whipper_snapper
Well-Known Member
I have used SSB connected to a PK232 modem for winlink and airmail for some time. This has involved a laptop with 2 USB-serial converters – 1 to the modem and 1 to the radio. It has worked well but the USB connections were always vulnerable to RF noise which regularly crashed the mail programme, or a USB driver, or the whole computer. I had to keep a long distance between the laptop and the radio and minimise transmitted power, even then I would get regular crashes. Ferrites were no help.
I read somewhere that this was a characteristic of USB. So recently I tried using a PCMCIA to serial adapter. The difference is amazing, it worked immediately and without problem and I have had no crashes at all. There are many suppliers of several models and prices vary widely, I found the cheapest to be at Dabs. It has not been abused at sea yet, but all the signs are that it will be a big improvement.
May be of interest to anyone experiencing similar problems with their setup, or planning a new one.
I read somewhere that this was a characteristic of USB. So recently I tried using a PCMCIA to serial adapter. The difference is amazing, it worked immediately and without problem and I have had no crashes at all. There are many suppliers of several models and prices vary widely, I found the cheapest to be at Dabs. It has not been abused at sea yet, but all the signs are that it will be a big improvement.
May be of interest to anyone experiencing similar problems with their setup, or planning a new one.
