USB Serial Port Adapter Vs. USB Cables

[vamedic826]

My work computer Died to the point it would not power up. So my IS Departemnt has ordered me a shiney new one but it does not have a serial port. They suggested a usb to serial port adapter and I have read mixed reviews on here about them. My Moto dealer has suggested the USB ribless cables for Moto. does anyone have any experiance with these cables? Also I didn't know Moto had ribless cables?

[Wowbagger]

It depends upon the specifics of the radio service software. Older stuff was written to directly access the serial port hardware, and to do very specific timing in talking to the radio. That vintage software won't work with a USB to RS-232 adapter.

Newer software is written to use the Windows serial API, and the timing requirements are looser, and are enforced in a way compatible with the serial API. Those will work fine with a USB device.

Moreover, all the new radios are programmed over USB, precisely because old school 16550 UARTs are going the way of the dodo.

[RFguy]

What model of radios do you need to program?

[vamedic826]

RFguy, I am Programming Mainly CDM 1550ls and HT-1250ls most radio's are under two years old and I have the latest CPS.

Wowbagger, Thanks for the respose.

[HLA]

simplest answer, find a older computer with a real serial port, the factory never made a usb cable for that radio. Some claim to have the magic cure all setup for usb to serial but it's eventually gonna catch up with you

[Shuttle]

There are still "hardware" serial cards that can be purchased. These are available with PCI, PCIe, PC-card, expresscard and pcmcia-interfaces.
Might be worth checking this option too.

[wavetar]

If your laptop is capable of it, a docking station is a good idea as well. Not only does it give you a serial port, but usually extra USB ports as well. The docking station we received with our newest HP laptops are quite compact, and the serial port works even if no power is applied to the dock, so we can bring them into vehicles, etc to do field programming.