• Replicas of old computers

    From Augusto Baffa@4:801/202 to FidoNet.CLASSIC_COMPUTER on Sunday, May 02, 2021 18:32:10

    Hi there,

    I'm an enthusiast of old computer replicas. Actually, I've already
    assembled some kits like Altair(duino) 8800, PiDP-8 and PiDP-11. There
    are very nice to study old languages like focal/cobol/fortran/basic and assembly language as well.

    On jan/2021 I assembled a ZX81 (homebrew project) and I'm recovering my
    old apple ][+. But there unusual minicomputers are awesome.

    Is there anyone into it?

    Augusto Baffa
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    * Origin: Baffa BBS - baffa.zapto.org (4:801/202)
  • From Anna Christina Nass@2:240/5824.1 to Augusto Baffa on Monday, May 03, 2021 10:51:00
    Am 02.05.21 schrieb Augusto Baffa@4:801/202 in CLASSIC_COMPUTER:

    Hallo Augusto,

    I'm an enthusiast of old computer replicas. Actually, I've already assembled some kits like Altair(duino) 8800, PiDP-8 and PiDP-11. There
    are very nice to study old languages like focal/cobol/fortran/basic and assembly language as well.

    On jan/2021 I assembled a ZX81 (homebrew project) and I'm recovering my
    old apple ][+. But there unusual minicomputers are awesome.

    Nice collection of replicas!
    I also thought about a PiDP-11 :)

    Is there anyone into it?

    I've built an IMSAI 8080 replica, based on an ESP32 microcontroller.
    It's a nice soldering project and looks very nice.

    Besides, I've built an RC2014, a "new" Z80-based machine where I'm using
    CP/M on, together with several add-on cards (sound, terminal, RTC ...).
    And I have a SC126, also a "new" design, based on a Z180. It uses the same bus pinout as the RC2014 and so I can also use the same add-on cards
    there. I also use CP/M on this machine.

    Regards,
    Anna

    --- OpenXP 5.0.49
    * Origin: Imzadi Box Point (2:240/5824.1)
  • From Richard Menedetter@2:310/31 to Anna Christina Nass on Monday, May 03, 2021 12:49:52
    Hi Anna!

    03 May 2021 10:51, from Anna Christina Nass -> Augusto Baffa:

    I also thought about a PiDP-11 :)

    PiDP-11 really looks nice.
    I have the KIM-Uno from the same guy. https://obsolescence.wixsite.com/obsolescence/kim-uno-summary-c1uuh

    Is there anyone into it?

    I've built an IMSAI 8080 replica, based on an ESP32 microcontroller.
    It's a nice soldering project and looks very nice.

    Besides, I've built an RC2014, a "new" Z80-based machine where I'm
    using CP/M on, together with several add-on cards (sound, terminal,
    RTC ...). And I have a SC126, also a "new" design, based on a Z180. It uses the same bus pinout as the RC2014 and so I can also use the same add-on cards there. I also use CP/M on this machine.

    My problem is I am really terrible at soldering ...

    Do you have links to the above 2 projects?

    CU, Ricsi

    ... Genius without education is like silver in the mine. -Ben Franklin
    --- GoldED+/LNX
    * Origin: When I'm naked in the bathroom, the shower is turned on. (2:310/31)
  • From Ron Lauzon@1:275/89 to Augusto Baffa on Monday, May 03, 2021 08:16:00
    Augusto Baffa wrote to FidoNet.CLASSIC_COMPUTER <=-

    I'm an enthusiast of old computer replicas. Actually, I've already assembled some kits like Altair(duino) 8800, PiDP-8 and PiDP-11. There
    are very nice to study old languages like focal/cobol/fortran/basic and assembly language as well.

    Is there anyone into it?

    It's truely amazing the popularity of vintage/retro-computers today. There
    are large groups that like to play with, or actaully do things with,
    vintage computers.

    The size of the C64 group is really amazing. They are large enough that there are people who are building hardware and software for the C64.

