After trying several different USB to serial adapters, i found one that
actually works %100 percent of the time. I have tried literally dozens
of different brands with dozens of different chipsets and although they
would work with one piece of equipment they wouldn't work with another
or i would have limited functionality. Here is a link to Tiger Direct
that carries them. At $15 a piece i picked up a half a dozen of them
once i found out they worked as they should.
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1104139&CatId=447
Todd
NØKMA
Stephen Cannon wrote:
> Bob,
> I have been in much the same situation as you, i.e. new computers use USB
> with no serial or parallel ports. Further the number of USB ports provided
> is really insufficient as the number of plug-ins (including KB & mouse) that
> require USB ports have increased. Spare PCI slots in new computers are
> often one-to-none or are not available (my PCI slots were mostly used and
> the one that was open was not accessible due to adjacent card width - when
> the computer was delivered) and the availability of quality serial cards has
> decreased markedly.
> My answer was to use a single USB port for a Bluetooth adapter for KB &
> Mouse to free-up/provide sufficient USB ports (printers are accessed via the
> home Ethernet network). I have considered using USB hubs for my radio
> computers to provide more USB ports (considering future needs). When
> connecting with Ten Tec radios which still use serial ports I use
> USB-to-DB9, USB-to-DB25 adapters, and several adapters I make myself
> (DB15-to-stereo, etc.) additionally Ten-Tec also requires on some radios
> that you only use 2 or 3 wires from one port in your connections and cannot
> use a standard DB-to-serial interface.
>
> CAUTION: not all USB-to-serial adapters work the same. Some brands of
> USB-to-serial adapters will not work at all for your application and some
> will work, but will not work well. It is best (read "easiest and cheapest")
> to use the brand of serial adapter that the manufacturer recommends.
>
> If you utilize the Google search engine and search for "USB to parallel
> adapters" you will find several manufacturers that make USB-to-parallel
> adapters for about $10 to $20. I found several on a quick search. Which
> ones are correct for your installation or which one is best, I do not know
> (not sure anyone does). Unfortunately, this will probably have to be trial
> and error.
>
> Using the USB as a serial port, you will have to determine which COM ports
> your software (EQF) can use, as some software will only use ports 1 through
> 4. Then you will have to determine which COM ports are in use. If you use
> Windows XP (as I do) then you would go into START, CONTROL PANEL, SYSTEM,
> HARDWARE, DEVICE MANAGER - than click on the "+" in front of "Ports (COM &
> LPT)". The drop down should tell you which ports are in use and for what.
> When you install your USB-to-Serial port adapter you will have to install a
> driver for it. It will show up here under "Ports (COM & LPT)". If it does
> not initially install as the COM port number your software (EQF) needs than
> double click on it. The properties of that COM port will open up. Select
> "Port Settings", then ADVANCED and in the bottom of the new window is a "COM
> Port Number:" you can change it to the COM port number you need or want.
> Remember that no two COM ports can use the same number at the same time; you
> may have to do a bit of COM port juggling (changing some others so that you
> can get the one you need). If you have to change COM ports already in use,
> you will have to adjust the software that uses it so that it knows what he
> new port number is.
>
>
> Stephen AD7TD
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: tentec-bounces@contesting.com [mailto:tentec-bounces@contesting.com]
> On Behalf Of RLBrannigan
> Sent: Tuesday, May 19, 2009 6:32 AM
> To: tentec@contesting.com
> Subject: [TenTec] Still dumb
>
> I guess I wasn't too clear on my original posting. For years I have been
> using the EQF logging program connected via serial port to my laptop.
> When laptop "A" died, I replaced it and had to use USB/serial adapters
> to run the radio. So far, so good.
>
> In each instance, the computers had a parallel port on the back and,
> using optoisolators, I was able to key the radio from the logging
> progran. Very convenient.
>
> Now, laptop "B" is getting squirelly. My latest acquisition has 3 USB
> ports and NO parallel port.
>
> What to do? Answers /off the board, please/.
>
> Bob W2EJG@ARRL.net
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