Date   : Thu, 09 May 1996 15:16:33 +0100
From   : angus@...
Subject: Re: How to make Beeb 2 PC cable

Mark de Weger writes:
>
>1. Buy a PC to PC serial cable. This one has probably already
>   wired the different PC ground pins wired together at each
>   end, so I don't have to worry about that. (Or am I wrong
>   in assuming so?)

Doesn't really matter. I've found that just using one ground pin is good
enough. Buying a ready-made cable will cost more than making one from scratch,
too.

>2. Remove one of the sockets from the serial cable carefully
>   writing down to which pin each wire is connected.
>
>3. Get a 5-pin domino DIN socket.

5-pin Domino *plug*. You may find this a bit tricky to find, they're not that
common. RS and Maplin sell them, I think, but Tandy and that sort of place
don't. (BTW, anyone want 5-pin domino board-mount sockets? I had to buy 5 from
RS when I wanted one, 'cos that's the minimum quantity they would sell.)


>1. Does the above procedure seem correct?

Yes, it'll work.

>   ground pins wired together        ground pin

Connect PC signal ground pin to BBC signal ground.

>   Is this correct? (In particular: given that the Beeb's got
>   five pins and four of them are non-ground, there's only
>   one ground pin left. I cannot wire this up to something.
>   Or do I have to connect it to the PC's ground pins?)

You need the signal grounds connected.

>3. Is TxD/Transmit the same as Data Out?
>   Same for RxD/Receive and Data In?

Yes.

a.