> "Thump" ...there, I'm giving this horse one more kick for good
> measure!
*Be careful!* There *is* a compatibility problem with Prolific USB
to serial converters and programs written in VB6 when used for CAT
(serial) rig control - at least with some versions of the Prolific
drivers.
If you get a Prolific based USB to serial converter, be prepared to
debug communications problems and go looking for driver updates.
It's possible to resolve the issues but I would stick to the FTDI
based devices and restrict Prolific devices to FSK using EXTFSK or
WriteLog's "Software generated FSK."
73,
... Joe, W4TV
On 6/13/2011 1:40 PM, Robert Chudek - K0RC wrote:
> Joe said: "I have used the Prolific cables for rig control and they
> worked fine."
>
> "Thump" ...there, I'm giving this horse one more kick for good measure!
>
> Joe is correct... there does not seem to be any issue with using either
> FTDI or Prolific converters for rig control. The difference comes to
> light when trying to key the low speed FSK data.
>
> During the earlier days when RTTY operators were making the transition
> from physical COM ports to USB/Serial ports, the pass/fail results were
> traced to the different implementations by these two manufacturers.
> Those having success reported the device used the FTDI chipset, while
> those having mixed results were using the Prolific chipset.
>
> In any case, in my shack I have the FTDI adapters exclusively. This
> eliminates the probability of my 'senior moment' when I put the wrong
> vendor adapter on my FSK connection!
>
> 73 de Bob - KØRC in MN
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> On 6/13/2011 12:12 PM, k0bx@arrl.net wrote:
>> This dead horse never dies! But that means we are getting new guys on
>> RTTY.
>>
>> I needed a USB=>Serial port adapter to run my laptop on FD. Someone here I
>> think pointed me to the following website:
>>
>> http://www.usbgear.com/USB-PRODUCT-DETAILS.cfm?sku=USBG-232FT-1&catid=106&cats=106
>>
>>
>> This is the one I bought. Quick service. The software came with it and all
>> worked well. I was able to do RigControl for my PRO3 and CW on the same
>> adapter
>> at the same time. I did not get to try it on FSK. That would have answer
>> the
>> question below. This did have the FTDI Chip. So I think it would work
>> fine.
>> BTW the website has other adapters.
>>
>> I have used the Prolific cables for rigcontrol and they worked fine.
>>
>> Joe K0BX
>>
>> Stop the insanity!
>> Please do not add me to any distribution lists (Joke, Stories or Junk)
>> without
>> my permission.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> ________________________________
>> From: Robert Chudek - K0RC<k0rc@citlink.net>
>> To: rtty@contesting.com
>> Sent: Mon, June 13, 2011 11:29:14 AM
>> Subject: Re: [RTTY] USB-Serial
>>
>> Hello Pete,
>>
>> The most effective solution is to use a software driver called EXTFSK.
>> This removes the need to find an "old" USB/Serial converter to run FSK
>> at 45 baud. Using this software driver with MMTTY allows just about any
>> modern USB/Serial device to work. There is an issue though, to ensure
>> the USB/Serial converter works it's best to find a device based upon the
>> FTDI chip set (as opposed to the Prolific chip set).
>>
>> Here's a link to the FTDI site: http://www.ftdichip.com/FTProducts.htm
>>
>> Make certain the converter you purchase says it uses the FTDI chipset
>> and driver. The Prolific chipset "might" work, but it's a crap shoot,
>> depending upon its age and software driver.
>>
>> So there's two pieces to the puzzle... Using the EXTFSK software driver
>> with MMTTY and using an FTDI based converter for the hardware connection.
>>
>> 73 de Bob - KØRC in MN
>>
>> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>> _______________________________________________
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>> RTTY@contesting.com
>> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/rtty
>>
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