Don and all, It isn't the K3 utility's problem either. Just how is the utility's supposed lack of robustness affect the connection between radio and computer? It doesn't.
The entire planet has been sold a bill of goods concerning laptops, mostly because of the "gee whiz" factor. They are compromised computers. They are comparatively expensive, they are slower, they are more prone to physical damage, They have almost zero expansion ability. The newest ones don't have MCMCIA slots anymore. If you don't know what you are doing they are a nightmare to fix.How many laptop owners out there haven't had key caps pop off the keyboard? I don't understand folks who have no compunction about spending $4K on a box full of parts that if the assembly instructions are followed and they have a minimum of mechanical ability will become the K3. Yet, some of these same folks balk and squeal about adding a $10 serial port card to their computers. Amazing. Anything USB based is going to be dependent on the quality of the drivers associated with it. Doesn't matter computer platform or OS. If you get crappy drivers the device is going to be unreliable at best. This is why I'm glad Elecraft hasn't succumbed to the uniformed pressure to add a USB hub to the K3. The day they do is the day they become responsible for every sniggeling little problems that pops up because of drivers. On Sat, 05 Feb 2011 22:07:17 -0500 Don Wilhelm <[email protected]> wrote: > Don, > > I have trouble blaming the problem on the K3 when the real problem > lies with the Operating System and properly operating drivers (or > lack thereof) for the USB to serial adapters. > > Use of a desktop computer for the hamshack is quite desirable IMHO - > mine sits under the desk and the monitor, keyboard and mouse takes up > less space than a laptop. If the particular desktop does not come > with serial ports, there are cards available that will add native > serial ports to a desktop. Laptops are quite another story, although > PCMCIA serial port cards are available and should be more reliable > than USB to serial adapters. -- R. Kevin Stover AC0H ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[email protected] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
