Any Comms experts out there?

[Blatman]

Have you tried using opposable thumbs?

Would you recommend that I try?

Can't do any harm... they are at least self powered

[steppenwolf]

Am I missing something here, but the binary result is the hex value

Mel

Melt,

Looks like you had a very good point here as my error has pointed out!

[corsechris]

Steve,

Is the converter a self-powered device? If not, it'll likely never be any good for anything.  Could you tell me which device it is please (PM me if you'd rather avoid litigation from the vendor) and I'll see if I can come up with any useful suggestions.

Failing that, I can probably knock something together for you that'll work.

Chris,

The second item down (ACT-SIB) is the device in question:-

ACT-SIB

The supplier has been excellent in his response - highly recommended. He has suggested that the PDA is supplying more than 5v peak to peak (TTL) but not full RS232 levels which is enough to work correctly with the PC (but not the Telescope) but too high for the input to his device. He has recommended placing resistors in series with the data line but not knowing the current, I cannot use Ohm's Law to work out suitable values to try! Any suggestions.

Decent response by the sound of it....

This could get messy though

For a first stap, try 4k7 in series with each data line. If that fails, I'd try potting them down instead. Say a 1k, then a 2k2 to ground, taking the signal from the PDA into the convertor from the junction of the two resistors. Do the same for Tx & Rx.

I can't quite make out which chip is used from the pic on the website - can you tell me what's written on the 16 pin chappy on the back of the board? This would help as I can look it up and see what the specs are.

I'm interested too, as I like looking at the sky, and the joy to be had from sorting out a comms problem is something only a true sad geek can appreciate

[melt]

steppenwolf,

Just been playing with the binary code, as you do, for the last couple of hours  

Can you tell me what comes out if you enter an uppercase A and an uppercase U

Mel

[steppenwolf]

I can't quite make out which chip is used from the pic on the website - can you tell me what's written on the 16 pin chappy on the back of the board? This would help as I can look it up and see what the specs are.

I'm interested too, as I like looking at the sky, and the joy to be had from sorting out a comms problem is something only a true sad geek can appreciate  

Sad geek just like me ........ It says ST232C - The following link will give you as much pleasure as it gave me I am sure:-

ST 232C

Would you like to see my dome ......

[darthurs]

Would you like to see my dome ......

People have been banned off this site for things less than that.          

We know that you enjoy this sort of stuff but that is just too much detail.        

Dan

[steppenwolf]

Mel,

For capital U, I get capital U

For capital A I get _    (underscore)

[melt]

steve,

There does appear to be a sequence here, see what you make of this

For example:

a is 0110 0001  reverse it, 1001 1110,  remove last bit    0100 1111 becomes O

b is 0110 0010     "       ",  1001 1101  remove last 2 bits 0010 0111     "        '

c is 0110 0011     "       ",  1001 1100  remove last bit     0100 1110     "        N

A is 0100 0001     "       ",  1011 1110  remove last bit     0101 1111     "        _ (underscore)

U is 0101 0101     "       ",  1010 1010  remove last bit     0101 0101     "        U

It appears that if the last two bits are 01 they both need removing and if the last bit is a 0 only that needs removing.

Don't know what this proves, but it has been good fun working it out

Mel

[steppenwolf]

People have been banned off this site for things less than that.

Sorry Dan, I know I went too far this time but it is a very fine dome

[Renmure]

I luv threads like this.

It gives me such a stronger argument as to why I should get out more.  

[SparkyB]

The RS232 connections are not direct ie pin 2 to pin 2 in a null modem cable, they are all mixed up....dunno if it's any help but here's the address for the site I used

http://www.millican.f2s.com/realmaps/gpsconn.htm

May not be applicable when the interface board is in between.

Mark

[scott beeland]

a is 0110 0001  reverse it, 1001 1110,  remove last bit    0100 1111 becomes O

b is 0110 0010     "       ",  1001 1101  remove last 2 bits 0010 0111     "        '

c is 0110 0011     "       ",  1001 1100  remove last bit     0100 1110     "        N

A is 0100 0001     "       ",  1011 1110  remove last bit     0101 1111     "        _ (underscore)

U is 0101 0101     "       ",  1010 1010  remove last bit     0101 0101     "        U

Don't know what this proves, but it has been good fun working it out

Mel

Easy Mel....proves you need to

1) drink more beer/whisky/gin

2) get out in the fresh air

3) repeat after me. "Binary is only important in school ;a bit like algebra, tangents,R.E,further maths,fractals

 

[melt]

Scott,

Just been out and had more beer, ready for a whisky now

I am afraid that this is how the brain works when you have been working with computers/programming for about 30 years, it can't be helped

But it's ok now as they have made me redundant with a pension    

So on quiet days during the week whilst everybody is working I can go out for a blat  

Mel

[langy]

I luv threads like this.

I thought i had stumbled across an entirely new forum

I think i'll be looking at my Dad's telescope in a different light from now onwards    

[Blatman]

I think i'll be looking at my Dad's telescope in a different light from now onwards    

You're supposed to look *through* them, not at them, and generally in the dark...