GE Rib Question

[Muxlow]

I just got a TQ 3310 rib to program my MDX radio with. I made a cable for the radio to the rib. All is good n such.. Go to connect the DB25 cable that came with the rib to the computer... and nothing fits.

The DB25 MALE end is connected to the rib's COMPUTER side that has a DB25 FEMALE connector.
The other end of the cable is a DB25 female. Only port on the computer is the "printer port" and that is also a female connector. Do i need to buy a female to male converter or a DB25 female to DB9 converter and use the standard com port rather then the "printer port"?

Never used a real GE rib. Always used ribless cables so im a little confused on how to connect this.
Also no power supply was with it so do i just use a 7.5v supply or a 12volt?
Says 7.5-15 VDC

 

[Thayne]

You do have to use the a regular com port, or a USB to com port adapter will also work

 

[jim202]

you need to either get a db25 to db9 adapter or make your won cable. A simple search on the Internet will provide the cable pin outs you need. Have made these cables a number of times.

 

[Thunderknight]

If I recall, power supply is only needed for flashing. Not sure, maybe also if you use a USB to serial converter.

 

[n5ims]

I just got a TQ 3310 rib to program my MDX radio with. I made a cable for the radio to the rib. All is good n such.. Go to connect the DB25 cable that came with the rib to the computer... and nothing fits.

The DB25 MALE end is connected to the rib's COMPUTER side that has a DB25 FEMALE connector.
The other end of the cable is a DB25 female. Only port on the computer is the "printer port" and that is also a female connector. Do i need to buy a female to male converter or a DB25 female to DB9 converter and use the standard com port rather then the "printer port"?

Never used a real GE rib. Always used ribless cables so im a little confused on how to connect this.
Also no power supply was with it so do i just use a 7.5v supply or a 12volt?
Says 7.5-15 VDC

Back in the day, the computer makers decided that they really liked the DB-25 connector so they used it for two incompatible connections, the RS-232 serial port and the printer port. It shouldn't be an issue, they thought, we'll just use the female connection for one and the male for the other. Nobody will confuse that!

Later on, folks needed more RS-232 ports and the DB-25 took up quite a bit of space. We don't use all 25 pins for the COM ports they thought, let's just use a DB-9 instead. It's smaller and has enough pins for what most folks use anyway. Oh, the standard CGA and EGA video uses DB-9 as well. We'll simply use a different gender then, problem solved again!!! They may be totally incompatible again, but nobody will confuse these either.

You can guess how many modem problems were due to them being hooked up to the printer port and display issues were due to the monitor being hooked up to the COM port.

As others have said, you'll need a DB-25 to DB-9 serial port adapter for your RIB and hook it up to your DB-9 serial port on your computer. They're still around, but not as easy to find as they used to be. It may be easier to find a serial cable that has the DB-9 on the computer end and DB-25 on the device end. Something like these (verify the gender on each end though, they make both kinds!)

6ft | DB9 Female to DB25 Male Serial Cable
http://www.cablewholesale.com/specs...c&zmam=54972865&zmas=1&zmac=8&zmap=10D1-02310
http://www.amazon.com/Belkin-Female-DB25-Modem-Cable/dp/B00000J1V8

 

[Muxlow]

I found one on ebay for 2 bucks. Surprising the seller is only 2 hours from me. Had him ship it out and will be here tomorrow.. Sooo ill see what happens

 

[mancow]

Convert it to 9.

 

[Muxlow]

Got the cable to convert it from DB25 to DB9.

Have programmer up and my cable i made for the MDX i want to program

Followed this http://www.hallelectronics.com/getech/tq3372.gif

Each wire is connected and has been checked and when i plug them into each spot on the mic connector of the radio, hold the volume button as i power the radio on and it shows program.

I read it with programmer and it says MDX Handshake not complete.
Tried a few times and making sure all the wires are in each hole on the mic connector and still nada.

When i push the PTT button on the rib it makes the radio beep so something is correct someplace.
Not sure what type of power supply to use for the rib. Iv tried a 7.5 and a 12v so far and no difference

Can anyone help figure out what im not doing correct?

 

[Thunderknight]

If I recall, power supply is only needed for flashing. Not sure, maybe also if you use a USB to serial converter.

I just noticed you said 3310, which according to "the net" is an older one for programming only (no flashing), so maybe it needs a power supply regardless.

 

[Muxlow]

Iv tried a 7.5v 9v and 15v adapter and no change.
Maybe the rib is just kaput or something with the cable doing from DB25-DB9

I checked the connections and pins twice on the radio side, even made a 2nd cable just to be sure

If i pop open the rib is there a fuse or specific location i should check to see if voltage is passing thru? Or blown fuse

 

[Russabbey]

I'm not sure but have you put the radio into programing mode yet? Hold down the volume up and push the on button, hold the vol up until you see the program on the screen. Then you can program the radio. If you are following these and it still doesn't work you may have a bad RIB in there. Get a cable from RF Guys on Ebay, (I have nothing but good to say about their cables, I have purchased 6 so far) it is a rib-less type and works! You won't need the RIB or have to worry about it.
Next question, which version of programer are you using? And is it Win based or DOS? I am using Windows 7, 64 bit and I don't have any problems yet. Let us know how it goes.

73
Russ Abbey
KG4MAV

 

[Muxlow]

Already had it in program mode since the start.

Dont want a ribless cable since im only going to be reading/writing this radio once so figured id just make a cable since i have a rib.

Perhaps someone would allow me to send them my rib and they could test it with their cables/radio

Id send the radio for programming but since im not in the USA the price would be more then just buying a ribless cable.

Everything on the rib looks fine, no black marks or burnt smell.