Path: utzoo!mnetor!tmsoft!torsqnt!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!wuarchive!udel!oscar.ccm.udel.edu!johnston
From: johnston@oscar.ccm.udel.edu
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.misc
Subject: Re: Does anyone make an external switch for serial port?
Message-ID: <39838@nigel.ee.udel.edu>
Date: 22 Dec 90 07:32:17 GMT
Sender: usenet@ee.udel.edu
Organization: Univ. of Delaware, CCM
Lines: 26
Nntp-Posting-Host: oscar.ccm.udel.edu

In article <142@bit.UUCP>, toma@bit.UUCP (Tom Arneberg) writes...

[ I need a serial port switch-box ...]

Mail to Mr. Arneberg bounced; also, others may be interested.

DataSpec makes switch-boxes for the Mac.  I have an A/B/C/D box and 
love it.  Got it for $27.50 from ORA Electronics; 9410 Owensmouth Ave;
Chatworth, CA  91311.  You'll need a "straight-thru cable" -- not Imagewriter,
and not standard serial cable, available as part number XXAPL-8EXT-6 in
order to go from the Mac to the switch-box.  The cable cost $6.50.

The same company sells A/B boxes, but I'd recommend the A/B/C/D.
I already ran out of ports!  (Haven't got the phone number, sorry.)

I have my modem cable, midi interface, and null modem to PC cables
hanging off this box and working normally.  An Imagewriter II or 
Deskwriter can also be routed through this box, but some serial
devices, such as the SID-II or CSD sound digitizer, won't work this
way.  This caveat may possibly apply in Mr. Arneberg's situation,
in which the need was to connect a MacVision video capture gizmo.

(Evidentally not all 8 pins are connected; the fault may be with the 
"straight-thru" cable (likely) or with the switch-box.  Haven't checked.)

-- Bill (johnston@oscar.ccm.udel.edu)