Anyone have a PB Serial Adapter? Cloneable?

[zdw]

Does anyone have one of the "PB Serial Adapter" that goes in the modem slot of 1xx series Powerbooks as described here:

PB Serial Adapter Description

Sigma Seven Systems PB Serial Adapter Description

ruby.he.net

I'd imagine that it has some minimal amount of logic onboard (maybe voltage shifting?) but other than that would be pretty easy to clone or replicate in functionality.

There's a previous thread here: https://68kmla.org/bb/index.php?threads/what’s-this-port-do.42621/ that seems to discuss something similar, but maybe not identical?

I'm building up a PowerBook 180 and wanted something for that slot.

 

[cheesestraws]

Sigma Seven Systems is still around - have you emailed them and asked about it?

 

[zdw]

Sigma Seven Systems is still around - have you emailed them and asked about it?

Ah, given the URL being on ancient hosting and many dead links, I didn't realize that they were still around - I'll email and report back.

 

[zdw]

Amazingly, James from Seven Sigma Systems got back to me and actually has components to build these still!

Also directed me to a website with pictures of the device:

PowerBook Serial Adapter | Sigma Seven Systems Ltd.

DescriptionThe PB Serial Adapter installs in the modem slot of the Apple PowerBook 100 and 150 (and PowerBook models 140-180) to provide a full feature modem port 8 pin mini-DIN serial connector in lieu of an internal modem. Some customers have found that using the PB Serial Adapter with an...

sigmasevensystemsltd.weeblysite.com

 

[twelvetone12]

This thing is interesting, it ha three rd422 transceivers? Does it allow localtalk on the modem port? But I'm not sure how it works, because unless it patches AOn() the system software will power off the modem when switching localtalk ports. And I'm not too convinced about the better performance part, at least electrically the two ports are basically the same

 

[David Cook]

Amazingly, James from Seven Sigma Systems got back to me and actually has components to build these still!

Also directed me to a website with pictures of the device:

PowerBook Serial Adapter | Sigma Seven Systems Ltd.

DescriptionThe PB Serial Adapter installs in the modem slot of the Apple PowerBook 100 and 150 (and PowerBook models 140-180) to provide a full feature modem port 8 pin mini-DIN serial connector in lieu of an internal modem. Some customers have found that using the PB Serial Adapter with an...

sigmasevensystemsltd.weeblysite.com

I would buy one if he made them available again. Can you direct him to the forum page?

 

[cheesestraws]

And I'm not too convinced about the better performance part, at least electrically the two ports are basically the same

Interrupt priority on the modem port is higher, for starters.

 

[desertrout]

Hm. Does that mean the modem connector could be used for an internal wifi serial modem emulator?

 

[twelvetone12]

Absolutely yes, there was a project here but I cannot find it. I'm working on something similar but it integrates an AirTalk to have wireless localtalk: https://68kmla.org/bb/index.php?thr...grated-airtalk-for-powerbook-100-series.45088
I also used it as a makeshift LocalTalk to usb port with a TashTalk and a USB/serial adapter. There are also a couple pins that can be used as gpio!

 

[twelvetone12]

I wonder if it is possible to do LocalTalk on this adapter. It has an awful lot of transceivers! The market it for the PowerBook 150, and with my machine the network control panel refuses to switch LocalTalk to the modem port. I see they had a control panel for this adapter, so I wonder if they did some more magic.

 

[David Cook]

Amazingly, James from Seven Sigma Systems got back to me and actually has components to build these still!

Check it out!

James is definitely still around. I purchased a pair of the adapters from him. I'll post more info after I install one.

 

[twelvetone12]

Ooh cool! James is really nice, I wrote to him asking for the control panel for the PB adapter (I wanted to do some testing) and he very kindly sent me a copy.

 

[demik]

What does the control panel do ?