Serial cable for 8048

Just introduced myself to electronic with this kit, made my own serial cable using the two ends that came with the kit (even though the box said no cable enclosed) only to find that the fitting will not plug into the port on the board because a plastic lug on the cable socket catches against the board! do I notch the board or the cable or get a new cable?

stupid question really, only did it to introduce myself.

Ah rik,

you are not alone with this cable issue. Rather than notch the board or leave the shroud off, I have joined a male & female 9 pin connector back-to-back and use that on the Velleman board.

Mickster (just up the road from you…Oldham)

good suggestion, but I was hasty, I’ve already notched my board using a mini cutting disc, removed the dust, plugged it together, copied both demo programs one after the other, both worked perfectly, feeling very pleased with myself. Now to get to grips with programming. ( maybe tomorrow?). Nice to know there is someone local out there prepared to offer help to the complete novice.

I shaved plastic off the cable’s connector. It now slides over the edge of the board and engages fully with the socket on the board. Mind you, I still get “COM-Init-Error”, so perhaps the cable length is a problem. Velleman supplies a short cable with the VM111 (this fact needs to be put in their publicity material) so is there a maximum suitable cable length?