- vcf-midatlantic - lists.vcfed.org

Photos from swap meets past
by Jeffrey Brace 15 Oct '24

15 Oct '24

I'm low on photos from swap meets for advertising. Can anyone share? I need them quickly as I'm advertising daily for the event and need to get the word out and get it out daily for visibility. Thanks! Jeff Brace VCF Mid-Atlantic Event Manager

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Osborne Executive & Gotek
by Benjamin Krein 15 Oct '24

15 Oct '24

I recently got an Osborne 1 & and Executive. They both work but I’d like to use a Gotek in the Executive to make it more useful. I really don’t know much of anything about Osborne, Gotek, or CP/M. I’ve come across this forum post which talks about using an adapter or customized cable to use a Gotek on the OCC1 but doesn’t talk about the Executive. Can someone give me some newbie instructions on how to get this Executive setup with a Gotek? I’ve flashed the Gotek with the current FlahFloppy firmware but that’s as far as I’ve gotten. Benjamin Krein

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Got junk? ... er Got treasure? Swap Meet Oct. 26 in Wall, NJ
by Jeffrey Brace 14 Oct '24

14 Oct '24

Now is the time to get your items for sale! Don't forget our swap meet in Wall, NJ on Oct. 26! More info here: https://vcfed.org/vcf-swap-meet/ Day: Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024 Time: 7AM to 2PM Where: Parking lot across from 800 Monmouth Boulevard, Wall, NJ. What: Vintage computers and tech. For Sale Sheet <https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Ptpkf9T6jqJP7BIHQATSvxlmfCy1iLwox0-…> : Want to buy Sheet <https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Zt6SjMraREDOWXs5qqNTx91B5_LOK9_lmKR…> See you there! Jeff Brace VCF National Board Member Chairman & Vice President Vintage Computer Festival East Showrunner VCF Mid-Atlantic Event Manager Vintage Computer Federation is a 501c3 charity https://vcfed.org/ <http://www.vcfed.org/> jeffrey(a)vcfed.org

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Slightly OT Event
by Russell Handorf 14 Oct '24

14 Oct '24

This discourse is why I love this community :) We're going to have more equipment (testing and otherwise) to try other technologies next year; DOCSIS, T1, etc. On 10/14/24 09:41, Neil Cherry via vcf-midatlantic wrote:

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Slightly OT Event
by Herbert Johnson 14 Oct '24

14 Oct '24

> Did anyone hear of *JAWNCON.ORG <http://JAWNCON.ORG>* and if so are you > going? I checked out the Web site and list of talks, and the general tenor of the event. I like what I'm reading about. This year's talks are networking and telecom. It's not my primary tech interest (retrotechnology.com) but I don't mind hanging out with those techs, many of my computing friends have those interests. And I like the old-tech consideration (that's me). I'll look up the videos for this year, maybe see it next year, it's half an hour's drive away from me. I see they have a radio-amateur license workshop and testing. There was a lot of early telecom tech in vintage amateur radio: X.25 packet radio for instance. The conference developers might want to find some old-hams to talk about that work. There's a little bit of packet radio on my Web site, as it was an early use of microprocessors. Not so off topic I think. regards Herb (not a bot) Johnson -- Herbert R. Johnson, New Jersey USA https://www.retrotechnology.com OR .net preserve, recover, restore 1970's computing email: hjohnson AT retrotechnology DOT com or try later herbjohnson AT comcast DOT net

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Problem restarting a SUN ULTRA 5
by Gregg Levine 11 Oct '24

11 Oct '24

Hello! I own of those rigs. Now the problem: Can anyone on the list tell me why a system would find itself stuck probing the keyboard, when it runs headless? And how to get things started again. It follows that the unit who was last running, call it seven years ago, and when I first started it up again, the thing complained about the NVRAM and the next problem was a complaint of it being the system calls itself unknown. ----- Gregg C Levine gregg.drwho8(a)gmail.com "This signature was present when the impossible happened 23 years ago, twice."

