deskthority

On my long list of projects is a USB to USB macro pad along the lines of the FP-21; i.e. plug keyboard into macro pad and macro pad into computer and then you can program a key on the macro pad using keys on the keyboard. I made a prototype with ST discovery boards but need to formalize it when I ge...

Tektronix didn't build computers; they supplied test equipment for the tech industry. Some of it was generic (oscilloscopes...), and some was specialized, which probably included whatever device this keyboard was originally supplied with. Whatever it was, I'll bet that only a handful were sold, and...

This is definitely a solidly built board. There are complete teardown pics in the wiki:
wiki/Cortron_80-604

GLWS

I did eventually find an HP-15C! I happened to be heading to the Bay Area for work. I checked Craigslist and, sure enough, someone was having an estate sale and selling one of these. The former owner was an engineer for HP. Believe it or not the 15C is something of a daily driver now. It sits in a ...

Are the 1397000s actually key by key reprogrammable? I know they are "programmable" in that they are one of the few keyboards that support the PS/2 command 0xF0 which allows the host to set the Scan Code set, but I am unaware of any facility to program the scan codes on a key by key basis.

The IBM solenoid clickers only seem to move about 1mm or so. Also, the IBM solenoids hammer themselves against their own mounting bracket, which is what makes the nice click; so 1-2mm sounds good? We are really looking for a short throw clicker and not a traditional solenoid designed to move someth...

From searching for the IBM 4683, I found these two things. I am really curious about the monitor. https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=71152.0 https://www.tumblr.com/search/ibm%204683 The 4680 is a PC based family of Point Of Sale (POS) systems. It was big in the 80's and early 90's but replaced by...

Slom wrote: ↑https://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-Zenith ... 2853788088

This beauty deserves a good home

If you have the inclination to get into it, I would suggest trying to make an external converter for this thing. I don't think anyone has figured out how to do that yet and it would be great to see one of these used with a modern computer. That was actually my initial plan when I picked up my first...

Oops. I misunderstood. I read it took quickly. The correct contacts are Amp # 47649-000LF although several others will work. The difference between the various contacts are usually wire gauge, surface plating/finish and contact pressure.

Here is the IBM 83 key XT /PC keyboard pinout. Note: Reset is only used on very early examples.

I would check Farnell/Element14 or Mouser, I think they both have it in stock.

Edit: You can use Octopart https://octopart.com/ to check who has a given part number

Amphenol/FCL/ICC 69176-014LF

+1 for Snacks recommendation...pry from one edge.

Are these black or beige M13s?
If beige, I would like one.

depletedvespene wrote: ↑That said, will anyone ever replicate the HP28S's colourway...?

GMK Honeywell is pretty close..except for the red

I have always thought that the 1980's HP calculator colors (black white, blue, yellow) would make a nice set. This seems to capture some of that.

It's obvious a lot to time, effort and enthusiasm went into making this. It is quite a project. Have you thought about infilling the key cap negative legends with some type of filler, maybe epoxy or enamel paint?

Great write up Snacks!! Very thorough. It's great to see space invaders get some love. That is a fantastic looking board!

Nice review. This is definitely an classic and a good comparison of the SD and SW switches. In my opinion, the feel of the SW switches is much nicer than the SD in general and for used boards the ability to clean them is huge. I was lucky enough to fine a NOS SW unit and they are some of the smoothe...

I'm not sure there was a lot of mixing of XT keyboards between machines. I don't think anyone at that time would expect a Zenith XT keyboard to work with an IBM PC. It was sold with a Zenith PC and generally used with a Zenith PC which would have handled its clock, data and reset lines properly.

Nice job snacks! Looks great. Definitely interested in buying a patriot and imposter if you decide to sell a few. I have been working on a teensy like variant that matches the MCS-48 (8048,8049, etc) pinout better than the Teensy++ and has a few options for providing power to the board for other fun...

Very nice an clean. I love battleships with status leds.

If anyone is looking to replace the capacitive pads in his foam and foil keyboard, then I think I just found the site for you: https://texelec.com/product/foam-capacitive-pads-keytronic/ According to the page itself, these new pads should be good for the: Apple Lisa 1 and 2, Compaq Portable, Compaq...

A couple of 122 key space invaders.

4th gen, should be black, clicky
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Model- ... 3478245455

1st/2nd gen, should be white linear
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Model- ... 3478226321

The latter is a beast

Interesting method. Thanks for sharing it. Your results are fantastic. What paint did you use for the final finish? I have used vinegar as well, but I am lazy so I usually just submerge the entire plate and leave it a few hours or overnight. Next day all the corrosion and black finish easily brushes...

The nano does not have a microcontroller capable of being a USB keyboard. It uses the ATmega328P along with serial USB bridge chip. The USB connector is only for power and serial communication.

Findecanor wrote: ↑Cool. Do you have any lead from your purchase back to any manufacturer?

Unfortunately, no. The lot of switches had examples from several different manufacturers.

I actually found a few of these among a collection of random NOS switches I picked up a few months ago. I have several of the bar mount integrated dome version. I have one of the cruciform mount, but my instance has a cutout in one corner that I assume is for an LED. switches-47.jpg They are interes...

What a haul. As a space invaders enthusiast, I am happy to see these all saved. I will definitely buy a few from you, especially one of the nice link ones.