using a network pcmcia to serial com port for programming?

[ptolemy9200]

I avoid the usb to serial. Everyone says not to and it can be risky on expensive equipment. Alternatively I could get the usb oem /\/\ cables but there pretty pricey. My desktop is old has issues and it's days seen better. My modern laptop is a Dell inspiron. It only has usb. I checked with Dell on the pcmcia adaptor card slot to serial port. They no longer have it but I ran into plenty of third party vendors they reccomended with same specs. So for programming xts and xtl equipment has anyone ever used the pcmcia to db9 serial comport before and had successful use with it programming xts equipment? I decided to look into it since it would be the closest thing on that laptop to a main board serial port. It's also cheaper compared to the 300 dollar /\/\ usb cables. Yes my serial cables are oem and I kick self way back when now for not going usb at time. Any thoughts and would anyone have reason to not even attempt? If all fails my next method would be out to find used oem usb xts xtl cables or end up going new oem. Thanks for any thoughts or input.

 

[KJ6PNN]

I've never used a pcmcia to serial card.

However, I've never had a single issue with the USB adapter that Motorola recommends (IO gear). I've used it with both OEM and aftermarket cables, on both Astro and Astro25 radios (Plus lots others), on XP, and 7, with zero issues.

I used to be afraid of adapters too, but now everything newer than Jedi gets done with one.

 

[ptolemy9200]

Is it a order from mol or you know the site you use? If you had success with one your using I'd prefer to look into what your using exactly.

 

[ptolemy9200]

Would this be it?http://www.iogear.com/product/GUC232A/

 

[Number 6]

Yes, that's the one. This has been discussed extensively:

http://communications.support/threads/2740-Astro25-USB-to-Serial-Adapter-Cable

 

[ptolemy9200]

Thanks I missed that. Good deal appreciate it guys.

 

[Number 6]

No problem. Here's some additional discussion:

http://communications.support/threads/7574-USB-to-Serial-Adapter-Suggestion?highlight=iogear

 

[ptolemy9200]

No problem. Here's some additional discussion:

http://communications.support/threads/7574-USB-to-Serial-Adapter-Suggestion?highlight=iogear

Read and found interesting the silver and green us to serial. I looked in my tote full of goodies and found this one. However I checked and the driver cd was old. I went online and the hl-340 driver I found was newer. For xp. Anyway I installed it and programming it's slowly reading like real slow. Any thoughts? Is the speed in the device settings too slow?

 

[ptolemy9200]

I'm using xp on that for icom programming. It's still reading so far quarter way being in ten minutes. Crossing my fingers it don't time out.

 

[ptolemy9200]

So 11 minutes and half in the read radio failed pops up and I was like great. Clicked ok and the radio thankfully reset and is fine. Hmmm I'm gonna order the iogear. Not sure about the hl-340 usb to serial unless I'm missing something. The device manager shows the following for usb-serial ch 30 on com4. Bits per second 9600. Data bits 8. Parity none. Stop bits 1. Flow control none. I was thinking it needs to be com port 1 as that's always been the case with other devices I recall. Any thoughts?

 

[ptolemy9200]

Further investigation and reading I am closing this. I have determined it's possible this is a clone cable or fake chip set. I got lucky. If I recall it came with a bunch of radio stuff I got at a private auction. Not going to chance it and wait for the iogear to come in. If I have any questions then I'll start new thread.

 

[Alpha]

So 11 minutes and half in the read radio failed pops up and I was like great. Clicked ok and the radio thankfully reset and is fine. Hmmm I'm gonna order the iogear. Not sure about the hl-340 usb to serial unless I'm missing something. The device manager shows the following for usb-serial ch 30 on com4. Bits per second 9600. Data bits 8. Parity none. Stop bits 1. Flow control none. I was thinking it needs to be com port 1 as that's always been the case with other devices I recall. Any thoughts?

You can either: set the CPS to default to COM4 (In the "Options" Screen for the CPS) or you can reprogram the port as COM1. Assuming you don't have another device already designated as COM1, you need to go to device manager, then get properties for the COM port, go to the "Port Settings" tab, and hit the "Advanced" button. There you will find a port selector where you can change from COM4 to COM1. Again, assuming nothing else is using it - if so, you'll have to do the same thing to that port; assign it to some other port temporarily like COM5, then switch it back to COM4 later.

If you are getting a COM port recognized when the USB driver loads, it's probably the correct driver for that adapter...