I bought an rs232 usb cable off trademe, as my laptop does not have an rs232 port and my satellite receiver does not have an ethernet port.  This cable has a usb plug on one end, and male rs232 on the other.  The problem is that my satellite receiver, also has male rs232.  So I bought a female/female adapter, to allow the two males to join.  But I get nothing from the satellite receiver.

Am I doing this wrong?  Do I need to take another approach?