[Elecraft] [K3] Built in USB interface for K3

[Phil Hystad]

> Industrial devices are still, and remain, invested in RS232.  Maybe
> there's a reason?


This is a very surprising statement.  The only RS232 interfaces I see
lingering around are from the ham radio community.  So, do you mean
the ham radio "industry"?

And, I know that I have lived in the Apple Mac world for a long time but I
am finding it hard to understand why USB requires custom device drivers
on Windows.  I know that I do not need that on my Mac computer.  The
only time I have ever needed to install a custom driver for USB is because
of the ham radio RS232 interface needs.


On May 21, 2010, at 6:57 AM, Guy Olinger K2AV wrote:

> 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
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> 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
>> 
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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