[Elecraft] Announcing the new Serial Box USB with built-in FTDI USB-to-Serial adapter

[Clay Autery]

Yup!  You just moved the S-Box up the list of priorities to buy by a 
large number of spots with this move!  :)

73,

______________________
Clay Autery, KY5G
(318) 518-1389

On 10-Aug-18 22:26, Bob Wilson, N6TV wrote:
> "The Serial Box" (S-BOX) is intended to be the "Swiss Army Knife" of
> interface boxes, with many possible configurations and uses, for both
> Elecraft and non-Elecraft gear alike.
>
> The S-BOX is now available in a new model, the Serial Box USB (S-BOX-USB),
> which has a genuine FTDI USB-to-Serial adapter built in, providing a single
> virtual serial port.
>
> See https://bit.ly/S-BOX for new photos, details, and pricing.  A
> compatible USB cable is included with every new S-BOX-USB ordered.
>
> The original S-BOX remains in production and may be ordered instead, if you
> already have an FTDI USB-to-Serial adapter, or enough real serial ports
> available for rig control and keying.
>
> To review, both models eliminate serial Y-cable confusion and complexity.
> They make it particularly easy to connect any modern transceiver to *both* your
> computer *and* an Elecraft / SPE  / ACOM amplifier *and* a SteppIR
> controller / KRC2 / ShackMaster SM-8, all at the same time, with automatic
> band changes for all connected devices, and no serial port "collisions."
>
> Both the S-BOX and S-BOX-USB can be used to connect a PC or MAC to the KX2,
> KX3, K3, or K3S.  They also can be used to connect the KPA500 and KPA1500
> to a KX2, KX3, and most non-Elecraft transceivers, with automatic band
> switching.  KUSB, KXSER, KXUSB, or KX2ACBL?  Not really needed if you have
> an S-BOX.  Economical phono and standard serial cables can do it all, no
> soldering required.
>
> The four open-collector keying circuits inside the S-BOX provide
> computer-generated CW, FSK, and PTT keying to one or two transceivers, with
> good timing, even when using a USB connection (if FTDI, not Prolific).
> This works with any transceiver, including the KX2 and KX3, which do not
> provide internal CW keying circuits like the K3 and K3S.
>
> Finally, RemoteHams software users are finding it especially convenient to
> use the S-BOX to remotely power up a K3 and amplifier, using the "Use RTS
> as Power" feature built-in to the RemoteHams RCForb
> <http://download.remotehams.com/> software -- RemoteRig hardware is *not*
>   required.
>
> For the latest eHam.net reviews of the S-BOX, see:
>
> https://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/13971
>
> Thanks for your support.
>
> 73,
> Bob, N6TV