Flakey Laptop PC for Programming

KingC · Post by **KingC** » Tue Mar 02, 2004 6:43 pm

I have a Panasonic laptop PC for programming. It operates very intermittently when reading and writing radios through a Motorola RIB. It is also nil when programming kenwood and Yaesu radios using their respective cables with the level interface built into the DB connector shroud.
I've been told that the RS-232C levels are not transitioning at the correct voltage points.
I was thinking about trying a device listed in the MCM Electronics catalog to help the situation. It is called a level booster used for longer than normal RS232C runs. It is built into a DB 25 adapter shroud, and uses an AC adapter for powering the active components inside.
I really do want to succeed with this PC, and this seems a logical route. BTW, the laptop is a 486/25 using MS DOS 6.22.
Any thoughts?..

Thanks!

Monty · Post by **Monty** » Tue Mar 02, 2004 7:16 pm

HI:

I have "Preached " about that sorta thing
for some time. And just because it may be
a 25.00 ~ 50.00 Laptop, does not always
mean its a stable computer.

Everyone has a viewpoint, and mine leans
towards Toshiba Computers. But, in any
case one MUST have a stable computer
with a Hard Drive free of Errors, a properly
installed Operating system, and setting
up all the directories.

Easy for some, a nightmare for others, yet
the desire for a suitable program platform
still goes on.

I have set up a number of them for Commerical
Shops, and believe me, its not a 30min job
and you are finished.

Manytimes, one can spend 2 ~ 3 hours, and then
learn of a intermittent FDC as with what happen
to me just a short time ago.

Anyhow, get a good stable 386-486-25 for your
RSS that requires DOS, and if you can afford it, a
stand alone Pentium Class computer for the CPS
Series programs that require Windows as a Operating
System.

With all of the above, a good Rib Box and cables. you
can program just about any Motorola Radio Product.

Monty

RKG · Post by **RKG** » Tue Mar 02, 2004 8:08 pm

I'd investigate the UART chip. The RSS expects to see what is known as a 16550 chip (16 byte buffer). Some laptops cut corners and use the prior chip (forget number; 1 byte buffer). It sounds to me like you're getting a buffer override. Be careful; this can corrupt some attached devices.

mancow · Post by **mancow** » Tue Mar 02, 2004 8:41 pm

Monty,

Our City Hall was throwing out a buch of old computer stuff and I scavenged on to this old thing.

IBM PS2\56 486SX2 desktop

It has two 9 pin serials and the smaller DIN keyboard and mouse plugs on the back. It's really a fairly nice unit with Windows 3.1 installed (oh boy).

I've been planning on cleaning it off with 6.2 DOS and making it a stand alone programmer.

What's your opinion, any known or forseen problems?

mancow

chipjumper · Post by **chipjumper** » Tue Mar 02, 2004 9:03 pm

I thought I could get away with a Pentium 60Mhz I found at my dads work in the junk pile. Works fine, in fact I use it for HT1000's and a few others. After taking the advice of a lot of the senior people here I finally gave in and fixed up an old Compaq Portable III 286 12Mhz found in my parents basement. Works perfectly. I threw in a 1GB harddrive as well. Even though it weighs over 20lbs, still portable enough to put in a vehicle for "on-site" programming.

kc2dla · Post by **kc2dla** » Wed Mar 03, 2004 6:00 am

The 8250 UART chip is also suitable. From a MS-DOS 6.22 command prompt type 'MSD' to start a DOS program (Microsoft Diagnostics) and go to the ports section to see what UART chip your serial port has.

Paul