[Elecraft] USB/Serial Question

[Jack Brindle]

I would answer that with a pair of questions. What kind of iMac is it,  
and OS are you running?

The Elecraft USB serial adapter uses the Prolific chip set. This  
manufacturer has not updated the driver for this chip set to run under  
Mac OS X 10.6 with the 64 bit kernel enabled. So, if you are running  
an Intel-based Mac with Snow Leopard, you may not want the Elecraft  
device.

I use FTDI-based USB-Serial adapters from FTDI themselves. They are  
available from Mouser Electronics for $18.50 each. The current FTDI  
drivers are known good under all versions of Mac OS X, with both 32  
and 64-bit kernels enabled. If anyone is interested, the Mouser part  
number is 895-UC232R-10.

Now, having said this, there are many users who have been happy with  
the Elecraft adapter with the Mac using older versions of Mac OS X.

No matter which USB serial adapter you get, though, be ready to update  
the driver directly from the chip provider. Every new version of an OS  
sees changes, and USB is an area that is prominent for change. That  
almost always requires new drivers...

Jack Brindle, W6FB


On Mar 10, 2010, at 2:33 PM, Charles Teeter wrote:

> Hello:
>
> My computer is an iMac, so I’m wondering if a serial/USB cable from  
> BestBuy,
> WalMart, or wherever will work, or if I should spend the extra money  
> and buy
> the one from Elecraft?  I’m hoping down the road to use the Mac also  
> for
> logging and possibly even controlling the K3. I haven’t ordered the  
> K3 yet
> because I want to do only one order.  I’ve read most of the current  
> threat
> on USB, but I still wanted to ask this specific question.  Thanks.
>
> 73,
>
> Chuck KE9CE
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