Converting a Zenith ZTX-1 Terminal
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- Location: North Carolina
- Main keyboard: Alps Typewriter Conversion
- Favorite switch: Alps SKCL Green
- DT Pro Member: -
I came into possession of a Zenith ZTX-1 Terminal computer with Alps SKCC green switches. I would love to use this board on a modern computer without modifying it too much. The only outputs it has is video, some kind of printer connection, and two phone outputs (phone and wall). I have no working knowledge of any of these outputs. Is it within the realm of possibility to connect one of the phone lines to like a teensy or arduino or something and convert the signals to something usable through USB? I'm not even sure where to start researching.
- //gainsborough
- ALPSの日常
- Location: United States
- Main keyboard: some kind of alps keyboard
- Favorite switch: clk: SKCM blue, lin: SKCL cream, tac: SKCM cream
- DT Pro Member: 0188
Man, these boards have really been coming out of the woodworks - this makes the fourth I've seen in a 30 day span. I really overpaid for that first one >_<
In any case, I'm also interested in learning if there is a way to convert it! A couple of people have told me that since the boards PCB is all passive that one could just desolder the ribbon cables and wire up a teensy for it.
In any case, I'm also interested in learning if there is a way to convert it! A couple of people have told me that since the boards PCB is all passive that one could just desolder the ribbon cables and wire up a teensy for it.
- mike52787
- Alps Aficionado
- Location: South-West Florida
- Main keyboard: G80-5000HAAUS
- Main mouse: Zowie EC1-A
- Favorite switch: Vintage MX Black
- DT Pro Member: 0166
From seeing the photos of the inside of gainsborough's unit, I can tell that this would be very easy to convert. Desolder the ribbons going from the keyboard pcb to the system board, trace out the matrix of the keyboard pcb, wire it to a teensy and program with qmk.
- //gainsborough
- ALPSの日常
- Location: United States
- Main keyboard: some kind of alps keyboard
- Favorite switch: clk: SKCM blue, lin: SKCL cream, tac: SKCM cream
- DT Pro Member: 0188
When you wire a teensy is it basically just making sure each trace is connected to the teensy in some way?mike52787 wrote: ↑From seeing the photos of the inside of gainsborough's unit, I can tell that this would be very easy to convert. Desolder the ribbons going from the keyboard pcb to the system board, trace out the matrix of the keyboard pcb, wire it to a teensy and program with qmk.
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- Location: North Carolina
- Main keyboard: Alps Typewriter Conversion
- Favorite switch: Alps SKCL Green
- DT Pro Member: -
//gainsborough wrote: ↑Man, these boards have really been coming out of the woodworks - this makes the fourth I've seen in a 30 day span. I really overpaid for that first one >_<
In any case, I'm also interested in learning if there is a way to convert it! A couple of people have told me that since the boards PCB is all passive that one could just desolder the ribbon cables and wire up a teensy for it.
Your post was pretty much the only thing I could find online about the unit. I did find a manual though which helped me get through some of the menus when I hooked it up to the TV.
- //gainsborough
- ALPSの日常
- Location: United States
- Main keyboard: some kind of alps keyboard
- Favorite switch: clk: SKCM blue, lin: SKCL cream, tac: SKCM cream
- DT Pro Member: 0188
Oh nice! Mine actually didn't come with a power cord - or any cords for that matter - so I can't do anything with mine =/ Unless I hooked up a teensy!
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- Location: North Carolina
- Main keyboard: Alps Typewriter Conversion
- Favorite switch: Alps SKCL Green
- DT Pro Member: -
I wish I didn't know mine was in working condition. I would have gutted and handwired it by now. As it is, I feel conflicted. It's an interesting piece of computing history. But I'm also not a collector so....
- Norman_
- Location: New Jersey
- Main keyboard: RedScarf II+ (RS78)
- Main mouse: Zowie FK2
- Favorite switch: Anything Alps
- DT Pro Member: -
I was just going to convert mine (which arrived yesterday) by removing the ribbon cable from the board and putting it to a teensy. The manual should have a matrix of the keyboard in it, so it shouldn't be hard at all.
I'd have posted pictures of mine, but i'm not home to do so right now. It arrived like an hour after i left home.
I'd have posted pictures of mine, but i'm not home to do so right now. It arrived like an hour after i left home.
- mike52787
- Alps Aficionado
- Location: South-West Florida
- Main keyboard: G80-5000HAAUS
- Main mouse: Zowie EC1-A
- Favorite switch: Vintage MX Black
- DT Pro Member: 0166
No need to handwire. all you have to do is disconnect the keyboard pcb from the main board.SpacemanToby wrote: ↑I wish I didn't know mine was in working condition. I would have gutted and handwired it by now. As it is, I feel conflicted. It's an interesting piece of computing history. But I'm also not a collector so....
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- Location: North Carolina
- Main keyboard: Alps Typewriter Conversion
- Favorite switch: Alps SKCL Green
- DT Pro Member: -
I wonder if it's possible to split the wiring so it connects to the teensy, but then is still wired into the pcb. Then it could still function as a sweet terminal. I keep meaning to take some video of the terminal in action.
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- Location: North Carolina
- Main keyboard: Alps Typewriter Conversion
- Favorite switch: Alps SKCL Green
- DT Pro Member: -
It looks like there's already headers on the pcb and the ribbons just pull out, so that should be easy.
- ScottPaladin
- Location: Texas, United States
- Main keyboard: Can't pick a favorite
- Favorite switch: Fujistu Leaf Spring
- DT Pro Member: -
- Contact:
SpacemanToby,
I recently started to convert my Heathkit HD-8999. Zenith and Heath shared a bunch of parts, and it looks like I have some information that would be useful in your conversion. The HD-8999 has a shell from the same mold and the keyboard layout looks identical (the legends on the caps are way off of course).
I got it working of a Pro Micro running QMK just recently.
I'll be happy to share my config files and what I've learned. Just let me know and I'll write it up for you.
I recently started to convert my Heathkit HD-8999. Zenith and Heath shared a bunch of parts, and it looks like I have some information that would be useful in your conversion. The HD-8999 has a shell from the same mold and the keyboard layout looks identical (the legends on the caps are way off of course).
I got it working of a Pro Micro running QMK just recently.
I'll be happy to share my config files and what I've learned. Just let me know and I'll write it up for you.
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- Location: North Carolina
- Main keyboard: Alps Typewriter Conversion
- Favorite switch: Alps SKCL Green
- DT Pro Member: -
That's awesome. The heathkit version looks so cool. I might take you up on that when I get around to tackling it.