Search found 18 matches

by Robbizz
Thu May 15, 2025 6:08 pm
Forum: Hardware
Topic: Serial Cable DB-9 for German QL Ports
Replies: 9
Views: 607

Re: Serial Cable DB-9 for German QL Ports


TxD and RxD are in fact on different pins on ser1_ and ser2_, just like CTS and DTR.

And some of the confusion has a lot to do with the fact that Sinclair (sometimes?) had the weird habit of labelling pins with "what needs to go in here" rather than "what comes out here"-like everyone else does ...
by Robbizz
Thu May 15, 2025 3:46 pm
Forum: Hardware
Topic: Serial Cable DB-9 for German QL Ports
Replies: 9
Views: 607

Serial Cable DB-9 for German QL Ports

Hi everyone,
I'm trying to make a serial cable for a QL (with German-style serial connectors), to connect it to a Simple WiFi modem with a DB-9 plug (which should fully emulate a WiFi Hayes modem). After doing some research, I came across this wiring diagram:

QL_Tedesco.png

I made a correction ...
by Robbizz
Tue May 21, 2024 10:06 pm
Forum: Hardware
Topic: Connect the Sinclair QL to a serial printer
Replies: 4
Views: 1611

Re: Connect the Sinclair QL to a serial printer


BAUD 9600
OPEN #3,ser2hr
LIST #3


With 9600 baud it works!
I tried with this code you wrote me, but I get long waits between one printed line and another.
Rather something like this works:

OPEN #3, ser2i

In this case I immediately obtain the printing and the correct wrapping of the printed ...
by Robbizz
Tue May 21, 2024 1:59 pm
Forum: Hardware
Topic: Connect the Sinclair QL to a serial printer
Replies: 4
Views: 1611

Re: Connect the Sinclair QL to a serial printer

tofro wrote: Tue May 21, 2024 1:50 pm 600 Baud is very unlikely.

Apple. ImageWriters default to 9600 Baud if I remember that correctly. So, you should probably try this.
Fantastic! I thought serial printers didn't reach these speeds. Tonight when I'm in front of my equipment I'll try with that Value.
by Robbizz
Tue May 21, 2024 12:01 pm
Forum: Hardware
Topic: Connect the Sinclair QL to a serial printer
Replies: 4
Views: 1611

Connect the Sinclair QL to a serial printer

I'm trying to connect my QL to a serial printer. The printer is an Apple ImageWriter. It is the only serial printer I have and interfacing it with a Macintosh Classic works correctly. I built a serial cable (see photo and pinout), but when I try to print (see program), the printed characters are ...
by Robbizz
Tue May 14, 2024 11:01 am
Forum: Hardware
Topic: Video cable compatible with all Scart TVs
Replies: 8
Views: 2804

Re: Video cable compatible with all Scart TVs


Hi Robbizz!

I've had success creating a number of QL -> SCART cables over time, based more or less on the really useful site:

http://www.fruitcake.plus.com/Sinclair/Spectrum128/SCARTCable/Spectrum128SCARTCableQL.htm

I guess you might have used the same site and, like me, you've used that ...
by Robbizz
Sat May 11, 2024 6:31 pm
Forum: Hardware
Topic: Video cable compatible with all Scart TVs
Replies: 8
Views: 2804

Video cable compatible with all Scart TVs

Hi guys, I found some time to spend with my QL and I built a Video Scart cable myself. I followed the diagram below (the sockets are seen from the front, NOT the solder side). It works very well with a couple of TVs at home but on a small TV/Monitor (where among other things I would like to always ...
by Robbizz
Sun Dec 03, 2023 5:30 pm
Forum: Software & Programming
Topic: What is really in the header of binary files?
Replies: 28
Views: 13404

Re: What is really in the header of binary files?


If your QL has Toolkit 2, you could use the COPY_H extension to force copying of a header. Or COPY_N to force copying without a header, e.g. if copying to a printer where any header bytes might accidentally act as control codes to put printers in random modes and spoil the listings.

This is very ...
by Robbizz
Sun Dec 03, 2023 4:13 pm
Forum: Software & Programming
Topic: What is really in the header of binary files?
Replies: 28
Views: 13404

What is really in the header of binary files?

Hi everyone,
I recently built a serial cable for Sinclair QL and I'm trying to understand how to juggle the binary files of my QL and how to transfer the latter from the PC to the QL while keeping the header of these files intact.
I know it's a much discussed topic online and there are many ...
by Robbizz
Thu Jun 15, 2023 7:34 am
Forum: Hardware
Topic: No led lit and no test for microdrive 2
Replies: 6
Views: 4026

Re: No led lit and no test for microdrive 2

tofro wrote: Thu Jun 15, 2023 5:20 am Note that mdv2_ will not start up on boot in any case, when it stays silent, that's normal.

It should, however, react to commands.
So is the fact that the LED doesn't turn on when starting MDV2_ also normal?