Build a nifty little RS232 breakout board.

I hate having to many unneccecary components on my bread board. I often use a serial interface in my PIC projects, and I'm fed up with building the interface using the MAX232 chip every time on the bread board. Therefore I've designed a small and very simple RS232 breakout board. This is what got on my nerves: click to enlarge... When the board is built, this is what you attach to the bread board: click to enlarge... Here's the finished breakout board connected to a bread board: click to enlarge... What you need to make the board is: 1 x MAX232 or ST232 IC. (They're 100% compatible, so go for the cheaper ST232). 5 x 0.1 uf electrolytic capacitors @ 16V. 1 x D-SUB 9 pins female connector My PCB is available here in PDF and Eagle format: click on picture to download... And here you can see how the polarity of the capacitors should be: click to enlarge... Now get on etching, soldering and finally enjoy! Oct, 2006. Written by David