K2: USB to Serial for Rig Control

[JT Croteau]

USB to serial adapters are a dime a dozen and not all chipsets in them
are the same.  Is anyone using one successfully for rig control via
the KIO2 interface?  If so, which brand and model are you using?

My single serial port is currently being used for PTT keying for data
modes and it's not broke so I don't want to fix it.  *grin*  I'd also
rather not tie up my last PCI slot with a dual port serial adapter.

Thanks

--
JT Croteau, N1ESE - Manchester, NH
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[Buck - k4ia]

I used a Keyspan USB > 4 Serial port adapter and it works fine.  I  have also
used a single no-name adapter based on the ProLific drivers that I  bought on
ePay .  
 
You must use the K2 serial cable to attach to the adapter.
 

Craig "Buck"
k4ia
Fredericksburg, Virginia USA



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[Don Wilhelm-4]

JT,

You may want to consider changing the PTT keying to the USB adapter even
though your current setup 'is not broke'.  The reason is that the PTT
keying is a rather simplistic task requiring that the adapter correctly
implement only RTS and DTR signals, and the timing is not really
critical either.

For rig control it can be a little more 'dicey' because there are
latency issues that the adapter can introduce as well as other problems
in that some adapters work well while others do not.  OTOH, if you are
also using the serial port for CW keying, then an adapter may not work
very well for that either because of the latency problems introduced in
the computer/OS/adapter combination.

In either case, try to use the USB connection native to your computer
rather than a USB hub.  This is computer/usb hub dependent, but the
chances of an adapter working properly are much better when plugged
directly into the computer.

There is alway the new Elecraft USB to serial adapter that is being
offered as an accessory for the K3 - at least you know it has been
tested for rig control operation.

73,
Don W3FPR

JT Croteau wrote:

> USB to serial adapters are a dime a dozen and not all chipsets in them
> are the same.  Is anyone using one successfully for rig control via
> the KIO2 interface?  If so, which brand and model are you using?
>
> My single serial port is currently being used for PTT keying for data
> modes and it's not broke so I don't want to fix it.  *grin*  I'd also
> rather not tie up my last PCI slot with a dual port serial adapter.
>
> Thanks
>
>  

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[David Fleming-2]

I'll second the Keyspan devices. I'm a Mac guy, but I've used them on Windoze machines. I've used Keyspan for years and have had no problems.
   
  -David W4SMT


[hidden email] wrote:
  I used a Keyspan USB > 4 Serial port adapter and it works fine. I have also
used a single no-name adapter based on the ProLific drivers that I bought on
ePay .

You must use the K2 serial cable to attach to the adapter.


Craig "Buck"
k4ia
Fredericksburg, Virginia USA



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[Julian, G4ILO]

Perhaps I misunderstand, but you can use it for both. The serial data
uses different control signals from that used for PTT keying.

You may not even need the PTT control. I use MixW for data modes and
it supports software PTT by sending a CAT command. I use the RTS
signal on my K2 interface cable for CW keying.
--
Julian, G4ILO K2 s/n: 392  K3 s/n: ???
G4ILO's Shack: www.g4ilo.com
Ham-Directory: www.ham-directory.com


On 9/10/07, JT Croteau <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> My single serial port is currently being used for PTT keying for data
> modes and it's not broke so I don't want to fix it.  *grin*  I'd also
> rather not tie up my last PCI slot with a dual port serial adapter.
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[JT Croteau]

On 9/11/07, Julian G4ILO <[hidden email]> wrote:
> You may not even need the PTT control. I use MixW for data modes and
> it supports software PTT by sending a CAT command.

I presume you are talking about the "virtual keying", as Elecraft
calls it, feature using the 'KY' command to key the K2?
Unfortunately, very very very few programs make use of this feature.
I wish more would.  I am very picky about the software I use and it'd
be hard to pry my fingers away from them.

I use N1MM for RTTY operating and rig control while contesting.  N1MM
does not support "virtual keying".

For casual operating, I used the DX Lab suite for digital operating,
rig control, and logging.

--
JT Croteau, N1ESE - Manchester, NH
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[JT Croteau]

Several folks recommended bargain USB to Serial adapters that are
based on the ProLific chipset.  So, I figured I try one out... for $9
what the heck.  It works fine for both rig control and CW/PTT keying.
HOWEVER, it is a big noise generator.  Holy cow.  My S-meter jumps by
2 points when I insert this device into the USB port on the front of
my PC.  I have yet to try connecting it to one of my rear, motherboard
mounted, USB ports.  I'm hopeful it will help but not counting on it.

Check out this waterfall display and you can clearly see where the
adapter is inserted.

http://tinyurl.com/2hzyl3

I think I will end up investing in a multiport serial adapter for my
PCI slot instead.  heh.

--
JT Croteau, N1ESE - Manchester, NH
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[David Fleming-2]

Is the noise constant or only when the software is polling the radio?  I had a noise problem when I had my software polling every 200ms. I would get a 5Hz hashy buzz at about S-2  with no antenna attached. With an antenna the noise would fall into the noise floor. I'm now polling every 1 second so the noise, while still noticable, is not significant. And not even noticable while operating unless the band is very quiet.
   
  -David W4SMT

JT Croteau <[hidden email]> wrote:  Several folks recommended bargain USB to Serial adapters that are
based on the ProLific chipset. So, I figured I try one out... for $9
what the heck. It works fine for both rig control and CW/PTT keying.
HOWEVER, it is a big noise generator. Holy cow. My S-meter jumps by
2 points when I insert this device into the USB port on the front of
my PC. I have yet to try connecting it to one of my rear, motherboard
mounted, USB ports. I'm hopeful it will help but not counting on it.

Check out this waterfall display and you can clearly see where the
adapter is inserted.

http://tinyurl.com/2hzyl3

I think I will end up investing in a multiport serial adapter for my
PCI slot instead. heh.

--
JT Croteau, N1ESE - Manchester, NH
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[JT Croteau]

On 9/14/07, David Fleming <[hidden email]> wrote:
> Is the noise constant or only when the software is polling the radio?  I had

The noise is constant as soon as the adapter is plugged into the USB
port and before I even connect the rig to the adapter.

--
JT Croteau, N1ESE - Manchester, NH
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[Simon (HB9DRV)]

Try a ferrite - usually works.

Simon Brown, HB9DRV

----- Original Message -----
From: "JT Croteau" <[hidden email]>


>
> The noise is constant as soon as the adapter is plugged into the USB
> port and before I even connect the rig to the adapter.
>
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[JT Croteau]

On 9/14/07, Simon Brown (HB9DRV) <[hidden email]> wrote:
> Try a ferrite - usually works.

I have two snap-together split beads, one on each end of the cable,
and it doesn't do anything to the noise.  This adapter is junk.  heh.

--
JT Croteau, N1ESE - Manchester, NH
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