[WriteLog] serial interface PCI expansion boards

Joe Subich, K4IK k4ik@subich.com
Wed, 10 Jul 2002 14:40:09 -0400


If the five bit data is on the TXD line, it is using the 5-bit 
capability of the UART.  If the output is on the RTS or DTR, 
then the CPU is doing the bit banging.  Far better to have the 
UART handle the timing. 

 73,

   ... Joe, K4IK 
  

> -----Original Message-----
> From: writelog-admin@contesting.com 
> [mailto:writelog-admin@contesting.com] On Behalf Of Ron Stordahl
> Sent: Wednesday, July 10, 2002 1:55 PM
> To: Steve Dyer; Ron Stordahl; n2tk@arrl.net; Writelog (E-mail)
> Subject: Re: [WriteLog] serial interface PCI expansion boards
> 
> 
> Interesting.....this is surprising to me, I would have 
> thought it would use
> the UART in 5 bit mode.  The reason is that I would not think 
> you could
> trust the timing in a multitasking machine to to generate 
> consistent data,
> while the UART would do so by design...and it is also 
> buffered for a few or
> more characters on the send side too.  Keep in mind that 
> systems that try to
> generate CW by toggling DTR do a inconsistent job, and 
> generatting rtty
> would require even more precision (timing accuracy).
> 
> Are you sure about this Steve?  TXD is data from the UART, I 
> don't think a
> program can toggle it (could be wrong).  RTS on the other 
> hand would be
> under driver control, however W2K and XP might not allow a 
> user task to do
> this with the built in driver.  Speculation here Ill admit.
> 
> On the PK900, no, of course not, its standard 8 bit no parity 
> on the serial
> line.
> 
> Ron N5IN
> 
> 
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Steve Dyer" <sdyer@interlogue.com>
> To: "Ron Stordahl" <ronald.stordahl@mailhub.digikey.com>; 
> <n2tk@arrl.net>;
> "Writelog (E-mail)" <writelog@contesting.com>
> Sent: Wednesday, July 10, 2002 12:25 PM
> Subject: RE: [WriteLog] serial interface PCI expansion boards
> 
> 
> > Direct FSK does not use 5 bit. MMTTY, WL, etc. toggle a 
> single serial line
> > (TXD or RTS) to generate FSK.
> >
> > I don't know if the PK900 actually communicates with the 
> serial using 5
> bit
> > mode, but I would be very suprised. I assume all TNC's use 
> standard ASCII
> > characters in 8 bit mode. The MFJ unit I had did it this way.
> >
> > You are correct, don't get or use ISA. One additional point 
> on ISA is the
> > Plug and Play enumerator cannot probe ISA slots fully.
> >
> > Steve, W1SRD
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: writelog-admin@contesting.com
> > [mailto:writelog-admin@contesting.com]On Behalf Of Ron Stordahl
> > Sent: Wednesday, July 10, 2002 7:22 AM
> > To: n2tk@arrl.net; Writelog (E-mail)
> > Subject: Re: [WriteLog] serial interface PCI expansion boards
> >
> >
> > I have two of the Byterunner PCI-410HSP-9's.  They are PCI 
> cards, use a
> > single IRQ and have 4 serial and 1 parallel ports.  Just 
> for a test I put
> > both of them in a single PC so that I had a total of 10 COM 
> ports (the
> > mainboard has 2 of its own as is common) and 3 parallel 
> ports (1 on the
> > mainboard).  I tested all of the ports, they all worked.  I 
> did not test
> in
> > 5 bit mode for direct FSK as I am not running soundcard 
> fsk, rather I am
> > using a PK900 for that.
> >
> > I did ask the guy at Byterunner this card supported 5 bit 
> mode and he said
> > it does....however I would test it myself before I believed it.
> >
> > The additional ports (8 coms and 2 parallel ports) use a 
> single IRQ (=9).
> >
> > You might want to check  http://byterunner.com  and call 
> their technical
> > service line, you will probably talk with  'Sean' (he has 
> answered every
> > time I have phoned--could be a one man operaton) and put 
> him on the spot
> on
> > the 5 bit issue.  Ask him to guarantee it will work or 
> money back and test
> > it yourself and let us know one way or the other.
> >
> > Ron N5IN
> >
> > PS--Don't buy ISA cards....they are dying!!!
> >
> >
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: "N2TK" <tony.kaz@verizon.net>
> > To: "Writelog (E-mail)" <writelog@contesting.com>
> > Sent: Wednesday, July 10, 2002 7:16 AM
> > Subject: [WriteLog] serial interface PCI expansion boards
> >
> >
> > > Time to add more serial ports. I just have the 2 that are on the
> > > motherboard. Which one to buy? I see serial boards 
> offered by Boca,
> SIIG,
> > > Lava, WinComm, Rocketport, etc. It seems they all use one 
> IRQ. Is there
> > any
> > > problems with using one IRQ? If not, I can save a few IRQ's by
> installing
> > a
> > > 4 port serial PCI card and disable the onboard serial ports. If
> > performance
> > > is better by using individual IRQ's, then I can get a 2 
> port serial card
> > and
> > > use these ports along with the 2 ports on the motherboard.
> > > Is there a preferred PCI board(s) and/or ones to stay away from?
> > > Tnx
> > > Tony
> > > N2TK
> > >
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> 
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