Connecting to the Internet with your PDA

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There are a number of uses for a modem connected to a Palm including the following:
  • HotSync your Pilot data while away from your computer
  • Make an Internet connection to send/receive Emails, browse the web, logon to another machine using telnet
  • Make a terminal connection to a remote computer system
To date, I have successfully remote hotsynced and made Internet connections for web browsing and Emailing using both a standard external modem and a Palm modem.  Below are some notes on how I made the modems work with my Palm and how I configured the Palm and applications to access the Internet.

Method 1: Using a standard external modem

You can use nearly any external modem with your Palm to make an internet connection with your Internet Service Provider (ISP) or remote computer system.  To save on cost, I would suggest going to a computer swap meet or look through your local newspaper classifieds for a used external modem.  Of course, you should try to get a modem with 56K speed, but slower modems will also work.  Make sure the modem has a 25-pin or 9-pin RS232 serial connector. 

Your external modem will be used in conjunction with your Palm and HotSync cradle (see Figure 1).  The trick to making your Palm and external modem work, is a device called a "null modem adapter".  Essentially, this adapter will switch the send and receive signals between the Palm cradle and modem.  You can either buy a null modem adapter (at most electronics stores) or make one yourself.

An alternative to using your HotSync cradle and null modem adapter with your modem is to buy a Palm modem cable (approx $18.00 US) or third party cable like the one I have from iConcepts.  One end of the Palm modem cable connects to your Palm device while the other end (25-pin RS232) connects to your external modem. If your modem has a 9-pin connector, you will need to buy a 9-pin to 25-pin adapter to use the Palm modem cable.

If you are using a US Robotics external modem with dip switches, you may need to set the DTR switch to "always on" for the modem to work properly with your Pilot device. If you don't have dip switches, then you might try to  issue a AT&D0 command to turn DTR on and then save the settings with AT&W0.  Do a search on www.deja.com with the keywords "palm usr modem" for more details.

 

You will need to buy a couple cables to make connections.

You can get the cables you need at Syncable Solutions or other electronics stores.

PDA Hot-Sync Cable - This cable uses either a Serial or USB connector to connect to your PC.  This one is available from iConcepts here at CompUSA  I found mine at Staples Office Depot in Canada.
Null Modem Adapter - This can either be a small Serial-to-Serial unit, or like this one from Radio Shack, DB9 Serial to DB25 PIN, Null modem adapter cable.  Just get the adapters you need to connect from DB9 Serial to the external modem you are going to use.

This is how it all comes together.

First connect the two DB 9 serial connecters together using an adapter if required.  In my case a double male is needed.  Then the Hot-Sync cable is connected to the Palm m500.  The DB 25 connecter mates with the US Robotics 56K external modem.
Once the DB25 connector is connected to the modem, you can hook up the telephone and power cable.

 

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