Registered: Dec 2000
Location: Baltimore, MD
Posts: 260

Yeah, I get the same feeling about this... I tried the same thing with the '00' dial out and you are right, nothing went down the line at all. If I could figure out how to modify that init string the palm OS sends out I think it would be the key.

Any luck from anyone else yet? NYSEBull?

Registered: Oct 2000
Location:
Posts: 93

Hopefully my 3500 will get here tomorrow and I can try some things. If the people at supplynet.com say they have one then I must be able to be done, I just haven't had a 3500 phone in hand to test with.

__________________
Mike

Registered: Dec 2000
Location: Baltimore, MD
Posts: 260

I have come to a conclusion that the init string for 'other' does return an OK from the modem, and then it does execute the init string you can put into the modem panel. Which means we should be able to initialize the modem correctly.

My reasoning for this is it definitely alters things if I change my init string, I have come to the conclusion that &C0 is a necessity or it seems to drop the line. And, if I use &D0 or &D1 sometimes the phone doesn't even treat it as a data call.

I also timed using the online program and dialing both my Juno dialup and the QNC numbers, and I have found that the modem hangs up when trying the network connect at the exact moment the data comes down the line from either Juno or QNC. Seems like the incoming data makes the phone or the visor drop the line like a hot potato.

When I use the online app, it doesn't drop the line.

All I use in Online to init the modem is a &C0 then I dial out and things work fine. Anyone know of any text-based BBS systems that are still up? I could do more testing of the terminal app at least...?

Mike, I hope you get the 3500 working.... we are all hoping for your success. I think we should all get free cables for being the research team

Registered: Dec 2000
Location: Baltimore, MD
Posts: 260

cods that work...

ok here's more info.

http://www.gateway.com/support/manl.../Modem/8505736/

The +DS codes and the +IFC codes seem to be OK with this phone... Maybe some help there?

Registered: Feb 2001
Location:
Posts: 25

Pat,

MPM was correct I believe. Since I am using a MarkSpace Modem Cable which should provide an active DTR I do not experience the drops like you do. Maybe when you get your cable you'll have better luck. I am able to dial into my work network with online and not get dropped. What set up in Modem and Networking are you using to get the phone to dial? Maybe with the MS Modem Cable I can duplicate your setup and get it to hold the line.

Last edited by candodiver on 02-15-2001 at 04:00 PM

Registered: Dec 2000
Location: Baltimore, MD
Posts: 260

Well, I got my MS cable and it doesn't do anything. I think it must be defective... I get the cradle to work with no problem though...

I am trying AT&C0 as my init string for now, I can't get the AT&D string to work well at all.

Check out that link to Gateway, the two strings I mentioned seem to at least be accepted by the modem with an OK in the terminal program. The &K and &R commands get rejected with an error... I think maybe the IFC codes might be quite useful. Try AT+IFC=1,1 and see what that does for an init string.

Lemme know what you find!

BTW I pre-ordered that cable from supply-net anyhow. I will be interested if it ever vaporizes... will keep you all posted. Since it is a specific Samsung 3500/8500 to Visor cable, ut should work if it ever gets to market, wouldn't you think

Registered: Dec 2000
Location: Baltimore, MD
Posts: 260

Well, I thought I would keep this topic alive... Anyone with any news?

I await my cable from The Supply Net....

Registered: Dec 2000
Location: Baltimore, MD
Posts: 260

Check this out - from the rs232 thread!

<Information from DataCord Product Development:>
We are seeing a number of cell phones which require the RTS line to be asserted to properly function. This presents problems with the Visor since it does not support hardware handshaking (doesn't have RTS, CTS on the cradle connector.) However, there have been some prototype Mark/Space DCH-M9 cables made with a "fake RTS". This is a fairly simple modification since that cable design already has a "fake DTR" - the DTR is permanently asserted. Therefore, all that is required is to connect RTS to DTR. That can be readily accomplished by opening the D-sub end and connecting pin 4 to pin 7. This simple modification has been successful in getting the M9 to work with Samsung phones, for instance.

The cables manufactured starting the end of this month (Feb 2000) have this modification (on the DCH-M9, DCH-M2, DCH-CI.) There are a few other interesting things going on as well. A 6" modem cable will be offered - called DCH-6M9RTS or some such name, which is useful for particular cell phones. Some other particular Qualcomm phones have been found to work well with an alternate version of the DCH-H9 modified to a "modem" connection. This "DCH-MODH9" also will be offered in a 6" configuration - convenient for cell phone usage.

However, I will make mention that there is no guarantee that a given cell phone will work with an arbitrary modem cable - so it is best policy to wait until it has been announced that a particular Mark/Space cable works with your cell phone before you buy that cable. No sense in taking any needless chances!


(I'm gonna try this at home tonight!)

Registered: Feb 2001
Location: Them Twin Cities
Posts: 1758

WOO HOO!

Registered: Feb 2001
Location: Sonoma, CA
Posts: 19

Many watching thread....

