[DXBase] Rig Control via USB Port

Sun, 1 Dec 2002 15:46:23 -0500

Ron,
We haven't explorered the internals of USB in too much detail, but as we
understand the USB standard, toggling leads like you can with a serial port
is not possible and the Window's drivers for USB ports do not allow it. So,
if our "limited" exploration is correct, using a USB port direct will not be
an option for communicating with things like keying CW through a
transistor/diode circuit, toggling PTT, etc.... unless somebody invents
drivers to allow lead access to a USB port. But then that opens up another
can of worms... hihi.... since the design of operating systems is becoming
more and more rigid about external control of communications ports in non
standard ways.
Time will tell.
Regards
Jack
----- Original Message -----
From: "Ron Stordahl" <[email protected]>
To: "Bill Nowicki [WA4OYH]" <[email protected]>;
<[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, December 01, 2002 3:32 PM
Subject: Re: [DXBase] Rig Control via USB Port
> Here are some prices (from Byterunner)
>> 2 port PCI serial card: 46ドル.00
> 4 port PCI serial card: 99ドル.00
> 8 port PCI serial card: 189ドル.00
>> The USB alternative:
>> 1 USB to 1 Serial: 20ドル.00
> 1 USB to 2 Serial: 38ドル.00
> 1 USB to 4 Serial: 110ドル.00
>> So, although there is no USB to 8 serial device available that I am aware
> of, the prices via the USB route are about the same as PCI cards.
>> While the Byterunner PCI cards do support DTR CW generation and Baudot
code
> generation (with DTR push to talk), I would need some evidence that the
USB
> alternative would support those very limited (to hams) applications.
>> BUT...USB is the future path of PC's. Very compact PC's are being sold
with
> no user accessible slots at all.
>> Courtny..when you say DXBase does not support a 'direct USB interface' I
am
> guessing that you are talking about support for non standard things like
> controlling individual lines (DTR for example). Won't the operating
system
> allow these converters to look like conventional COM ports for typical
> communications use? And as such wouldn't these USB to RS232 devices work
> for radio frequency control, rotor control, packet tnc, etc.
>> Ron N5IN
>>>>> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Bill Nowicki [WA4OYH]" <[email protected]>
> To: <[email protected]>
> Sent: Sunday, December 01, 2002 1:37 PM
> Subject: Re: [DXBase] Rig Control via USB Port
>>> > Courtney,
> > I must disagree with the statement that a USB to Serial HUB is a waste
of
> > computing power. I have need for more than 4 serial ports and to
purchase
> > serial port expander cards such as Rocketport is expensive and requires
> > computing power to operate. The USB to serial HUB is a less expensive
> > option. The serial interface in Windows does not seem to have a standard
> > that every manufacture or software developer will follow. My hope is
that
> > DXBase will support USB in the future and get away from the resource
> > problems that hamper standard serial ports.
> >
> > Bill WA4OYH
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: "Jack" <[email protected]>
> > To: <[email protected]>; <[email protected]>
> > Sent: Sunday, December 01, 2002 1:05 PM
> > Subject: Re: [DXBase] Rig Control via USB Port
> >
> >
> > > Tom,
> > >
> > > Use a USB to Serial hub and get multiple serial ports from one USB
port.
> > > DXbase does not support a direct USB interface. ( such a waste of
> > computer
> > > resources to do so ).
> > >
> > > Regards,
> > > Courtney
> > >
> > > ----- Original Message -----
> > > From: <[email protected]>
> > > To: <[email protected]>
> > > Sent: Sunday, December 01, 2002 12:50 PM
> > > Subject: [DXBase] Rig Control via USB Port
> > >
> > >
> > > > Is it possible to control a 756PROII via the USB ports? Thank you.
> > > >
> > > > Tom Neill K4XG
> > > >
> > > > _______________________________________________
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