[Matt Krass]

Originally Posted by dtengineering

I can't remember the configuration for the tether port, but I do seem to recall that plugging it directly in to your RS-232 port is a bad thing to do. The programming port was fine to plug in directly, but the tether port is definitely NOT straight RS-232. It had an additional power line, as I recall, that can toast your PC's serial port.

The radio port, I believe, was RS-485.

But here's the thing... drop a note to the people at VEX robotics. They have awesome documentation, the original source code, and all the specs sitting on a hard drive somewhere. It might not be on their web site, but they are likely more than happy to send you a package with everything you need to know. They spent a lot of time developing it, after all!

Jason

I believe you're correct, which is why I was considering adapters, I didn't realize my post could be interpreted in a manner leading to someone blowing up their computer, I'll fix that right away!

I was figuring a little adapter with some solder cup DB-9s to unflip the TX/RX and break the electrical connection carrying power from the RC. Actually I was also thinking the 12V from the RC would be perfect for regulating down to power the XBee on that side of things.

Also, I believe the radio port was actually RS-422, which is very similar to 485, that was my primary reason for recommending the tether port. I was also concerned about the out-of-band communications the units sent out to configure the radios might run afoul with the XBee configuration modes.

Matt