[Elecraft] How 'bout a USB interface?

[John Clifford]

I'm not thinking about at the computer end, I'm thinking about at the radio
end.  The computer end is a no-brainer.

Why do I want USB?

* USB doesn't run into hardware conflicts on Windows boxes (or other boxes)
* USB doesn't have gender/DTE-DCE aspects to worry about
* Most modern PCs/operating systems/PDAs support it
* USB is Plug and Play on these operating systems
* USB doesn't require the user to know what serial port he is connected to
* USB allows for daisy-chaining of multiple devices (besides radios) and
would allow
  for simpler multi-radio configurations
* USB allows multiple PCs/software to access the K2 simultaneously

For instance, it would be neat to set up a cheap PDA (used Palmpilot) to act
as a super display/control panel for the K2 while still allowing for digital
HF software (e.g, MixW) to control the K2.  Or... build a 'super display'
into the EC2 box that would feature one of the available LCD flat panels for
a super display/control.

Sure, not much ham software supports rig control via USB... yet... because
what rigs support USB?  Someone's got to be first... why not Elecraft?

 - jgc

John Clifford KD7KGX

Heathkit HW-9 WARC/HFT-9/HM-9
Elecraft K2 #1678 /KSB2/KIO2/KBT2/KAT2/KNB2/KAF2
                  ...waiting _eagerly_ for KPA2!
Ten-Tec Omni VI/Opt1

email: kd7kgx@arrl.net