    I recently played with S-BASIC for my Kaypro. This is a compiled, structured BASIC. It's basically (ha! BASIC-ly) Pascal using BASIC keywords.

    I've also been playing with Turbo Pascal on the Kaypro as well as my old
    MS-DOS machines.

    I have bad memories of COBOL (I did that for a job for 6 years), so I'm not going back there. But I do want to play with FORTRAN again (second programming language I ever learned).


    ... A jerk present in a group indicates a jerk in charge.
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  • From Ron Lauzon@1:275/89 to Anna Christina Nass on Monday, May 03, 2021 08:18:00
    Anna Christina Nass wrote to Augusto Baffa <=-

    Besides, I've built an RC2014, a "new" Z80-based machine where I'm
    using CP/M on, together with several add-on cards (sound, terminal, RTC ...). And I have a SC126, also a "new" design, based on a Z180. It uses the same bus pinout as the RC2014 and so I can also use the same add-on cards there. I also use CP/M on this machine.

    How's the SC126 compare to the RC2014? I've already got a few RC2014s that
    I don't use enough and I'm debating whether to add the SC126 to my project list.


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  • From Ron Lauzon@1:275/89 to Richard Menedetter on Monday, May 03, 2021 08:20:00
    Richard Menedetter wrote to Anna Christina Nass <=-

    My problem is I am really terrible at soldering ...

    Stay away from anything SMD (surface mount) and you should be good.
    I've been practing soldering for a while now but I almost always mess
    up the SMD stuff. My vt132 project was the latest casuality.

    Do you have links to the above 2 projects?

    Both of them are on Tindie.com and will have links to sites talking about
    how they work, how to assemble, etc.


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  • From Anna Christina Nass@2:240/5824.1 to Richard Menedetter on Tuesday, May 04, 2021 11:30:00
    Am 03.05.21 schrieb Richard Menedetter@2:310/31 in CLASSIC_COMPUTER:

    Hallo Richard,

    I have the KIM-Uno from the same guy. https://obsolescence.wixsite.com/obsolescence/kim-uno-summary-c1uuh

    Oh, this one is new to me - it's neat :)

    Besides, I've built an RC2014, a "new" Z80-based machine where I'm
    using CP/M on, together with several add-on cards (sound, terminal,
    RTC ...). And I have a SC126, also a "new" design, based on a Z180. It AN>> uses the same bus pinout as the RC2014 and so I can also use the same AN>> add-on cards there. I also use CP/M on this machine.

    My problem is I am really terrible at soldering ...

    I had also almost no idea about soldering, but I just started with the "RC2014 Pro" model and got some practice with it (and also watched some YouTube tutorials *g*).
    But the RC2014 worked from the first try (and still does) :)

    Do you have links to the above 2 projects?

    I don't know which two you are meaning, as I mentioned 3: *g*

    - RC2014: https://rc2014.co.uk
    Store: https://www.tindie.com/stores/Semachthemonkey/
    - SC126: https://smallcomputercentral.wordpress.com
    Store: https://www.tindie.com/stores/tindiescx/
    He has a wide range of products and computer models :)
    - Imsai 8080 replica: https://thehighnibble.com/imsai8080/

    Regards,
    Anna

    --- OpenXP 5.0.49
    * Origin: Imzadi Box Point (2:240/5824.1)
  • From Anna Christina Nass@2:240/5824.1 to Ron Lauzon on Tuesday, May 04, 2021 11:38:00
    Am 03.05.21 schrieb Ron Lauzon@1:275/89 in CLASSIC_COMPUTER:

    Hallo Ron,

    How's the SC126 compare to the RC2014? I've already got a few RC2014s
    that I don't use enough and I'm debating whether to add the SC126 to my project list.

