> In fact, you could probably hack the existing KIO3 module > relatively easily.
Yes ... replace the LT1039ACN and support components on the KIO3 main board with an FTDI FT232RQ and support components. Replace the DB9 on the KIO3 DSUB/RS-232 board with the USB connector. The real issue is whether the connection via P90/J90 will support the USB data without coupling into the audio elsewhere on the KIO3 board. The number of components required for the FTDI FT232RQ is much less than those required for the LT1039ACN (including the DC to DC converter). Of course, such a modification would only be compatible with computers that have a USB port and for which the FTDI CDM drivers exist (Windows 2K, XP Vista, OS-X 10.4+ and SOME versions of LINUX). Windows 98 and DOS systems need not apply. 73, ... Joe, W4TV > -----Original Message----- > From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Doug > Faunt N6TQS +1-510-655-8604 > Sent: Monday, August 25, 2008 3:27 PM > To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net > Subject: Re: [Elecraft]RS-232 and USB with Elecraft. > > > I suspect the Elecraft would cooperate if someone were to > endeavor to provide a replacement KIO3 module with USB > substituted for the serial connection, as long as it looked > like a serial port to the K3 and to the computer OS (for > software compatibility). > > In fact, you could probably hack the existing KIO3 module > relatively easily. I'm actually considering that (for a > different reason), myself, but time for such projects is in > short supply. > > In the meantime, what we have is flexible and easy to use. > > 73, doug > > Date: Mon, 25 Aug 2008 11:12:12 -0700 (PDT) > From: Lee Buller <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > > > I like what Julian said here and I think he is spot on. I > do not think it would take much for the wizards at Elecraft > to redesign the KIO3 to include both...RS232 and a USB port. > users could swap out one for the other and you have USB port. > That is so cool about the K3 and its modular design. Again, > the whole issues of drivers come up, but I am sure Elecraft > would keep up with it all. But that is another expense to > redesign the unit and keep up with all the programming of the > USB drivers. > > RS-232 is not going away anytime soon, but you are hard > pressed to find these ports on new systems...laptops in > specific. As long as the USB to Serial cables are available, > I think Serial devices will be around for quite awhile. The > technology is proven...although old ... but very proven. > > Lee - K0WA > > > In our day and age it seems that Common Sense is in short > supply. If you don't have any Common Sense - get some Common > Sense and use it. If you can't find any Common Sense, ask > for help from somebody who has some Common Sense. Is Common > Sense divine? > > --- On Mon, 8/25/08, Julian, G4ILO <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > From: Julian, G4ILO <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 competition from Icom? > To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net > Date: Monday, August 25, 2008, 11:02 AM > > > > R. Kevin Stover wrote: > > > > I've always considered a Serial to > > USB adapter as a " box of chocolates", you never know what > you're going > > to get. Whether it works or not depends entirely on the > chip set used > > and the quality of the driver. > > > > Elecraft should have used USB ports. > > > I don't agree. By using a standard RS-232 port Elecraft > has provided > greater > flexibility. If they had provided a USB port then everyone > is stuck with it. > A serial port can be interfaced to USB using a readily > available and > inexpensive adapter, or, as has been pointed out, by > installing a PCI serial > card in an expansion slot. A USB device can only be > interfaced to a PC that > has a USB port and drivers for that particular device. > > Of course, Icom will ensure that the drivers are available > today to connect > the thing to Windows. But drivers may not be available for > other platforms > (as was the case with the RigExpert interface I sold > because I could not use > it under Linux) and they may not be available at all in 25 > years time by any > OS which is not an unreasonable time for someone to still > be using a radio > (even if not the original owner.) Whereas you can be > pretty damn sure that > RS-232 ports will still be around, and there will be > adapters to interface > them to whatever type of peripheral connector is popular > at that time. > > I have grown resigned to the idea of throwing away > perfectly serviceable > computer peripherals only a few years old because drivers > are no longer > available but that is not something I want to do with a > $4000 radio. > > _______________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net > You must be a subscriber to post to the list. > Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): > http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm > Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. 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