justinlh@idsvax.ids.com (09/09/90)
Can someone give me the names/numbers/addresses of some companies that sell HP48 accessories? I purchased my 48SX from EduCalc, but they don't seem to have too much in the way of accessories for it. (Probably because its a rather new item.) I am also interested in hearing from people with the device that connects the HP48 to an IBM-compatible. | Justin Langseth | BBS: (401)732-2169
akcs.azz710@hpcvbbs.UUCP (Jeffrey R. Broido) (09/11/90)
The "device" which connects the HP48 to an IBM-compatible is simply a serial cable. It has a 4-pin connector on one end, to be plugged into the calculator, and a 9-pin female subminiature-D connector on the other end. It also comes with a 9-pin to 25-pin female subminiature-D adaptor. Unfortunately, only the four signals the calculator supplies are sent on to the PC (transmit, receive, signal ground, chassis ground). If your PC requires data-set-ready, this cable will not work. Fortunately for you, IBM-compatibles generally don't, and the software supplied with the cable (MS-Kermit) is very happy with the cable as-is. I, however, own a bottom of the line HP engineering workstation, the lovable IPC. Its C-Kermit was not at all happy with the lack of DSR, so I gutted the adaptor and looped data terminal ready (pin 20) back to DSR (pin 6). If you already have Kermit (public domain software) and can get your hands on the hard-to-find four pin connector (beware connectors with 1/10 inch spacing; they bend the calculator's pins), I'd urge you to make your own. All of the sample programs supplied with the cable, including Kermit, are available on this BBS. Of course, if you don't already have Kermit, and you can't get the connector, you might just buy HP's.