--------------------------------------- Using a Color Computer to Communicate With a Model 100 --------------------------------------- 1. The TRS80 Color Computer makes a good mainframe storage device for the Model 100, with the availability of disks and communications facility for the Coco. 2. Adapting the Coco to communicate with the Model 100 is easy, once the proper communications software and hardware is obtained. 3. This article will detail such devices. 4. For the Coco communications software, I currently use COLORCOM/E, by Eigen Systems, of Austin, Texas. Their disk terminal software is relatively inexpensive ($49.95) and supports both disk input / output, as well as printer output. 5. A null-modem cable must be made to match the DB25 RS232-C output of the Model 100 to the 4-pin DIN plug RS232-C output of the Color computer. Both the 4-pin DIN and DB25 male connector should be available from any well stocked electronics parts house, as well as from any Radio Shack store. 6. Construct the two plugs so that the following connections are made: --------------------------------------- DB25 Function 4-pin DIN --------------------------------------- 2 Data From 100 to Coco 2 3 Data From Coco to 100 4 7 Ground 3 7. EXECute COLORCOM/E and go to command level. Select Command L (Set Modem). Set the following parameters: 4 - 1200 baud 1 - Even parity 1 - 7 bits 1 - CR normal extension 2 - Insert Line Feed 3 - Half Duplex 8. Set STAT on the Model 100 to: 57E2E 5 - 1200 baud 7 - 7 bit word E - Even parity 2 - 2 stop bits E - Enable X-On / X-Off 9. Go into TERM on the Model 100 and set to half-duplex. 10. The two computers should now be talking. 11. To send a file from COLORCOM/E, CLEAR the RAM buffer (SHIFT-CLEAR in Command mode) and (R)ead the file in. Return to on-line mode and then set the download file on the Model 100. When both are ready and in on-line mode, use the CNTRL-2 (dump buffer) function to send the contents. Since both COLORCOM/E and the Model 100 support the same X-On / X-Off characters, no buffers will be overrun. 12. To send a file from the Model 100, you need not clear the RAM buffer, since COLORCOM/E has a selectable buffer option with the "S" and "E" commands. Send the buffer, then manually enter a couple of 's on the Model 100 after the file is sent. This is necessary to insure that the last line of the file will not be the last line received by COLORCOM/E, as the last line on a RAM buffer can not be written to a file, an idiosyncracy that is present in all versions of COLORCOM/E. 13. Once the file is in the Color Computer buffer, it may be written to a disk file for permanent storage, or printed through the off-line printing facilities of COLORCOM/E. 14. In summary, using the correct hardware and the appropriate software, the Color Computer and the Model 100 communicate very well, and the Coco seems to enjoy being "big brother" to my Model 100. 15. Comments and/or questions may be addressed to me on the Color Computer SIG (PCS-126). Wayne Day 76703,376 sysop - *The Color SIG* (note - this file was uploaded on a Model 100, using a text file that was written on a Color Computer using Telewriter-64)