Dell says "use null modem cable" & "appropriate" connectors

kangaroo222 · 08-01-04, 05:12 PM

This is on page 107 of the X5 manual. I'm having trouble identifying the "appropriate connectors." I want to be able to use my Axim to connect by dial-up to my ISP... I'd like to use the high quality serial modem which I have rather than having to spend for a CF modem, since I'll probably use dialup about twice a year.

Has anyone successfully connected to the internet with a serial modem, null modem cable, and "appropriate connectors?" If yes, please mention your set up! Thanks!

08-01-04, 06:37 PM

I understand what you are trying to do, do you have a serial CF connector to connect your external modem?

kangaroo222 · 08-01-04, 09:18 PM

Can you suggest where to obtain? I'm comfortable wiring up cables including serial ports...but of course I would need the right connector to plug into the Axim.

Thanks for your interest and your reply!

JakeRich · 08-01-04, 09:31 PM

It takes more than just wires and the connector. The Dell bottom port suppost USB Device connections only. The Dell Serial cable has a small box in it with the electronics to convert a USB Device to RS-232 serial. So, to use it at all as a serial device, you need the Dell cable, or one with a similar function built in. Assuming you get the Dell cable, the connections would be:

X5-Dell serial cable-Null Modem-Serial cable-Modem-telephone line

If you want a serial cf card, Socket makes one, and a company named Quatech has one. I googled "serial cf card" and got over 300,000 hits for you to explore.

kangaroo222 · 08-01-04, 09:42 PM

is likely to prove to be less expensive than the cabling necessary, in light of the "multiple conversions" involved?

08-01-04, 09:43 PM

Originally Posted by kangaroo222

Can you suggest where to obtain? I'm comfortable wiring up cables including serial ports...but of course I would need the right connector to plug into the Axim.

Thanks for your interest and your reply!

You can see if this suits your needs. The product info says it can be used for modems.

kangaroo222 · 08-01-04, 10:04 PM

I'll digest that link and then make up my mind. Thanks to you both for your assistance!

08-01-04, 10:46 PM

I was going to say, you might just be better off getting a CF Modem, would probably be less hassle and easier to configure . . .

Tom61 · 08-02-04, 05:29 PM

Quote:

The Dell Serial cable has a small box in it with the electronics to convert a USB Device to RS-232 serial.

That's incorrect, the X5 has serial, but it doesn't use normal RS-232 voltage levels, the chip inside converts the voltages to standard RS-232 levels.

As for a cable to get to connnect to your modem I'd get this cable: http://www.serialio.com/products/ada...rial_RS232.htm It is already wired correctly for GPS and modem devices (connects to sync port).

JakeRich · 08-02-04, 07:33 PM

Originally Posted by Tom61

That's incorrect, the X5 has serial, but it doesn't use normal RS-232 voltage levels, the chip inside converts the voltages to standard RS-232 levels.

As for a cable to get to connnect to your modem I'd get this cable: http://www.serialio.com/products/ada...rial_RS232.htm It is already wired correctly for GPS and modem devices (connects to sync port).

Technically, you are correct. Functionally, the X5 supports USB standards, not RS232 standards, so while technically correct that the X5 has serial, it is unusable by "normal" RS232 means. The Sipex chip in the cable creates RS232 standard signals from the non-standard RS232-like signals present on the Axim and vice-versa. The cable you referred to does the same thing, only probably more flexibly because of the implementation.