[Ham-Computers] Serial Line Voltages?

[kd4e]

Any serious technical guys on the list?

The VK5JST Aerial Analyzer is a neat antenna tool created
by Hams and is available to Ham updates via computer.

It uses a chi whose features are described here:
http://ww1.microchip.com/downloads/en/DeviceDoc/41287D.pdf

A reported problem with laptops is insuffcient line
voltage on the serial port for certain features of the
programming process.

Is it possible to supplement that voltage somehow?

Or is it possible to toggle-on the external "high voltage"
(10v min - 12v max) as-needed?

Page 21 Note 1 Says that applying "VIHH" at any time
to the MCLR/VPP pin will activate the High Voltage mode.

The device does not appear to use more than 4.5-5.5vdc
for normal operation, only for those ops -- but it may
be sag on that line in laptops that causes trouble.
Is there any chance that a USB 2.0 to Serial adapter
would work well with this?

I have observed that a pcmcia-usb 2.0 adapter comes with
an external power supply to connect to the middle of the
card for when there is a heavy USB load (like an external
HDD or even a multi-card reader).  I also recall that many
of the USB 2.0 port multipliers include an ac-dc adapter.

This makes for an interesting adventure ...

 > It is probably best if you read the Microchip Programming 
specs for the
 > 16F886.These can be found at
 >  and you then
 > have the whole picture :-) But I repeat again that in my 
experience low
 > voltage programming of Pic chips from some laptops is not 
that great.:-(
 >

-- 

.Thanks! & 73, doc, KD4E
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