"Technical Solutions" EPROM emulator asisstance? :-)

**KC9KEP** · November 30th, 2020, 04:01 PM

Hello,
In my continuing quest to bring my 1980's computer equipment back to life, I'd like to
employ my "Technical Solutions" EPROM emulator.
I really liked how simply it worked .. You'd plug the emulator into your EPROM socket
of your target board, and run a RJ-11 cable from the emulator to an adapter that plugged
into an unused printer port.
The software utility let you chose what file and type to upload, and away you'd go

I still have the emulator, software and manual. What I do NOT have is the
interconnecting cable and printer port to RJ-11 cable adapter.

I have some "shells" that have a DB-25 and RJ-11 cable connector, but I've no clue as to
how to wire it

Can anyone help? Perhaps a wiring schematic for the adapter? Or an "old" Technical
Solutions emulator or parts they'd care to sell?

Copious thanks!

**ldkraemer** · December 1st, 2020, 06:07 AM

Sounds like an interesting project.

The IBM PC Parallel port is described at this URL: https://pinouts.ru/ParallelPorts/Par...C_pinout.shtml

Code:

Pin 	Name 	Dir 	Description
1 	/STROBE 	--> 	Strobe
2 	D0 	--> 	Data Bit 0
3 	D1 	--> 	Data Bit 1
4 	D2 	--> 	Data Bit 2
5 	D3 	--> 	Data Bit 3
6 	D4 	--> 	Data Bit 4
7 	D5 	--> 	Data Bit 5
8 	D6 	--> 	Data Bit 6
9 	D7 	--> 	Data Bit 7
10 	/ACK 	<-- 	Acknowledge
11 	BUSY 	<-- 	Busy
12 	PE 	<-- 	Paper End
13 	SEL 	<-- 	Select
14 	/AUTOFD 	--> 	Autofeed
15 	/ERROR 	<-- 	Error
16 	/INIT 	--> 	Initialize
17 	/SELIN 	--> 	Select In

Using Pins (2..9) = D{0..7} it shouldn't be hard to get the 8 bits sent over the RJ-11's 8 wires
to D{0..7} in the EPROM Emulator. D{0..7} should be wired to the RJ-11 Port on
the EPROM Emulator from it's internal RAM.

Once you have that figured out you could make a PCB (if needed) or just wire
the Parallel Cable accordingly.

Larry

**gertk** · December 1st, 2020, 10:41 AM

Sure it wasn't the serial/com port ?

I tried searching for "Technical Solutions EPROM emulator" but the terms are too common...
(just as when I tried to find info on my Data Display LED sign.....)

Maybe a picture of the emulator board can help ?

**Eudimorphodon** · December 1st, 2020, 10:49 AM

Originally Posted by gertk

Sure it wasn't the serial/com port ?

I second that, given the fact that an "RJ-11" plug has a maximum of six contact wires. (Technically it's called "RJ-11,14, or 25 depending on how many pairs are used.) It's still possible it bitbangs over the parallel port but the communication would pretty much have to be serial.

**ldkraemer** · December 1st, 2020, 01:59 PM

I bet it is a RJ-45 connector and what you need is something like this:
https://www.cableleader.com/adapters...5-to-rj45.html

That would be the best way to go. You can make any length CAT6 cable with Stranded or Solid
conductors by crimping on the ends.

Larry

**KC9KEP** · December 6th, 2020, 05:50 PM

I have some photographs of the emulator but I'm having trouble posting them here

Is a 100K jpg OK to post?

**Chuck(G)** · December 6th, 2020, 06:15 PM

Probably not, I think 80K is the limit (unless it's been changed). Use an off-site hosting service like Imgur.com and link to the images in your post. You then can go as huge as you want.