On Sun, Jun 26, 2005 at 01:23:53AM +0100, David Kirkby wrote:
> Ian White GM3SEK wrote:
>
> >>I have quite an admiration for HP and their instruments and often feel
> >>their used kit is better value than the cheap junk on the ham market.
> >>But that N2PK device is clearly not "cheap junk".
> >>
> >
> > Oh no, it's a very clever device. The concept has been around for some
> > time, but N2PK has really made it work. As for accuracy, comparisons
> > with commercial VNAs run very close indeed.
> >
> >
> >>BTW, has anyone got the N2PK borad working under UNIX/Linux? Seems a
> >>shame if you need a Windoze PC to use it.
> >
> >
> > I'm not aware of any Unix/Linux versions of the control software.
>
> Shame that. I assume if the source code for the software is available,
> then doing it would not be hard.
>
> >
> >>Also, I'm not sure how much longer parallel ports will be on PCs.
> >>
> >
> > Fortunately there are still lots of parallel printers around, so there's
> > still a need for the parallel port.
>
> I suspect 99% (if not all) new printers are USB or ethernet, and not
> parallel. I have an inkjet here which is parallel. For some reason it
> now prints rubbish, but the self tests pass OK. I'm not sure if the
> software on my Sun has got screwed up, or if the printer's interface is
> screwed up - it could be the cable too. But if/when I replace it, I'l
> buy an ethernet one.
>
> > G8KBB has also developed a USB
> > interface.
>
> Sounds more futureproof, but futureproof in the PC world does not last
> long!!
>
> Personally for me, parallel would be better as my old Sun has that, but
> does not have USB, and I have no free PCI slots.
>
> I'll have to take a look at the design - not that I have any immediate
> plans to build one.
>
> --
> David Kirkby,
> G8WRB
The TAPR VNA (not available yet) appears to have GPL'd Windows
source available <http://www.tapr.org/kits_vna.html>. I think
TAPR has abandoned plans to kit this, but Ten-Tec plans to
have assembled versions for sale later this year. This VNA uses a USB
interface.
Bob, N7XY
--
Bob Nielsen, N7XY n7xy (at) n7xy.net
Bainbridge Island, WA http://www.n7xy.net
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