CF 27, 28, or 29 question, VIP Sidekick

I am the proud owner of some telecom test equipment, including a pair of VIP RFL's, a pair of VIP Sidekicks, and a VIP TDR. They are supposed to plug into the Media Bays of CF27, CF28, and CF29s.
Here's the problem: the connector used is not the one used by the floppy drive, it's to the left side of it, looking at the unit. My CF27 has no connector in that spot.
Does anyone know anything about this connector?
Does anyone know which models carried this connector?
Does anyone have any information on these units? I have the software, just little else.
Here is a URL for a datasheet on the sidekick unit:
http://www.merconet.nl/producten/be...trument_package/vip_sidekick/vip_sidekick.htm

 

OneAs...Here is the connector that you are reffering to but this one is for cf-29 toughbook. I don't know if I do have for cf-28. I think I have. I know all the stuff that you have coz I worked before on an OSP construction under ericsson co. for almost 10years and we have those tester. I am also looking for Tempo as one of my friends way back home are requesting this stuff. See photo below for your ref. ohlip

 

HellZaPoppin!
That's clearly it. I was going to post pics of the "connector", but as you clearly know, It's not a connector on the modules that plug into the toughbook,, it's a series of contact patches that your connector touches.
How common is that connector you pictured?
What Tempo gear do you need?

 

I don't know if the same connector use on cf-27 but if you need one for cf-28 I guess I still have one for 28 on my drawer just need to dig in.
BTW, I forgot what model he need but if you have one extra of those sidekick tester for sale . It will be good enough and let me know.

Those connector are not common to the unit. If you can find a user name tough2go he will give you more info which model has.


ohlip

 

Ohlip,
You have been very kind, and I appreciate your help tremendously. I have a spare Sidekick and RFL ,and would be willing to entertain an offer on either or both.

 

OneA...Thats how we live here on the forum. We share what we have at the time somebody need a help. I can't PM you right now as you are a newbie here, you need at least 15post before you can pm to somebody. May i know your mail ad...so that i can send a message to you.


ohlip

 

My email is #############. I am sorry to mangle it, but I hope that it won't get spam harvested.

 

You can delete your post OneAsterix
I emailed Teo with your contact info



Alex

 

Ohlip, I received the connector you sent, and am very greatfull for your help, and the help of this forum. THANK YOU!

 

Is there any way you can send me the software for the VIP?

Thanks,

Jordan

 

Hello,
I was reading this thread about the VIP SideKick. There are a bunch of them in auction on ebay, and I am considering getting one. However, the seller does not have the software. Can anyone tell me if the software is available, and how one might go about getting it? I have been looking around the web, and have had no success so far. Thanks for any help you can be. Take care. Gregg

 

Hi! I already bought two of them to use it on the cf-29 but they don't have any test probes and the one on ebay that selling the test probes was lied to me when i asked him if it has a socket for the module and he said there is but when i received it. It just a lead with al..gator clip. If this guy is only a few minutes drive i'm gonna hang him using this probes, Lol. Really i'm mad. Btw, before we go to any conclusion, do you have any source of those socket connector?

ohlip

 

These leads are without the plug Teo ?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=260387099154&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

Alex

 

That seller! you are very right. I asked them before I hit the BIN if the socket plug is with the test leads and they said ready to hook it up on the VIP tempo module.


ohlip

 

Remember the Toughbook module was created based on the original VIP sidekick which resembles a multimeter so that seller probably doesn't know abou the toughbook module and his leads are for the original sidekick.

 

Instead I bought a couple of this panel socket cable connector male and female hoping that it has the same diameter of the module slot to mod.
http://cgi.ebay.com/3-4Pin-Male-Fem...emQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item27ad66f11b


ohlip

 

If those plugs don't work teo I have a large selection of them as they are used on marine electronics
You just need to post a picture of the end of the caddy module and I can look through the plugs that I have


Alex

 

I grew up looking at those connector types as my Dad was into Ham radio and everything else electronic.... I'm sure he would have LOVED the Toughbook!

 

Yup -

Those there are standard 3 or 4 pin CBC type connectors commonly used in Amateur Radio and older Commercial Mobile Telecom; for the longest time I had a telephone-style handset paralleled along with the standard mic on the business-band radio in my wrecker; the old Uniden used that connector too.

mnem
I love the smell of hot tubes in the morning...

