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

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

AVOID: Both of these are mis-wired in the same way and there is no connection to anything on some necessary pins.
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. I don't have one to try (yet).

Are you able to try it, or to check it with a multimeter to see if the correct pins are connected? I put a pinout reference here. There are only 3 pins + the shell that need to be connected.
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