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From: cetron%utah-ced@UTAH-CS.ARPA (Ed Cetron)
Newsgroups: mod.computers.vax
Subject: Re:  Extending GPX Monitor Cables??
Message-ID: <8701121601.AA11923@utah-ced.ARPA>
Date: Mon, 12-Jan-87 11:01:17 EST
Article-I.D.: utah-ced.8701121601.AA11923
Posted: Mon Jan 12 11:01:17 1987
Date-Received: Tue, 13-Jan-87 06:45:54 EST
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yes it is quite possible, mine is about 25-30 feet long.

caveats:

	1. use only shield coax, and use as little unshielded portions for the
connections.
	2. make sure that you use RG-59 (73/75 ohm) cable not the more common
RG-62 (93 ohm) cable.
	3. read the vaxstation technical manual (section 2) the figure out
exactly which rs232 lines are which (the mouse/tablet vs the keyboard) so
that if you end up using twisted pair cable for the rs232 side, that you pair
up 'compatible' cables (i didn't and moving the mouse would print on the screen
on some occasions.....not nice).

suggestions:

	1. attach the standard cable to the vr2x0 monitor, the build 3 RG-59
extension cables for each video signal, and one db to db style connector to
extended the plug that is supposed to attach to the i/o panel of the uvax. this
prevents having to diddle with any rj11 style connectors for the keyboard or
din connectors for the tablet/mouse since they plug into the dec cable as 
before.

No for the reason that I posted this rather than e-mail:

	The (or one of the) managers of the GPX project at DEC says/said that
the reason extension cables are not available is simply because they thought
they were NOT needed.  He further said that he would approve the decision
to make such cables if there was enough market for them.... So if you really
need them, (and with the new capability to hook several gpx's per vax this
will become more important) complain loudly to your salesperson, or other 
dec contact, and we may soon see some extension cables...


(ps. if after connecting your cables you get reflectance shadows, try wiggling
the connections around....)

-ed cetron
center for engineering design
Univ. of Utah