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Need more than one serial port?

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Paul-30

Need more than one serial port?

I am working on the BESCOTP award--the Bought Every Single Cable On The Planet award...

The DB-9 serial port on the back of the K-3 here has a special cable running to the Steppir antenna controller. Now I need to access the same port from the computer for another application, mainly my contest logger/keying. I have a Micro Keyer and my old cable for it was for a Icom Pro II. I have to buy a new one for the K-3, but it is $85 ! I'd go ahead and do it, but I'm not sure how to hook all this up!

So, how are you contesters out there doing that? Is there a Y cable made for DB-9? If so, wouldn't that pin out be different than the one for the SteppIR and cause problems?

A secondary problem is that the computer only has USB ports, no serial port. It's an IBM Thinkpad. I believe it has 4 USB 2.0 ports available.

Any info would help!

Thanks,

Paul
WY7I
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Dave KQ3T

Re: Need more than one serial port?

Paul,

Ten-Tec, amongst others, sells a USB-to-Serial adapter
<http://store.tentec.com/accessories/#316>.

73,
Dave KQ3T

Paul wrote:

> <snip>
>
> A secondary problem is that the computer only has USB ports, no serial port. It's an IBM Thinkpad. I believe it has 4 USB 2.0 ports available.
>
> Any info would help!
>
> Thanks,
>
> Paul
> WY7I
>

Julian, G4ILO

Re: Need more than one serial port?

In reply to this post by Paul-30

Paul-30 wrote

So, how are you contesters out there doing that? Is there a Y cable made for DB-9? If so, wouldn't that pin out be different than the one for the SteppIR and cause problems?

You can't connect two cables to one serial port. The SteppIR controller has two serial ports called Data In and Data Out. You connect Data In to the K3 using a special SteppIR cable. You connect Data Out to the computer using a standard serial cable, or USB to Serial adapter.

http://www.steppir.com/files/Transceiver%20Interface%20Operation%205-28-09.pdf

Julian, G4ILO. K2 #392 K3 #222 KX3 #110
* G4ILO's Shack - http://www.g4ilo.com
* KComm - http://www.g4ilo.com/kcomm.html
* KTune - http://www.g4ilo.com/ktune.html

n6wg

Re: Need more than one serial port?

In reply to this post by Paul-30

Paul
Have you looked at a port replicator for your TP?
I have a T23 and it has both serial and USB
ports available that way.
73, Bob N6WG

----- Original Message -----
From: "Paul" <[hidden email]>
To: <[hidden email]>
Sent: Saturday, October 10, 2009 8:23 AM
Subject: [Elecraft] Need more than one serial port?

>I am working on the BESCOTP award--the Bought Every Single Cable On The
>Planet award...
>
> The DB-9 serial port on the back of the K-3 here has a special cable
> running to the Steppir antenna controller. Now I need to access the same
> port from the computer for another application, mainly my contest
> logger/keying. I have a Micro Keyer and my old cable for it was for a Icom
> Pro II. I have to buy a new one for the K-3, but it is $85 ! I'd go ahead
> and do it, but I'm not sure how to hook all this up!
>
> So, how are you contesters out there doing that? Is there a Y cable made
> for DB-9? If so, wouldn't that pin out be different than the one for the
> SteppIR and cause problems?
>
> A secondary problem is that the computer only has USB ports, no serial
> port. It's an IBM Thinkpad. I believe it has 4 USB 2.0 ports available.
>
> Any info would help!
>
> Thanks,
>
> Paul
> WY7I
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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

Mike-39

Re: Need more than one serial port?

In reply to this post by Julian, G4ILO

Julian, G4ILO wrote:

> Paul-30 wrote:
>
>> So, how are you contesters out there doing that? Is there a Y cable made
>> for DB-9? If so, wouldn't that pin out be different than the one for the
>> SteppIR and cause problems?
>>
>>
>
> You can't connect two cables to one serial port. The SteppIR controller has
> two serial ports called Data In and Data Out. You connect Data In to the K3
> using a special SteppIR cable. You connect Data Out to the computer using a
> standard serial cable, or USB to Serial adapter.
>
> http://www.steppir.com/files/Transceiver%20Interface%20Operation%205-28-09.pdf

There is also a schematic on the Steppir Yahoo group site
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SteppIR/files/ titled Y-cable.pdf and
stamped by Fluid Motion that indicates that you can indeed Y the serial
hoookup.
Of course, you'll have to wire your own DB-9(s).

