How to Build 'The Sextipede'


The following is a wiring diagram for the LAN cable used by ANKOR, the
KAYPRO user's group in Anchorage Alaska, for computer software 
demonstrations.  Since it was built with six legs it was dubbed 'The 
Sextipede'.  It should work as well with 8 legs, but I don't like spiders.
The Sextipede is a modification/improvement of the 'Octopus' which is
described in Gary Fidler and Kit Rawson's article in the September 1984
issue of Profiles.


Materials needed:

12 to 15 feet of 18 gauge, 4 conductor jacketed thermostat wire
		Brown jacketed wire available at most hardware stores
		(Should be long enough to reach far end of table(s) used)

6 pc  2 to 3 feet of 22 gauge, 4 conductor telphone wire
		called  station or inside wire

7 ea       RS-232  D25 male connectors

Light duty soldering gun  (pencil type works best)

Solder

Sharp Knife

Wire Cutters

Electricians black tape

6 pack (optional)


Step 1:  Pin and wire D25 connector to 'Head End' of 18 gauge wire

(conductor colors used may differ, but you MUST be consistant) 

		pin	color
		
		 1 ---- Red
		 2 ---- Yellow
		 3 ---- Green
	    ---- 5
5-8-20      |    7 ---- Black
wired  	    |--- 8 
together    ----20
(1 inch loops +/-)


Step 2:  Pin and wire one D25 connector to each of the 22 gauge wire

		color   pin
		
		Red ---- 1
	      Green ---- 2
	     Yellow ---- 3
			 6 ---- 6-8-20
	      Black ---- 7    | wired 
			 8 ---| together
			20 ---- ( 1 inch loops +/-)

NOTE!!!!!  Yellow and Green are reversed on pins 2 & 3 !!! 
	   This is correct and important for proper function.


Step 3:  Prepare 'Legs' by stripping insulation back about 1/2" on end
opposite D25 connector.


Step 4:  On 18 gauge Main Line, measure down about 24" from D25 and carefully
score around outer insulation taking care not to damage inner conductors.
Grasp outer brown insulation and slide it down until you have  created
a gap of 2" to 3".  Remove 1/2" of insulation on each of inner wires, 
but stagger the stripped areas.  Wrap the stripped ends of 2 'Leg'
wires around the corresponding colored stripped Main Line wire. Solder.  
Fold or wrap each soldered Leg/Main connection with Electricians tape, 
then wrap tape over all for protection and strain relief.

Repeat above for remaining 'Leg' connections.   I'll wait.


Done already?  You're fast.

Insulate each wire in tail end of Main line and seal with tape.

You should now have a gizmo that looks like this:

                            legs
                       @      @      @ 
                      /      /      /
                     |      |      |
         head  @-----+------+------+-       
                     |      |      |
                      \      \      \
                       @      @      @
                            legs

If it even vaguely resembles this you are a Certified Sextipede Maker.
Congratulations!

Using this set-up and the Demo Port program included on this disk, we 
have been able to run demos at up to 19.2 kbps.  Normally we use 4800
bps but gave the 19.2 a try using K10'S one time.  Experiment as you
like.

If you find the 'Sextipede' does not work, check the pin/wiring for 
the reversal of pins 2 & 3.  I made that mistake when I reconfigured
the darn thing and didn't realize it until we were set up to do the 
monthly demo at a meeting.  Hero to goat in a few nanoseconds.

Please drop us a note or mention something in your newsletter.

Happy Computin'

Joe Fenton, President
ANKOR (Alaska Network for Kaypro Owner Resources)
P. O. Box 210089
Anchorage, AK  99521-0089