I'm really a complete neophyte at this sort of stuff, but isn't it mainly a matter of having the correct "drivers"? If a device isn't recognized when using a new operating system, it's usually just a matter of getting new drivers. Unfortunately, some manufacturers abandon older products, and don't provide updated drivers for new systems. Hopefully, if Elecraft did go to a USB alternative, they would still keep up with the driver requirement as new operating systems became available.
I'm sure this isn't as simple as I may have made it sound though. I'm thinking particularly of back when I bought one of Icom's PCR-1000's. It came out when we were still using Windows 95. Once 98, and later XP, came out, lots of folks had big problems running their PCR-1000's, and Icom just ignored the problem. Fortunately, some alternative software became available, which did work, and later Icom did provide newer software on their website. I think what Wayne was referring to primarily is that some folks out there are still using old computers that don't even have USB capability. I must say though, with the very low price that "netbooks" cost these days, I think it's pretty darn easy, and cheap, to upgrade. I've seen some pretty sophisticated models, albeit ones that have been replaced by a new model perhaps, for sale for under $200. Now that Windows 7 is out, a lot of older models with XP are selling for a bargain. I don't think it has ever been cheaper to step up to some really capable computing power, and still have something that you can very easily throw in a briefcase. Just about all of them have built-in WiFi, and most have good sized hard drives. The one downside is you probably won't have an optical drive included, but those are available as a USB outboard device for under $75. I use mine 90% of the time, even though I have a bigger dual core job available. Anyway, I'm enjoying the discussion, and maybe I'll learn something about the quirks of USB and serial adapters as this continues. Computers and ham radio are so very closely linked together these days, and I only see that getting more so. Maybe there are other good reasons for avoiding direct USB interface capability, but I'm of the opinion that needing to spend a couple hundred bucks to upgrade a computer system isn't that good a reason--not when we spend that much, and a lot more, on all sorts of accessories that may not have as much impact on overall operating capability. I say it's time to retire those old Windows 95 and 98 machines to the same place we put our rotary dial telephones! Dave W7AQK ----- Original Message ----- From: "Julian, G4ILO" <julian.g4...@gmail.com> To: <elecraft@mailman.qth.net> Sent: Saturday, November 21, 2009 3:38 AM Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KUSB Adaptor > > > > Phil Hystad wrote: >> >> So, I am putting my vote in on a future option to integrate a built-in >> USB >> port instead of, or in addition to, the serial port. I understand that >> there are still quite a few ham operators that operate with "yesterday's" >> computer technology and may not even have USB capability. I am on the >> other side, I have no serial port capability on any of my computers (all >> Apple mac and one Windows 7 laptop). >> >> > No, no please no! USB is an abomination. And making the K3 a USB device > would tie the K3 into whatever operating system supported the drivers and > build in obsolescence when Microsoft makes a new version of Windows that > once again doesn't support old drivers. Ever thrown away a perfectly good > printer or scanner because it no longer worked under XP or Vista? I would > not want to take that risk with a radio, which typically has a much longer > life than computer peripherals. > > The suggestion to use Ethernet is better. But Ethernet is probably even > noisier than USB. I have to downgrade my shack computer to run at 10Mb/s > because at 100Mb/s the Ethernet adapter radiates several loud and annoying > signals. > > Even in 50 years time people will still be using RS232 interfaces and > there > will be adapters to connect them to whatever kind of interface the > computers > of the day are using. > > ----- > Julian, G4ILO. K2 #392 K3 #222. > * G4ILO's Shack - http://www.g4ilo.com > * KComm - http://www.g4ilo.com/kcomm.html > * KTune - http://www.g4ilo.com/ktune.html > > -- > View this message in context: > http://n2.nabble.com/KUSB-Adaptor-tp4038971p4042218.html > Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com. > ______________________________________________________________ > 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
