[amsat-bb] Re: USB to serial converters

Thu Jan 1 16:23:54 PST 2009

The only issue I have ever had with a USB to Serial converter is latency.

I was programming a device which expected an instant response.

I used a tradituional UART serial port no probs.

Programmers need to be aware of this.

The device has to convert and there is a delay.

Just be aware of that 

Andrew VK4TEC
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Mark Spencer 
  To: amsat-bb at amsat.org 
  Sent: Friday, January 02, 2009 4:39 AM
  Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: USB to serial converters

  Thanks all for the responses to this. I was able to find a cheap unit in a local electronics store that they agreeded to allow me to return if it did not work.

  While at first it appeared that it had the FTDI chip set (some of the driver software referrs to that chip set..) it seems that it is a "Simple Perfection" PL 2303 unit that uses a different chip set.

  So far it works with all my equipment (inlcuding my FT 736 and SAT32PC) If it does not work out in the future I will obtain one of the ones you have mentioned.

  Best regards and 73
  VE7AFZ

  ________________________________
  From: Tim Tapio <tim at timtapio.com>
  To: APBIDDLE at mailaps.org; amsat-bb at amsat.org
  Sent: Tuesday, December 30, 2008 2:20:29 PM
  Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: USB to serial converters

  The FTDI chip set seems to be the best way to go. I bought my adapters
  through Parallax, for $14.95 plus s/h. I have found nothing that doesn't
  work with it, either under XP or Vista.

  Tim T. K4SHF

  -----Original Message-----
  From: amsat-bb-bounces at amsat.org [mailto:amsat-bb-bounces at amsat.org] On
  Behalf Of Alan P. Biddle
  Sent: Tuesday, December 30, 2008 4:06 PM
  To: amsat-bb at amsat.org
  Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: USB to serial converters

  Mark,

  Keyspans are good. I have only one, really old, obscure piece of software
  which won't work with them.

  I got a rig programmer from RT Systems, and picked up one of the RTS-03 as
  they guaranteed it would work. It did, and with everything else I tried it.
  Somewhat brand X, but it uses the FTDI chip set. 

  http://www.rtsystemsinc.com/othercables_template.cfm?cfid=3106444&cftoken=39
  931273

  Something to consider is an adapter by Parallax. Go to WWW.PARALLAX.COM and
  put in the part number 28030. It uses the FTDI chip set, and is designed to
  be used as a programming controller rather than just a communications
  interface, so it brings out a few more lines than does the typical USB to
  serial converter. Some rigs may need those. With the USB A to mini USB B
  cable it is about $20. I have never found a rig or similar control function
  it will not support, even when making house calls. The only drawback it
  that it doesn't really have a case. With a little Exacto knife work you can
  modify a cheap plastic RS shell to fit.

  Alan
  WA4SCA

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