Switch boxes

[devjoy]

I need to know if a switch box will allow a person to operate multiple applications that require a com port.

My husband wants to use a software progam, BMK Multy that requires that a cable be connected from his db 25 pin serial port to his Ten Tech Omni VI Amateur Radio transceiver. He also wants to use Bay Pac(a 1200 baud Packet radio modem), A hardware interface that also requires a db 25 serial port.

Is it possible to use a switch box connected between these two applications and the computer so that he can switch between them?

[philipg]

If I understand you correct, you want to hook up two devices and be able to use them both at the same time by switching back and forth.. like dial-up then switch over to connect to the Ham radio-----
it can't be done....

On the other hand you can put an add-in card for around 25.00 and manually configure it as a second 25 pin port.

That will work and cost less than a switch box.

[Susan]

You can also get an adapter for a 9 Pin AT Serial Connector if you have one on the back of your box...which you should. It will convert it to 25 Pin.

[devjoy]

Phillip,I have an unused controller card that is configurable with jumpers. It is currently configured with the usual com port, IRQ addresses. Since I would be using it as a second I/O card, I think that I would need to disable the IDE and Floppy connectors, right? The port selects are currently set to com A serial 1(3f8h)IRQ 4, com B serial 2(2f8h)IRQ 3 and LPT 1 Parallel(378h)IRQ 7. This is the same setting as the controller card that is already in the computer. What settings would I use to make it give me the additional com ports without any conflicts? Thank you so much for your help.

[devjoy]

Susan, The only 9 pin connector is in use by the mouse. I have tried to find an old but good p2 bus mouse expansion card to free up the 9 pin serial port but haven't had any luck. The computer is an old 486 with a Cyrix 5x86 100 mhz cpu in it. If I can get it properly set up it will works fine for my husbands ham station. Thanks for the advice.

[philipg]

devjoy,

That controller card should work fine if you disable all the rest of the junk on it. Configure the first port to IRQ=7 second to IRQ=5 or any other available IRQ, 5 is normally used as the secondary LPT2. As far as the addresses: I think its 03F8, 03E8 respectively. If you develope conflicts with these settings try all that are available for LPT 1 & 2.

If you find that your second card won't work, you can pick-up a 25 pin parallel port only card at your local computer store for around $25.00, with ECP,EPP compatibility.

[philipg]

I may have mis-understood your post re-reading it for the 100th time I notice that you your talking about useing com ports yet, you want to use the 25-pin one. If your not trying to go through the LPT port this should work like I said before except don't use the LPT settings use the other ones. Your allowed up to 8 com ports to a computer. Knock yourself out by putting in the other port and be careful about conflicts since 1 and 3 share irq4, and 2 and 4 share irq3.

As far as the switch box you can probably get away with using it withe HAM Transceiver but not a modem, also its not recommended to connect and disconnect devices when the PC is power up.

If you have MSD use it to see if it sees the new com ports if it sees them you shouldn't have any problems.

Good luck and sorry about the mis-information.

[This message has been edited by philipg (edited 08-31-99).]