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Ot - rs232 - db9 — Parallax Forums

Ot - rs232 - db9

ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
edited 2003-09-07 15:26 in General Discussion
Gentlemen:

Having been a long subscriber of this list (and a stamp user) I decided
to ask an off topic question.

I am looking for a method or adapter that can be connected to a laptop
computers' RS232 port. Most older laptops have only one RS232 port and I
need two.

My needs are to connect a GPS receiver and a Side Scan Sonar unit to an
older laptop. My purpose for using the older (obsolete/cheap) laptops is
that when the laptop (not waterproof) gets wet with salt water, I can throw it
away and get another one at no great expense. Of course I will protect it
from the elements as best as I can.

The newer of the older laptops have plug in cards which are quite expensive.
But if I could get (or make) an adapter it would solve most of my problems.

The software I am using runs under Windows 95 and 98 only.

I hope someone can help. Thanks

Dick


[noparse][[/noparse]Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Comments

  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2003-09-07 14:42
    Dick
    Search Google for "parallel to serial" and "USB to serial"
    They are a lot of answers.
    Regards
    ECO

    Original Message
    From: "Richard Gurske" <rfgurske@i...>
    To: <basicstamps@yahoogroups.com>
    Sent: Sunday, September 07, 2003 3:13 PM
    Subject: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] OT - RS232 - DB9


    > Gentlemen:
    >
    > Having been a long subscriber of this list (and a stamp user) I decided
    > to ask an off topic question.
    >
    > I am looking for a method or adapter that can be connected to a laptop
    > computers' RS232 port. Most older laptops have only one RS232 port and I
    > need two.
    >
    > My needs are to connect a GPS receiver and a Side Scan Sonar unit to an
    > older laptop. My purpose for using the older (obsolete/cheap) laptops is
    > that when the laptop (not waterproof) gets wet with salt water, I can throw it
    > away and get another one at no great expense. Of course I will protect it
    > from the elements as best as I can.
    >
    > The newer of the older laptops have plug in cards which are quite expensive.
    > But if I could get (or make) an adapter it would solve most of my problems.
    >
    > The software I am using runs under Windows 95 and 98 only.
    >
    > I hope someone can help. Thanks
    >
    > Dick
    >
    >
    > [noparse][[/noparse]Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
    >
    >
    > To UNSUBSCRIBE, just send mail to:
    > basicstamps-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
    > from the same email address that you subscribed. Text in the Subject and Body
    of the message will be ignored.
    >
    >
    > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
    >
    >
    >
    >
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2003-09-07 14:48
    I'd first check to seek if either of your sensors can directly use the
    parallel (printer) port. I suspect that you could rather easily jury-rig the
    parallel port if need be.

    Original Message
    From: "Richard Gurske" <rfgurske@i...>
    To: <basicstamps@yahoogroups.com>
    Sent: Sunday, September 07, 2003 6:13 AM
    Subject: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] OT - RS232 - DB9


    > Gentlemen:
    >
    > Having been a long subscriber of this list (and a stamp user) I decided
    > to ask an off topic question.
    >
    > I am looking for a method or adapter that can be connected to a laptop
    > computers' RS232 port. Most older laptops have only one RS232 port and I
    > need two.
    >
    > My needs are to connect a GPS receiver and a Side Scan Sonar unit to an
    > older laptop. My purpose for using the older (obsolete/cheap) laptops is
    > that when the laptop (not waterproof) gets wet with salt water, I can
    throw it
    > away and get another one at no great expense. Of course I will protect it
    > from the elements as best as I can.
    >
    > The newer of the older laptops have plug in cards which are quite
    expensive.
    > But if I could get (or make) an adapter it would solve most of my
    problems.
    >
    > The software I am using runs under Windows 95 and 98 only.
    >
    > I hope someone can help. Thanks
    >
    > Dick
    >
    >
    > [noparse][[/noparse]Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
    >
    >
    > To UNSUBSCRIBE, just send mail to:
    > basicstamps-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
    > from the same email address that you subscribed. Text in the Subject and
    Body of the message will be ignored.
    >
    >
    > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
    >
    >
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2003-09-07 15:26
    Oh, I have had THIS problem before.
    The simplist (and cheapest) solution I've found is
    to put in a USB based adapter. BAFO makes one, and
    I'm very fond of the KeySpan 19W. The KeySpan 49W
    has 4 serial ports, which look just like local ports
    once the drivers are installed, and works perfectly.
    The Belkin one's don't emulate the hand-shake
    signals properly, nor do PDA USB interfaces.

    HOWEVER -- to do this, you need Win98 or later, or
    Win95B. Win95B is an OEM only version, which added
    USB support to Win95. Win95 'plain' DOES NOT HAVE
    USB support. Win NT 4.0 DOES NOT HAVE USB support
    either.

    The next most expensive is a PCMCIA card which
    has one or two serial ports on it. Again, talk
    to the vendor -- drivers for these are
    VERY OS version specific. The 'single' port
    cards tend to be MUCH easier to interface, and
    are quite portable from laptop to laptop.

    Finally, SEALEVEL makes ethernet based units which
    connect to the ethernet port. But now we're talking
    real expense -- $500 to $3,000.

    And here's a thought: you could use a Stamp-based
    solution to convert one port into two. You'd need
    control of the port, since you'll be putting a
    'split' protocol on top of the existing application.
    You'd need one to three external 232 receivers,
    depending on if all three ports (two 'in' and one
    'out') could talk at the same time.

    Recommendation: Upgrade to Win98 and use USB,
    whenever possible.

    --- In basicstamps@yahoogroups.com, "Richard Gurske" <rfgurske@i...>
    wrote:
    > Gentlemen:
    >
    > Having been a long subscriber of this list (and a stamp user) I
    decided
    > to ask an off topic question.
    >
    > I am looking for a method or adapter that can be connected to a
    laptop
    > computers' RS232 port. Most older laptops have only one RS232 port
    and I
    > need two.
    >
    > My needs are to connect a GPS receiver and a Side Scan Sonar unit
    to an
    > older laptop. My purpose for using the older (obsolete/cheap)
    laptops is
    > that when the laptop (not waterproof) gets wet with salt water, I
    can throw it
    > away and get another one at no great expense. Of course I will
    protect it
    > from the elements as best as I can.
    >
    > The newer of the older laptops have plug in cards which are quite
    expensive.
    > But if I could get (or make) an adapter it would solve most of my
    problems.
    >
    > The software I am using runs under Windows 95 and 98 only.
    >
    > I hope someone can help. Thanks
    >
    > Dick
    >
    >
    > [noparse][[/noparse]Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
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