[Elecraft] KUSB Adaptor

[David Y.]

I'm really a complete neophyte at this sort of stuff, but isn't it mainly a 
matter of having the correct "drivers"?  If a device isn't recognized when 
using a new operating system, it's usually just a matter of getting new 
drivers.  Unfortunately, some manufacturers abandon older products, and 
don't provide updated drivers for new systems.  Hopefully, if Elecraft did 
go to a USB alternative, they would still keep up with the driver 
requirement as new operating systems became available.

I'm sure this isn't as simple as I may have made it sound though.  I'm 
thinking particularly of back when I bought one of Icom's PCR-1000's.  It 
came out when we were still using Windows 95.  Once 98, and later XP, came 
out, lots of folks had big problems running their PCR-1000's, and Icom just 
ignored the problem.  Fortunately, some alternative software became 
available, which did work, and later Icom did provide newer software on 
their website.

I think what Wayne was referring to primarily is that some folks out there 
are still using old computers that don't even have USB capability.  I must 
say though, with the very low price that "netbooks" cost these days, I think 
it's pretty darn easy, and cheap, to upgrade.  I've seen some pretty 
sophisticated models, albeit ones that have been replaced by a new model 
perhaps, for sale for under $200.  Now that Windows 7 is out, a lot of older 
models with XP are selling for a bargain.  I don't think it has ever been 
cheaper to step up to some really capable computing power, and still have 
something that you can very easily throw in a briefcase.  Just about all of 
them have built-in WiFi, and most have good sized hard drives.  The one 
downside is you probably won't have an optical drive included, but those are 
available as a USB outboard device for under $75.  I use mine 90% of the 
time, even though I have a bigger dual core job available.

Anyway, I'm enjoying the discussion, and maybe I'll learn something about 
the quirks of USB and serial adapters as this continues.  Computers and ham 
radio are so very closely linked together these days, and I only see that 
getting more so.  Maybe there are other good reasons for avoiding direct USB 
interface capability, but I'm of the opinion that needing to spend a couple 
hundred bucks to upgrade a computer system isn't that good a reason--not 
when we spend that much, and a lot more, on all sorts of accessories that 
may not have as much impact on overall operating capability.  I say it's 
time to retire those old Windows 95 and 98 machines to the same place we put 
our rotary dial telephones!

Dave W7AQK


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Julian, G4ILO" <julian.g4ilo at gmail.com>
To: <elecraft at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Saturday, November 21, 2009 3:38 AM
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KUSB Adaptor


>
>
>
> Phil Hystad wrote:
>>
>> So, I am putting my vote in on a future option to integrate a built-in 
>> USB
>> port instead of, or in addition to, the serial port.  I understand that
>> there are still quite a few ham operators that operate with "yesterday's"
>> computer technology and may not even have USB capability.  I am on the
>> other side, I have no serial port capability on any of my computers (all
>> Apple mac and one Windows 7 laptop).
>>
>>
> No, no please no! USB is an abomination. And making the K3 a USB device
> would tie the K3 into whatever operating system supported the drivers and
> build in obsolescence when Microsoft makes a new version of Windows that
> once again doesn't support old drivers. Ever thrown away a perfectly good
> printer or scanner because it no longer worked under XP or Vista? I would
> not want to take that risk with a radio, which typically has a much longer
> life than computer peripherals.
>
> The suggestion to use Ethernet is better. But Ethernet is probably even
> noisier than USB. I have to downgrade my shack computer to run at 10Mb/s
> because at 100Mb/s the Ethernet adapter radiates several loud and annoying
> signals.
>
> Even in 50 years time people will still be using RS232 interfaces and 
> there
> will be adapters to connect them to whatever kind of interface the 
> computers
> of the day are using.
>
> -----
> Julian, G4ILO. K2 #392  K3 #222.
> * G4ILO's Shack - http://www.g4ilo.com
> * KComm - http://www.g4ilo.com/kcomm.html
> * KTune - http://www.g4ilo.com/ktune.html
>
> -- 
> View this message in context: 
> http://n2.nabble.com/KUSB-Adaptor-tp4038971p4042218.html
> Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com.
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html