Re: [Elecraft] RS-232 and USB with Elecraft.
Portmon or write it yourself - it's quite easy :-) http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb896644.aspx Simon Brown, HB9DRV www.ham-radio-deluxe.com - Original Message - From: "Julian, G4ILO" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Anyone know of a bit of software that will print out a trace of everything that's sent and received through a COM port? ___ 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
Re: [Elecraft] RS-232 and USB with Elecraft.
Joe Planisky wrote: > > Being the not-so-proud owner of several pieces of once expensive but > now useless junk, I'm somewhat sensitive to future issues that might > prevent me from using hardware I purchased. In other words, the > "DON'T upgrade or else" mentality. > > With the K3, the only potential weak link I see is the > K3UpdateUtility. Will it still run on Windows 2018, Mac OS XII 12.2, > or Ubuntu Zesty Zebra? If I find a "Brand new in box K3 SN 2000" on > eBay 10 years from now, will I be able to load firmware version 2.32 > on it? > > I totally understand that manufacturers can't support their devices > forever across all possible platforms. But I'd feel better about my > purchase if there was a public spec that detailed how to upload > firmware files. Next best thing would be if source code to the K3 > Update Utility(s) were available. > > If (and I mean *IF*) Elecraft is still updating the K3 firmware in 2018 then I guess there will be an updated update utility. If not then barring your scenario of finding a never-updated K3 on eBay, I doubt if there'd be much need for it. I do agree though that making the source code available or publishing a spec would be a no-cost way to secure user concerns about obsolescence. I recently wrote to the developers of the RigExpert AA-200 antenna analyzer asking for information about the communications protocol for that. No response. The device comes with software for Windows only (and it doesn't run under Wine, either.) I would like to safeguard my investment in it, but without their help I guess I'm going to have to try to figure it out for myself. Anyone know of a bit of software that will print out a trace of everything that's sent and received through a COM port? (It might also help me find out why Fldigi RigCAT support doesn't work reliably with the K3 under Windows.) - Julian, G4ILO. K2 #392 K3 #222. http://www.g4ilo.com/ G4ILO's Shack http://www.ham-directory.com/ Ham Directoryhttp://www.g4ilo.com/kcomm.html KComm for Elecraft K2 and K3 -- View this message in context: http://n2.nabble.com/K3-competition-from-Icom--tp781209p784194.html Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com. ___ 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
Re: [Elecraft]RS-232 and USB with Elecraft.
I'd bet dollars to donuts that if this board was redesigned that what would happen is that an FTDI chip (or similar) would be dropped in and put onto a board that replaced the KIO3. Guess what The USB to UART converters are identical to that solution. The only difference would be that you don't have the RS232 level signals that have to go through the RS232 chip that is in the KIO3 right now... It doesn't really change much. Granted it puts every one on a level playing field as to what USB chip is used but buying the USB to UART converter from Elecraft does just that as well. On Mon, Aug 25, 2008 at 11:12 AM, Lee Buller <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > 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. > > - > Julian, G4ILO. K2 #392 K3 #222. > http://www.g4ilo.com/ G4ILO's Shack http://www.ham-directory.com/ Ham > Directoryhttp://www.g4ilo.com/kcomm.html KComm for Elecraft K2 and K3 > -- > View this message in context: > http://n2.nabble.com/K3-competition-from-Icom--tp781209p781856.html > Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com. > > ___ > 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. 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. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www
Re: [Elecraft]RS-232 and USB with Elecraft.
Being the not-so-proud owner of several pieces of once expensive but now useless junk, I'm somewhat sensitive to future issues that might prevent me from using hardware I purchased. In other words, the "DON'T upgrade or else" mentality. With the K3, the only potential weak link I see is the K3UpdateUtility. Will it still run on Windows 2018, Mac OS XII 12.2, or Ubuntu Zesty Zebra? If I find a "Brand new in box K3 SN 2000" on eBay 10 years from now, will I be able to load firmware version 2.32 on it? I totally understand that manufacturers can't support their devices forever across all possible platforms. But I'd feel better about my purchase if there was a public spec that detailed how to upload firmware files. Next best thing would be if source code to the K3 Update Utility(s) were available. 73 -- Joe On Aug 25, 2008, at 3:26 PM, Doug Faunt N6TQS +1-510-655-8604 wrote: [snip] I resent facing scrapping a perfectly good bit of hardware because of the upgrade or else mentality. Elecraft has done exactly the right thing. 73, doug ___ 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
Re: [Elecraft]RS-232 and USB with Elecraft.
My thoughts exactly, although there are VCP drivers for the FT232R available for W98/SE/ME, if "unsupported". I've just been messing about with computers (I did way to much back when, and it's not fun any more) and drivers are being painful, as usual. I resent facing scrapping a perfectly good bit of hardware because of the upgrade or else mentality. Elecraft has done exactly the right thing. 73, doug From: "Joe Subich, W4TV" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Date: Mon, 25 Aug 2008 18:12:16 -0400 > 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
RE: [Elecraft]RS-232 and USB with Elecraft.
> 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 o
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
Re: [Elecraft]RS-232 and USB with Elecraft.
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. - Julian, G4ILO. K2 #392 K3 #222. http://www.g4ilo.com/ G4ILO's Shack http://www.ham-directory.com/ Ham Directoryhttp://www.g4ilo.com/kcomm.html KComm for Elecraft K2 and K3 -- View this message in context: http://n2.nabble.com/K3-competition-from-Icom--tp781209p781856.html Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com. ___ 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. 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
