I have had zero trouble with a Quatech SS-USB-100 USB-to-serial in any
application. That said, I'm using an Edgeport USB to four serial port adapter
now on my Lenovo T400 (WIN-XP Pro) laptop.
I have updated the FW in my K3 dozens of times with this setup. And I use
LP-Pan or VSPE to run my SDR-IQ, N1MM, MMTTY and the K3 at the same time on one
port and another logging program on my TS-870 with another port.
Another option to consider with some laptops is a docking station. Some have
legacy parallel ports, serial ports and additional USB ports. I would use the
one for the Lenovo, but the security lock on the thing takes too much room.
I have used docking stations on older Toshiba Tecras, in fact I still have an
old 386 that I use with my N2PK network analyzer.
Wes Stewart N7WS
--- On Fri, 11/19/10, David Yarnes <w7...@cox.net> wrote:
> From: David Yarnes <w7...@cox.net>
> Subject: [Elecraft] USB to Serial Issues
> To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net
> Date: Friday, November 19, 2010, 7:24 PM
> I've noticed a number of post
> (hundreds maybe?) about folks having one
> problem or the other with serial to USB converters.
> I've had good luck with
> mine, a Belkin, but others have complained often about
> Belkin, and other
> types as well. I think the main problem is the
> computer itself, but that's
> a pure guess.
>
> In any event, for this and other reasons, I started keeping
> an eye open for
> a laptop with a serial port. It's not that I was
> having problems, but I
> couldn't help holding my breath every time I did an update
> to my K3.
> Actually, on one or two laptops I have had, there was a
> problem.
>
> Anyway, recently I spotted a "deal" on Buy.com for a Dell
> laptop
> (refurbished) which actually did have a serial port.
> To be honest with you,
> I haven't seen a laptop with a serial port for eons!
> This is a Dell D630,
> and it was less than $300 as refurbished. I've had
> good luck with
> refurbished products, so I decided to give it a try.
>
> It arrived today, and I had waited to update my K3 to the
> latest beta
> pending its arrival. It went like clockwork.
> Everything else seems to be
> working just fine as well.
>
> Point is, if you are really getting frustrated with
> USB/Serial converters,
> maybe this is something you might consider as well.
> I'm dedicating this
> laptop to my operating position. The serial port will
> be better anyway, for
> things like updating firmware, rig control, etc. Not
> a lot of glitz on this
> computer (no webcam, and a smaller hard drive), but it
> certainly seems to be
> a good choice for just dedicating it to ham radio
> operation. It does have a
> dual core processor, so it's not slow.
>
> I have been using a netbook (my XYL usurped my other bigger
> laptop), which I
> still like very much for travel, etc., but this really
> seems like a better
> arrangement--not sure why I took so long to come to that
> conclusion. The
> other thing I'm noticing, is that this computer is a bunch
> more stable. I
> think netbooks are just underpowered processor wise.
> They are great for
> "the road", but that's about all. So, while I have
> been able to update my
> K3 with a netbook and USB converter, I think this will be a
> lot more
> dependable overall.
>
> Bottom line is this--if you are having problems doing your
> ham apps, it
> might be your compter is too old, or underpowered.
> Finding a laptop with a
> serial port isn't all that easy, but they are out
> there--much to my
> surprise. Hopefully I didn't buy a problem, but I
> think it will work fine.
> If either of those problems are what you are experiencing,
> check out the
> "bargain basement" on these websites from prominent
> dealers. A refurbished
> product usually has undergone a good bit of individual
> examination, so I
> feel fairly confident that it will perform. If the
> basic product was junk,
> then I'm toast! But I suspect it will turn out
> reasonably well. At least
> it has so far with my experience in such products.
>
> Dave W7AQK
>
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