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@timtapio.com To: APBIDDLE@mailaps.org; amsat-bb@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@amsat.org [mailto:amsat-bb-bounces@amsat.org] On Behalf Of Alan P. Biddle Sent: Tuesday, December 30, 2008 4:06 PM To: amsat-bb@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&cftoke... 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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