How long has RS-232? been around. Many times longer than USB,
Fire Wire, Bluetooth, IR, etc will. However they all have adapters to
RS-232. I have run into the same problem with a low cost DDS signal
generator, frequency counter, D/A, A/D converter, 40kHz Ultra sonic
transmitter/receiver and frequency mixer/product detector that I am
developing for my students so that they may perform experiments on and
align their AM radio kits. RS-232 seem to be the only choice. The AM radio
kit cost $20 and the many function device cost less than $10 for parts (one
$3 IC, voltage reg., crystal oscillator and 2 FET's). If they have an old
computer, everything is just fine. If they have a new one they may need to
get an adapter. Primitive communications with the device can be performed
by using a terminal emulator. All PC's come with that. A biginner can
easily write a BASIC program to communicate thru the RS-232 port with out
any special software or drivers. Try that using a USB port. Also, RS-232
is more immune to RF due to the fact that more filtering is permitted on
the input. Yes it is slow, but how quickly do you need to change
frequencies or retune?
73
Bill wa4lav
At 11:19 AM 9/16/2005 -0500, Keith Dutson wrote:
>I respectfully disagree. I think anyone with an older computer that can
>afford one of these amps can surely afford to get a new PC that has USB.
>However, I must say I am not planning to purchase a 9500 at this time.
>Instead, I ordered one of the last 20 87A's. Hopefully it will be delivered
>later this month.
>
>73, Keith NM5G
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: amps-bounces@contesting.com [mailto:amps-bounces@contesting.com] On
>Behalf Of TexasRF@aol.com
>Sent: Friday, September 16, 2005 11:09 AM
>To: amps@contesting.com
>Subject: Re: [Amps] Alpha releases New Amp 9500
>
>
>If Alpha furnishes the new amplifier with USB interface then anyone trying
>to use an older computer is screwed. At least with the RS232/serial/comport
>all users have a way to control the unit. They made exactly the correct
>decision.
>
>73,
>Gerald K5GW
>
>
>In a message dated 9/16/2005 11:00:35 A.M. Central Standard Time,
>w4kv@arrl.net writes:
>
>I emailed Alpha about 6 months ago about the 87A and suggested that the
>serial port is essentially obsolete and should be replaced with a more
>up-to-date port. The reply was "Thank you for your input. We are
>discontinuing the 87A line."
>
>A bit disappointing that the serial port is still in the newer design.
>
>John
>w4kv
>
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