[RTTY] USB-Serial

[WS7I]

Also be careful in that each prolific version that you load replaces
all other versions. This is rather a poor idea IMHO.  So one that used
to work can be replaced by one that doesn't!



On Mon, Jun 13, 2011 at 12:05 PM, Joe Subich, W4TV <lists at subich.com> wrote:
>
>  > "Thump" ...there, I'm giving this horse one more kick for good
>  > measure!
>
> *Be careful!*  There *is* a compatibility problem with Prolific USB
> to serial converters and programs written in VB6 when used for CAT
> (serial) rig control - at least with some versions of the Prolific
> drivers.
>
> If you get a Prolific based USB to serial converter, be prepared to
> debug communications problems and go looking for driver updates.
> It's possible to resolve the issues but I would stick to the FTDI
> based devices and restrict Prolific devices to FSK using EXTFSK or
> WriteLog's "Software generated FSK."
>
> 73,
>
>    ... Joe, W4TV
>
> On 6/13/2011 1:40 PM, Robert Chudek - K0RC wrote:
>> Joe said: "I have used the Prolific cables for rig control and they
>> worked fine."
>>
>> "Thump" ...there, I'm giving this horse one more kick for good measure!
>>
>> Joe is correct... there does not seem to be any issue with using either
>> FTDI or Prolific converters for rig control. The difference comes to
>> light when trying to key the low speed FSK data.
>>
>> During the earlier days when RTTY operators were making the transition
>> from physical COM ports to USB/Serial ports, the pass/fail results were
>> traced to the different implementations by these two manufacturers.
>> Those having success reported the device used the FTDI chipset, while
>> those having mixed results were using the Prolific chipset.
>>
>> In any case, in my shack I have the FTDI adapters exclusively. This
>> eliminates the probability of my 'senior moment' when I put the wrong
>> vendor adapter on my FSK connection!
>>
>> 73 de Bob - KØRC in MN
>>
>> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>>
>> On 6/13/2011 12:12 PM, k0bx at arrl.net wrote:
>>>     This dead horse never dies!  But that means we are getting new guys on RTTY.
>>>
>>> I needed a USB=>Serial port adapter to run my laptop on FD.  Someone here I
>>> think pointed me to the following website:
>>>
>>> http://www.usbgear.com/USB-PRODUCT-DETAILS.cfm?sku=USBG-232FT-1&catid=106&cats=106
>>>
>>>
>>> This is the one I bought.  Quick service.  The software came with it and all
>>> worked well.  I was able to do RigControl for my PRO3 and CW on the same adapter
>>> at the same time.  I did not get to try it on FSK.  That would have answer the
>>> question below.    This did have the FTDI Chip.  So I think it would work fine.
>>> BTW the website has other adapters.
>>>
>>> I have used the Prolific cables for rigcontrol and they worked fine.
>>>
>>> Joe K0BX
>>>
>>>    Stop the insanity!
>>> Please do not add me to any distribution lists (Joke, Stories or Junk) without
>>> my permission.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> ________________________________
>>> From: Robert Chudek - K0RC<k0rc at citlink.net>
>>> To: rtty at contesting.com
>>> Sent: Mon, June 13, 2011 11:29:14 AM
>>> Subject: Re: [RTTY] USB-Serial
>>>
>>> Hello Pete,
>>>
>>> The most effective solution is to use a software driver called EXTFSK.
>>> This removes the need to find an "old" USB/Serial converter to run FSK
>>> at 45 baud. Using this software driver with MMTTY allows just about any
>>> modern USB/Serial device to work. There is an issue though, to ensure
>>> the USB/Serial converter works it's best to find a device based upon the
>>> FTDI chip set (as opposed to the Prolific chip set).
>>>
>>> Here's a link to the FTDI site: http://www.ftdichip.com/FTProducts.htm
>>>
>>> Make certain the converter you purchase says it uses the FTDI chipset
>>> and driver. The Prolific chipset "might" work, but it's a crap shoot,
>>> depending upon its age and software driver.
>>>
>>> So there's two pieces to the puzzle... Using the EXTFSK software driver
>>> with MMTTY and using an FTDI based converter for the hardware connection.
>>>
>>> 73 de Bob - KØRC in MN
>>>
>>> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> RTTY mailing list
>>> RTTY at contesting.com
>>> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/rtty
>>>
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