RS232 shifter with DB9 gender changer

[lanamor]

I'm using an RS232 shifter (http://www.sparkfun.com/products/449) to communicate via serial with an Arduino. The shifter and my serial port are both female so I'm trying to use a gender changer. However the gender changer results in communication failure. I know it's the gender changer that's causing the failure because if I use a USB to RS232 cable adapter and connect this to the RS232 shifter communication is fine.

What is the gender changer doing?

[joe61]

Are you sure it's not a null modem adapter? Try switching the wires between tx and rx on the microcontroller.

Joe

[lanamor]

I've tried that. When I switch the tx and rx wires the tx and rx leds on the shifter do not light.

[joe61]

Dunno then. Have you tried the Sparkfun forums? They would probably be able to tell you.

[Soeren]

Hi,

What is the gender changer doing?

Apparently not what you need it to
You are the one with the gender changer on your table, so just unscrew it and see if the full set of wires are really mounted correctly.

Not knowing exactly what your needs are (or the needs of the USB/serial converter), but check your documentation to see if you need a null modem wiring (which is more than just swapping TX and RX).

[lanamor]

I think I'll just desolder the female DB9 connector and install a male connector.