Go to www.max-ic.com (IIRC) and get the official data sheet for the MAX232. 
You will find that any flavor of the '232 needs external electrolytic caps. 
However, there are other ICs in this family that do not need any external 
caps.

HTH

Vic
________________________________________________________

Victor Fraenckel - The Windman
victorf ATSIGN windreader DOTcom
KC2GUI 


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