[TenTec] rs-232,usb,-vs-ethernet

[n8coo at juno.com]

Hi everyone,

My 2 cents worth on radio/computer communications:

1.  RS-232 - basic, even the latest and greatest network equipment still have an RS-232 console port, works with almost anything.  Far from gone.  May be too slow, but still works when all else fails. 

2.  USB - I would think there wouldn't be any great issues, except for maybe RF interference from other devices(?), still will take $ to implement on the radio.  Can't be too far off for radios, I would think.  Should take care of the log-jams.  Little if any user configuration needed.  Not every PC has USB. USB 1 or 2 though?

3.  Ethernet AND TCP/IP, now you are talking NETWORK. There's a big difference between serial communications and connecting to a network.  A lot more to it than plugging in a cheap piece of hardware to your PC like a nic.  SOFTWARE, HARDWARE, PROCESSING, ETC.  These are things that your RADIO will have to implement, not just your PC.  Network issues:  where I work we have a whole department that does nothing but makes things play right on the network (Pre-Production/Test Lab)  They are busy all the time.  Amazing what the slightest software and hardware changes can do to the network, speed and otherwise.  Could be tough on a radio manufacturer, esp. a small one, to make sure their radio and/or software is compatible with everything else out there.  Things DO affect each other on a network.

The idea of networking is fantastic for those that want it, but DON'T be led to think it-wouldn't-cost-very-much-and-it's-so-easy--so-why-isn't-Ten-Tec-and-everyone-doing-it.  There isn't the number of radios manufactured anywhere close to the number of PCs and other computer equipment being made.  I'm sure if the radio manufacturers think enough will buy into into, literally, they will sell it.

 73, Mark N8COO


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