As I think most of you know, I have a fairly diverse collection of
classic computers (I suspect some others do too).
Quite often I need to transfer data between 2 machines. Maybe to
download a file from this PC, which I've in turn downloaded from a web
site, to run on one of the classics. Maybe to print out some listing from
a classic. Whatever.
My machines vary in size from the pocket computers up to machines that
it's not practical to move. They're scattered throughout a house. They
are, alas, not in a machine room. Most of the machines (and all the ones
I want to consider for this) have an RS232 port, either built-in or as an
option (which I have). Most of the machines run kermit. Or I can simply
print to the RS232 port on one machine and capture the incoming
characters on the other
So, I think the problem reduces to 'how to interconnect RS232 ports'. let
me add some constraints :
Must work over a distance longer than the RS232 spec allows (i.e. the
answer is probably not 'A long RS232 cable' :-)).
Prefereably no cables at all. One solution I've come up with is to use a
couple of line drivers and a long cable between them. A long cable that
my parents, or the cat, will get tangled up in :-(
No line-of-sight between the machines
Must work at 300 and 1200 baud. 110 and 9600 baud would be a bonus
I only need one pair of machines linked at a time. I don't need a
network. So if the solution involves a radio link, the fact that there's
only one channel available would not be a problem.
Must not make use of any flow control lines on the RS232 port, since some
of my machines don't support them.
Using classic, or at least repairable, hardwre is a bonus :-)
I said 'RS232'. I mean asynchronous serial, of course :-). If somebody
has a solution for TTL or 3.3V level serial ports, I can trivially
convert the signal levels
I've been looking at some of the license-exempt radio modules, but they
either are half-duplex or amke use of the flow control lines (typically
they buffer <n> bytes internally, then de-assert a flow control line
while they pack up that data and send it to the other end).
So far the best I've come up with is to link one machine to a palmtop
(HP95LX), then transfer the data to that, carry the palmtop to the other
machine and transdfer the data on. It's not ideal, but it does work.
Any other ideas?
-tony