Considering that there is some "responses" at bauds other than 9600, sounds like noise. The cable isn't exactly short either so that could be it, as you say.
When I first started trying to connect years ago I bought the cables from Jaycar, after they didn't work I caved in and bought all of the stuff from Bintel (the Meade labeled products) so I assumed that it would all be wired up correctly!
I can have a look at the cable but electronics isn't really my forte
