> I mentioned that I did not know whether or not the Q40 had the NET > ports. THAT is why I suggested that a connection between the Q40's > serial port and the QL's network port might work ... > > Al
It doesn't really matter why it was suggested because it wouldn't work (not without serious extra stuff) - and furthermore, it would be rather odd attempting it with two serial ports a few cm away. Definitely the most logical way to connect is between two ports of the same kind! I understand the point was probably (and I'm guessing because that certainly wasn't what was written) the avoidance of the 'odd' QL serial connectors. I always need to remind myself about this because I changed mine for DB9 within a week of buying my (first) QL anyway :-) The net port and the serial port on the QL have no internal connections. However, IIRC the internal circuits of the 8302 ULA which handles both serial transmit and net receive/transmit only use one serial output, internally multiplexed, to provide serial output on the serial ports (both) and on the net port, so only one can transmit at a time (I 'divined' this a long time ago from a definition file of the 8302 registers that came with the GST assembler... don't ask me for details, those neurons have been reused). Observing the ports in question (with not entirely adequate equipment!) may have resultind in the impression that the signals are the same - they are not. Also, the net port only has two pins, really - one is ground and the other is a bidirectional input/output (it is however externally combined out of separate in and out pins on the 8302 ULA). The only reason why two connectors are provided is to avoid the need for a T splice and terminator, that would need to be employed dependant on the cabling (it's similar to coax ethernet in this respect). The idea is sound, but the execution, due to substandard quality connectors, is not :-( I'm sure Tony F. can elaborate! Nasta
