In Tampa we have decided to follow some common construction practices so that all of our FPAC nodes are
similar.

One of these construction practices is to use a converter plug for all RS-232 cables to convert to a RJ-45
type of cable. This requires the assembly of the RJ-45 to DB-9 and DB-25 connectors in a common
format. For the benefit of others who wish to emulate this same construction standard, here are the
construction instructions for the various types of connectors.

           STANDARD TYPE PLUG                 NULL MODEM TYPE PLUG
   RJ-45/DB-9MorF     RJ-45/DB-25MorF    RJ-45/DB-9MorF     
RJ-45/DB-25MorF
------------------  ------------------ ------------------ 
------------------
1 - BROWN            1 -               1 - BROWN            1 -
2 - RED              2 - ORANGE        2 - ORANGE           2 - RED
3 - ORANGE           3 - RED           3 - RED              3 - ORANGE
4 - AMBER/YELLOW     4 - GRAY/WHITE    4 - BLUE             4 - BLACK
5 - GREEN            5 - BLACK         5 - GREEN            5 -
GRAY/WHITE
6 - BLUE             6 - BLUE          6 - AMBER/YELLOW     6 -
AMBER/YELLOW
7 - GRAY/WHITE       7 - GREEN         7 - BLACK            7 - GREEN
8 - BLACK            8 - BROWN         8 - GRAY/WHITE       8 - BROWN
9 -                  9 -               9 -                  9 -
                    10 -                                   10 -
                    11 -                                   11 -
                    12 -                                   12 -
                    13 -                                   13 -
                    14 -                                   14 -
                    15 -                                   15 -
                    16 -                                   16 -
                    17 -                                   17 -
                    18 -                                   18 -
                    19 -                                   19 -
                    20 - AMBER/YELLOW                      20 - BLUE
                    21 -                                   21 -
                    22 -                                   22 -
                    23 -                                   23 -
                    24 -                                   24 -
                    25 -                                   25 -


Don't forget to observe that the numbers are reversed in direction
between
the (male) and (female) type of plugs.

To make a normal type of RS-232 cable, just use any style plug of the
STANDARD configuration on either end of the RJ-45 cable.  To make a
NULL MODEM type of cable, just use one of the NULL configured plugs on
just one end of the RJ-45 cable.  The other end must be a STANDARD
type of configured plug.

With this type of construction, now all of your cables are just simple
RJ-45 cables which you can make to any needed length.  When you equip
your
PC and TNC's with the configured adapter plugs it is a simple task to
change configurations and you no longer need a vast collection of
expensive
RS-232 cables.

Any questions regarding this page should go to:
fpac@qsl.net
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