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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: SixtyLife on Mon, 16 February 2015, 19:01:52

Title: USB to RJ11 modem to connect Dolch keyboard?
Post by: SixtyLife on Mon, 16 February 2015, 19:01:52

Would using a 56k modem like this one work for converting the dolch pac keyboard to usb?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA24G1734081&cm_re=USB_Modem%2crj11-_-25-134-008-_-Product (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA24G1734081&cm_re=USB_Modem%2crj11-_-25-134-008-_-Product)

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b345/DarthLars/Keyboard/DolchPAC-62keyboard.jpg (http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b345/DarthLars/Keyboard/DolchPAC-62keyboard.jpg)

I have neither soldering equipment nor experience and so am looking for other solutions.

Title: Re: USB to RJ11 modem to connect Dolch keyboard?
Post by: fohat.digs on Mon, 16 February 2015, 19:19:15

I think that it will take a lot more than what you showed.

On the up-side, those key caps are quite desirable.

Title: Re: USB to RJ11 modem to connect Dolch keyboard?
Post by: SixtyLife on Mon, 16 February 2015, 19:27:01

ah ok thanks. yeah I was able to finally get one from ebay earlier today (pic above is not mine).

The other solution I had in mind was daisy chaining these two:
(http://i00.i.aliimg.com/wsphoto/v0/618088280/RJ11-phone-Cable-Female-to-Female-connector-plug-joiner-coupler-Free-Shipping-N051.jpg)
(http://www.networktechinc.com/nti/images/items/usb-am-rj11m.jpg)

anyone have an experience with such a set up?

Title: Re: USB to RJ11 modem to connect Dolch keyboard?
Post by: Tactile on Mon, 16 February 2015, 19:35:00

This looks like a job for a Teensy & Soarer's converter.

Title: Re: USB to RJ11 modem to connect Dolch keyboard?
Post by: fohat.digs on Mon, 16 February 2015, 19:43:09

Your keyboard connector looks small. There are 8P8C (8-pin, 8-connector, etc), 6P6C, and 4P4C plus maybe more.

The Wyse and some others are only 4P4C which will fit (improperly) into an ethernet (nominal 8P8C) socket but you are not likely to find satisfaction that easily.

Where are the Dolch experts and why are they not speaking up?

Title: Re: USB to RJ11 modem to connect Dolch keyboard?
Post by: SixtyLife on Mon, 16 February 2015, 19:51:04

haha prob cause they know how to solder and haven't had to resort to other solutions.

Title: Re: USB to RJ11 modem to connect Dolch keyboard?
Post by: IvanIvanovich on Tue, 17 February 2015, 10:46:39

Cherry G80-1813 keyboard that comes with Dolch is actually native PS/2, so you can't do it that way. I've always just gone the easy way and replace the cable with a standard PS/2 which involves soldering to the PCB inside. The other best way would be to crimp an rj10 4p4c connector on the end of a PS/2 cable so you can plug it into the stock port. Then if you need to go to USB you will need an active PS/2 to USB adapter.

Title: Re: USB to RJ11 modem to connect Dolch keyboard?
Post by: SixtyLife on Tue, 17 February 2015, 11:10:06

Quote from: IvanIvanovich on Tue, 17 February 2015, 10:46:39

Cherry G80-1813 keyboard that comes with Dolch is actually native PS/2, so you can't do it that way. I've always just gone the easy way and replace the cable with a standard PS/2 which involves soldering to the PCB inside. The other best way would be to crimp an rj10 4p4c connector on the end of a PS/2 cable so you can plug it into the stock port. Then if you need to go to USB you will need an active PS/2 to USB adapter.

Thanks Ivan. Gonna try out the 2nd method you describe.