Just so you guys know, though we dont post, there are many people monitoring this thread with bated breath. Keep up the great work in trying to solve this connectivity problem!! I for one appreciate it and check in everyday!!.

Registered: Dec 2000
Location: Baltimore, MD
Posts: 260

Good to know

I sorta figured there were more of us... The 3500 is Sprint PCS's most popular phone by far, so I would imagine there would be an army of folks ready to hook up their Visors...

I am going to try the MarkSpace cable this evening with the jumper method above. I will keep you posted. I am still hoping the supply-net site delivers as promised on the 15th of March. That looks like the ultimate solution as it is one cable with no adapters.

Registered: Dec 2000
Location: Baltimore, MD
Posts: 260

Dudes....

IT WORKS! IT WORKS!

All you need is the MS cable, and do the modification mentioned above, which doesn't even involve soldering. Just snip a short wire and poke it into the #4 and #7 pin locations and make sure it goes in and is snug.

I reset my modem init to just be A&FX4 - and used the QNC setup for me (sprint PCS) and hit connect. It dialed out, didn't hang up(!) and negotiated a PPP connection. I almost peed my pants. It works!

IT WORKS! I can now go wireless on my Samsung 3500! I advise everyone with MS cables to either trade up to the new one or perform the *simple* cable modification yourself.

Sorry for the odd posting - but I'm so happy I can't contain myself

Registered: Feb 2001
Location:
Posts: 25

Good job Pat. Problem solved. I need to modify mine. I am still interested in a very short single cable solution and I think a lot of people are. We might want to see how many people will post to this thread to voice their desire to have a single cable solution. This is one of the most popular phones. Thanks for all the hard work. I am going to modify mine tomorrow so I hope you check back to this thread to answer questions for those of us who don't have it working yet.

Registered: Feb 2000
Location:
Posts: 264

Re: Dudes....

quote:

---

Originally posted by patwoods
All you need is the MS cable, and do the modification mentioned above, which doesn't even involve soldering. Just snip a short wire and poke it into the #4 and #7 pin locations and make sure it goes in and is snug.

---

Registered: Oct 2000
Location:
Posts: 93

Way to go!

Pat,

Good for you, congratulations. Unfortunately for me, my source for Samsung ends has backed out and I don't have another immediate source. Therefore, I am backing out of producing Samsung cables till I can find another supplier, which probably won't be until after Supplynet gets their's shipping. I did want to post what I have discovered as far as the pinouts goes based on the Samsung data cable.

Samsung pin 7 - RXD
Samsung pin 8 - TXD
Samsung pin 3 - GRN
Samsung pin 13 - RS232 pin #7 - RTS
Samsung pin 18 - RS232 pin #4 - DTR

Maybe these will help constructing a homemade 1-piece cable.

__________________
Mike

Registered: Dec 2000
Location: Baltimore, MD
Posts: 260

Re: Re: Dudes....

quote:

---

Originally posted by euangel


Pat,
Thanks for being so relentless in figuring this one out and not letting the topic die! Now, I'm not sure I get all this, but is thiis something that would be possible using a serial cradle? What would I have to connect to what? In other words, are the pins that have to be connected in the cradle end, or on the 9-pin adapter end of the serial cradle?

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Registered: Apr 2000
Location:
Posts: 73

Cool!

This simple modification of the Mark/Space cable also works with the SprintPCS Touchpoint cellphones!! (I have the early Sprint Touchpoint 1200. It's actually made by Denso Wireless - but says Qualcom on the back).

Registered: Feb 2000
Location:
Posts: 264

Anyone heard any more from MarkSpace on this? I got the impression they were going to start selling this modified cable, but nothing has changed on their webpage yet.

Registered: Jun 2000
Location:
Posts: 32

samsung

Hi, I've had experience using the Palm V and Vx with both the 8500 and 3500. Have any of you guys talked to Mark Griswold at syncablesolutions.com about a custom modem cable for Visors? He does make them for Palms - I have a nice 1' one which connects to my Samsung data cable, replacing the Hotsync cable/null modem assembly. Works fine for e-mail (with those ungodly Sprint connection charges, I don't do much Web surfing with the thing). Still a bit bulky, though, so I'm considering having Mark graft a Palm connector right onto my data cable (a $30 job, and it would no longer be possible to use the cable with my laptop...decisions, decisions). Anyway, hope this helps.

bandersnatch

Registered: Sep 2000
Location:
Posts: 6

So are you actually able to use a regular ISP with Visor/3500 combination? In other words, can you use your regular voice minutes to get online?

My understanding is that this is not actually possible, and you're still making a data call through your cellular provider, who charges you extra (e.g., Sprint's Wireless Web option).

Please tell me if i'm wrong here! I would love to use my voice minutes for internet connections, but don't want to pay for Wireless Web.

BTW, why are the data charges so high? Is it really so expensive to carry data? Does voice require less bandwitdth? It's a digital transmission anyway, right?

Last edited by AlexM on 03-06-2001 at 04:31 AM