3a 'Soap on a rope'

[IanS]

Hi folks,

Please could somebody help shed some light on my problem, or at least point me in the right direction? I have searched in vain so far.

My problem : confused:

I have a Psion 3, and a 3a. I also have the official 3link connector. Unfortunately this is the Apple Mac version, and as I don't currently have a Mac, I'm a little stuck. Does anybody know where to find the pinouts for the 3links so I can solder a standard 9 pin serial connector on to the Mac end? Is it a 'Null modem' connection, or just standard straight through serial?

I really want to avoid splashing out a lot of cash for a whole new 3link, just for the sake of the detachable connecting cable!

Many thanks


Ian

:) :

[agregory]

Grab the pod, unplug the mac cable and look at the connector with the '3 Link' side of the pod up. The first row is two and one holes. They are RI, CTS, RTS. The next row of 4 are DSR, GND, DTR, TxD. The last row of 2 are RxD and DCD.
I don't see any problem snipping of the connector off the mac end and soldering on a PC DB9/25 connector.

[IanS]

Thanks agregory. Much appreciated. I will give it a go asap. :)

[IanS]

I don't suppose anybody knows the colour coding for these 3A serial cables by any chance? :confused:

Thanks in advance.

[agregory]

I wouldn't rely on colour code as they probably change over time. Just use a multimeter to check continuity between pins and wires.

[IanS]

Time to invest in a new multimeter... which makes it as expensive a project as buying another 3Link :-(

Thanks though agregory, I'll see if I can beg, borrow or steal one to test it.

[Conkers]

I posted a reply on another topic related to this, but I have a 3Link with the manual, and it would appear that the cable was compatable with both PCs and Macs.
I have attached a zip with the sections from the manual on connecting to a PC/Mac and the Appendix on the Pins.
Hope this helps

[Conkers]

The attachment must be too large, asit hasn't come on.
e-mail me privately and i'll forward it to you