[UK-CONTEST] [Elecraft] USB ports and things - with corrections

G3SJJ g3sjj at btinternet.com
Mon Jun 4 06:10:58 EDT 2007


Some silly typos in the original, sorry.

A couple of queries. I am currently setting up a new Dell Inspiron 
Notebook with several intentions. a) - To use for logging at a second 
station in my summer house (log cabin in the garden for non UK 
Reflectees!) b) - To use on mini dxpeditions / contests elsewhere, c) - 
To replace the current desktop machine in my main station and therefore 
integrate with my SO2R set up. Radio 1 is FT1kMP and Radio 2 is 
currently a K2, soon to be K3. (Then Radio 1 will be K3 and Radio 2 will 
be FT1kMP!!)

So here are my queries :

1 - The Dell has 4 USB ports but no serial ports. I recently bought a 
Belkin wireless mouse and keyboard which uses 1 port for the wireless 
adapter, that works well. I then added a Winkeyer2 USB Keyer to another 
port and that also works. I then got more daring and added a 2 Serial to 
USB converter and that also works well with the K2. All very stable and 
no inter-reaction. In fact I played in Field Day making 100 Qs and then 
later in PVRC Reunion, operating from the summer house until around 
midnight UTC. So, the K2 is set up as Comm Port 5, using one of the pair 
of Serial connectors, if I plug my FT1kMP into the second one which is 
set up as Comm 6, do you think there will be any inter-reaction when 
using N1MM Contest Logger in SO2R mode?

2 - If all that works I would then want to connect up my Top Ten DX 
Doubler for SO2R control, but this uses LPT for switching keying and 
audio to/from the radios. I have been trying to find a true Parallel to 
USB converter but have failed so far. I am really only interested in Pin 
14 since I do not need things like Band Data as these are taken directly 
from the MP or K3. Anyone know of a source of true LPT to USB converters 
or, if not, if Pin 14 is converted in the USB port?
3 - Whilst I am asking! My G1000 rotator control box is in the main 
shack and has the Rotor EZ card for serial connection to my main PC. I 
suspect this is a no-go other than re-routing cabling, but anyone know 
if it is possible to control the rotator via Wireless network which is 
already in place, from the Notebook? It's a bit of a bind having to go 
up to the main shack to turn the beam!

Sorry for the length, I though I would get rid of this one one go!

Chris Burbanks G3SJJ (G8D Contest Call)



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