[Elecraft] USB to Serial Issues

[Wes Stewart]

I have had zero trouble with a Quatech SS-USB-100 USB-to-serial in any application.  That said, I'm using an Edgeport USB to four serial port adapter now on my Lenovo T400 (WIN-XP Pro) laptop.

I have updated the FW in my K3 dozens of times with this setup. And I use LP-Pan or VSPE to run my SDR-IQ, N1MM, MMTTY and the K3 at the same time on one port and another logging program on my TS-870 with another port.

Another option to consider with some laptops is a docking station.  Some have legacy parallel ports, serial ports and additional USB ports. I would use the one for the Lenovo, but the security lock on the thing takes too much room.

I have used docking stations on older Toshiba Tecras, in fact I still have an old 386 that I use with my N2PK network analyzer.

Wes Stewart  N7WS

--- On Fri, 11/19/10, David Yarnes <w7aqk at cox.net> wrote:

> From: David Yarnes <w7aqk at cox.net>
> Subject: [Elecraft] USB to Serial Issues
> To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net
> Date: Friday, November 19, 2010, 7:24 PM
> I've noticed a number of post
> (hundreds maybe?) about folks having one 
> problem or the other with serial to USB converters. 
> I've had good luck with 
> mine, a Belkin, but others have complained often about
> Belkin, and other 
> types as well.  I think the main problem is the
> computer itself, but that's 
> a pure guess.
> 
> In any event, for this and other reasons, I started keeping
> an eye open for 
> a laptop with a serial port.  It's not that I was
> having problems, but I 
> couldn't help holding my breath every time I did an update
> to my K3. 
> Actually, on one or two laptops I have had, there was a
> problem.
> 
> Anyway, recently I spotted a "deal" on Buy.com for a Dell
> laptop 
> (refurbished) which actually did have a serial port. 
> To be honest with you, 
> I haven't seen a laptop with a serial port for eons! 
> This is a Dell D630, 
> and it was less than $300 as refurbished.  I've had
> good luck with 
> refurbished products, so I decided to give it a try.
> 
> It arrived today, and I had waited to update my K3 to the
> latest beta 
> pending its arrival.  It went like clockwork. 
> Everything else seems to be 
> working just fine as well.
> 
> Point is, if you are really getting frustrated with
> USB/Serial converters, 
> maybe this is something you might consider as well. 
> I'm dedicating this 
> laptop to my operating position.  The serial port will
> be better anyway, for 
> things like updating firmware, rig control, etc.  Not
> a lot of glitz on this 
> computer (no webcam, and a smaller hard drive), but it
> certainly seems to be 
> a good choice for just dedicating it to ham radio
> operation.  It does have a 
> dual core processor, so it's not slow.
> 
> I have been using a netbook (my XYL usurped my other bigger
> laptop), which I 
> still like very much for travel, etc., but this really
> seems  like a better 
> arrangement--not sure why I took so long to come to that
> conclusion.  The 
> other thing I'm noticing, is that this computer is a bunch
> more stable.  I 
> think netbooks are just underpowered processor wise. 
> They are great for 
> "the road", but that's about all.  So, while I have
> been able to update my 
> K3 with a netbook and USB converter, I think this will be a
> lot more 
> dependable overall.
> 
> Bottom line is this--if you are having problems doing your
> ham apps, it 
> might be your compter is too old, or underpowered. 
> Finding a laptop with a 
> serial port isn't all that easy, but they are out
> there--much to my 
> surprise.  Hopefully I didn't buy a problem, but I
> think it will work fine. 
> If either of those problems are what you are experiencing,
> check out the 
> "bargain basement" on these websites from prominent
> dealers.  A refurbished 
> product usually has undergone a good bit of individual
> examination, so I 
> feel fairly confident that it will perform.  If the
> basic product was junk, 
> then I'm toast!  But I suspect it will turn out
> reasonably well.  At least 
> it has so far with my experience in such products.
> 
> Dave W7AQK
>