Re: Franklin Ace 500 serial port - SSC compatible?

[schmidtd <schmidtd@my-deja.com>]

On Mar 2, 4:12 pm, "Ralph E. Dodd" <red...@TAKETHISOUTcomcast.net>
wrote:
> I had problems with the Franklin Ace 500. [...] It wouldn't
> accept the serial  port setup codes but it defaults to 300 baud so I set the
> ADTPro server to 300. Too bad it doesn't work because it has a really nice
> display with my IBM cga monitor.  I made the 5 pin din serial cable and it
> talks to my laptop.  I couldn't send Prodos (meaning that there was no
> activity on the Franklin monitor at all), but when I tried to send the
> ADTPro client, I could see the data stream (started with CALL -151) but it
> was unevenly spaced on the screen.  Letters flashed in inverse video and
> numbers were in normal video and the download failed.   So the cable pinouts
> work with the Franklin but that's all that I could verify.

Thanks for trying.  It's strange that sending the client worked, but
ProDOS didn't show anything.  It's exaclty the same code.  And as for
the configuration commands - I think that the serial adapter is
actually listening, even though it might not be reflecting the CTRL-A
commands back to you.  So you might go through the motions,
configuring for a faster speed, and see if it works.

> I also hooked up to an AppleIIe with different results.  I set up the SSC as
> per the instructions.  It wouldn't send Prodos (same symptoms as Franklin)
> but when I booted with Prodos, I could send the ADTPro client.  After that,
> file transfers were really fast.  It works a whole lot better than the Dos
> version of ADT.  Great job!

That's just weird - that the client send works, but ProDOS doesn't.
But I'm glad at least that it's working in the end to your SSC.

> While I was in the cable making mode, I made an 8pin mini din cable to hook
> up to my AppleIIc+.  With this setup, I was able to send Prodos and the
> Adtpro client with no problems.

Zoom zoom.  And so you see how it's supposed to look end to end,
too. :-)

> I wish the Franklin didn't die so I could have tested your program.  It
> seems that not too many people have Franklin Ace 500's.

I have one on its way to me now, so hopefully I'll learn more soon.