It only has a 2 wire connection to the SteppIR controller. This is the
scheme I'm planning on trying when the SteppIR goes back up.

Am I barking up the wrong tower?

73, Mike NF4L
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Julian, G4ILO

Re: Need more than one serial port?

Mike-39 wrote

There is also a schematic on the Steppir Yahoo group site
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SteppIR/files/ titled Y-cable.pdf and
stamped by Fluid Motion that indicates that you can indeed Y the serial
hoookup.
Of course, you'll have to wire your own DB-9(s).

It only has a 2 wire connection to the SteppIR controller. This is the
scheme I'm planning on trying when the SteppIR goes back up.

Am I barking up the wrong tower?

If it's only a 2 wire connection then the controller can't send anything to the radio so there is no possibility of any conflict, as long as the K3 serial port can handle two loads on the data line. However the document I referred to suggested you could just route the serial data through the controller.

Julian, G4ILO. K2 #392 K3 #222 KX3 #110
* G4ILO's Shack - http://www.g4ilo.com
* KComm - http://www.g4ilo.com/kcomm.html
* KTune - http://www.g4ilo.com/ktune.html

Joe Subich, W4TV-4

Re: Need more than one serial port?

In reply to this post by Mike-39

>
> It only has a 2 wire connection to the SteppIR controller.
> This is the scheme I'm planning on trying when the SteppIR
> goes back up.
>
> Am I barking up the wrong tower?

Not at all. Exchange the DB9F ("computer") and DB9M ("radio")
and it will be easier. The SteppIR controller will connect to
the K3 via the long 2-wire connection and the short leg will
be set up as a connection point for a standard serial cable
from the computer, USB to serial converter, or the CAT cable
from a microHAM Interface.

Just remember to set the K3 "AutoInf=On" so the SteppIR gets
the necessary frequency data when a logging program is not
polling.

73,

... Joe, W4TV

> -----Original Message-----
> From: [hidden email]
> [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Mike
> Sent: Saturday, October 10, 2009 12:51 PM
> To: el >> "[hidden email]"
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Need more than one serial port?
>
>
> Julian, G4ILO wrote:
> > Paul-30 wrote:
> >
> >> So, how are you contesters out there doing that? Is there
> a Y cable
> >> made for DB-9? If so, wouldn't that pin out be different
> than the one
> >> for the SteppIR and cause problems?
> >>
> >>
> >
> > You can't connect two cables to one serial port. The SteppIR
> > controller has two serial ports called Data In and Data Out. You
> > connect Data In to the K3 using a special SteppIR cable.
> You connect
> > Data Out to the computer using a standard serial cable, or USB to
> > Serial adapter.
> >
> >
> http://www.steppir.com/files/Transceiver%20Interface%20Operation%205-2
> > 8-09.pdf
> There is also a schematic on the Steppir Yahoo group site
> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SteppIR/files/ titled Y-cable.pdf and
> stamped by Fluid Motion that indicates that you can indeed Y
> the serial
> hoookup.
> Of course, you'll have to wire your own DB-9(s).
>
> It only has a 2 wire connection to the SteppIR controller.
> This is the
> scheme I'm planning on trying when the SteppIR goes back up.
>
> Am I barking up the wrong tower?
>
> 73, Mike NF4L
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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

Gregg W6IZT

Re: Need more than one serial port?

AutoInf=On? I just scanned thru menu and config. Where do I find this
parameter?

-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email]
[mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Joe Subich, W4TV
Sent: Saturday, October 10, 2009 7:19 PM
To: [hidden email]; [hidden email]
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Need more than one serial port?

>
> It only has a 2 wire connection to the SteppIR controller.
> This is the scheme I'm planning on trying when the SteppIR
> goes back up.
>
> Am I barking up the wrong tower?

Not at all. Exchange the DB9F ("computer") and DB9M ("radio")
and it will be easier. The SteppIR controller will connect to
the K3 via the long 2-wire connection and the short leg will
be set up as a connection point for a standard serial cable
from the computer, USB to serial converter, or the CAT cable
from a microHAM Interface.

