Sparkfun 3.3V FTDI Basic breakout + SIM Reader

[extremis]

I'm trying to use the Sparkfun FTDI basic breakout board they provide for connecting to the pro mini and the lilypad. Unfortunately, the sim reader doesn't appear to work well with it. I can get data through the normal serial port when using a usb to serial adapter. However, when connecting the breakout board all I get is a powered SIM reader. The light turns green, the python script tries to access the card, and it gets back 0 bytes. The resulting error:

Code: Select all

Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "pySimReader.py", line 267, in buttonConnectReader
    self.SIM.connectReader()
  File "/Users/extremis/Downloads/pySimReader-Serial-src/pySIMserial.py", line 121, in connectReader
    res = self.openSession(self.getReaderName())
  File "/Users/extremis/Downloads/pySimReader-Serial-src/pySIMserial.py", line 168, in openSession
    if ord(ts) != 0x3B:
TypeError: ord() expected a character, but string of length 0 found


[adafruit]

the Sparkfun FTDI basic breakout is not a replacement for an FTDI cable. the FTDI cable provides 5V @ 200mA and the sparkfun one only provides 3.3V @ 50mA - which is one problem since the sim reader is expecting 5V - more importantly, they replaced the RTS line with the DTR line which almost certainly that is the problem
basically, i dont think it will work at all. sorry