[TenTec] USB to serial converter FTDI warning

[Bill Cotter]

And, try to make sure the USB-to-Serial adapter isn't using a 
counterfeit FTDI chipset!

http://www.ftdichip.com/Support/Documents/QualityDocuments/Counterfeit%20statement.pdf

https://www.sparkfun.com/news/1629

http://hackaday.com/2015/02/08/unbricking-a-counterfeit-ftdi-chip/

I buy my FTDI based USB-to-RS232 cable sets from Elecraft with no 
issues.

73 Bill N4LG



At 01:18 PM 3/17/2015, you wrote:
>Comports and serial port are the same thing.  Most newer computers 
>don't have serial ports or comports.  Instead they have USB 
>ports.  When you purchase a USB to serial converter, it makes a 
>serial port out of a USB port.  The serial port is then accessed 
>with a comport number just like a native serial port.  So, yes, 
>get a USB to serial converter and install it.  Make sure the 
>converter uses the FTDI chipset.  These converter work much better 
>than the prolific chipset.
>
>Carl Moreschi N4PY
>58 Hogwood Rd
>Louisburg, NC 27549
>www.n4py.com
>
>On 3/17/2015 12:07 PM, Peg Haese KB9LIE via TenTec wrote:
>>Hi, I've never used a USB to serial converter but want to try one 
>>now. For the Wisconsin QSO Party last Sunday, OM K9OT wanted to 
>>use his Orion with the N3FJP contesting program and a small 
>>Thinkpad X40 laptop running XP SP3. His CW interface has a serial 
>>connection for the laptop and has worked in the past. However the 
>>latest 3.5 version of the N3FJP WQP program only supports com 
>>ports, not serial, so he had to use an older version 2.0 of the 
>>program that I downloaded. That worked okay in a pinch but he 
>>would like to try the new version.
>>
>>The Ten-Tec website carries a USB - Serial Converter Cable but 
>>says it doesn't work with the Eagle, which we also have in the 
>>shack. Out of curiosity, is this because the Eagle has a USB type 
>>B port rather than a type A? Would an A to B adapter work? I am 
>>trying to think ahead here.
>>
>>We are NOT looking for suggestions to use a different contesting 
>>program since we already know of some. I just want to know if the 
>>TT converter can be made to also work with the Eagle, or not. For 
>>$32 plus shipping, compared to much cheaper FTDI ones also 
>>available online, it would be nice if it can do more than one trick.
>>
>>For the record, we both use a computer for contest logging but 
>>not for control of the radio besides CW. I computer log all 
>>contacts in DX4WIN and Paul does paper logging outside of 
>>contests. Those get entered in DX4WIN later for LOTW upload.
>>
>>I hope this all makes sense and isn't too long-winded.
>>
>>
>>73 de Peg KB9LIE in windy SW Wisconsin USA
>>_______________________________________________
>>TenTec mailing list
>>TenTec at contesting.com
>>http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/tentec
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