Odd HP48 cable (PN 82209-80001)

[mfleming]

Hello everyone,

I just received an HP48S purchased on TAS, and the package included an odd cable I've never seen before. On one end is the standard 4-pin inline serial connector for the 48 series, with an HP logo. At the other end is what I first took for a PS2 connector, but the pin arrangement is wrong. The pins are in three rows, with a 3-3-2 arrangement. The connector shell is round with keyed dimples, just as you might see in a PS2 connector. That end of the cable is marked 82209-80001, MADE IN U.S.A.

A Google search turns up exactly one hit, a three message thread where someone asks if anyone knows something about the cable, and a response saying the cable is for the HP48 pocket calculator (helpful, very helpful!)

I'm curious to know if this might have been paired with some sort of peripheral for the HP48 series calculators. Anyone have information on this?

Thanks,
~Mark