[Elecraft] Possible solution for missing RS-232 port on laptops

[R. Kevin Stover]

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I can tell you that the docks we sent out to our 15,000 laptop users
(Big Bank) run on our image of XP and have no drivers. These are Dell docks.

The the dock connector is wired to an onboard RS-232 header. It isn't
USB. Most factory built computers without DB-9 serial ports on the
backplane have motherboards with RS-232 headers on the board even though
the manufacturer chose not to install one on the backplane.

On a desktop system you find the header, buy the expansion slot cover
with a DB-9 connector and hook it up. On laptops it's already hooked up
in the dock connector.

On 5/19/2011 1:37 PM, Guy Olinger K2AV wrote:
> Usually docking stations are highly proprietary.  How do you know that
> the laptop doesn't have drivers on the installed OS?  These frequently
> have Windows, etc that are highly customized for the particular
> laptop, including a docking station.
> 
> 73, Guy.


- -- 
R. Kevin Stover

ACØH
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