3a - getting online

[quayfee]

Hi All,

Is it possible to connect to the net via a mobile phone?

The one that I'm looking at doesn't have an IR port on it. Is it possible to buy an external one or even a bluetooth adapter?

Cheers:cool:

[MikeMcC]

Is it possible to connect to the net via a mobile phone?Yes, it is possible to connect to the internet with a 3a and certain mobile phones.

However, this can only be done with a cable connection and a mobile phone which has (a) a built-in modem and (b) the facility to use a PC data cable. Infrared or Bluetooth are quite impossible.

You will need:

- The "3Link" serial cable

- The PC Data cable for the particular phone

- A Null Modem Adapter (or null modem cable)

- Any serial adapters to get it all connected

- Software? "PsiMail Internet" or "eMail-It"

I have connected this way using a 3c with Siemens and Nokia phones.

[quayfee]

Hi Mike,

Wow! Sounds like I'll need a drum to carry all the cable too! :D

I know the one I'm getting (a hand-me down due to an upgrade) has a pc cable of some sort, but don't know whether it'll be the right one. Is it still possible to buy the cables for a 3c? I've got an old Nokia 7110 that might just do the job... :)

Cheers

[MikeMcC]

I know the one I'm getting (a hand-me down due to an upgrade) has a pc cable of some sort, but don't know whether it'll be the right one. Is it still possible to buy the cables for a 3c? I've got an old Nokia 7110 that might just do the job... Are we talking about a 3a or a 3c because the cables are quite different?

The 3a uses the "3Link", affectionately known as the "soap-on-a-rope" because it has a pod in the middle with a ROM chip containing the Comms software. From the 3c onwards, the Comms software was built-in so the cable is a simple connection from Psion to PC. The 3c cable is still readily available as it is the same as that for the S5, 5mx, S7 and netBook.

The Nokia 7110 should be OK if you can get a PC data cable for it.

[quayfee]

Hi Mike,

Oops! What a muppet!

I'm talking about the 3a.

Aparently the cable that comes with it will connect to either parallel or serial. I already have the pc data for the phone and a suitable serial adapter cable, though I don't know if its a null modem cable (or even if there is a difference :))

So hopefully i should be ready to roll!

BTW, Thanks for you time and help.

Cheers

Keith

[MikeMcC]

though I don't know if its a null modem cable (or even if there is a difference A "null modem cable" is used to connect two computers and a "modem" cable is used to connect a PC to a modem (obviously).

Because the Psion serial cable is intended to connect to a PC, it is wired as "null modem". To connect to a modem, therefore, the "null modem" wiring has to be reversed by using another null modem cable/adapter.

[Conkers]

Sorry I'm joining this thread late, but I have been on line with my 3a using the following:
Nokia 2110 Mobile Phone; Psion Card modem Reader; Nokia Data Card & Phone Connection; PsiMail Internet; 3Fax Travel Modem.
I've bought the lot off eBay in dribs and drabs over the last few months and with Mike's excellent advice have been sending e-mail from my S3a without any hassle.
I have tried to surf but the text only screen in a bit of nuisance, so I don't surf.
I use my Free UK account to send/receive mail, and have managed to send match reports in from wherever I have been.
I've also managed to send stuff using the 3Fax modem from the Netherlands to my UK dial Up number.
It is worth scanning eBay as all these items come up with some regularity.
Hope this helps

[quayfee]

Hi Conkers,

Thanks for the info. Being a bit of an ebay nut I'll keep my eyes open...

Cheers


PS: Mike, thanks for explaining the cable thing so well.

[Suomiman]

If you're interested, I can sell you a 3Fax/Modem or/and a Card Modem adapter for the 3a.

Just mail me (iliesse@hotmail.com)