[Info-vax] Cables

[glen herrmannsfeldt]

Simon Clubley <clubley at remove_me.eisner.decus.org-earth.ufp> wrote:

(snip, I wrote)
>> It looks to me like the MMJ connector is the same one now used
>> for smart antenna connection to DTV converter boxes (and 
>> presumably also TVs).   That should make them easier to find,
>> along with the crimp tools.

>> Maybe not, but they looked right to me.

> You need to be careful about the tab on the MMJ connector.

OK, I just tried putting an actual MMJ into an actual smart
antenna jack.  It goes in and snaps perfectly.  I believe that
they are the same connector.

> Although the MMJ connector uses the same type of form factor as
> some other connectors the thing which was traditionally different
> was that the tab on the MMJ connector was in a different place.

Well, that would be normal RJ-11 phone connectors.  As there are
some TV devices that use a phone connection, it is probably good
that the smart antenna doesn't use the same connector.

> Anyone interested in this approach should check before purchase that
> the tab on any connector they want to buy is in the correct place.

When I got my MicroVAX 3100 some years ago, I carefully unsoldered
the MMJ jacks and wired RS232 connectors in place.  When I later
got a MV2000 with cables, I resoldered the connectors back on.
I think I have just two cables, though.

As I understand it, the smart antenna allows the receiver to tell
the antenna what direction to point, in which case it either
physically or electronically points in that direction.  To do that,
a cable from the box to the antenna will be needed, which will be
easiest if one can crimp ones own connectors.  I haven't seen them
in stores, but I haven't looked much either.

-- glen