I will find the right cables
Evolving technology is necessary, and without the growth in capacity our Internet experience would be impossible, but some things just leave me feeling nostalgic. This afternoon, while trying to resurrect an older RS-232 device, I decided to make things easy by dropping into a local electronic store and picking up a “modem cable”. Some things just aren’t available (as in for sale) any more.
The clerk at one store had never seen such a thing. After all, everything he knew about data communications involved a short section of Cat-5 cable and a browser. The race for swifter, higher, stronger that kept us updating and fixing for so many years was over. No more the sibilance of a 14.4 modem synchronizing with its partner. No more the testing of cables to make sure the manufacturer had actually included enough wires to allow for respect of specifications. No more matching of connectors. DB-25 and DB-9 have lost their place. In fact, all I could find was a set of adaptors that left me with what might allow emulation of a good old serial wire.
I’ve decided to test the packet radio waters again, even though that has also evolved, and my pair of MFJ-1278 TNC boxes might actually be useful (if I can find the wall warts). I’ve decided to reinvest time (and as little money as possible) in digital mode radio, and the mysteries of APRS and PSK31 will soon be revealed to me. I’m determined. The fact that certain things like modem cables are obsolete at the retail level is just an aggravation.
