[Elecraft] Shack PC?

[Simon Brown (HB9DRV)]

Two suggestions:

1) USInterface.com Navigator - everything in one box and an extra COM port 
for your use - look at http://USInterface.com. I have a Navigator and can 
vouch for it.

2) MicroHAM's external interfaces - take a good look at 
http://www.microham-usa.com - I think Joe W4TV is on this list (I do get 
confused at times). I don't have any MicroHAM products simply because I 
don't have all the toys available in the market, there will be many 
satisfied MicroHAM users on this list :-)

3) Audio only - Tigertronics SignaLinkUSB.

There are some very good *powered* SUB => COM port adapters, for example one 
I have provides 4 COM ports. The key word here is *powered*, if you use a 
USB hub make sure it's full-spec and *powered* via external mains PSU.

Don't buy cheap junk on eBay!

---

Were I starting from scratch I would use external USB => Serial such as 
Navigator / MicroHAM as it really solves the cable salad problem. I actually 
took my PCI  COM port card out of my radio PC and replaced it with a 
satellite TV card as the Navigator had made it redundant.

Simon Brown, HB9DRV

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From: "Mike" <mike.fairleigh at comcast.net>

> Be careful of the need for serial ports.  Very few new laptops have them. 
> The Dell Latitudes (or at least several of them) still do.  Desktops may 
> or may not come with them, but be sure to get one with at least one empty 
> expansion slot so that you can add a serial card with at least a couple of 
> ports.