Series 4

Computer Ease
Series 4
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Psion Communication Solutions

With the plethora of hardware solutions, it's getting difficult to keep all this in our heads! So here's a visual reference as to what's required to connect your Psion (be it a 3a, 3c or 3mx, 5 or 5mx) to a modem or directly to the internet. Warning: a long page with many graphics! You might also use this to remind yourself what to pack for the next trip out of town...

• infrared solutions
• Series 5mx, 5, 3mx, 3c only
  • desktop modem
  • portable modem
  • PSION Travel modem
• Series 3a only
  • desktop modem with standard 3Link cable and null modem
  • desktop modem with 3Link cable and PSION modem cable
  • PSION 3Fax modem
  • Telephonics Zoom PKT modem
• Series 5mx, 5, 3mx, 3c, or 3a
  • PCMCIA land-line modem
  • PCMCIA cellular modem
  • Nokia GSM phone
• table of part numbers and prices
• custom cables from Computer Ease
• credits
• coming soon

Series 5mx, 5, 3mx, 3c Solutions

Cheap but bulky. Good for a user that is often at a desk, near a land-line. You may use any desktop modem.

Series 5mx, 5 or Series 3mx, 3c	PC-Link cable	9-25 adapter	null modem	gender changer	desktop modem & AC adapter	RJ-11	wall socket

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I now use a (discontinued?) portable battery-powered fax/modem (microcom TravelPorte) while away from home. It operates up to 14.4k bps for fax and modem communications; it supports cellular connections. Battery life is about 2 hours (pah!). It also comes with an AC adapter.

Series 5 or Series 3c	PC-Link cable	null modem (DB9)	gender changer (DB9)	modem cable (DB9 to DIN)	portable modem & batteries!	RJ-11	wall socket

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Psion offers a 14.4 data/fax modem that plugs directly into the Psion. Nice. Very compact. Not cheap. Also requires a land-line. There exist some nice carrying cases that fit both the Psion and the Travel modem.

Series 5 or 3c	Travel modem w/ 2 AAs or AC adapter		RJ-11	wall socket

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Series 3a Solutions

Cheap but very bulky. Good for a user that is often at a desk, near a land-line. If you have a 512kb, you will also need a 512kb or higher SSD...

Series 3a	3Link cable w/ PC end	9-25 adapter	null modem	gender changer	desktop modem & AC adapter	RJ-11	wall socket

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A Psion modem cable that replaces the PC end simplifies the connection.

Series 3a	3Link cable w/ modem end	desktop modem & AC adapter	RJ-11	wall socket

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Rather low-end these days but if you're just doing e-mail, still a viable solution. Nice leather cases were designed to hold both units. Maximum fax speed: 9600; data: 2400!

Series 3a	3Fax modem w/ 2 AAs or AC adapter		RJ-11	wall socket

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Zoom Telephonics made a portable 14.4 fax modem for the Psion powered with a 9v transistor battery. Not sure if they're still around...

Series 3a	Zoom PKT modem w/ batt.	RJ-11	wall socket

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Series 5mx, 5, 3mx, 3c, or 3a Solutions

For the truly mobile user. The 5mx, 5, 3mx, and 3c use the same PC Card adapter while the one for the 3a is different. Assuming one is in range of a cellular station, the Psion can work anywhere. Expensive. Be sure to keep lots of fully-charged extra batteries on hand. Note: the battery charger you have to carry around negates many of the portability benefits...

P.S. your 3a must have at least 512kb memory.

Series 5 or 3c or 3a	PC Card adapter w/ 4 AAs	PC Card cell modem	modem-phone connector	cell phone

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If you already have a PC Card modem, this is the cheapest solution. The 5mx, 5, 3mx, and 3c use the same PC Card adapter. This is different from the 3a. An Xjack modem simplifies connections slightly.

Series 5 or 3c or 3a	PC Card adapter w/ 4 AAs or AC adapter		modem w/ RJ adapter or modem w/ Xjack	RJ-11	wall socket

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Only applicable in Europe. This applies to the Nokia 2110i and 8110i phones.

Series 5 or 3c or 3a	PC Card adapter w/ 4 AAs	Nokia DTP-2 data card	modem-phone connector	GSM mobile phone

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infrared solutions

Nokia 8810 or Ericsson SH888 mobile phones have built-in infrared (IR) modems (see the Psion mobile communications site for more information). This is the most compact solution to date! Truly wireless!

	...
Series 5 or 5mx	air	mobile phone w/ infrared modem

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We make a custom null modem cable that simplifies Psion to standard modem connections: a single short cable replaces the 9-25 adapter, gender changer, and null modem adapter.

	=
custom null cable		9-25 adapter	null modem	gender changer

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• Blake Nancarrow of Computer Ease drew the sketches (yes, on paper) and scanned them then assembled this web page (contact info on the home page)
• visit Jochen Siegenthaler's (100127.3167@compuserve.com) excellent PsiMail internet FAQ (PMIFAQ) web site
• thanks to Arthur Gray for clarifying some of the GSM phone stuff
• some information obtained from the Psion mobile communications web

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• a "record" with break-down: speed, portability
• cost totals for each solution
• software requirements: PsiFax, 3Fax, FaxIt, EasyFax, Messaging Suite, PsiMail internet
• PC card modems that work
• compatible cell phones
• more GSM phone info (specifically the Ericcson GS18 and Sagem RD 435)

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last edited on 17 November 1999