    If you have a RC2014 with the 512k ROM/RAM module and RomWBW, the
    difference isn't that big.
    The main advantages of the SC126 are (in my opinion):
    - faster CPU, but if you want to play games that are specific to a certain CPU speed, it might be too quick...
    - SD card support, but the SD card is slower than the CF module of the
    RC2014
    - software controllable serial port speed
    - it has 8 LEDs which can be controlled by software, no extra module
    needed
    - two ROM chips instead of one, selectable via jumper
    - all in one package :)

    In my opinion, most of the things can be added to a RC2014 as well, even
    the Z180 is available as a module afaik.
    The software controllable serial port speed is also possible with a CTC
    and SIO/2 module from Steve Cousins.

    For some people, the most important factor is the "all in one" package.

    I've added some modules to my SC126:
    - VT132 terminal module
    - WD floppy controller (+ 3,5" drive)
    - additional bus module with:
    - SC104 SIO/2 module
    - IDE module (+ hard drive)
    - YM sound card

    *g*

    Regards,
    Anna

    --- OpenXP 5.0.49
    * Origin: Imzadi Box Point (2:240/5824.1)
  • From Augusto Baffa@4:801/202 to Richard Menedetter on Tuesday, May 04, 2021 16:28:20

    Altair

    Altair-Duino 8800 https://adwaterandstir.com/altair/ (Very nice replica
    for these days... uses arduino)

    Altair 8800 Clone https://altairclone.com/ (replica of the original tech)

    Altair 8800c Clone https://deramp.com/altair_8800c.html (another great
    replica that uses the original tech)

    ===

    KenBak-1 Replica https://adwaterandstir.com/kenbak/

    ===
    DEC PDPs (uses raspberry pi)

    PDP-8 https://obsolescence.wixsite.com/obsolescence/pidp-8
    PDP-11 https://obsolescence.wixsite.com/obsolescence/pidp-11

    The creator is working on a PDP-10 replica now.
    ===

    IMSAI 8080 https://thehighnibble.com/imsai8080/ (replica that uses esp32)

    ===

    Digirule2u https://bradsprojects.com/digirule2/ pardon for this offtopic
    but it's a small computer in a rule very related to old panel computers
    (I ordered one but it's still on its way ...)

    ===

    Does any one know about other replicas?

    Ministrel is a replica of ZX81 but it's not being produced for while. http://www.tynemouthsoftware.co.uk/Shop

    * BTW... I projected my own one replica of a ZX81 ant it's great...
    maybe I'll sell as a kit someday...

    -

    Harlequin is a ZX Spectrum Replica http://www.zxdesign.info/harlequin.shtml

    --------------------------

    I've heard about some apple1 replicas... and I know that the guy from altairduino is creating his own version of an apple 1...

    Please send more links about other old computer replicas :D ... but
    don't consider FPGA solutions 'cos they are "easy" to develop and don't provide the same fun...



    On 03/05/2021 07:49, Richard Menedetter wrote:
    Hi Anna!

    03 May 2021 10:51, from Anna Christina Nass -> Augusto Baffa:

    AN> I also thought about a PiDP-11 :)

    PiDP-11 really looks nice.
    I have the KIM-Uno from the same guy. https://obsolescence.wixsite.com/obsolescence/kim-uno-summary-c1uuh

    AB>> Is there anyone into it?

    AN> I've built an IMSAI 8080 replica, based on an ESP32 microcontroller.
    AN> It's a nice soldering project and looks very nice.

    AN> Besides, I've built an RC2014, a "new" Z80-based machine where I'm
    AN> using CP/M on, together with several add-on cards (sound, terminal,
    AN> RTC ...). And I have a SC126, also a "new" design, based on a Z180. It
    AN> uses the same bus pinout as the RC2014 and so I can also use the same
    AN> add-on cards there. I also use CP/M on this machine.

    My problem is I am really terrible at soldering ...

    Do you have links to the above 2 projects?

    CU, Ricsi

    ... Genius without education is like silver in the mine. -Ben Franklin
    --- GoldED+/LNX
    * Origin: When I'm naked in the bathroom, the shower is turned on. (2:310/31)

    --- SBBSecho 3.14-Linux
    * Origin: Baffa BBS - baffa.zapto.org (4:801/202)