Re: [NTLK] GPS Mouse Antennas for Newton (was: Hiking Newton)

From: RAParker (raparker_at_quadzilla.net)
Date: Fri Feb 11 2005 - 21:07:34 PST


--- John <macnut_at_frys.com> wrote:

> > RAParker wrote: The best thing
> > to do is to try and contact the manufacturer
> > for a source of the right kind of adapter cable.
>
> I doubt that Rand-McNally would be much help...
>

Is there a way to determine the manufacturer of the device? Pop it
open? Look at the circuit board?

>
> That's the big hangup for me. I was giving some thought
> to robbing a PS2 port from an old PC board (maybe PC's
> are good for something besides Linux and BeOS), and making
> up a dedicated power supply from a homemade battery pack
> of some sort. The big issue is figuring out what pins to
> use on the PS2 plug, and the correct voltage and polarity.
>

That's exactly what I did! or tried to do...I de-soldered a couple of
PS/2 connectors from an old PC, with the hope of creating a custom
cable. Didn't work. I even had the pin-outs, voltage and polarity.

I think the problem comes from the fact that the Newton's RS-422 port
needed to have pin 8 tied to ground in order to convert the RS-232
signals from the device to RS-422 levels. Adding an extra level of
complication is the fact that you need to send power to the device too.
For me, it was simpler to pay the $17 for the correct cable, direct
from the manufacturer...looks cleaner than anything I could have
produced.

In my search for cables, I did come across several of these type of
PS/2 GPS mouse receivers. Two (as I recall) were the same pin outs as
my device. If you would like, you can mail me your device and I'll hook
it up to my cable set up. I'll be able to tell you whether it's the
same pin outs.

> I've got the serial to mini-din cable that came with my 130. Still
> wrapped in the original twistie, even. So I should have that part
> handled.
>

Yep...you may need a gender changer. I believe the 9-pin on both cables
ends will be male.

=====

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RAParker 
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My name is R A Parker. I own a Newton and a Mac.
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