USB ports and things

[Chris G3SJJ]

A couple of queries. I am currently setting up a new Dell Inspiron
Notebook with several intentions. a) - To use for logging at a second
station in my summer house (log cabin in the garden for non UK
Reflectees!) b) - To use on mini dxpeditions / contests elsewhere, c) -
To replace the current desktop machine in my main station and therefore
integrate with my SO2R set up. Radio 1 is FT1kMP and Radio 2 is
currently a K2, soon to be K3. (then Radio 1 will be K3 and Radio 2 will
be FT1kMP!!)

So here are my queries :

1 - The Dell has 4 USB ports but no serial ports. I recently bought a
Belkin wireless mouse and keyboard which uses 1 port for the wireless
adapter, that works well. I then added a Winkeyer2 USB Keyer to another
port and that also works. I then got more dearing and added a 2 Serial
to USB converter and that aslo works well with the K2. All very stable
and no inter-reaction. In fact I played in Field Day making 100 Qs and
then alter in PVRC Reunion, operating from thje summer house until
around midnight UTC. So, the K2 is set up as Comm Port 5, using one of
the pair of Serial connectors, if I plug my FT1kMP into the second one
which is set up as Comm 6, do you think there will be any inter-reaction
when using N1MM Contest Logger in SO2R mode?

2 - If all that works I would then want to connect up my Top Ten DX
Doubler for SO2R control, but this uses LPT for switching keying and
audio to/from the radios. I have been trying to find a true Parallel to
USB converter but have failed so far. I am really only interested in Pin
14 since I do not need things like Band Data as these are taken directly
from the MP or K3. Anyone know of a source of true LPT to USB convertors
or, if not, if Pin 14 is converter in the USB port?

3 - Whilst I am asking! My G1000 rotator control box is in the main
shack and has the Rotor EZ card for serial connection to my main PC. I
suspect this is a no-go other than re-routing cabling, but anyone know
if it is possible to control the rotator via Wireless network which is
already in place, from the Notebook? It's a bit of a bind having to go
up to the main shack to turn the beam!

Sorry for the length, I though I would get rid of this one one go!

Chris Burbanks G3SJJ (G8D Contest Call)
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[David Woolley (E.L)]

G3SJJ wrote:

> from the MP or K3. Anyone know of a source of true LPT to USB convertors
> or, if not, if Pin 14 is converter in the USB port?
>

There probably isn't much mass market consumer demand.  What you are
more likely to find is chip level solutions.  It's probably worth having
a look at some of the Elektor magazine projects, as I think they often
use pre-programmed microcontrollers to get discrete digital outputs from
a USB connection.

It wouldn't surprise me if there were code on the web for making a USB
capable PIC implement the standard USB emulation of a parallel printer port.

--
David Woolley
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