[Ham-Mac] Re USB Interfaces for Ham Radio

[Michael Carter]

Hear Hear!

TCP/IP via Ethernet on ham radios is a dreamy notion! :)  I would take that
hands-down over having to write a USB driver. Of course, serial still is the
easiest and most available solution for most applications. With the many USB to
Serial adapters out there, it makes a very convenient bridge between modern Macs
and existing ham gear. They aren't cheap (yet), but they have allowed me to use my
Mac to control various ham stuff via serial. USB adapters also provide mic in and
audio out. I do miss IrDA on my original iBook...I'll just have to break down and
buy a Titanium I suppose. :)

73,
Mike, K6MEC


David Anderson wrote:

> on 4/2/02 4:06 am, John Rollins at kd7bcy@teleport.com wrote:
> > So what we really need for new Macs,
> > and new computers in general(PC's are slowly dropping "legacy"
> > support also), are USB-interfaced rigs, TNC's and everything else. If
> > a KPC-3 can run off a 9v battery, why couldn't it run from USB or
> > FireWire bus power? USB developer kits are a bit expensive for low
> > end and home built stuff, they could easily and cheaply be installed
> > in commercial rigs if the major brands decided to do it. I agree that lack of
> 'legacy' serial ports on new Macs is a problem if you want to control
> equipment from your computer.
>
> However there are serial/USB adaptors available that will work (KeySpan).
> They are overpriced for what they are I feel however.
>
> USB is limited to short distances unlike serial so this is a limitation.
>
> The other problem is that special USB driver software is required, so even
> though a Rig in the future may have a USB interface, chances are that it
> probably won't come with a Mac USB Driver. I mean we already see this with
> many consumer products and I would imagine that Ham radio would be even
> worse.
>
> I despair at the lack of real I/O available from Macs. Removing serial was
> one thing, but removing sound IN jacks and also Infrared (which was handy
> for syncing with Palm Pilots) is a real pain.
>
> What I would prefer to see is Ethernet and TCP/IP protocols on Ham Radio
> rigs
>
> 73
> --
> David Anderson, GM4JJJ         E-mail: gm4jjj@amsat.org
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--
Mike Carter
(916) 929-8897
mikec@aviate.org