[Coco] An X-10 usage for the Direct Connect Modem Pak

[K. Pruitt]

I used my zap utility and just changed the addresses to look at the DC modem 
pak. I just didn't change it everywhere.
Honestly I'm surprised it worked at all.

Only two of the 4 wires in that 4 wire connector are even used. Yellow and 
blue are unused. So they are wide open for use and can be easily jumpered to 
the DTR and RTS pins on the 6551. I'm fairly certain even I can pull this 
one off. Not quite mod-free, but a really easy mod.


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "George Ramsower" <georgera at gvtc.com>
To: <coco at maltedmedia.com>
Sent: Monday, August 17, 2015 7:30 PM
Subject: Re: [Coco] An X-10 usage for the Direct Connect Modem Pak


> Kevin,
>  The DC Modem Pak uses a different address than does the RS232 Pak. So, if 
> you didn't change the address location for that modem pak, of course, it 
> will still address the old location, which uses the same data.
>  I've converted one DC Modem Pak to work as an RS232 pak. It still used 
> the same address as it was designed to do.
>  For sure, I think you may be correct about the other RS232 pak doing what 
> you thought you were wanting to do on the Modem pak.
>  Darn, I was hoping you had it correct. Now I'm still wondering about what 
> I said earlier sending DTR and CTS signals.
>
> On 8/17/2015 9:10 PM, K. Pruitt wrote:
>> Well this is quite embarrassing but my little discovery is pure BS. My 
>> excitement let me get carried away.
>>
>> Eliminate the other CM17A from the RS-232 Pak and the direct connect 
>> modem no longer "works".
>>
>> I checked my code and I didn't change one of the addresses so a signal 
>> did get through to the CM17A plugged in to the RS-232 Pak. Though I am 
>> still trying to figure out how it actually still worked. If I can figure 
>> that out I may be able to make my code smaller.
>>
>> Checked the schematics and guess what? DTR and RTS don't even seem to be 
>> connected anywhere. At least that leaves them open for doing what I 
>> thought I had done, but with a few little jumper wires added.
>>
>> Sorry guys for ringing the bell before checking my results.
>>
>>
>>
>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "George Ramsower" <georgera at gvtc.com>
>> To: <coco at maltedmedia.com>
>> Sent: Monday, August 17, 2015 6:52 PM
>> Subject: Re: [Coco] An X-10 usage for the Direct Connect Modem Pak
>>
>>
>>>  I'm thinking that maybe the 6551 may be the origin of the data sent on 
>>> the phone line. The modem chip, IIRC, only takes the inputs and sends 
>>> the modulated data. If it's online and not connected to another 
>>> computer, perhaps the 6551 only sends the CTS/RTS data via those two 
>>> lines and the modem sends that data? The only way that modem is on or 
>>> off line is through the switch that connects it to the phone line. This 
>>> implies that the modem chip is ALWAYS generating and expecting to 
>>> receive a tone.
>>>  I'll have to look for my org manual and look at the schematic. I 
>>> haven't looked at that thing for many years and therefore, I'm only 
>>> going on faded memory.
>>>  However, I'm thinking you may be correct. I just had no idea about this 
>>> part. But, if you are correct, this could be one possibility for many 
>>> apps that can use a phone line to close a relay at a remote location.
>>> George R.
>>>
>>> On 8/17/2015 8:38 PM, K. Pruitt wrote:
>>>> Unless I am inadvertently sending the signal out via another device 
>>>> which I can't really see happening. But now I'm wondering.
>>>>
>>>> Let me do further testing here. Eliminate some hardware from the mix.
>>>>
>>>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "George Ramsower" 
>>>> <georgera at gvtc.com>
>>>> To: <coco at maltedmedia.com>
>>>> Sent: Monday, August 17, 2015 5:59 PM
>>>> Subject: Re: [Coco] An X-10 usage for the Direct Connect Modem Pak
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>>  I'll be dipped. I knew the DC Modem Pak was dumb but I had no idea it 
>>>>> was that stupid ;-)
>>>>>  Now I need to look around for a DC Modem pak I have somewhere to see 
>>>>> what I can do with it.
>>>>> George R.
>>>>>
>>>>> On 8/17/2015 7:11 PM, K. Pruitt wrote:
>>>>>> I used the cable from a CM11A controller. It has a phone line style 
>>>>>> connector on one end and a female DB-9 connector on the other end.
>>>>>> I have it set to answer mode (though I don't think it makes a 
>>>>>> difference) and I have the connect button turned on.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> The CM17A module which it is plugged in to also has a female DB-9 
>>>>>> connector, so I stuck a male-to-male adapter in between the two 
>>>>>> female connectors.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Seems to work fine.
>>>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> -- 
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>>> Coco at maltedmedia.com
>>> https://pairlist5.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/coco
>>>
>>
>>
>
>
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