speakup wierdness

[tyler spivey]

ok, i tried using the decext driver, and doing this at my dos box:
mode com2 9600,n,8,1
type com2 >com3
turned off screen reader before that.
i can get speech if i used my other linux box to "echo" commands to it,
but nothing comes out under speakup or emacspeak.
what is going on?
if its handshaking how do i disable it? i'm determined to make this work.
i have used serial terminals for a while and i don't like them that much 
because of high baud rates on a
16450 really hurt.
does anyone know where i can get a double talk lt in canada?  i want one, 
for the cheapest price possible.