On Mon, 7 May 2007, Brian Lloyd wrote:
I think you mean that many no longer use RS-232 serial. I agree with you that
RS-232 no longer makes a lot of sense.
Yes, another famous TLC typo (g).
If I can't a converter to work, I'll get a card and waste a slot....
First thing to do is go to Dell and upgrade the drivers for your USB port/hub
in your computer.
The auto updates are on...the Dell Dwarfs stay up 24/7 just to update my
machine.
You also might consider using a bootable CD with Linux on it to see if their
drivers will work properly with your hardware.
You've lost me...test Linux drivers to see if there is a problem with Windows
drivers???? or with the hardware???
With the world using USB, I am amazed that people don't include a USB
interface.
If Elecraft opted for having their own USB device then they would have to
provide drivers for Windows, something I would not want to do if I were them
as it would raise their tech-support requirement. By doing what they have
done they have pushed the USB/converter/driver problem to someone else. That
makes a lot of sense to me.
But from a customer standpoint, it makes no sense whatsover. Putting it another
way....If I am faced with replacing an expensive computer system to interface
with a $2000 plus device, I would be upset at having bought the device...and if
I hadn't already purchased it, I would pass on the whole thing.
OTOH I am strongly of the opinion that USB is still too low-level and
hardware dependent. Ethernet makes a lot more sense as just about every
computer made today has ethernet and supports TCP/IP networking. It would
open up many more applications than would USB and certainly a lot more than
RS-232. Many hams have either a cable or a DSL connection to the Internet.
That implies that they have ethernet running already.
But many hams have very old computers....and so that would knock them out of the
box. From my perspective Elecraft would need to have a USB interface(Not an
adapter), and a serial interface. Your concept of Ethernet is interesting, but
could be not only a challenge to some, but an impossibility for folks with older
units.
After all, I could use my old Osborne to control the K3....the K3 would fit on
top of the luggable.
73,Thom-k3hrn
www.zerobeat.net Home of QRP Web Ring, Drakelist home page,Drake Web Ring,
QRP IRC channel, Drake IRC Channel, Elecraft Owners Database
www.tlchost.net/hosting/ *** Web Hosting as low as 3.49/month
_______________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net
You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.):
http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm
Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
