[WriteLog] Looking for USB adapter suggestion

[Joe Subich, W4TV]

John, 

I doubt that you will be able to use the parallel port of 
the VDS-1003 for CW.  Note the "features" 
   "One parallel printer port with DB-25 Pin female connector 
   (port can only be used with a printer and not other types 
   of parallel applications.)" 

Generally the drivers for USB to parallel applications are 
not compatible with the port mapped I/O used by UserPort, etc. 

With USB you will probably need to convert to serial port 
keying.  Given the limitation of USB to parallel devices, 
I would strongly recommend something like the USB-2COM (USB 
to two serial ports).  You can use the second port with an 
interface like the one done by AA5AU for FSK (with the 
RTTYrite software FSK), CW (PC Generates) and PTT - see: 
www.aa5au.com/rttyinterface.html or you can use the  original 
K1EL Winkey (http://k1el.tripod.com/wkinfo.html) for CW.  

73, 

   ... Joe, W4TV 
 

> -----Original Message-----
> From: writelog-bounces at contesting.com 
> [mailto:writelog-bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of AD8J
> Sent: Sunday, June 25, 2006 9:21 PM
> To: writelog at contesting.com
> Subject: [WriteLog] Looking for USB adapter suggestion
> 
> 
> I just upgraded from an old Dell laptop with serial and 
> parallel ports to a new Toshiba with only USB ports.
> I'm looking for a suggestion on an adapter that will give
> me a serial port (for rig interface) and a parallel port
> (for keying my IC-746PRO).  I'm looking at a
> ByteRunner VDS-1003 but I'm open for a better
> suggestion.  Whatever I get needs to be powered from
> the laptop as I use this for mobile contesting.
> 
> John Getz, AD8J
>