K3: USB port - give the guy a BREAK!

[DOUGLAS ZWIEBEL]

I have to object to the course that this thread instantly turned to.

K2QI's very reasonable post reads (edited)
[snip]
Quoting Wayne:  "The KIO3's digital I/O module could be replaced with
one that has USB rather than RS232 -- or better yet, both. We planned
for this."

Quoting K2QI
"Just wanted to revisit this topic and find out if anyone has heard
anything more regarding a possible USB interface for the K3."
[end snip]

KR2Q comments:
For me, this should have been a simple matter of "No, I have not heard
anything additional" or "Yes, it is still on the list."

"Zombie Thread?"  Gosh.....    For cryin' out loud....give the guy a break!

de Doug KR2Q
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[Johnny Siu]

Hello Doug,

I concur with you and it is no harm to voice out our wishes here.

In fact, what Elecraft promoting is 'respond to customer's needs', this
is the reason why we regularly have beta version firmware.

In our K3 or K2, we have paid for good support service and response from
Elecraft direct.  Everyone in this reflector says that and Icom / Yaesu /
kenwood cannot do that.

I also would like to have USB port if it were practical to do so.  Of course, i
won't pay US$100 for that option.

cheers,


Johnny VR2XMC



----- 郵件原件 ----
寄件人﹕ DOUGLAS ZWIEBEL <[hidden email]>
收件人﹕ Elecraft Reflector <[hidden email]>
傳送日期﹕ 2010/11/19 (五) 5:56:45 PM
主題： [Elecraft] K3: USB port - give the guy a BREAK!

I have to object to the course that this thread instantly turned to.

K2QI's very reasonable post reads (edited)
[snip]
Quoting Wayne:  "The KIO3's digital I/O module could be replaced with
one that has USB rather than RS232 -- or better yet, both. We planned
for this."

Quoting K2QI
"Just wanted to revisit this topic and find out if anyone has heard
anything more regarding a possible USB interface for the K3."
[end snip]

KR2Q comments:
For me, this should have been a simple matter of "No, I have not heard
anything additional" or "Yes, it is still on the list."

"Zombie Thread?"  Gosh.....    For cryin' out loud....give the guy a break!

de Doug KR2Q



     
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[n1szz]

Let Elecraft alone.If they want rs232 vs USB  so be it.  Why be like the cheap imitators.

Laeey  N1SZZ






-----Original Message-----
From: DOUGLAS ZWIEBEL <[hidden email]>
To: Elecraft Reflector <[hidden email]>
Sent: Fri, Nov 19, 2010 5:02 am
Subject: [Elecraft] K3: USB port - give the guy a BREAK!


I have to object to the course that this thread instantly turned to.
K2QI's very reasonable post reads (edited)
snip]
uoting Wayne:  "The KIO3's digital I/O module could be replaced with
ne that has USB rather than RS232 -- or better yet, both. We planned
or this."
Quoting K2QI
Just wanted to revisit this topic and find out if anyone has heard
nything more regarding a possible USB interface for the K3."
end snip]
KR2Q comments:
or me, this should have been a simple matter of "No, I have not heard
nything additional" or "Yes, it is still on the list."
"Zombie Thread?"  Gosh.....    For cryin' out loud....give the guy a break!
de Doug KR2Q
_____________________________________________________________
lecraft mailing list
ome: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
elp: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
ost: mailto:[hidden email]
This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
lease help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html

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[Richard Squire - HB9ANM]

Who really needs a USB port on the K3? The converter works perfectly well...
Yes, it may be possible to replace the K3IO board with one having a USB port. BUT: What are those of us using SteppIR antennas which track the K3's VFO supposed to do?
The SteppIR requires an RS232.
Or shall we ask SteppIR to implement a USB port in their control unit as well?
Would that be worth it?
IMHO, it wouldn't.
I'm quite happy with the serial port and converter.

73
Richard - HB9ANM

[The Smiths]

Yes, actually you SHOULD be asking SteppIR to get with the 21th century... LOL.  Maybe it's time that they realize the 9 pin serial port has been done away with for the most part.  Try to find a standard intel board that is produced with one today.. I only mention Intel because they are now making the hardware for both PC and Mac, which dominate this world.
Still, I have no issue with the 9pin, it's working for me, but some day I may choose to upgrade my shack computer to something better than a P4 3GHz.  And no, I shouldn't have to use an adapter cable to do it.
 
