[WriteLog] Rig interface advice

[hank k8dd]

Here's my free advice.

If I were going to use my IC-746 and a laptop or PC with multiple USB
ports.....
Buy two USB to Serial (and maybe a spare) cables - all the same
brand/drivers.
First USB would be to a WinKeyer USB (or a WinKeyer Serial) to key the
radio.
Second USB would be to a CT-17 to talk to the radio.
Third USB (the spare) for PTT on the rigblaster /nomic on the rare occasion
that
would cause me to go digital.

Nice and simple and easy.  That's what I would do!
But I don't do much digital or SSB.

73    Hank    K8DD

If God intended you to be on single sideband,
he would have given you only one nostril.
- Steve, K2PTS (SK)
---
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Gary Senesac AL9A" <al9a at mtaonline.net>
To: "Writelog Reflector" <writelog at contesting.com>
Sent: Friday, December 07, 2007 12:46 AM
Subject: [WriteLog] Rig interface advice


>
> I need some free advice from more experienced hands than me.  Rumor has it
> that Santa is going stuff a new laptop into my stocking soon.  Hey dude,
I'm
> getting a Dell!  That's great from a PC stand point (although I'm not
> looking forward to the Vista learning curve!), but now I need to address
rig
> interface issues.
>
> The laptop has no serial ports, nor a PCMCIA slot which I currently use
with
> a dual serial card, only USB ports.  Sooo, some new interfacing issues
need
> to be addressed.  I've been doing a little research on the internet and
> think I've boiled it down to two paths, but looking for advice on which
way
> might be better.
>
> 1.  Go the USB to serial adapter route.  This would let me continue using
my
> Rigblaster Plus interface, but I would need at least two adapters or a
> single two port adapter, for keying and rig control.  Byterunner has
several
> two port models, but I'm not sure if any of them would handle FSK.  I
can't
> find anything about serial adapters at the Belkin website, so maybe they
> have discontinued their line?  I have found several different brands of
PC
> docking devices on the internet, some with a single serial port of unknown
> ability.  Anybody have any experiences with either the Byterunner serial
> port adaptors or docking station serial ports?
>
> 2.  Dig a little deeper into the piggy bank and opt for something like a
> microKeyer II.  This would surplus the Rigblaster Plus and IC CT-17 level
> converter, but would make interfacing easier (I think!) by coming directly
> off a USB port.  The only concern I have here is the fine print a the end
of
> the microKeyer II features description that says:
>
> Due to differences in features and control protocols among transceivers,
the
> support software (microHAM USB Device Router) may not implement decoding
of
> operating mode and/or frequency, automatic selection of mode,
frequency/mode
> dependent configurations, and/or FSK for all supported radios.
>
> My radio is an IC-756PRO.  I think this would not be a problem, but not
> really sure.  Anyone out there with advice please let me know your
thoughts.
>
> Thanks,
> Gary AL9A
>
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