How to Connect a Palm Device to an External Modem

Ever wonder whether you can connect your PDA to the Web using a fast, external modem? There are a few adapters and cables involved, but otherwise, it's a cinch.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• 9-pin serial cable
• Serial cradle
• 9-pin male to 25-pin male serial adapte
• 25-pin null modem adapter
• AC adapter
• Serial gender changer (male DB9 to male DB9).

1. Buy a serial cable that provides a 9-pin serial connection and a 9-pin female to 25-pin male serial adapter. This is the easiest route. Or try using the serial cradle that came with the Palm-size PC. You will need to purchase a 9-pin male to 25-pin male serial adapter and a 25-pin null modem adapter. You will also need a length of telephone cable.

2. Insert your Palm device in its cradle, connect the AC adapter to the cradle, and plug the AC adapter into a power outlet.

3. Connect the Palm device's serial cable to the cradle and connect the other end of the adapter into one end of the serial gender changer (male DB9 to male DB9).

4. Connect the other end of the gender changer into the female end of the null modem adapter (which is female DB9 to male DB9).

5. Connect the male end of the null modem adapter into the modem's serial cable.

6. Plug the modem's AC adapter into the modem and into a power outlet.

7. Connect the telephone cable to the port on the modem and into a phone wall jack.

8. Select the modem labeled "Hayes Compatible on COM1:" in Dial-Up Connection on your device. You can use an external modem from 2,400 BPS to 56,000 BPS (56K).

Tips & Warnings

• Check the booklets that come with your Palm device and the Web site of the manufacturer to see if they offer instructions on how to do this. Manufacturer-specific information is always best.

• Consider getting a Palm Modem, which works with a Palm Pilot Pro or Palm III/IIIe/IIIx/V/VII (or any machine upgraded to OS 2 or 3). This is the 3Com modem that "snaps" onto the bottom of the Palm unit.