There are two other options. All options, including the one you mentioned, are
based on file transfer from the ASCII environment to the EBCDIC environment
(microcomputer to mainframe host). This file transfer is where the conversion
will take place.
The first option depends on the services available from the mainframe. This
method requires a mainframe-attached protocol converter that uses the XModem
protocol, plus a communications package on the Apple IIe that also supports
XModem. This setup should allow the Apple IIe to dial directly into the
protocol converter and upload the file to the mainframe.
The second option is to dial the Macintosh or MS-DOS PC directly instead of
paying for a commercial communications service. Since both computers require
modems to access the commercial service, and most likely use XModem for the
transfer, there should be no difficulties connecting directly to one another
with their communications software and using XModem for the transfer. Once
transferred from the Apple IIe to the Macintosh or PC attached to the
mainframe, the file can be uploaded from the Macintosh or PC using the host's
file transfer method.