[Elecraft] suggested PC???

[Doug Person]

FTDI USB to serial adapters work on ALL platforms - without exception.  
There simply is no reason to worry about "native" RS232 interfaces.

An i7 to run a computer for a station is massive overkill.  I use an 
Intel i3 NUC (4"x4"x2") with an SSD drive and 8 gigs of ram. Everything 
runs just fine, including dual monitors.  Unless you're planning on 
running an SDR, there really isn't a lot of reason to have a lot of 
computing power for your station computer.  Logging, computer control, 
digital modes and just about everything else hardly even challenges the 
most basic computer platform today.

Only specialized computers (like point of sale) come with built-in 
RS-232 ports.  Most off-the-self boxes don't include them because they 
are, at a consumer level, obsolete.

Even if you build your own, finding a motherboard with actual serial 
ports will greatly limit your choice.

I have found the AMD FX-series processors to be an excellent value and 
use them in a basic gaming box I build for people.  (For example, AMD 
FX-6300 is a powerful 6-core processor for $100 from Amazon).

Could not find a single main-brand that comes with a serial port as 
standard.  Wouldn't worry about it.

73, Doug -- K0DXV

On 1/5/2016 12:40 PM, n6lrv at outlook.com wrote:
> Jerry,
> in contrast to some of the feedback RS-232 serial ports are
> still readily available on many brand name computers today including
> laptops, desktops, towers, and rack mount PCs. I regularly purchase and
> set up many for my employer.
>
> While many USB-to-serial converters
>   and their drivers work well (especially FTDI) I still suggest including
>   a native (built-in) serial port in your computer wish list. They are
> hardware based, generally OS independent, and do not require
> OS-compatible drivers.
>
> And if you have any confusion over USB 2.0
>   vs. 3.0, USB 3.0 is backwards compatible and should support any USB 2.0
>   device. The 3.0 compliant ports can also supply a little more DC
> current as well.
> Gary
>
>> From: jerry at molaver.org
>> To: Elecraft at mailman.qth.net
>> Date: Tue, 5 Jan 2016 17:53:14 +0000
>> Subject: [Elecraft] suggested PC???
>>
>> Now that I have had my k3s on the air for a couple of months I'm ready to interface it to a computer. I am planning on a dedicated PC just for use in the shack. My only uses (that I can think of now) are logging and control of the k3s, perhaps remotely at some point.
>>
>>
>> It seems to me an I7 processor of any speed would be adequate with a 500gb SSD and wifi capability to my LAN (I guess I could hard wire this). What else do I need in the box in the way of interconnectivity? Any need for a large amount of memory (>8gb)?
>>
>>
>> Any suggestions would be appreciated
>>
>>
>> Jerry, k1tgx
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