[CQ-Contest] Computer Interfaces

[Doug Smith W9WI]

> From: Bill Coleman <aa4lr at arrl.net>
> One thing I believe you ought to consider is eliminating the DB-9 RS-232 
> interface in favor of a USB interface. There are several good reasons for 
> this:

May I join the list against this suggestion?  

Many contesters continue to use "obsolete" hardware.  (IMHO it should hardly
be considered obsolete - it's got plenty of life left in it, it's "obsolete"
only because the computer industry lives on planned obsolescence.)  USB
support is rather lacking in command-line OSs.  If you've ended up with a
no-serial-ports PC, you can always get a USB<=>RS-232 converter.

I agree with those who think Ethernet is a better successor to serial than
USB.  Ethernet is cheap (well under $20), compatible with existing CLI OSs,
already present in many PCs, and faster than USB.  And, it can be easily
shared by several computers on the same bus.  (imagine, being the 10m op at
a M/M and being able to instantly query all the operating parameters of the
20m radio)  USB hasn't been around long enough to prove its permanence -
Ethernet has.  Our employers' storerooms are cluttered with failed "next big
hardware standard" - PS/2, RLL, 2.88MB floppy, how about the 100VG-AnyLAN
card I pulled out of a box this afternoon?

> * The RS-232 interface is an asynchronous, character oriented interface. 
> There is no error-checking on characters sent or received. Because of 

Not exactly true - the standard allows for parity which is certainly a form
of error checking.  For greater reliability, the application and the rig's
protocol could certainly allow for a checksum/CRC/whatever.  

K8CC wrote:
> >http://www.qth.com/ka9fox/ts850_mods.txt
> 
> While down at WP3X in 1998, W0GJ and built up this circuit for use with our 
> TS-850s.  In neither case did it work.

I built one of these for WO4O a few years back & it didn't work for Ric
either.  Never did figure out why.  (I'm rather lacking in test equipment)
Ric was also using it with a laptop (and a very old one if I recall
properly).
-- 
Doug Smith W9WI
Pleasant View (Nashville), TN EM66
http://www.w9wi.com


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