PCR 100 USB Cable
- Thread starter rlb
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jonny290
Member
As far as I know the only "usb" functionality will entail getting a USB-Serial adapter and then a serial cable. PCR100's don't natively support USB.
The PCR-100 uses an industry standard RS232 Serial Cable, with a DB9 male on the radio end, and a DB9 female for most computers that have serial ports. Some older computers may require a DB25 female connector instead.
One thing to note regarding RS232 serial cables. They can be quite long, allowing you to mount the radio in an upstairs closet, and run your serial cable, and audio cables all the way down to the basement if desired. This helps to eliminate signal losses encountered by long coax runs for the antenna. Or you could put a small computer upstairs with the radio, and access the radio via your WiFi network.
I haven't heard of anyone using a Serial-to-USB adapter with the Icom PCR-100. Anyone try it?
One thing to note regarding RS232 serial cables. They can be quite long, allowing you to mount the radio in an upstairs closet, and run your serial cable, and audio cables all the way down to the basement if desired. This helps to eliminate signal losses encountered by long coax runs for the antenna. Or you could put a small computer upstairs with the radio, and access the radio via your WiFi network.
I haven't heard of anyone using a Serial-to-USB adapter with the Icom PCR-100. Anyone try it?
blueline_308
Member
I am using a cheapo brand USB to serial converter that I bought online from a company called Meritline.....It cost like $10 and works fine on all my RS232 stuff including the PCR100. I only wish I could use more tham one converter at a time, but I cant seem to get it to happen. The OS only recognizes one converter even if two are plugged in. I guess if I had 2 different kind of converter it might work.
k8mcn
Member
GreatLakes said:
I have had zero luck using my "Belkin" serial to USB adaptor. The adapter works perfectly using it on my dedicated "ham/scanner" laptop with my unidens, radio shacks, and various ham applications (ham radio deluxe).
I get various results with the PCR 100, varying from "device not found" to complete system lockup. Just to double check, tried it on a different PC, no luck.
This by no means makes me dislike the PCR100, love the new toy!!
Any hints?
electricsheep
Member
I too had troubles finding a usb/serial adapter that would work with my PCR. I think I bought and returned four before I eventually found one, but it is a no name, so I can't even tell you what brand/manufacturer it is.
jonny290
Member
Thus why I weep for the loss of serial and parallel ports on some newer motherboards 
Always make sure whatever board I'm buying has LPT and serial ports.
Always make sure whatever board I'm buying has LPT and serial ports.jonny290 said:Thus why I weep for the loss of serial and parallel ports on some newer motherboards
They sell PCI bus cards with (2) RS232 and (1) Parallel ports on them. So it's easy to add back to most new systems.
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electricsheep
Member
GreatLakes said:
Unless you are running on laptops as I am... It would be nice to have a serial port on my Dell XPS Gen 2, but I don't think I wanna hack one in.
MatteBlack said:
They make PCMCIA (aka; CardBus) RS232 Ports for laptops. They're not too expensive either.
N
N_Jay
Guest
MatteBlack said:
Plugging in a card is not "hacking" anything.:roll:
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