out.
So if you have anything else than a K3, don't worry, go PTT. The sensor will take care of the band switching just in case you forget.

73 and have fun with the KPA500
Richard

Richard - HB9ANM

Dick Dievendorff

Re: VGA Cables

There is at least one advantage to using the accessory cable between K3 and
KPA500. The K3 can sense when the amplifier is enabled, and adjust its
output power to preset levels accordingly.
I can set the K3 to transmit with 100 watts when the amplifier is in
standby, and the 30 watts when the amplifier is in "operate", without
constantly changing the K3 power.

I had a few "oops" moments with earlier transceiver/amplifier combinations
when I forgot to adjust the exciter output. I don't use an amplifier all the
time.

Dick, K6KR

-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email]
[mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Richard Squire -
HB9ANM
Sent: Wednesday, August 10, 2011 7:33 AM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] VGA Cables

It is clearly stated in the manual (as mentioned several times on the
Reflector) that commercial VGA cables are NOT suitable for use with the
KPA500 as some wires are grounded and/or connected together.
The KPA500 will work with ANY radio providing PTT to ground. No cable
required, except PTT!

I do have the special cable between the K3 and the KPA500 but I also tried
removing it and connecting the PTT cable only. Since the frequency sensor in
the KPA500 supersedes any other band switching means (RTM!), there is no
need, really, for a special cable when using non-Elecraft rigs. And the
sensor does work, instantly and with only a fraction of a watt drive - even
with the KPA500 in standby!

I've just ordered another KPA500 for a friend (an Icom user), that's why I
tried this out.
So if you have anything else than a K3, don't worry, go PTT. The sensor will
take care of the band switching just in case you forget.

73 and have fun with the KPA500
Richard

-----
Richard - HB9ANM
--
View this message in context:
http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/VGA-Cables-mate-to-K3-ACC-Jack-tp667109
7p6672612.html
Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com.
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Rick Tavan N6XI

Re: VGA Cables

Another advantage of the AUX-ACC connection for some ops is the ability to change bands using the KPA500 band buttons. I don't need them myself, but some ops complained about the lack of band buttons on the small K3 panel. They aren't likely to buy a KPA for its band buttons, but if they want the amp they should finally be happy about having band buttons.

Rick N6XI

On Aug 10, 2011, at 7:41 AM, "Dick Dievendorff" <[hidden email]> wrote:

> There is at least one advantage to using the accessory cable between K3 and
> KPA500. The K3 can sense when the amplifier is enabled, and adjust its
> output power to preset levels accordingly.
> I can set the K3 to transmit with 100 watts when the amplifier is in
> standby, and the 30 watts when the amplifier is in "operate", without
> constantly changing the K3 power.
>
> I had a few "oops" moments with earlier transceiver/amplifier combinations
> when I forgot to adjust the exciter output. I don't use an amplifier all the
> time.
>
> Dick, K6KR
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: [hidden email]
> [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Richard Squire -
> HB9ANM
> Sent: Wednesday, August 10, 2011 7:33 AM
> To: [hidden email]
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] VGA Cables
>
> It is clearly stated in the manual (as mentioned several times on the
> Reflector) that commercial VGA cables are NOT suitable for use with the
> KPA500 as some wires are grounded and/or connected together.
> The KPA500 will work with ANY radio providing PTT to ground. No cable
> required, except PTT!
>
> I do have the special cable between the K3 and the KPA500 but I also tried
> removing it and connecting the PTT cable only. Since the frequency sensor in
> the KPA500 supersedes any other band switching means (RTM!), there is no
> need, really, for a special cable when using non-Elecraft rigs. And the
> sensor does work, instantly and with only a fraction of a watt drive - even
> with the KPA500 in standby!
>
> I've just ordered another KPA500 for a friend (an Icom user), that's why I
> tried this out.
> So if you have anything else than a K3, don't worry, go PTT. The sensor will
> take care of the band switching just in case you forget.
>
> 73 and have fun with the KPA500
> Richard
>
> -----
> Richard - HB9ANM
> --
> View this message in context:
> http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/VGA-Cables-mate-to-K3-ACC-Jack-tp667109
> 7p6672612.html
> Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com.
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
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> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
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> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>
> ______________________________________________________________
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Edward R Cole

Re: VGA Cables (mate to K3-ACC Jack)

In reply to this post by Edward R Cole

It was brought to my attention that VGA cables will not work with the
K3 due to several pins being tied together which I was not aware
of. So we will not offer them. In fact I discovered there are
plenty listed on ebay at prices we cannot compete with.

