[Elecraft] How 'bout a USB interface?

[John Clifford]

There are two major themes in this 'discussion'....

Those who question the utility of USB over RS-232 offer up the 'dongle'
approach.  Sure... if the only reason for USB support is because you don't
have enough serial ports on your computer.

I started this thread because I believe that USB offers some real advantages
over RS-232.  In order to utilize those advantages, we are going to have to
change the paradigm of 'rig control' to something beyond what it is now.

We all know that some rigs excel in certain areas, while others show
different strengths.  The Holy Grail of rig control programs (the One True
Program or OTP) would allow the user to use the transmitter from one rig,
and the receiver from one (or more) other(s).  Perhaps different
transmitters could be used depending upon mode.  How about a PSK program
being able to simultaneously monitor QSOs on several different bands... and
being able to conduct simultaneous QSOs on several different bands?  These
are just some of the things that USB could facilitate.  Sure... a good
programmer can make anything do anything... but why fight RS-232 when you
can switch to USB?

The stepping stone would be to define a meta-control language, provide
USB/RS-232 interfaces with onboard firmware (or allow for downloading of
rig-specific drivers) to translate the meta-language into rig specific
variants, and then create the USB/rig support class(es) for the various
popular OSes.  Eventually, when the rig manufacturers see the light (and
support USB and the meta-language directly) the stepping stones go away.

 - jgc

John Clifford KD7KGX

Heathkit HW-9 WARC/HFT-9/HM-9
Elecraft K2 #1678 /KSB2/KIO2/KBT2/KAT2/KNB2/KAF2/KPA100
Ten-Tec Omni VI/Opt1

email: kd7kgx@arrl.net