Fw: [PCR-1000] Loop Antennas and other Applications

Thu, 13 Nov 2003 17:06:55 -0500

Sorry, fellas, I've had some e-mail problems of late and thanks to a kind
benefactor, am back in action.  This message was sent out a few days ago,
bounced, then sent to Skip and Ken individually.  With the continuing
discussion about USB Converters, particularly the Belkins unit(s), I felt
the comments were appropriate for all and am resending to the group.  BTW,
the converter that I found to be wonderful is packaged/sold by MANHATTAN and
is part number 205146.  Thirty-five bucks and a lifetime warranty!  Enjoy.
Vic

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Vic Culver" <[email protected]>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, November 11, 2003 6:07 PM
Subject: Re: [PCR-1000] Loop Antennas and other Applications

 Skip, Ken, and all -- I was having a TERRIBLE time with a Belkins USB to
 Serial adapter and after consultations with the various technical support
 folks was told that the problem was with WIN 2000 PRO -- the service pak
 updates or something made the OS unable to deal with "virtual ports!"
Maybe
 so..... but I trashed the darned Belkins thing and bought a very cheap,
very
 generic USB to Serial adaptor and it worked like a champ with my Toshiba
 laptop, etc. etc. using TalkPCR -- my choice among all the software
programs
 available for this particular application.

 The reason for this post:  I was about to try a PC Card serial connection
 when I spotted this adapter that DID work.  I didn't know there was such a
 thing, and so I didn't think about putting the PCMCIA card serial port into
 the computer.  I found the USB to serial adaptor that did work whilst
 shopping for the PC Card serial card that I decided to try after a brain
 flash!  Has anyone who has had trouble with USB to Serial adapters (and
from
 what I hear, there are MANY of us) tried the PC Card route?  What's the
 story?  Vic W4VIC

> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Skip Flem" <[email protected]>
> To: <[email protected]>
> Sent: Tuesday, November 11, 2003 4:00 PM
> Subject: Re: [PCR-1000] Loop Antennas and other Applications
>
>
> > I'm using a TV uhf loop antenna on my Icom R-3 swl/scanner/TV. I think
> it's
> > FAR superior
> > to the monopole shipped, for uhf scanning and uhf TV. (Mostly what I use
> it
> > for...)
> >   The loop antenna is attached to a 300-72 ohm transformer; and I put a
> > type F connector
> > on a short (2 inch) piece of coax with a BNC on the other end. Getting
the
> > R-3 to sit on it's bottom
> > is a little trickier, but the antenna is FAR less sensitive to position.
> >
> > As far as USB adapters, I tried to use one with an HP omnibook, for an
> > automobile application.
> > I ended up sending them both back, and getting a Toshiba with a built in
> > serial port. Something
> > about the adapter's inability to maintain certain critical timing
> > parameters. Since then, I've
> > also bought (through EBay) three Toshiba Libretto 110CTs, with port
> > adapters. They all work with TalkPCR,
> > VAG.Com. and my GPS using mapping software.
> >
> > Can you find a port 'replicator' with serial for your notebook?
> >   Good luck,
> >    Skip Flem, NT1G
> >     Hull, Massachusetts
> >
> >
> >
> > At 01:12 PM 11/11/2003 -0500, you wrote:
> >
> > >I would like to hear some comments about successes and failures when
> > >attempting to use loop (passive and active) antennas (e.g. AOR WL500,
> > >LA350, etc.)
> > >
> > >One of the uses I have in mind is where I currently have a ton of
> > >computers nearby which even jam many of the VHF/UHF stations I would
like
> > >to listen to.  I'm sure the problem woudn't be anywhere as bad if I was
> > >able to get the antenna up on the rooftop (at least VHF/UHF wise
anyway)
> > >but for HF (2-30 MHz) I'd really like to try a relatively small loop
> > >(active or otherwise).
> > >
> > >I'd also like to hear more from those successfully controlling your
> > >PCR1000 via:
> > >
> > >Palms, iPAQ, etc.
> > >
> > > From what I've heard thus far, it would seem I'll need  more of a
> > > "machine" than my HP200LX with the PROBE software to drive the
PCR1000.
> > >
> > >I'm attempting to use a Pentium Sony Picturebook, PCG-C1X (Win98, 128Mb
> > >RAM, Pentium with Intel MMX technology (whatever that buys me), 4.3Gb
> hard
> > >drive operating at 266MHz.
> > >
> > >Let me tell you....I'm using the TalkPCR software and while I've heard
> > >NOTHING but great things about it, I'm having a hard time getting
> > >going.  Right now, the only thing I can throw stones at is the USB
serial
> > >adapter (Belkin F5U409).
> > >
> > >For those of you in the States, what makes and models are you using
when
> > >it comes to such adapters?   No, I don't have a regular serial port on
> > >this little beast.
> > >
> > >Thanks.
> > >
> > >Ken
> >
> >
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