 

OUCHIES! $30 still seems a bit steep, unless they actually do come with the OEM style 16 ga fabric wrapped leads & rubber boots. Sure looks like plain old vinyl-clad 20-ga leads & el-cheapo vinyl-booted bed-of-nails 2-way alligators from the pics, tho. Prolly cost about $8 to make 'em yourself... plus, of course, those CBC connectors.

mnem<~~~ Would rather be picking blackberries ~~~<<<

 

Well is turning a $1000 Toughbook into a $10 multimeter Cheap







Alex

 

LOL... well, the Sidekick is a BIT more than a multimeter... it does some pretty sophisticated Line Quality & Signal/Noise checks that you're not going to get from your average DMM.

Plus... YOU PAID $10 FOR THAT?

http://www.harborfreightusa.com/usa/itemdisplay/displayItem.do?itemid=90899-AAA

$4.99 everyday... when it goes on sale, it's $2.99 or $1.99

When they get down that cheap, I buy 5 or 10 at a time just to use for "Ehh, if I nuke it, SO WHAT?" testers... or to give away.

mnem
METER? Ahh met 'er... Yeww kin KEEP 'er!

 

Fluke multimeters for me
Not cheap ,but USA quality


Alex

 

Alex - Fluke DMMs are the BOMB; what've you got there, a 77?

I've had an 87 Series 1 over 15 years that still meets calibration spec; my Series IV bit the dust 3 years ago! I also have a TS-22A Buttset & PM3055 'Scope; tho my bench meter is an old HP/Agilent 3468B, right next to my Tek 2465B.

That's why I like to keep an el-cheapo or two around; it's nice to be able to monitor a charge while I'm working on something else, or to poke around in switch-mode power supplies & LCD Inverter sections. When they go wonky, you can have 1200VAC where you should have 5VDC!

Have you seen the Fluke 233? Pop its head off and take the display with you, up to 30 feet! SWEET!

mnem
And this is for precision measurement of... the hot gas emanating from Washington.

 

This forum is great! Ive wondered what the hatch on the MP door was for, and thanks to this tread just discovered the connector in my MP bay so I need the module!! there are some in the states (with a crazy postage price!!) but is there any more news on the probes and software to make it all go... googleing tempo and vip module doesnt bring up a huge amount of usefulness!!

 

I am afraid kind sir, there is no meter in the world that would register high enough to measure that as it is off the charts!

 

In regards to the vip side kick and the cf-29 leads/software, I am also looking for a source for the accessories to make it all go. I confirmed that I have the connector in the media bay and also have the hole w/cover for the connector from the vip module from ebay which did not come with leads . So if someone on here can help me out or steer me in the right direction let me know.. I would then be a happy camper with a multi-functional toughbook cf29htm50bm ....uhmm with working vip.... ....lol

 

+1 on that.
I too am interested in the software, have done extensive google searching with no luck. The manufacturer's site is of little help as well. Yes any direction would be appreciated.

 

I can't PM you on this, so you need to set up your account to receive e-mail from the Forum users.

 

I just joined so even though I setup to receive pm I remember reading that we have to post if I remember correctly 15 posts before we can send/receive pms. If it is possible for an admin to send you my info that would be ok.

 

As TC said above you can set up your account to receive emails from forum members (default is forum admins only). Then you will be able to be contacted.

 

I still think I am setup to receive emails since I joined but here is a screenshot of my settings. I believe I am restricted from pm since my post count is below 15.

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Here is what I read on forum about the newbie restrictions for pm send/receive.

OneA...Thats how we live here on the forum. We share what we have at the time somebody need a help. I can't PM you right now as you are a newbie here, you need at least 15post before you can pm to somebody. May i know your mail ad...so that i can send a message to you.

 

That's it, you have the correct setting.

 

Ok, so that is what I had since joining......when can I receive a pm?

 

I was so concerned with the pm settings that I forgot to mention that my 1gb ram just arrived and installed it. Here is a screen shot.

 

You had it right when you mentioned it before.

 

Hi Guys.
I have an ex BT cf-27 with the sidekick connector, I'm interested to know what com port it uses. I'm guessing com2. as com3 is modem and com4 is irda. but when i transmit a datastream to com2 nothing changes on the connector. at first i thought it was an rs232 port but probing with the meter suggests it's a TTL level com port. so i hooked it up to a ttl to rs232 converter and another toughbook. still couldnt find any data being transmitted from any pin.
Could someone please send me a copy of the vip sidekick datasheet as the link is down.

 

I am interested as well in the VIP Sidekick software.