[Elecraft] XG-3 - why RS-232

[Joe Subich, W4TV]

On 5/12/2012 9:17 AM, Pete Smith N4ZR wrote:
> I would have thought that a USB port would have advantages so far as
> space and weight, maybe even power consumption, in a battery powered
> miniature device.

Not so ... many microprocessor controllers contain one or two built-in
serial ports.  It is far cheaper to adapt those TTL (or 3.3V) ports to
RS-232 "compatible" operation (typically a single line driver) than to
install a USB UART and deal with drivers for a multitude of operating
systems.

The low power line drivers consume less power, need fewer parts (no
crystal), can be smaller than the USB UART and are likely to be more
reliable.

If you *want* USB interface to the XG-3 pick up one of the USB "scanner
programming cables" - typically USB to RS_232 compatible 3.5mm stereo
plug.  I believe Elecraft have such a cable as the KXUSB (standard for
the KX3) ... I don't know if they list it separately as a spare.

73,

    ... Joe, W4TV


On 5/12/2012 9:17 AM, Pete Smith N4ZR wrote:
> Not exactly comparable to the XG-3, perhaps.  I would have thought that
> a USB port would have advantages so far as space and weight, maybe even
> power consumption, in a battery powered miniature device.  For those
> using old computers, USB port cards for the PCI bus are absolutely dirt
> cheap.
>
> 73, Pete N4ZR
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