Physical DIN13 replacement for SIO plugs and sockets

[morelenmir]

Given the extreme scarcity and cost of even reproduction SIO plugs and sockets I have been wondering about replacing them entirely on my machine--and in turn the accessories--for a while. The most obvious way to do this would seem to be the ST-pattern DIN13 plug and socket which are readily available and inexpensive, not to mention robust. When it comes to connecting this to the motherboard, on the 130XE at least there is a very handy pin-header collection with breaks out all the SIO signals. However, as I would ideally like to keep the original SIO socket functional I wondered if there were any electronics required between the replacement DIN13 socket and the SIO pin-header to act as termination?

[_The Doctor__]

there were two forms of SIO plugs for Atari, SIO and ESIO I'd pick one or the other... Then it's still all Atari.

Edited September 19, 2018 by _The Doctor__

[carlsson]

Huh? I thought the 13-pin DIN also was scarce and expensive. If anything, I would consider a DB-15 which has similar physical size as the SIO connector and the two extra pins obviously don't need to be connected.

[morelenmir]

there were two forms of SIO plugs for Atari, SIO and ESIO I'd pick one or the other... Then it's still all Atari.

 

I have never heard of ESIO! Is that an ST thing? Sadly, unless it is something I can get on EBay however I want to get away from a single specific source. For instance I know Lotharek produces absolute excellent third-party plugs and leads, but in my case I then have to pay for postage and import from Poland. So I want something totally seller-agnostic and locally sourced. So far as my 130XE goes, only the motherboard and the bespoke chips are original now anyway. I have spent the last month replacing every passive, transistor and 74-series logic IC on the board. Therefore keeping the thing authentic really doesn't matter to me any more!

 

Huh? I thought the 13-pin DIN also was scarce and expensive. If anything, I would consider a DB-15 which has similar physical size as the SIO connector and the two extra pins obviously don't need to be connected.

 

Yep, you can get a DIN13 sockets in the square ST video lead format for about £3.99 from eBay--in England at least. If you are willing to buy 100 at once you can probably get them direct from the far-east at pennies-per. I have bought a dozen or more of them for installing the various VBXE's I've had over the years. The plugs are even cheaper, although a bit fiddly to solder unless you find the 'solder-bucket' type which I have not come across in this pattern. Still, I was recently given an amazing tip for soldering all DIN plugs--insert the pin-section in to an appropriate plug before soldering, clamp the assembly in a vice and this acts as a heatsink which prevents the plastic mount from melting--so even that process is fairly painless!

[baktra]

To me, DB15 seems to be a better replacement as the connector is available and reasonably cheap.

See this thread: http://atariage.com/forums/topic/94188-sio-connector-alternative/

[morelenmir]

To me, DB15 seems to be a better replacement as the connector is available and reasonably cheap.

See this thread: http://atariage.com/forums/topic/94188-sio-connector-alternative/

 

I will check that thread out! Many thanks baktra.

 

Update:

 

Okay, having scanned through that thread it doesn't seem like any termination is required. Excellent! I also appreciate the advice given there about using CAT5 cable for the signal path. I intend primarily to keep my replacement plug for SIO2PC, SIO2SD and so forth therefore the limited number of connections would not be an issue for my uses.

 

In regards the connector--personally I do not like that DB15 at all. There are so many different types and I encountered no end of problems while trying to fit one to an ancient PC long ago. For my use DIN13 is superior as I can also use them for VBXE video leads. But again that is purely my opinion for my own hardware.

Edited September 19, 2018 by morelenmir

[+mytek]

To me, DB15 seems to be a better replacement as the connector is available and reasonably cheap.

See this thread: http://atariage.com/forums/topic/94188-sio-connector-alternative/

I also support that in my 1088XEL project, having a dual footprint on the PCB.