PowerSDR KE9NS v2.8

Has anyone found an adapter or hub which will interface from a USB-C port to the 1394-A port on a Flex 3000?

I would like to operate portable with my Dell XPS laptop & the Flex. The laptop has 2 native thunderbolt ports and an expansion hub with a USB-C port.

I have found different conversion cables but I'm not sold they are adequate.. Anybody made this work yet?

Tnx,Ric W5IHL

FireWire only comes in PCI slot(obsolete), PCMCIA slot (obsolete laptop PCI), Expresscard slot (PCIe found on the outside of older laptops), Thunderbolt (which is PCIe over cable), "MINI PCIe" slot (found inside some laptops), and the original desktop PCIe Slot x1 through x16.

If your USB-C has a thunderbolt symbol next to it, or is USB4, you may be in luck. I know Thunderbolt 3 or 2 works with the Apple Thunderbolt 2 to Firewire adapter. I dont know about Thunderbolt 4, but I assume its compatible with Thunderbolt 3 (which is also now USB4)
If your laptop has a "MINI PCIe" slot inside, your in luck.
If your laptop has an "Expresscard" slot, your in luck.


Darrin

Hi Darrin, the specs for this machine say it's Thunderbolt 4 ports are USB-C ports.

No "MINI PCIe" slot inside or "Expresscard" slot though.

Ric

Wow, looking at the Apple Thunderbolt 2 to Firewire adapter, part # MD464LL/A, is made from Rareitrium and the scalpers are scalping the price.

Looks like it needs a 800 to 400 adapter too.

Is this the adapter you mentioned?

Yes, if you click on the left side FireWire link on my website, open it up and scroll down, you will see the photos of the entire chain of adapters.
Its unfortunate that Apple stopped making the adapter.
I know it will work with Thunderbolt 2 or 3(with a 3 to 2 cable) but I dont know about Thunderbolt 4?
Also not 100% sure about USB4 (which is supposed to support Thunderbolt3)

Darrin

I missed this info on your website entirely!
Using the Thunderbolt/USB-4 on my Dell looks an expensive risky experiment. There is a lot of ifs involved.

I'm leaning to buying a Lenovo W530 i7 and dedicating it to the Flex 3000. It has a Firewire port and an Express card slot as well. Not sure if the 15.6' screen is too small or if the 2.4ghz processor is an issue. I found a review for it but with the 3ghz I7.
https://www.notebookcheck.net/Review-Le ... 062.0.html

Which laptop are you using?

I settled on a HP Elitebook 8760W 17"Laptop i7 2.7GHz quad core which has a 1394 port along with an Express Card slot. Although build was apx 2011 it was high end and still useful. Will be interesting configure & to run it with the Flex 3000 mobile.

Tnx for help Darrin!