Tandy 100/102 to USB?

[NutmegCT]

Gentlemen - is there a way to export a text file from my 100 (or my 102) and onto a flash drive? I assume, some type of serial or parallel output from the Tandy, into a "magic box", then to a USB flash drive.

I'm using the Tandy to compile a large database in simple CSV format. field, field, field CR

I want to upload that file onto my Windows 10 laptop and/or desktop for use in Access (or Excel).

Thanks.
Tom M.

 

[NutmegCT]

Or ... some other way to get that text file from the 100 and onto my Windows machine.
TM

 

[Chuck(G)]

Note that Dave notes that file transfer was simple over the RS232 port. So, at a minimum, you'll need a USB serial adapter to plug into your laptop.

I'll leave the rest to the resident gurus here.

 

[krebizfan]

Not to a USB drive but NADSBox was designed to go to a SD card which should be easy to read on the Windows 10 system. I am not sure if one is still available for sale and it is an expensive device. Probably worth it if you plan on heavy Model 100 usage. http://www.club100.org/catalog.html

Otherwise, the Tandy 100/102 can connect through a serial cable, even with a USB to Serial adapter on the modern PC. The biggest files that can be stored on a 100 would take about 5 minutes to transfer this way; 30 minutes for a full PDD attached to the 100.
http://tandy.wiki/Model_100_102_200_600_Serial_Cable
http://www.rossolson.com/rosso/fetish/m102/web100/docs/pc-xfer.html
Links point up some of the setup requirements to make it work.

 

[Chuck(G)]

That last link recommends FTDI USB-serial cables. I heartily agree, but not because of the cited problem with Prolific ones.

The problem is that the Prolific chips are now being copied by unscrupulous vendors. A USB cable that identifies itself as a Prolific one may, in fact, not work correctly at all, while another will work fine. Don't go for the cheapest one on this .

 

[MikeS]

Or ... some other way to get that text file from the 100 and onto my Windows machine.
TM

The 'magic box' will probably be your computer, connected via a null-modem cable or bluetooth:

Lots of options; Win/Linux/Mac:
http://bitchin100.com/wiki/index.php?title=Model_T_File_Transfer

Android phone or tablet:
http://www.club100.org/memfiles/index.php?&direction=0&order=&directory=Kurt McCullum/mComm Android

If you choose terminal-to-terminal, in order to run at full speed (19200bd) you must use XON/XOFF handshaking; the built-in M100 terminal does not support hardware handshaking.

 

[NutmegCT]

Thanks gentlemen. I'd used serial cables (null modem) for transferring files between DOS and Windows machines before. Forgot about the 100/102 Telcom serial cable method.

I'm creating a database of all the aircraft we have at the New England Air Museum.

http://www.neam.org/shell.php?page=aircraft_collection

Much easier to use my 100, walking from plane to plane, than my Win10 laptop. Once created, I'll import the data into our main ResourceMate cataloguing system.

Tom M.

 

[eeguru]

I'm creating a database of all the aircraft we have at the New England Air Museum. Much easier to use my 100, walking from plane to plane, than my Win10 laptop.

Nice! Good to see the usefulness of these old machines in the (not so early now) 21st century!