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ZL3AI > APRDIG 22.05.04 23:08l 185 Lines 6500 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
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Subj: TAPR Digest, May 14, 2/2
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From: ZL3AI@ZL3VML.#80.NZL.OC
To : APRDIG@WW
Subject: Re: USB interface standard Was: Re: laptop
From: Jeff King <jeff@aerodata.net>
Date: Fri, 14 May 2004 12:07:04 -0500 (CDT)
X-Message-Number: 10
FTDI USB converter chips have drivers for Mac and Windows, and third party
drivers for Linux.
For a small company, that doesn't want to muk around with writing
Windows/Mac/Linux USB drivers, it is a good choice.
Also, most end user software can still work using this USB chip since it
enumerates as a serial port. "KISS" would still be supported in these
applications... for example, the TNC-X should work in both Linux as part of
the AX.25 stack as well as AGWPE.
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Subject: Re: laptop
From: David Rush <david@davidarush.com>
Date: Fri, 14 May 2004 12:47:23 -0600
X-Message-Number: 11
One fundamental advantage of serial over USB is there's no master/slave
relationship in serial ports. With serial you can connect a DTE and a
DCE device, or two DTEs, or two DCEs... worst case you need a null modem
and gender changer. Can't do that with USB, at least no with out
additional active electronics.
Take the TinyTrak3 for example... single serial port is used to connect
to the PC for configuring, then to the GPS for tracking. Not to mention
the additional hardware USB would require on such a tiny device. Same
situation with the KPC-3 as a tracker.
USB is great for a lot of applications, but it isn't a perfect
replacement for good-old buggy whips... I mean serial ports.
David, ky7dr
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Subject: Re: laptop
From: "Scott Miller" <scott@opentrac.org>
Date: Fri, 14 May 2004 12:46:13 -0700
X-Message-Number: 12
Yes, I understand... that's exactly why I've included serial ports in my
design. There are few interfaces as hacker-friendly as RS-232.
Still, for host connections, USB is going to be a requirement for many new
systems. Might as well do it right.
Scott
N1VG
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Subject: Re: laptop
From: Jeff King <jeff@aerodata.net>
Date: Fri, 14 May 2004 15:46:42 -0500 (CDT)
X-Message-Number: 13
Quoting KC2MMi <kc2mmi@verizon.net>:
>GPSes with USB interfaces are still the exception to the rule. As long as
>GPSes keep using buggy whips (serial ports) I'll keep looking for buggy
>suppliers.
Garmin GPS-18 will be shipping with USB support.
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Subject: RE: laptop
From: "Keith Kotch" <kkotch@cfl.rr.com>
Date: Fri, 14 May 2004 16:47:18 -0400
X-Message-Number: 14
Better and easier question is what to be looking for.
I've got a Dell Inspiron 600m which has a regular, good 'ole fashioned
serial port along with 2 USBs. Might want to check out Dells.
Keith, KF4BXT
-----Original Message-----
I'm considering picking up a laptop and may want to run DOS aprs on it
sometimes. Some newer laptops use USB serial instead of naive serial ports,
thereby not allowing DOS access to a serial port. What are the ones to
avoid?
Wes
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Subject: Conversation with Kenwood at Dayton
From: Phil Reed <preed@dnaco.net>
Date: Fri, 14 May 2004 20:05:04 -0400
X-Message-Number: 15
I had a chance to talk with one of the Kenwood product reps (sorry, I
didn't get his name) today at Dayton, and I asked him about when we might
be seeing the next generation of APRS-enabled radios. He said:
(1) No dramatic new products in the next two years.
(2) They are apparently working on a refresh of the D7A (mainly related to
putting it in a different case; more robust and a little wider).
(3) I asked directly about flash memory and interfacing issues (serial
ports). The fellow I talked to said that the product development team is
well aware of the problem of the vanishing serial ports in today's PCs. In
fact, he noted that his new Sony Vaio desktop computer doesn't have any
RS-232 ports either. He said that Kenwood land mobile radios are starting
to use USB, thus USB should start appearing in amateur products soon. As
for flash updates of the firmware, as well as the suggestion of opening up
access to the hardware for user-written software, they are concerned about
warranty issues -- what happens if somebody uploads something that breaks
the radio? We discussed technical options around this issue for a couple of
minutes.
(4) Kenwood still considers the APRS radios in their "hot seller" category,
even if they are getting "long in the tooth" (the rep's words).
If anybody else happens through the booth, snag a rep and mention what
you'd like to see in the radio. They will go back to the office on Monday
and digest the buzz they got from the show floor, so everybody who talks up
the radio (even if you're discussing what you think ought to be improved)
will help product management keep it on their radar.
--
...phil / w8sca
"For a list of all the ways technology has failed
to improve the quality of life, press 3."
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Subject: Re: laptop
From: "Mike Yetsko" <myetsko@insydesw.com>
Date: Fri, 14 May 2004 22:07:11 -0400
X-Message-Number: 16
>>(And I'm even doing
>>tricks with my software where I include a 'multiplexor' to put
>>multiple devices on one com port.)
>
>Years ago I proposed this, with four and eight port versions, but it was
useless w/o support on the application side. No takers..
>Today I use edgeports, which is what my box would have looked like,
minus diagnostic leds, and 12V power. If I didn't get them from Ebay, I
would still be after the mux solution as the 8 port edgeports are $600+.
>
>I still have that mux code.
I just built a small PCB with 2 of the HIN202s on it. DTR in one
direction ties to one port, DTR in the other ties to the other. Simple,
cheap, and effective. I made it a true switch too, the unused port
is dead to the world.
Mike
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Subject: RE: Conversation with Kenwood at Dayton
From: "Eric H. Christensen" <kf4otn@earthlink.net>
Date: Fri, 14 May 2004 23:15:21 -0400
X-Message-Number: 17
Phil,
Outstanding work! Everyone should let Kenwood know that APRS is changing,
breathing animal and flash-updatable firmware is a must!
73s,
Eric KF4OTN
---
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