deskthority

Hi, I'm really new to the keyboard hobby and I'm trying to figure out what part I fit in. Between the newer models (I've got a GMMK Pro on the way) and the more classic approach (I love older tech in general)

I've found an offer online for something that looks nice and I can't seem to find anything about it. I could just be lacking in Google skills but if anyone has any info about it I'd love to know.

If that board intrigues you—and it does strike me as an intriguing board, I don’t know what it is exactly—then I dare say you’ve come to the right place.

You’re not going to chop it down to a 60% are you? Just making sure!

Definitely not ! I intend to refurbish it and, if required, just mod it to use on a modern PC. But I'll probably look at making an adaptor if required rather than mutilate it !

Ericcson switches. They bought tacit at some point and from what I have heard their switches are not especially good.

Pretty sure it is what is says on the tin, Facit 4440 terminal keyboard made in Sweden.

Edit: Dont know anything specifically for this board but just be aware as it a terminal board, and you can tell that by the extra terminal status lights at the top. The comm protocol is very likely non standard and if so you may need to do protocol hacking to get it to connect to anything modern and electrically could be running at odd voltages (VT-100 terminal keyboards run at 12V power). Unless someone else has done that, and I doubt they have, likely means you need an oscilloscope, be able to perform some signal analysis, have some basic electronic and coding skill. You could also just hijack the key matrix which is likely easier technically but still requires some knowledge and doing it in a way that doesnt sacrifice the internals so it can be restored if desired.

I dont want to discourage or talk down to you just let you know what you might have to do to convert this. Depending on the price it might be fun to see what you can do, but as you mentioned you are new just wanted let you know that 80s terminal boards might not be the place to start. It *could* be this uses a known protocol and may just be simple wiring to convert, but I would lay good odds that it will be a non trivial project.

That said it is a pretty uncommon find and if you get collecting could be something unique even if you cant use it.