Interconnecting classic computers

[Tony Duell]

> It were me, I'd probably look into Bluetooth- or Zigbee-based serial
> extenders.

Yes, I have, and still am, considerign those. Somebody else suggested the 
Xee module, I had haeard of that. But do any of them work without any 
flow control lines back to the host? The simple radio module (on the 
433MHz band) that I looked at certainly eneded the RTS/CTS flow control 
or something equivalent.

> 
> While this doesn't meeet your usual criteria for being able to repair
> the device, it might be viable for you on the theory that the devices

I did say that was a 'bonus' here, not required :-)

> In the long cable division, there are a number of products around that
> extend rs232 by using baluns at each end, and cat-5 cable for the bulk

My junk box cotnains at least 2, (and I think 4) Gandalf LDS120 units. 
These are 'limited distance modems' or some such, they were designed to 
transmit data up to 9600 baud over, I think, leased lines. They are built 
fro mthe sort of technology I like (op-amps, LM339 comparators, maybe 
simple logic chips), and certianly could be used for this. A piece of 
4-core telephone cable will work with these up to any distance I am 
likely to need.

> of the run.  Still commits bondage on the cat :), but works around the

And that's the problem. I can tell my parents 'There's a serial cable at 
tripwire-height across the stairs', but I can't tell the cat that I've 
run run across the cat flap :-). 

But it may well be what I use for the moment...

-tony