Just remember to set the K3 "AutoInf=On" so the SteppIR gets
the necessary frequency data when a logging program is not
polling.

73,

... Joe, W4TV

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Joe Subich, W4TV-4

Re: Need more than one serial port?

Sorry "AutoINF= Auto 1" ... it's in the Config Menu between AGC-S and
BAT MIN.

> -----Original Message-----
> From: [hidden email]
> [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Gregg W6IZT
> Sent: Saturday, October 10, 2009 7:33 PM
> To: [hidden email]
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Need more than one serial port?
>
>
> AutoInf=On? I just scanned thru menu and config. Where do I
> find this parameter?
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: [hidden email]
> [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Joe
> Subich, W4TV
> Sent: Saturday, October 10, 2009 7:19 PM
> To: [hidden email]; [hidden email]
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Need more than one serial port?
>
>
>
> >
> > It only has a 2 wire connection to the SteppIR controller.
> > This is the scheme I'm planning on trying when the SteppIR
> > goes back up.
> >
> > Am I barking up the wrong tower?
>
> Not at all. Exchange the DB9F ("computer") and DB9M ("radio")
> and it will be easier. The SteppIR controller will connect to
> the K3 via the long 2-wire connection and the short leg will
> be set up as a connection point for a standard serial cable
> from the computer, USB to serial converter, or the CAT cable
> from a microHAM Interface.
>
> Just remember to set the K3 "AutoInf=On" so the SteppIR gets
> the necessary frequency data when a logging program is not
> polling.
>
> 73,
>
> ... Joe, W4TV
>
>
>
>
>
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: [hidden email]
> > [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Mike
> > Sent: Saturday, October 10, 2009 12:51 PM
> > To: el >> "[hidden email]"
> > Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Need more than one serial port?
> >
> >
> > Julian, G4ILO wrote:
> > > Paul-30 wrote:
> > >
> > >> So, how are you contesters out there doing that? Is there
> > a Y cable
> > >> made for DB-9? If so, wouldn't that pin out be different
> > than the one
> > >> for the SteppIR and cause problems?
> > >>
> > >>
> > >
> > > You can't connect two cables to one serial port. The SteppIR
> > > controller has two serial ports called Data In and Data Out. You
> > > connect Data In to the K3 using a special SteppIR cable.
> > You connect
> > > Data Out to the computer using a standard serial cable, or USB to
> > > Serial adapter.
> > >
> > >
> >
> http://www.steppir.com/files/Transceiver%20Interface%20Operation%205-2
> > > 8-09.pdf
> > There is also a schematic on the Steppir Yahoo group site
> > http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SteppIR/files/ titled Y-cable.pdf and
> > stamped by Fluid Motion that indicates that you can indeed Y
> > the serial
> > hoookup.
> > Of course, you'll have to wire your own DB-9(s).
> >
> > It only has a 2 wire connection to the SteppIR controller.
> > This is the
> > scheme I'm planning on trying when the SteppIR goes back up.
> >
> > Am I barking up the wrong tower?
> >
> > 73, Mike NF4L
> > ______________________________________________________________
> > 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
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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

Mike-39

Re: Need more than one serial port?

RR

Mike

Joe Subich, W4TV wrote:

