[Elecraft] How 'bout a USB interface?

[Doug Netherton]

I've enjoyed this discussion... Its good to look ahead at possibilities
!!

Two points.  Chicken and Egg scenario.  Technical Requirements.

First, the Chicken and Egg point.  Most popular ham software uses the
serial interface from computer to ham gear.  Easy to address, easy to
write an application because of the legacy of base software.  Lets not
forget all those old computers we hams use to work with our ham gear
also...  The serial interface has been around for almost forever (in
computer terms), so all the standards are in place.  So, if you want to
write an application that will get used, you use standard serial
interface.

Now look at USB.  Its an extension of serial in a way, but how does
addressing work?    Just out of curiosity, has anyone ever attached two
identical USB connected printers to one computer?  How do the supplied
drivers / windows software tell them appart??? When you attach a USB to
serial dongle, the first thing that happens is a virtual serial port
address is assigned so that your program can use it.  What addressing
scheme do you use to attach two K2's using USB connections to your
computer.  How about a  K2 and a Yaesuicomwood?  NO STANDARDS.  No
defined technical requirements as yet.  I suspect that Elecraft isn't in
the position to put R&D money into that kind of project, since the
return on their investment would be nebulous at best.  (Thats why they
picked the Kenwood command set as a base for the K2 command set, so that
they could take advantage of all the software out there written for
Kenwood.)

All that being said, you have to start somewhere if you want something.
First, you need to create requirements (e.g. unique addressing per
radio).  Then, Margret's point that you need hardware if you want to
write and test software.  Being human, we won't be satified with the
first interation, requirements will have to be refined until we think we
have it right (or we run out of inititive).  We then have to publish
application interfaces to the world in hopes that others will use it and
it becomes a standard. (Ah, new Chicken and Egg)

Doug, VE3MCF
K2 #1322