[Xastir] I finally got it!

[Michael Lewis]

  Forgot to say now I tested the Splitter cable connected to the tracker 
on the PC end and..

PINs 5 & 2 5.59V

PINs 5 & 3 0V


On 9/17/2010 3:52 PM, Curt, WE7U wrote:
> On Fri, 17 Sep 2010, Curt, WE7U wrote:
>
>> Do you have a meter?  Analog or DMM?  If so, you can check between
>> pins 5 (GND) and 2 on a DE-9 (contrary to public opinion, it's a DE
>> and not a DB for a 9-pin).  Then do the same for pins 5 and 3.  2
>> and 3 are your TXD/RXD pins, which are the ones your data goes down
>> in each direction.  If pin2 on one connector is being driven (+3 to
>> +12VDC or -3 to -12VDC) then you don't want to connect it to another
>> connector that also has pin 2 driven.  In that case you'll need a
>> null-modem cable or adapter to connect the two.
>>
>> If pin 2 is driven on one, and pin 3 is driven on the other, then
>> you can connect the two.
>
> I should have mentioned that you can do the same with a resistor and
> an LED.  Size the resistor for 10mA or so at 12V, so maybe a 1k or
> 1.2k resistor at 1/8W or larger.  Nearly any LED will do.
>
> Solder the resitor to one leg of the LED and then use the other lead
> of the resistor and other lead of the LED as your "meter" to see if
> a pin is being driven.  If it's not being driven it's either a
> receive pin or it's not connected in your cable.
>
> Combine that setup with a 6V to 12V power source (batteries?) and
> you can test cables to see how they're wired.
>