[Ham-Mac] Radio interfacing

[Lew Phelps K6LMP]

	Okay, it's clear that my experience with the Keyspan adapter is  
unusual;  I had one and tried to use it to connect my Titanium 15"  
laptop to my FT-8900, and couldn't get it to work.  I bought the RT  
Systems serial adapter, and have had no problems with it.   I accept  
the testimony of others that the Keyspan adapter will work in most  
situations; it didn't (and still won't) in mine.  I recently "tried  
again" with the Keyspan adapter, and it wouldn't interface with my  
FT-8900.

Your mileage may vary, and probably will.

Lew
K6LMP

On Nov 3, 2005, at 10:29 AM, Don Agro wrote:

> Hi Lew,
>
> On 3-Nov-05, at 12:41 PM, Lew Phelps K6LMP wrote:
>
>> BTW, I have found that the widely used and generally recommended  
>> Keyspan USB-Serial adapter, although it will function for almost  
>> every other purpose, will NOT establish a good connection between  
>> the Yaesu and the Mac.  It seems not to put out data signals that  
>> are quite strong enough for Yaesu radios.
>
> I have used every type of Keyspan adapter with a Yaesu FT-817  
> (CT-62) and a number of other Yaesus without a single problem. Ever.
>
>> This fact is noted in RT Systems' FAQ.
>
> I'm pretty sure that this 'fact' is in error. The drive levels of  
> the Keyspan adapters are sufficient to drive the Yaesu's provided  
> that you are using a proper level converter on the Yaesu either the  
> CT-62 for the newer rigs or the FIF-232 for the older rigs. These  
> level converters (or a home-brew version) would be required with  
> any USB/Serial adapter to match the RS-232 or RS-422 levels with  
> the TTL levels in the radio. Some of the newer radios have the  
> level converters built in and would have a DB9 connector on the  
> back of the radio.
>
> If you are using a Keyspan twin serial adapter with RS-422 ports  
> you need to strap them properly to connect to RS-232C ports - but  
> that works too.
>
> On the other hand - you can go to microHAM and get something all in  
> one box including CW DTR/RTS switching, audio isolation  
> transformers, USB/Serial adapter, level converter and cabling - all  
> for $119.00.
>
> <http://www.microham.com/USB%20interfaces.html>
>
> Other than supporting their products in MacLoggerDX, I have no  
> connection with microHAM except to say - they make cool stuff.
>
>
> 73 Don Agro VE3VRW
>
> D o g   P a r k   S o f t w a r e   L t d .
>
> email: dagro at dogparksoftware.com
>   www: http://www.dogparksoftware.com
>     iChat AV:dogpark at mac.com
>
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