RS232 - built-in versus Interface 1

Newsgroups	comp.sys.sinclair
Date	2020-05-28 13:07 -0700
Message-ID	<3af4e4ae-3587-400c-8358-e1e38a83bcae@googlegroups.com> (permalink)
Subject	RS232 - built-in versus Interface 1
From	Lee Osborne <losborne74@gmail.com>

Show all headers | View raw

Hello all. After some advice, and I figured someone here would probably be able to help.

I'm the owner of a (grey case) Spectrum +2, and I'm keen to try communication with other devices via RS232. Obviously, the +2 has a built-in RS232 port, but as far as I can tell, it's not much good for two-way comms with other machines, and is of course hampered by the completely non-standard plug. I've used the port for printing via a QL serial-to-parallel cable, and it works fine for that, but I'm guessing it isn't great for anything else.

So...I also own an Interface 1, which I have hooked up to the most excellent vDriveZX. It would seem to be at least vaguely more standard than the built-in port, and supports different data formats from within BASIC, and seems to work in both directions rather better than the built-in port. I haven't done anything with it yet, but I do own a cable for connecting the IF1 to a serial printer, and I have a printer on the way.

If I want to play with sending data to and from a PC, and also other old crap I have lying around like my Amstrad NC100, is it best to use the built-in port or the IF1? Also, is the IF1 RS232 port useable in 128K mode? I've not been able to answer this, and it doesn't seem well-documented. Obviously the P channel is attached to stream 3, and in 48K mode drives the ZX printer, and in 128K mode goes to the RS232, so does that mean the T and B channels will correctly use the IF1 RS232 in 128K mode? I hope it does - or will I have to stick to 48K mode if I want to use the IF1 RS232?

Also, as I have the IF1 printer cable, which ends in a 25-pin male plug, is it possible to just get hold of one other cable that will let me connect direct to a PC? I don't have the skills or resources to wire up one of my own, so if anyone can tell me what spec of cable I need, or where I can get one, that would be really helpful.

My Interface 1 has the original ROM in it, if that makes any difference.

Any other hints and tips for connection to other machines? Like software for the Speccy? Am I insane for wondering if it's possible to convert text from the PC to Tasword files???

Hope that all makes sense.

Lee

Back to comp.sys.sinclair | Previous | Next — Next in thread | Find similar | Unroll thread

Thread

RS232 - built-in versus Interface 1 Lee Osborne <losborne74@gmail.com> - 2020-05-28 13:07 -0700
  Re: RS232 - built-in versus Interface 1 Russell Marks <zgedneil@spam^H^H^H^Hgmail.com> - 2020-11-18 23:20 +0000
    Re: RS232 - built-in versus Interface 1 Volker Bartheld <news2020@bartheld.net> - 2020-11-19 14:26 +0100
      Re: RS232 - built-in versus Interface 1 Russell Marks <zgedneil@spam^H^H^H^Hgmail.com> - 2020-11-19 15:38 +0000
        Re: RS232 - built-in versus Interface 1 Volker Bartheld <news2020@bartheld.net> - 2020-11-19 16:47 +0100
          Re: RS232 - built-in versus Interface 1 Russell Marks <zgedneil@spam^H^H^H^Hgmail.com> - 2020-11-19 16:27 +0000

csiph-web