SparkFun Electronics Forum

How about an in-cable TTL to RS232, using the MAX233 IC?

Perhaps something like the following:
http://www.compsys1.com/workbench/On_to ... apter.html

Major differences would be:
1. Would use MAX233 or MAX233A (so no external caps needed)
2. Would have funtional CTS and RTS busses.

This would result in a +5/-5 TTL to +12/-12 RS232 cable complete with CTS and RTS busses!

Might even be able to fit an led network to show CTS/RTS/TX/RX with a DIP resitor network.

led network:
http://www.allelectronics.com/cgi-bin/c ... type=store

Resitor network:
http://www.jameco.com/webapp/wcs/stores ... tId=120099

Maybe all that would not fit in the cable but it might in a small in-lline wall-wart (like used in laptops).
type plastic box.

OK, so the LEDs are overkill...

Cool idea - I like over-kill

(time to plug my own stuff) Have you checked out the shifter board?
http://www.sparkfun.com/shop/index.php? ... itemid=244 It does everything the MAX232 does but without the space needed for a DIP and the 5 external caps.

Now if you want to be really cool - checkout my buddies company Acroname:
http://www.acroname.com/robotics/parts/ ... -CONN.html

Okay, so my buddy just works there.

-Nathan