[Elecraft] [K3] Built in USB interface for K3
Guy Olinger K2AV
olinger at bellsouth.net
Fri May 21 09:57:33 EDT 2010
As we move forward with OS versions, Don touches on a difference, that
RS232 does not need a driver. Let it also be understood, that
Microsoft does NOT, repeat, DOES NOT supply USB device drivers, BY
DESIGN. A virtual RS232 port that appears in the hardware listing and
surfaces in a real RS232 on the other side of some converter is a USER
device. This was a flexibility wanted by the industry to sell new
gadgets, code stuff when the they (not Microsoft) wanted to, and not
have to bother with waiting for Microsoft to integrate it.
As a courtesy Microsoft distributes "certified" drivers via their
updates. But MS does not support them.
The responsibility for keeping USB device drivers functioning in spite
of operating system changes, resides with the programmers of user
software and USB devices. Whether one agrees with that division is up
for debate, but whether that's the way it is now, for good or bad, is
a fact. What is also apparent, is that the makers and programmers of
such devices are all for the new sales, but not so interested in
maintenance once the big bux have been raked in. Are you surprised?
Once a USB port device is implanted in a K3, Elecraft becomes slave to
all the OS issues, many still unresolved, especially with W7 64 bit,
and will be responsible for keeping up with all the OS changes
affecting USB to RS232. The popular ham programs are still expecting
RS232, whether real or virtual. My question is why on earth would
anyone want to stick their foot into that bear trap, and then spend
the next decade dragging that chain around.
USB is law of the jungle, with order just barely being maintained.
Drivers will get tested for the big bux, high volume stuff, and
ignored for everything else, unless there is someone like Microham,
who depends on them, who will bite, bitch, annoy, bash and
continuously robo-call a chip maker until they come up with a fix for
something in a driver that's screwing them to the wall.
That's really a swamp. You sure you really want to go with devices
embedded in the K3? At least USB/RS232 converter cords have larger
separate audiences, whose larger volume will get some testing. AND if
they finally refuse to upgrade, you can toss it and go get someone
else's version and try again. How do you do that if the device is
embedded in the K3? Just gonna trust that there's still a programmer
assigned long term in some chip company to deal with keeping up with
the OS, trust that they're gonna stay in business. Wanna pay for the
keep up with Microsoft cost embedded in anything you buy from
Elecraft?
Industrial devices are still, and remain, invested in RS232. Maybe
there's a reason?
Careful what you wish for.
73, Guy
On Fri, May 21, 2010 at 9:09 AM, Don Wilhelm <w3fpr at embarqmail.com> wrote:
> Those making a mod of that nature to a K2 (or any other radio) take on a
> new responsibility.
>
> If anyone makes such a change and subsequently sells their K3, I would
> hope that the sale would include a CD with the latest drivers for any OS
> that could possibly be used with the K3.
> Plain RS-232 does not need drivers - USB does, and those drivers are OS
> dependent and OS level dependent.
> When you are working out in the field with your laptop and your USB K3,
> internet access to download new drivers may not be available.
>
> 73,
> Don W3FPR
>
> Allan G Duncan wrote:
>> I don't wish to re-ignite the RS232 vs USB connectivity debates which have
>> regularly appeared on the reflector
>> but some K3 owners may be interested in this product recently launched by
>> FTDI.
>>
>> http://www.ftdichip.com/Documents/DataSheets/Modules/DS_DB9-USB-RS232.pdf
>>
>>
>>
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