You can connect just one physical RS-232 computer port to your K3; RS-232 is a "point to point" rather than a "multi-point bus" interface.
However there are "port sharing" programs available that help with this. LP-Bridge, from N8LP, is one. http://www.telepostinc.com/LPB.html There are others as well. OmniRig from VE3NEA. If you're using microHAM products, they provide a "router" that I believe also acts as port sharing program. There may be other hardware or software solutions. Essentially the port sharing program "owns" the connection to the K3, and the various "client application" programs (N1MM, etc) are configured to connect to "virtual" COM ports that are serviced by the port sharing program itself. The program arbitrates between multiple write requests and routes command responses to the requesting program. Some "port sharing" programs won't allow connection to all "client application" programs. You don't want to try to load K3 firmware, for example, through a port sharing program. A Y cable can be used if only two devices ever send. SteppIR's antenna controller "snoops" the RS-232 bus for messages carrying frequency information. But it just receives, never transmits, so the K3 and PC don't even know it's there. 73 de Dick, K6KR -----Original Message----- From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net [mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Barry Pfeil Sent: Saturday, September 15, 2012 6:43 AM To: Elecraft Reflector Subject: [Elecraft] K3 - Multiple Serial Inputs? I have been running multiple programs (K3 Utility, WSJT, N1MM, Digipan) that send PTT or other info to/from the K3 over the serial port (which I have connected via a Keyspan USB/serial adapter, if that matters). Only one program is running at any time so no problem. I'd like to be able to run some of these programs on different computers. How do I "bridge" the serial outputs? I don't believe the K3 "knows" which program it is talking to, so is it as simple as making a "Y" cable for the serial ports? Or do I need some other "active" device (and software?)? Thanks and 73, Barry K6RM ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
