DIY $4 adapter/cable for DigiTraveler to PC (RJ11/DB9F)

If you'd like to make an adapter to connect your DigiTraveler to your PC, you can make a decent-looking one for as low as $3, which is much better than $44.99 or even $11.99. You might want one if you broke your existing cable or if you bought a 20-1601 (PDA edition).

Required components:

• DB9 female to RJ11 adapter
  For example, Pan Pacific makes the "ADM-9F6-GR", carried by Fry's/Outpost.com as 2402370. I'll use this as my example.
• Phone cord (4 or 6 conductor, not just 2)
  (hopefully one you'd previously acquired and thus zero cost)

Note: some sites (linked below) refer to the DigiTraveler's jack as "RJ-45", which would be an 8 pin plug. But my 20-1601's is definitely an RJ11/RJ12, too narrow for an RJ45 to fit. And the sites refer to only six conductors, not eight (8P6C?!). If your 20-1602 truly is RJ45, these instructions might not work easily for you.

Assuming you have a simple adapter, plug the "holes" into your computer's pins for testing. It's only 12V so there shouldn't be any fear of shocks (unless you try it with your tongue, in which case I hope you have a camera for pictures). The pins should be attached in standard USOC order to the DB9:

1. white
2. black
3. red
4. green
5. yellow
6. blue

Note: Another guide (propogated here) has very different colors, including brown, but you won't find those in USOC. Yet another avoids the issue by not naming colors.

Once you've run a GPS application, plugged in the "holes", and gotten the green light, you should proceed with pushing the "holes" into the DB9F. Make sure they go in all the way (compare with another DB9F device). Test one more time, then snap it shut and you're good to go on the cheap!