T. Smith
SWL
 

> Date: Fri, 19 Nov 2010 04:40:04 -0800
> From: [hidden email]
> To: [hidden email]
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3: USB port - and SteppIR antennas
>
>
> Who really needs a USB port on the K3? The converter works perfectly well...
> Yes, it may be possible to replace the K3IO board with one having a USB
> port. BUT: What are those of us using SteppIR antennas which track the K3's
> VFO supposed to do?
> The SteppIR requires an RS232.
> Or shall we ask SteppIR to implement a USB port in their control unit as
> well?
> Would that be worth it?
> IMHO, it wouldn't.
> I'm quite happy with the serial port and converter.
>
> 73
> Richard - HB9ANM
>
>
> -----
> Richard - HB9ANM
> --
> View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/K3-USB-port-give-the-guy-a-BREAK-tp5754717p5755076.html
> Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com.
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
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[Laurent F6DEX]

HI

The USB/Cable adapter + RS232 is, at least, a solution which ensures a perfect compatibility for the future of any operating system. Unfortunatly an USB port is dependant on the willingness of the manufacturer of the chip. Not an RS232 port that you can use on any system.

To understand, I suggest you try an ICOM IC-1500 (which features only an USB port) under W7/64 bits!...

But you are right right : RS232 ports are obsolete; but if an USB port is a good solution for a cheap webcam, it is not a solution for long life equipement like transceivers since it is compatible with a limited number of systems.

In my humble opinion, the way to go is a TCP/IP port with all parameters accessible from any browser on any system... and with a bonus... remotely (like a cable/dsl modem). It is strange that none of the current manufacturers develop such system (except TenTec with the OmniVII but with limited capabilities since it does not include a web server). Logging control should not be a problem with a TCP/IP server.

73, Laurent F6DEX

[Joe Subich, W4TV-4]

> Try to find a standard intel board that is produced with one today..

Go to www.newegg.com or www.tigerdirect.com ... you can find dozens
of quality motherboards from more than half a dozen top quality board
houses with at least one and in some cases two serial ports.  Even
the Intel chip set *INCLUDES* two serial ports - Intel simply does
not provide the interface circuits and connectors on their commodity
motherboards.

The lack of serial ports on many consumer level computers is simply a
COST REDUCTION MEASURE - not a statement about the technology.

By the way, when are you going to include your NAME AND CALL as the
list policy requires?  Or do you think you are exempt?

73,

    ... Joe, W4TV

On 11/19/2010 2:33 PM, The Smiths wrote:

>
> Yes, actually you SHOULD be asking SteppIR to get with the 21th century... LOL.  Maybe it's time that they realize the 9 pin serial port has been done away with for the most part.  Try to find a standard intel board that is produced with one today.. I only mention Intel because they are now making the hardware for both PC and Mac, which dominate this world.
> Still, I have no issue with the 9pin, it's working for me, but some day I may choose to upgrade my shack computer to something better than a P4 3GHz.  And no, I shouldn't have to use an adapter cable to do it.
>
> T. Smith
> SWL
>
>> Date: Fri, 19 Nov 2010 04:40:04 -0800
>> From: [hidden email]
>> To: [hidden email]
>> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3: USB port - and SteppIR antennas
>>
>>
>> Who really needs a USB port on the K3? The converter works perfectly well...
>> Yes, it may be possible to replace the K3IO board with one having a USB
>> port. BUT: What are those of us using SteppIR antennas which track the K3's
>> VFO supposed to do?
>> The SteppIR requires an RS232.
>> Or shall we ask SteppIR to implement a USB port in their control unit as
>> well?
>> Would that be worth it?
>> IMHO, it wouldn't.
>> I'm quite happy with the serial port and converter.
>>
>> 73
>> Richard - HB9ANM
>>
>>
>> -----
>> Richard - HB9ANM
>> --
>> View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/K3-USB-port-give-the-guy-a-BREAK-tp5754717p5755076.html
>> Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com.
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> Elecraft mailing list
>> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
>> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
>> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>>
>> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
>> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>    
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[Eric Swartz - WA6HHQ]

Folks - Let's end the various USB threads. They are slipping lower in content and further OT.

