Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!samsung!uakari.primate.wisc.edu!sdd.hp.com!hp-pcd!hpcvra!rnews!hpcvbbs!akcs.azz710
From: akcs.azz710@hpcvbbs.UUCP (Jeffrey R. Broido)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.handhelds
Subject: Re: HP48 Accessories
Message-ID: <26ec4be0-2cb.1comp.sys.handhelds-1@hpcvbbs.UUCP>
Date: 11 Sep 90 02:40:06 GMT
References: <4638@idsvax.ids.com>
Lines: 17

The "device" which connects the HP48 to an IBM-compatible is simply a
serial cable.  It has a 4-pin connector on one end, to be plugged into
the calculator, and a 9-pin female subminiature-D connector on the other
end.  It also comes with a 9-pin to 25-pin female subminiature-D adaptor.
Unfortunately, only the four signals the calculator supplies are sent on
to the PC (transmit, receive, signal ground, chassis ground).  If your PC
requires data-set-ready, this cable will not work.  Fortunately for you,
IBM-compatibles generally don't, and the software supplied with the cable
(MS-Kermit) is very happy with the cable as-is.  I, however, own a bottom
of the line HP engineering workstation, the lovable IPC.  Its C-Kermit
was not at all happy with the lack of DSR, so I gutted the adaptor and
looped data terminal ready (pin 20) back to DSR (pin 6).  If you already
have Kermit (public domain software) and can get your hands on the
hard-to-find four pin connector (beware connectors with 1/10 inch
spacing; they bend the calculator's pins), I'd urge you to make your own.
All of the sample programs supplied with the cable, including Kermit, are
available on this BBS.  Of course, if you don't already have Kermit,
and you can't get the connector, you might just buy HP's.