> Sorry "AutoINF= Auto 1" ... it's in the Config Menu between AGC-S and
> BAT MIN.
>
>
>
>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: [hidden email]
>> [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Gregg W6IZT
>> Sent: Saturday, October 10, 2009 7:33 PM
>> To: [hidden email]
>> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Need more than one serial port?
>>
>>
>> AutoInf=On? I just scanned thru menu and config. Where do I
>> find this parameter?
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: [hidden email]
>> [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Joe
>> Subich, W4TV
>> Sent: Saturday, October 10, 2009 7:19 PM
>> To: [hidden email]; [hidden email]
>> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Need more than one serial port?
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>> It only has a 2 wire connection to the SteppIR controller.
>>> This is the scheme I'm planning on trying when the SteppIR
>>> goes back up.
>>>
>>> Am I barking up the wrong tower?
>>>
>> Not at all. Exchange the DB9F ("computer") and DB9M ("radio")
>> and it will be easier. The SteppIR controller will connect to
>> the K3 via the long 2-wire connection and the short leg will
>> be set up as a connection point for a standard serial cable
>> from the computer, USB to serial converter, or the CAT cable
>> from a microHAM Interface.
>>
>> Just remember to set the K3 "AutoInf=On" so the SteppIR gets
>> the necessary frequency data when a logging program is not
>> polling.
>>
>> 73,
>>
>> ... Joe, W4TV
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: [hidden email]
>>> [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Mike
>>> Sent: Saturday, October 10, 2009 12:51 PM
>>> To: el >> "[hidden email]"
>>> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Need more than one serial port?
>>>
>>>
>>> Julian, G4ILO wrote:
>>>
>>>> Paul-30 wrote:
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>> So, how are you contesters out there doing that? Is there
>>>>>
>>> a Y cable
>>>
>>>>> made for DB-9? If so, wouldn't that pin out be different
>>>>>
>>> than the one
>>>
>>>>> for the SteppIR and cause problems?
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>> You can't connect two cables to one serial port. The SteppIR
>>>> controller has two serial ports called Data In and Data Out. You
>>>> connect Data In to the K3 using a special SteppIR cable.
>>>>
>>> You connect
>>>
>>>> Data Out to the computer using a standard serial cable, or USB to
>>>> Serial adapter.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>> http://www.steppir.com/files/Transceiver%20Interface%20Operation%205-2
>>
>>>> 8-09.pdf
>>>>
>>> There is also a schematic on the Steppir Yahoo group site
>>> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SteppIR/files/ titled Y-cable.pdf and
>>> stamped by Fluid Motion that indicates that you can indeed Y
>>> the serial
>>> hoookup.
>>> Of course, you'll have to wire your own DB-9(s).
>>>
>>> It only has a 2 wire connection to the SteppIR controller.
>>> This is the
>>> scheme I'm planning on trying when the SteppIR goes back up.
>>>
>>> Am I barking up the wrong tower?
>>>
>>> 73, Mike NF4L
>>> ______________________________________________________________
>>> 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
>>>
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> 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
>>
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> 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
>>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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
>
>

NZ0T

Re: Need more than one serial port?

In reply to this post by Paul-30

I use this program:

http://www.eterlogic.com/Products.VSPE.html

It's a virtual port/splitter that allows you to create additional ports and use one cable to run multiple applications. Works well for me so far.

73 Bill nz0t

Paul-30 wrote

I am working on the BESCOTP award--the Bought Every Single Cable On The Planet award...

The DB-9 serial port on the back of the K-3 here has a special cable running to the Steppir antenna controller. Now I need to access the same port from the computer for another application, mainly my contest logger/keying. I have a Micro Keyer and my old cable for it was for a Icom Pro II. I have to buy a new one for the K-3, but it is $85 ! I'd go ahead and do it, but I'm not sure how to hook all this up!

So, how are you contesters out there doing that? Is there a Y cable made for DB-9? If so, wouldn't that pin out be different than the one for the SteppIR and cause problems?

A secondary problem is that the computer only has USB ports, no serial port. It's an IBM Thinkpad. I believe it has 4 USB 2.0 ports available.

Any info would help!

Thanks,

Paul
WY7I
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chen dave

Re: Need more than one serial port?

In reply to this post by Paul-30

On Sat, Oct 10, 2009 at 11:23 PM, Paul <[hidden email]> wrote:

> I am working on the BESCOTP award--the Bought Every Single Cable On The
> Planet award...
>
> The DB-9 serial port on the back of the K-3 here has a special cable
> running to the Steppir antenna controller. Now I need to access the same
> port from the computer for another application, mainly my contest
> logger/keying. I have a Micro Keyer and my old cable for it was for a Icom
> Pro II. I have to buy a new one for the K-3, but it is $85 ! I'd go ahead
> and do it, but I'm not sure how to hook all this up!
>
> So, how are you contesters out there doing that? Is there a Y cable made
> for DB-9? If so, wouldn't that pin out be different than the one for the
> SteppIR and cause problems?
>
> A secondary problem is that the computer only has USB ports, no serial
> port. It's an IBM Thinkpad. I believe it has 4 USB 2.0 ports available.
>
> Any info would help!
>
> Thanks,
>
> Paul
> WY7I
>
>

As everyone knows, some USB to serial adapter is OK, but others are very
poor. My suggestion is try to buy a PCMCIA to RS232 card, it is much better
than a USB to serial.

