USB-Serial Adapter and Cable Options

[jack 68k]

Creating this thread to track USB-Serial adapters and cables that can be used to make a serial connection between a Classic Mac and a modern machine.

In case you haven't seen it:
Reconnaissance: Modern Diagnostics for Your Classic Mac

USB Serial Adapters​

Mac hosts: adapters with the FTDI chipset is preferable because no driver install is needed.
Windows hosts: both FTDI and Prolific chipsets work. Driver install is needed.

Small cheap adapter – $10
OIKWAN USB to RS232 Adapter with FTDI Chipset, USB to RS232 Male DB9 Serial Converter

Similar to above but with a cable – $13
OIKWAN USB to RS232, USB Serial Adapter with FTDI Chipset,USB 2.0 to Male DB9 Serial Cable

Short cable (NOTE: description says Prolific chipset but mine is FTDI)
StarTech.com 1-Port USB to RS232 DB9 Serial Adapter Cable - FTDI Chipset (ICUSB232SM3)

If you need multiple ports (me)
StarTech 4 Port USB to Serial RS232 Adapter - FTDI Chipset (ICUSB2324I)

I couldn't get this one to work at all
SABRENT USB 2.0 to Serial (9 Pin) DB 9 RS 232 Converter Cable, Prolific Chipset

Cable Parts​

See the Connector Pinout Reference

Mini-DIN-8 cable - connector on one end and leads on the other - ready to connect to DB-9
Mini-8P Cable, Mini DIN 8 pin Male MD8 to Wire End Connecter Adapter Cable

Mini-DIN-8 cables – I've successfully cut these serial cables and attached DB-9 connectors.
6ft Apple Serial cable, MiniDin8 Male, 8 Conductor 10M3-04106 (eBay)

DB-9 (screw terminals, no housing)
Avanexpress DB9 Breakout Connector RS232 Serial 9 Pin Connector Db9 Terminal Female with Screw

DB-9 (screw terminals, with housing)
ANMBEST 4PCS DB9 Female Breakout Connector,DB9 Solderless RS232 D-SUB Serial to 9-pin Port Terminal Adapter Connector Breakout Board with Case Long Bolts Tail Pipe (Amazon)

DB-9 (solder type)
Oiyagai 10Pcs DB9 Female Connector Set, Solder Type, Plastic 9 Pins D-Sub Adapter with Hood for Serial Port (Amazon)

Pre-made Cable Options​

(Likely but unverified) RetroFloppy Apple IIgs, IIc+, LC III null modem cable

(Likely but unverified) Apple IIGS Serial & Null Modem Cable for use with ADTPro

(Unverified) 6ft DB9 Female to Mini DIN 8 Male Cable - Gray

AVOID (Miswired)​

Apple Macintosh Plus Peripheral Adapter M0199 / 590-0553-A (available from various eBay sellers)

uxcell 8P Mini Din Male to Female DB9 RS232 PLC Programming Cable (Amazon)

JSADZKJ RS232 DB9 to Mini DIN 8-Pin Serial Cable, DB9 9-Pin Male to Mini DIN 8-Pin Male Screw Terminal Adapter Cable DB9 to Mini DIN 8-Pin Audio Cable for Microphone Scanner Printer (Amazon)

 

[Nitram78]

Would Apple's DB9 to Mini-DIN8 adapter work ?

 

[jack 68k]

Would Apple's DB9 to Mini-DIN8 adapter work ?

View attachment 27068

I think this is the M0199 Mac Plus peripheral adapter I mentioned in my original post. Sadly, this adapter is not wired correctly.

https://recon-68k.github.io/#serial-cable-pinout-reference

 

[joevt]

My serial cable notes at #10

 

[jonschwenn]

I don't see a combination that will do USB A to Mini DIN 8-Pin? Is there a known set of cables/adapters that will let me connect a modern Mac to an SE/30 board?

 

[jack 68k]

I don't see a combination that will do USB A to Mini DIN 8-Pin? Is there a known set of cables/adapters that will let me connect a modern Mac to an SE/30 board?

You'll need both a USB to Serial (DB-9) adapter and a cable to go from DB-9 to Mini-DIN-8 serial. To connect the USB adapter to your computer you'll probably also need a USB A to C cable or adapter unless you have USB-A ports.

See attached photo. Pictured:
OIKWAN USB to RS232 Adapter with FTDI Chipset, USB to RS232 Male DB9 Serial Converter
Old version of Apple IIGS Serial & Null Modem Cable for use with ADTPro
Apple USB-A to C adapter

 

[ufkel]

FWIW, here is my setup:

• I found some short DB-9 (male) to Mini-Din-8 (male) cables in my grab box. Checked them with a multimeter. All of these cables were straight-thru, no null-modem. So I guess if you find some of them in your grab box, they will probably work, too.
  • GND: Pin-5 (DB-9) to GND Pin-4 (Mini-Din-8)
  • TxD: Pin-3 (DB-9) to TxD Pin-3 (Mini-Din-8)
  • RxD: Pin-2 (DB-9) to RxD Pin-5 (Mini-Din-8)
• Went along and bought an USB-to-DB9 female adapter.

Works like a charm.

 

[roymaya]

I found this serial cable in a box of stuff. I can't remember how I acquired it but apparently it was for the Apple Newton to connect to a PC. I checked the pins and the 3 required pins and the shell are connected correctly so it should work with Reconnaissance.