On 3/26/2019 3:21 PM, Michael Hemel kb7wuk@... [ui-view] wrote:
Has anyone tried the newer KPC-3+ with a USB port to connect with your
computer/UI-View instead of the DB-25?
It will obviously have lost some of the unique connections that are on
the DB-25, but I wonder how it works with UI-View.
The Kantronics web site makes it look like the version with the DB-25 is
still available. I wonder if that is until existing stock is depleted or
if they'll continue to manufacture the two versions.
Mike?? KB7WUK
Portland OR
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All they did was insert an FTDI serial<-->USB chip inside the box, in front of
the existing serial circuitry.? The net effect is exactly the same as? using an
external serial<-->USB cable dongle on the old KPC3+ DB25. ? ?? They DID have
the sense to use the top-rated FTDI USB<-->serial chip instead of the
inexorable Prolific chip.
The FTDI driver is rock-solid and available in versions for all OS platforms.
UIview (or any other application) should work exactly the same as it does with
an external USB<-->serial cable;? i.e. perfectly as long as you assign the
virtual comport created by the FTDI driver to COM8 or lower.?? (UIview can't
access com numbers above COM8.)
Unfortunately, Kantronics blew it in one way -- since the KPC3+ requires 9-12
VDC, it can't power itself off the 5VDC available at a USB port.?? Considering
the low current drain (30mA or less), it would have been a natural candidate
for USB power.
The real question though is: ? Why would one spend USD $300 for a KPC3+ when
you can get far superior TNC performance with the UZ7HO Soundmodem or DireWolf
soundcard soft TNCs? ? Either will link to UIview's AGWpe host mode.
If you want a standalone low-power packet "appliance" instead of a full-blown
PC, DireWolf will run on a $30 Raspberry Pi under Rasbian Linux.
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