First, COM ports have not been standard on computers for a very long time. I have not had computers with COM ports since the WIN98 days. Their absence has little to do with being "run of the mill lower end of the market." The technology is obsolete, and it is beyond me why manufacturers of ham gear continue to use them.
Second, the less-expensive USB-2.0 to COM converters are often defective, in that they do not implement the whole COM protocol. I have a drawer full of that kind, from Radio Shack, MFJ and several other sources. None of these worked with my K2. One USB-2.0 to COM adapter and driver set that worked well for me on my K2 is a CableMax 4-port (e.g. 4 COM ports from one USB-2.0 snout). These are sold by several sources, and may be of interest if David's serial-card option is not available. They are small outboard boxes with 4 DB-9 male connectors and a (regular, not mini) type-B USB jack. They are somewhat more expensive than the serial card option. The drivers work with VISTA and WIN 7 (32-bit) and come on a mini-CD (users of slot-CD drives beware!) John Ragle -- W1ZI ______________________________________________________________ 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
