[Elecraft] Give us a network interface

[Kevin]

On Sun, 29 Aug 2010 15:38:32 -0500
"Matthew D. Fuller" <n3tzj at n3tzj.org> wrote:
 
> And what about those of us who run neither?  Problem**2.

LibHamlib won't be going anywhere soon and I doubt anybody with
anything to say about the Linux kernel will advocate dumping RS-232
support, lest they be smitten with a dead fish.


> This is the important point.  RS-232 serial is *DEAD* simple.  I'll
> bet there are people here on the list who've built stuff that does
> basic stuff over serial on a breadboard for burger-money prices.  You
> just put bits in one end, it comes out the other, aside from baud rate
> there's no configuration, and there's hardware and drivers for any
> hardware/software combo built in the last 40 years.
> 
> USB is a totally different world.  It's not just a hose you can dump
> bits into one end and out the other.  It's a whole higher level
> multi-point protocol.  Now you need much more hardware and software on
> the radio side, and additional drivers/software on the computer side.
> 
> And Ethernet is beyond that; I doubt anybody really wants a
> transceiver that works over _Ethernet_; they want one that works over
> TCP/IP (if you want it over Appletalk or IPX or DECnet, just raise
> your hand now and somebody will be around to smack you sillier
> momentarily ;).  Now you need a whole IP stack too, plus whatever
> custom protocol you write on top for the radio control.  Carambe!

Agreed. The only Ham Radio app I know of that uses TCP/IP for anything
is HRD and that is used for HRD/DM780/Sat Tracker inter-operation over
the local host interface, NOT rig control.

RS-232 is perfect for how 99% of Hams use their radios.