++++++++++++++++++ From: UCCINC at aol.com Date: Fri, 18 Jan 2002 09:30:10 EST To: Elecraft at mailman.qth.net Subject: [Elecraft] KIO2 - PDA Adapter - PSK - success! Hi Folks, I finally have some good news to report about my efforts to place a serial port on my laptop. To recap: the new laptop (HP) has what looked like a serial port when I bought it, but it was not! (was a video port) So, the route to take is to add the "dongle" which is a USB to serial port adapter. There is one that Belkin makes for around $80 F5U103 which is rather large and has several connections. Several posts to this reflector indicated that these work with the KIO2. Then there is the smaller version, the Belkin F5U109, which is sold as a PDA serial port adapter to USB and the cost is about half of the larger unit. It has one output connection. They are both billed as USB to serial port adapters. The company, through email, told me that the smaller unit is a "virtual port" and might not work in all situations but the larger unit works almost all of the time. I bought the smaller unit and at first it did not work. The problem turned out to be the fact that installing one of these things can be very tricky. First and foremost you must get the proper drivers (installation software) from the manufacturer's website! As my new computer runs the new Windows XP operating system no devices seem to come with software which is compatible. There is a real difference between the software needed to interface one of these adapters to Windows 95, 98, ME, 2000 and XP. Believe it or not! Also, the way in which you install the software is very important. If you skip a step you must first uninstall everything, (which is a time consuming process) and then start again. (This reminds me of the KAF2 clock --- just kidding :) -- snip -- That's it. Success! I greatly appreciate the help (and sympathy) I received from those on this reflector. Nice guys! Thanks. 73, Bob WB2DHK in Hoboken, NJ +++++++++++++++++ To: James Giercyk Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KIO2 connection Date: Thu, 24 Jan 2002 09:30:29 -0700 (MST) From: cyr999 at extremezone.com Cc: Elecraft Hi Jim - Gary Surrency took the lead on that one. Go down to Staples and buy a Belkin PDA adapter for about $29. Works like a charm and turns your USB into a 9 pin com port. 73/Tim Logan KB7OEX Quoting James Giercyk : > Greetings all...... > > I have just purchased a Compaq Presario 2700, and come to find out > that > it does not have a DB9 serial connection :( I am not sure if this > was > covered in the past, but is it possible to adapt the KIO2 to the USB > port? > Thanks! > > Jim, > N2SUB > K2 1998 ++++++++++++++++++++ To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net Date: Thu, 24 Jan 2002 21:07:40 -0700 From: Gary L Surrency Subject: [Elecraft] KIO2 connection Yes, it works fine. But if you have Win XP on your laptop as I did on my Compaq 2701, you'll probably need to go to Belkin's website and download the appropriate driver. Mutiple serial ports are available on some USB converters, but they cost much more. Shop around. Someone had a good link to USB products on the web. A google.com search will turn up a lot of matches if you're not close to a computer store, or don't mind waiting for the mail. Gary Surrency AB7MY On Thu, 24 Jan 2002 09:30:29 -0700 (MST) cyr999 at extremezone.com writes: > Hi Jim - Gary Surrency took the lead on that one. Go down to Staples > and buy a > Belkin PDA adapter for about $29. Works like a charm and turns your > USB into a 9 > pin com port. 73/Tim Logan KB7OEX ++++++++++++++++++ From: "Robert Parker" To: "Adam Kern" , Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K2/RS-232/USB issues Date: Tue, 25 Mar 2003 12:16:04 -0500 The USB to Serial links should work. I've ordered one and will soon be trying the same thing you described. Essentially the USB is backward converted to the 9pin serial so relative signals should be the same. More later when I get a chance to try it out. I do know that these work well with serial PDAs so I cannot see any reason why it would not work with ofther devices requiring serial connections. Robert VE3RPF ----- Original Message ----- From: "Adam Kern" To: Sent: Tuesday, March 25, 2003 11:49 AM Subject: [Elecraft] K2/RS-232/USB issues Hello, This is more of a general layman computer question, but it does pertain to the K2 somewhat: How can I connect a K2 or other RS-232/serial device to a computer that lacks legacy (serial) ports? I know USB-serial adaptors are available, but do these work with commonly used ham software packages? I'm looking around for used ultraportable laptops to use with a K2 and some of these only have USB. Also, if a single USB-serial link will work, can I useuse a USB hub to replicate multiple serial I/O's? Thanks! Adam, N1KO ++++++++++++++++++ From: "George Anestis" To: "Adam Kern" , Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K2/RS-232/USB issues Date: Tue, 25 Mar 2003 19:00:43 -0500 >How can I connect a K2 or other RS-232/serial device to a computer that lacks legacy (serial) ports? I >know USB-serial adaptors are available, but do these work with commonly used ham software >packages? I'm looking around for used ultraportable laptops to use with a K2 and some of these only >have USB. Also, if a single USB-serial link will work, can I useuse a USB hub to replicate multiple serial >I/O's? Thanks! >Adam, N1KO ================================================================ Hi Adam, They work fine! I have two USB/serial interfaces on my PC right now. I use WIN-EQF for logging and connecting to the local DX Cluster via a TNC, K2Remote for tinkering with rig control, and several other programs for various things...such as: KAwin for connecting to my KAM+ TNC. ChromaPix for SSTV uses one of these comm. ports for PTT switching via my RigBlaster. DigiPan does the same for PSK31, Stream for MFSK16. I've had no problems at all. Not that it should matter, but I'm running Win98se on this machine. I'm in the process of building a new PC that will run WinXP and I have ordered 3 of these USB/serial ports for it. Sorry for rambling, but to sum it up...I notice no difference between these USB/serial adaptors and a "real" legacy serial port. They work the same. 73 - George - W3ANX - K2#518 ++++++++++++++++++++