Most of us know that adding serial ports to a PC in an expensive and often
frustrating experience. Adding serial ports to a Laptop for DXpedition is
even worse. Also, there are no simple solutions for driving
DuneStar/ICE/SixPac type switches from a PC.
I am considering creating an external multi-port serial/parallel module, in
the $100-$200 range, that would connect to a Windows 98/ME/2000 computer's
parallel port and provide 4 serial ports (i.e. LPT1 becomes COM1-COM4).
Alternatively, it could be connected to a serial port and provide 4 serial
ports in its place. (i.e. COM1 becomes COM1-COM4).
Beyond that, a daughter board, would allow you to add a mix of up to 4 more
serial or parallel ports. The parallel ports would including high (+12v) OR
low (ground) drivers (for Dunestar/SixPac switches).
Several questions:
1) Is this of interest to my fellow WriteLog users?
2) Would anyone like to help with this?
3) Would it be important for the LPT version to continue to support a
printer connected to the port? What if it increased the cost by $20. What
if it takes twice as long to create the module?
4) How useful is the serial version? How useful is the parallel version?
How about a USB version?
5) Should it support other operating systems (Windows 95/NT)? Even if it
doubles the cost?
6) What kind of connectors should be used. I prefer to use RJ45 (modular
Ethernet) connectors and RJ45-DB9 adapters for serial connections. Would
DB9's be better. DINs? Mini-Dins (Mouse/Keyboard connectors)?
7) How important is shielding? What if it increases the cost by $40?
8) Should there be more versions of the module. Say 2 serial/2 parallel.
Should there be fewer -- 4 serial / 4 parallel or 6 serial / 2 parallel.
Should any combination be available? Even if it increases the cost by $5 a
port?
9) Should the serial ports support TTL signaling? This allows you to talk
to a number of rigs (Kenwood/Icom) without an adapter.
Please respond to AE2F@QSL.NET
Thanks,
..Eugene..
AE2F
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