73,

Eric
Elecraft List Moderator

www.elecraft.com
_..._



On Nov 19, 2010, at 1:21 PM, "Joe Subich, W4TV" <[hidden email]> wrote:

>
>> Try to find a standard intel board that is produced with one today..
>
> Go to www.newegg.com or www.tigerdirect.com ... you can find dozens
> of quality motherboards from more than half a dozen top quality board
> houses with at least one and in some cases two serial ports.  Even
> the Intel chip set *INCLUDES* two serial ports - Intel simply does
> not provide the interface circuits and connectors on their commodity
> motherboards.
>
> The lack of serial ports on many consumer level computers is simply a
> COST REDUCTION MEASURE - not a statement about the technology.
>
> By the way, when are you going to include your NAME AND CALL as the
> list policy requires?  Or do you think you are exempt?
>
> 73,
>
>    ... Joe, W4TV
>
> On 11/19/2010 2:33 PM, The Smiths wrote:
>>
>> Yes, actually you SHOULD be asking SteppIR to get with the 21th century... LOL.  Maybe it's time that they realize the 9 pin serial port has been done away with for the most part.  Try to find a standard intel board that is produced with one today.. I only mention Intel because they are now making the hardware for both PC and Mac, which dominate this world.
>> Still, I have no issue with the 9pin, it's working for me, but some day I may choose to upgrade my shack computer to something better than a P4 3GHz.  And no, I shouldn't have to use an adapter cable to do it.
>>
>> T. Smith
>> SWL
>>
>>> Date: Fri, 19 Nov 2010 04:40:04 -0800
>>> From: [hidden email]
>>> To: [hidden email]
>>> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3: USB port - and SteppIR antennas
>>>
>>>
>>> Who really needs a USB port on the K3? The converter works perfectly well...
>>> Yes, it may be possible to replace the K3IO board with one having a USB
>>> port. BUT: What are those of us using SteppIR antennas which track the K3's
>>> VFO supposed to do?
>>> The SteppIR requires an RS232.
>>> Or shall we ask SteppIR to implement a USB port in their control unit as
>>> well?
>>> Would that be worth it?
>>> IMHO, it wouldn't.
>>> I'm quite happy with the serial port and converter.
>>>
>>> 73
>>> Richard - HB9ANM
>>>
>>>
>>> -----
>>> Richard - HB9ANM
>>> --
>>> View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/K3-USB-port-give-the-guy-a-BREAK-tp5754717p5755076.html
>>> Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com.
>>> ______________________________________________________________
>>> Elecraft mailing list
>>> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
>>> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
>>> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>>>
>>> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
>>> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>>    
>> ______________________________________________________________
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[Julian, G4ILO]

Joe Subich, W4TV-4 wrote

Go to www.newegg.com or www.tigerdirect.com ... you can find dozens
of quality motherboards from more than half a dozen top quality board
houses with at least one and in some cases two serial ports.  Even
the Intel chip set *INCLUDES* two serial ports - Intel simply does
not provide the interface circuits and connectors on their commodity
motherboards.

That's true, though beside the point. Motherboards have expansion slots in them and the purpose of those slots is to add in boards. RS232 boards with 2 or 4 ports cost no more than the equivalent number of USB to serial adapters, are electrically quieter and less prone to compatibility issues. Technologically RS232 is a better solution for computer control of a radio. True you need a separate connection for audio, but then some people want to connect their radio's audio input and output to something other than a computer, for example a TNC.

The lack of serial ports on many consumer level computers is simply a
COST REDUCTION MEASURE - not a statement about the technology.

Exactly. Why foist serial ports on Aunt Mabel who only wants to connect a mouse, keyboard and printer to her PC?

The trouble with following fashion when it comes to technology is that in ten years time the USB port could be as out of date as 1970s flares today. One day it will be replaced with something else and then those USB ports on the Icom rigs will be useless while we'll still be able to get RS232 to whatever-it-is adapter cables to use with our K3s.