4 Oct
2013
4 Oct
'13
4:20 p.m.
On Thu, 3 Oct 2013, Tony Duell wrote:
The serial cable for the BBC Micro could be something
of a problem. The
serial port socket on the Beeb is the 'RS423' port on the back, this can
be connected to a nromal RS232 port with no electronic circuitry. The
problem is the connector itself. It's one of thsoe 5 pin quincuncial DIN
plugs (also known as a 'tpye C, 270 degree, 360 degree, or 'domino' 5 pin
DIN plug). Is it nor the much more common 180 degree Tpye A or 240 degree
type B one.
This leads to 2 problems :
1) The plug is getting very hard ot find. Maplin don't list it.
Crickelewood electronics have the sockets but not the plugs (I guess they
are selling off old stock). RS Components have discontinued it. Farnell
still list it, but I don't know if they will be stocking it in the future.
2) DIN plgus are not easy to solder. They are one mf my least favourite
ocnnectors in this respect (OK, mini-DIN are much worse...). The normal
DIN plug pins do not take solder easily. And the plastic insualtor melts
far too easily. I suspect from what you have said before that you might
have rather more problems.
The key thing I've found essential for soldering these is liquid flux.
Having a spare socket to plug the connector into helps (in case you don't
"touch and go"), but a small amount of RMA liquid flux allows the solder
to take quickly. Very small diameter solder (0.015" to 0.025") is also
important to have, especially when dealing with the mini-DIN variety.