It was a good thought, but best if you make up cables specifically
for the K3 and interface to what is being connected. That is what I
have done with my K3 (so far only using pin-7 for inhibit function).

73, Ed - KL7UW
-------------------------------------------------

>Subject: Re: [Elecraft] VGA Cables (mate to K3-ACC Jack)
>From: Monty Shultes <[hidden email]>
>Date: Wed, 10 Aug 2011 07:00:24 -0400
>To: "Edward R. Cole" <[hidden email]>
>
>
>That cable will not work. Many of the pins are shorted together.
>Monty K2DLJ
>
>On Aug 10, 2011, at 1:37 AM, Edward R. Cole wrote:
>
> > I'm wondering if there is any interest from K3 owners for obtaining
> > 15-pin VGA cables which directly mate to the K3 ACC jack? I have 40
> > NEW six-foot commercially-made cables with molded VGA-male connectors
> > on each end. If there is enough interest we would offer them thru
> > e-bay in single quantities. I'm not going to quote a price unless
> > there is interest in them.
> >
> >

73, Ed - KL7UW, WD2XSH/45
======================================
BP40IQ 500 KHz - 10-GHz www.kl7uw.com
EME: 50-1.1kw?, 144-1.4kw, 432-100w, 1296-60w, 3400-?
DUBUS Magazine USA Rep [hidden email]
======================================

______________________________________________________________
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Eric Swartz - WA6HHQ

Re: VGA Cables

Administrator

In reply to this post by Dick Dievendorff

And that's why we offer the KPAK3AUX cable set, which includes:

1. The AUX cable between the K3 and KPA500 with several pins removed
(see cable description in the KPA500 manual).
2. A Y cable to allow more than one device to use the K3s AUX connector
when th eKPAK#AUX cable is in use.
3. A M-F 15 pin adapter with the PTT pin removed to allow other devices
to interrupt PTT via the regular RCA-RCA PTT path, if needed.

See:
http://www.elecraft.com/elecraft_prod_list.htm#kpa500

73, Eric WA6HHQ

---
www.elecraft.com

On 8/10/2011 7:41 AM, Dick Dievendorff wrote:

Richard Squire - HB9ANM

Re: VGA Cables

In reply to this post by Dick Dievendorff

Yes, of course there are several advantages to using the AUX cable and I also got to the habit of changing bands with the KPA500 buttons (whether in operate or standby condition) - and with the Y cable, the K3 still controls the antenna relays through the BCD-10 band decoder without a problem. Everything is done at the push of a single button and you are ready to go... Very convenient indeed. Especially when chasing ST0R on different bands!
If you have a K3, IMHO the AUX cable is a must!

Dick Dievendorff wrote

There is at least one advantage to using the accessory cable between K3 and
KPA500. The K3 can sense when the amplifier is enabled, and adjust its
output power to preset levels accordingly.
Dick, K6KR

Richard - HB9ANM

ARRL - N6MQL

Re: VGA Cables (mate to K3-ACC Jack)

In reply to this post by Edward R Cole

There are already pre-made KPA interconnect cables available on eBay for
a reduced price. Just do a search for KPA500 or K3 and you will see
it. Problem solved.

--
Michael Aretsky
N6MQL

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AB3EN

Re: VGA Cables (mate to K3-ACC Jack)

In reply to this post by Edward R Cole

Have you looked at the products at http://www.winford.com/products/brksd15hd.php they have both cables and breakout boards. Slick site.

73
Dan

Dan AB3EN

Guy, K2AV

Re: VGA Cables (mate to K3-ACC Jack)

These make a lot more sense for connectors with multiple functions
that go to different units. They are also the cat's meow for DB9 and
DB25 connectors for Microham u2R and such. 73, Guy.

On Fri, Aug 12, 2011 at 4:31 PM, AB3EN <[hidden email]> wrote:

> Have you looked at the products at
> http://www.winford.com/products/brksd15hd.php they have both cables and
> breakout boards. Slick site.
>
> 73
> Dan
>
> -----
>
> Dan AB3EN
> --
> View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/VGA-Cables-mate-to-K3-ACC-Jack-tp6671097p6681676.html
> Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com.
> ______________________________________________________________
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