I would recommend a third party USB serial adaptor. The one I use with my Vista notebook for programming my ID-800 is the Keyspan. Icom has a serial cable available with the mini plug on one end for the radio and a DB-9 connector for the adaptor end. Install the Keyspan driver that comes in the adaptor package. If you are using a Vista machine, the Keyspan website has a compatible driver for that OS you can download.
The next step would be to install the cloning software from Icom. You should be all set. Dave WA6UHA _____ From: dstar_digital@yahoogroups.com [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Joey Sent: Monday, June 02, 2008 15:43 To: dstar_digital@yahoogroups.com Subject: [dstar_digital] ID-800H I am new to ham radio and DStar. I ordered an ICOM ID-800H yesterday and have a quick question regarding the data cable. The data cable available from ICOM (OPC-1384) terminates to a RS-232 serial port. This is no problem for my desktop PC, but my laptop does not have a serial port. In order to use the Dstar data capabilities with my laptop, I am assuming that I would need to use a rs232 (serial) to USB adapter. My question is do you know if programs such as dchat and dstar comms support the use of such an adapter. My past experience is that the use of such an adapter is somewhat hit and miss depending on the program and speed requirements. Thanks for any help and advice [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
