[GreenKeys] HRS312 TTY Interface

[Ralph Mowery]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Duncan M. Brown" <duncanancy at earthlink.net>
To: "Andrew Hager" <magwheels at comcast.net>
Cc: "greenkeys" <greenkeys at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Wednesday, March 18, 2009 12:15 PM
Subject: Re: [GreenKeys] HRS312 TTY Interface


> Andy,
>
> I am not familiar with the USBMOD3, but from the web page it looks more
> like a way to add USB to a computer with only a serial port.  I suppose it
> would work going the other way, but in general,  USB to serial port
> adaptors (to add a serial port to a computer with only a USB port) don't
> work to well with TTY signals.  The TTY signals are too slow!  There is an
> old Belkin model (F5U103) that may be the only USB to serial adaptor that
> will work with a TTY signal.
>
> If you can't find a Belkin F5U103, you should be able to find a "serial
> port expander" card to plug into your computer.  This gives you a real
> serial port.
>
> Another solution is to find an old computer (Windows 95 or 98) and 
> dedicate
> it to your TTY gear.  (Any old W95 or 98 computer will probably have a
> serial port.)
>
> Have fun,
>
> Duncan, K2OEQ
>

That is just about what I did a month ago.  There are some nice Dell 
computers on ebay that are old business computers that have 2 serial and a 
parallel port on them.  I payed about $ 92 for one including shipping.  I 
think it has a Pentium 1.6 processor in it and a 40 gb hard drive. Came with 
a mouse,keyboard and new speakers.  Also a Windows xp pro disc and already 
loaded and the product  key.  All you do is plug them in and hook up a 
monitor.  Good thing about Dell is the computers have a number on them where 
you can look them up and get the drivers for the vidio and such if needed. 
I found a nice Samsung flat screen on sale at Staples for $ 99, so that 
makes it less than $ 200 for  a dedicated computer to play with.  If you can 
get an old monitor you will have even less in it.

de KU4PT