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From: fseipel@magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu (Frank E Seipel)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.atari.8bit
Subject: Re: SIO-RS232
Message-ID: <1991May12.185221.11545@magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu>
Date: 12 May 91 18:52:21 GMT
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>Some time ago, I saw an ad for a cable that allowed one to connect
>an RS232 device to the Atari SIO port.
>Are these cables still available, or can they be made (by the home
>user) easily?

 If you are really into hardware hacking, you could make one.

 Several RS232 interfaces have been released commercially over the years.
The most common are the 850 interface, which has 4 RS232 ports and
a printer port, and the P:R: Connection, which has two RS232 ports and
a printer port. The ATR8000, BlackBox, and MIO all have an RS232 port and
printer port. I saw an ad for an ATR8000 for $50 on my BBS. The ATR8000
also allows you to easily interface 360K IBM style disk drives to your
Atari 8-bit. Oh, yes, it also runs CPM programs (the Atari acts as
a terminal to the ATR8000).

 About seven months ago I saw a message on Compuserve from John Demar.
He is selling what are called 'R-Links' (apparently extra inventory from
1985). They come in several configurations. The base cost is $12.50 for
an "R-Link NC" -- NC meaning no connector (you solder the modem cable
connector to the wires coming out of the PCB). It does not have a case.
It is very small and can be mounted inside your modem. You can also solder
on a printer connector on and use it as a printer interface (a special
handler is included for both R: and P: devices). It works just fine and
the price is right. The guy's address is:

John Demar
(315) 451-6470
4753 Freestone Road
Liverpool, NY 13090

BTW I think he sells them with a box and/or cable soldered on for a little
extra (around $20). I would call and check pricing/availability before
ordering.