By the way there a tranditional RS232 on your thinkpad main board, but you
need several wires ...

73 de ba4rf/David
______________________________________________________________
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N8LP

Re: Need more than one serial port?

In reply to this post by Paul-30

You may want to look at my free LP-Bridge program. It acts as a clearing house for the K3. There is just one cable between the PC and K3. All your loggers and other programs (up to 5 of them) connect to the K3 through virtual ports in LP-Bridge. You can also connect two devices such as a SteppIR through additional PC ports. You will, of course, need to create some serial ports for your laptop using multiple USB to serial adapters, or one adapter with multiple serial ports. Byterunner.com has reasonably priced ones with one or more serial ports. I recommend picking one with an FTDI chipset.

The advantage of LP-Bridge over generic port splitters is that the data to the K3 is filtered for redundant traffic, collisions, etc. Also, the SteppIR ports are conditioned so that only the transmit frequency is reported to SteppIR when running split, and I add hysteresis to the reported frequency so that the SteppIR doesn't constantly retune when you're near a tuning boundary.

LP-Bridge also provides linking to the PowerSDR program for external panadapter use with the K3, but you can just ignore this section of the program.

73,
Larry N8LP

Paul-30 wrote

I am working on the BESCOTP award--the Bought Every Single Cable On The Planet award...

The DB-9 serial port on the back of the K-3 here has a special cable running to the Steppir antenna controller. Now I need to access the same port from the computer for another application, mainly my contest logger/keying. I have a Micro Keyer and my old cable for it was for a Icom Pro II. I have to buy a new one for the K-3, but it is $85 ! I'd go ahead and do it, but I'm not sure how to hook all this up!

So, how are you contesters out there doing that? Is there a Y cable made for DB-9? If so, wouldn't that pin out be different than the one for the SteppIR and cause problems?

A secondary problem is that the computer only has USB ports, no serial port. It's an IBM Thinkpad. I believe it has 4 USB 2.0 ports available.

Any info would help!

Thanks,

Paul
WY7I
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NZ0T

Re: Need more than one serial port?

It doesn't work with K3EZ does it Larry?

N8LP wrote

You may want to look at my free LP-Bridge program. It acts as a clearing house for the K3. There is just one cable between the PC and K3. All your loggers and other programs (up to 5 of them) connect to the K3 through virtual ports in LP-Bridge. You can also connect two devices such as a SteppIR through additional PC ports. You will, of course, need to create some serial ports for your laptop using multiple USB to serial adapters, or one adapter with multiple serial ports. Byterunner.com has reasonably priced ones with one or more serial ports. I recommend picking one with an FTDI chipset.

The advantage of LP-Bridge over generic port splitters is that the data to the K3 is filtered for redundant traffic, collisions, etc. Also, the SteppIR ports are conditioned so that only the transmit frequency is reported to SteppIR when running split, and I add hysteresis to the reported frequency so that the SteppIR doesn't constantly retune when you're near a tuning boundary.

LP-Bridge also provides linking to the PowerSDR program for external panadapter use with the K3, but you can just ignore this section of the program.

73,
Larry N8LP

Paul-30 wrote

I am working on the BESCOTP award--the Bought Every Single Cable On The Planet award...

The DB-9 serial port on the back of the K-3 here has a special cable running to the Steppir antenna controller. Now I need to access the same port from the computer for another application, mainly my contest logger/keying. I have a Micro Keyer and my old cable for it was for a Icom Pro II. I have to buy a new one for the K-3, but it is $85 ! I'd go ahead and do it, but I'm not sure how to hook all this up!

So, how are you contesters out there doing that? Is there a Y cable made for DB-9? If so, wouldn't that pin out be different than the one for the SteppIR and cause problems?

A secondary problem is that the computer only has USB ports, no serial port. It's an IBM Thinkpad. I believe it has 4 USB 2.0 ports available.

Any info would help!

Thanks,

Paul
WY7I
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