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Parallel port to USB Advice on Options to adapt
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I have a parallel port N2PK VNA circa 2009-ish, I need to interface to usb. Looking at options it appears an option from elrasoft.com built on the CY7C68013(A) with a header to parallel port PC or wiring harness might fit the bill from a hardware side.
Software and driver side - I am unclear on options to either develop or utilize a driver already compiled with the newer elrasoft.com board options. Note sure who is still around or if this group has any active members. Would appreciate a reply if you are active even if you don't have the answers I am searching for. While my current hope is a W11 PC I hope to have soon a XP laptop with a true parallel port to tinker with, so my VNA journey may progress on XP but I would like to migrate to W11. |
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I'm still here, although it has been years since I fired up my N2PK. When I last did, I used a Win7 Lenovo T400 with a docking station that provides a parallel port, etc. DG8SAQ software is wonderful with the N2PK
My N2PK is an original build; I did the first detector mod and actually bought a v2 board but never populated it. Still have it, some loose parts and a spare crystal oscillator laying around here someplace. I've moved on to the DG8SAQ/SDR-Kits model with full 2-port S-parameters for bench work and for single-port field use, a DG5MK FA-VA5. I still believe that Paul led the way for these. Wes N7WS |
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Have you checked the G8KBB page?
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All you need is still available there. Just don't give up, great piece of hardware! Vladimir, yt7aa -----Original Message-----
From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of ptsmantua Sent: Thursday, May 25, 2023 11:32 AM To: [email protected] Subject: [N2PK-VNA] Parallel port to USB Advice on Options to adapt I have a parallel port N2PK VNA circa 2009-ish, I need to interface to usb. Looking at options it appears an option from elrasoft.com built on the CY7C68013(A) with a header to parallel port PC or wiring harness might fit the bill from a hardware side. Software and driver side - I am unclear on options to either develop or utilize a driver already compiled with the newer elrasoft.com board options. Note sure who is still around or if this group has any active members. Would appreciate a reply if you are active even if you don't have the answers I am searching for. While my current hope is a W11 PC I hope to have soon a XP laptop with a true parallel port to tinker with, so my VNA journey may progress on XP but I would like to migrate to W11. |
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Thanks Vladamir,
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I am wading through it - just trying to sort out what I need and what is extra. It is a great piece of gear and I would like to get it going again. De Philip VK3JW/KF8JW On Thu, May 25, 2023 at 11:51?PM Vladimir Simic <yt7aa@...> wrote:
Have you checked the G8KBB page? --
Philip Sage - CMRP [image: View my profile on LinkedIn] |
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I recall a Parallel to USB conveter on Ebay or Amazon that used the Cypress chip. When I get home I will try to find the information.
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Mike N2MS
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Be wary of the adapters on ebay and amazon - they are only for printers and do not necessarily provide full two way communication.? The G8KBB adapter and software work.? I recently tested my unit.
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Raj, N2RD On 5/25/2023 12:02 PM, N2MS wrote:
I recall a Parallel to USB conveter on Ebay or Amazon that used the Cypress chip. When I get home I will try to find the information. --
-- Rajiv Dewan |
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Where can he get the G8KBB adapter?
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Mike N2MS
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I'm delighted to see some traffic here. :)
I used an adaptor designed by Dave Brainerd WB6DHW that he sold as a parts kit; that was many years ago but he may still have the PCB and parts. Try; It, and the N2PK VNA, still work flawlessly. Apropos XP & Win 11, I found when I began with the N2PK VNA that a laptop occupied too much bench space so I bought a little 10" netbook with the XP that was then current. It is still working perfectly with Dave's myVNA for the N2PK and Tom's VNWA for that instrument; "number-crunching" doesn't require the power of today's computers. I have recently been forced by computer failures to buy a laptop and a desktop with, of course, Win 11; I hate it, XP is much simpler and more-intuitive for such tasks as saving files. I like my little XP netbook so much that I recently bought an almost-identical second-hand one; it appears to have been little-used and looked-after in its ca.15-year life, it even has the original box and documentation! I have loaded myVNA and VNWA into it and am keeping it as a spare in case the first netbook expires. Kerry VK2TIL. |
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Hi Kerry and All,
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This is the document that I used to assembly Dave's G8KBB USB board a long time ago. Dave was quietly selling extra PCB boards. In the process of debugging the parallel port interface Paul N2PK had written a DOS program to twiddle the port bits, I recommend that you find of copy of this program to validate the port bits toggle and and the USB I/F is functional... I am still using Paul's single detector board with Dave's USB board. Note, there were some pin reassignments for Makarov's dual detector single board layout, ignore this if you are his boards. I could be proded to look further for Paul's bite toggling program. ;-) Glad to see this group come active again. Dave - wb9own On Sunday, May 28, 2023, 12:28:40 AM CDT, Kerry <planningpower@...> wrote:
I have a large collection of files relating to USB adaptors for the N2PK; the attached document by Dave G8KBB is very informative. Kerry VK2TIL. |
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G'day to all.
As I said earlier, I have a substantial file on the USB adaptor; it's my habit to collect information on a project before beginning it and I don't throw the information away after completion. I couldn't work-out how to put this information in the Group's Files section so I have attached it here as a .zip file. I hope that works; I'm decidedly computer-illiterate and, as the A said to the B, I've never done this before. :) Kerry VK2TIL. |
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Thanks Kerry,
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I did test the website provided but it is largely vacant. I will email Dave at the Contact address. I would likel consider an Elrasoft board if I can determine which board is relevant noting the DB-25 adaption would still likely be required. Thanks for the build notes and test method. De Philip KF8JW/VK3FJW On Sun, May 28, 2023 at 7:48?AM Kerry <planningpower@...> wrote:
I'm delighted to see some traffic here. :) --
Philip Sage - CMRP [image: View my profile on LinkedIn] |
Wes Stewart
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