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fellow looking for group purchase of Kembak-1 enclosures
by Jeffrey Jonas 10 Oct '24

10 Oct '24

forwarded from https://www.facebook.com/groups/1233645553343772/posts/27122189570729349/ <https://www.facebook.com/groups/1233645553343772/user/1210335479/?__cft__[0…> *Bob Darlington* <https://www.facebook.com/groups/1233645553343772/user/1210335479/?__cft__[0…> Looks like I'm building a reproduction KENBAK-1. The price to get the Bud enclosure made in qty 1 is pushing $900 from PCBWay. $500 from a shop stateside. And about $60 a pop in quantities greater than 1 (pretty much what I"m used to with metal shops). The cost is in the setup. I'm going to build a wall display unless there are other folks with an interest in such things. My shift registers came in this week. Do any of you know what the plastic carrier is called? Photo of the KENBAK-1 to grab attention.

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DEC RK05 part needed
by Dave McGuire 10 Oct '24

10 Oct '24

Hey folks, LSSM needs a door lock solenoid for a DEC RK05 drive. Would anyone happen to have a spare, maybe from a parts drive? They are easily extracted. Thanks, -Dave -- Dave McGuire, AK4HZ New Kensington, PA

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Slightly OT Event
by Chris Fala 10 Oct '24

10 Oct '24

Did anyone hear of *JAWNCON.ORG <http://JAWNCON.ORG>* and if so are you going? I heard about it on the latest Hackaday newsletter. It is nearby me, but the cost is $100 and I don't want to waste the resources if it is a crap event.

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Internet Archive got hacked.
by Christian Liendo 10 Oct '24

10 Oct '24

A lot of us have logged into that site https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/internet-archive-hacked-data… Internet Archive's "The Wayback Machine" has suffered a data breach after a threat actor compromised the website and stole a user authentication database containing 31 million unique records. News of the breach began circulating Wednesday afternoon after visitors to archive.org began seeing a JavaScript alert created by the hacker, stating that the Internet Archive was breached. "Have you ever felt like the Internet Archive runs on sticks and is constantly on the verge of suffering a catastrophic security breach? It just happened. See 31 million of you on HIBP!," reads a JavaScript alert shown on the compromised archive.org site. The text "HIBP" refers to is the Have I Been Pwned data breach notification service created by Troy Hunt, with whom threat actors commonly share stolen data to be added to the service. Hunt told BleepingComputer that the threat actor shared the Internet Archive's authentication database nine days ago and it is a 6.4GB SQL file named "ia_users.sql." The database contains authentication information for registered members, including their email addresses, screen names, password change timestamps, Bcrypt-hashed passwords, and other internal data. The most recent timestamp on the stolen records was ta is September 28th, 2024, likely when the database was stolen. Hunt says there are 31 million unique email addresses in the database, with many subscribed to the HIBP data breach notification service. The data will soon be added to HIBP, allowing users to enter their email and confirm if their data was exposed in this breach. The data was confirmed to be real after Hunt contacted users listed in the databases, including cybersecurity researcher Scott Helme, who permitted BleepingComputer to share his exposed record.

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Teleprinter
by Ricardo 8-Bit Desk 08 Oct '24

08 Oct '24

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VCF Swap Meet is Saturday, Oct. 26 8AM to 2PM
by Jeffrey Brace 08 Oct '24

08 Oct '24

For some reason people were getting confused by another email chain with the previous date. I was advised to repeat that the swap meet is Saturday, Oct. 26, not any other dates. Thanks! Jeff Brace VCF Mid-Atlantic Event Manager

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Some notes on Bendix G-15 - See latest video
by Bob Roswell 08 Oct '24

08 Oct '24

David (Usagi Electric) has posted his 12th video on his restoration of our Bendix G-15. The full list of videos is https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLnw98JPyObn3QSIwUz5Iv6NA1x-uGFqAa In the most recent post he gets the unit to boot! Well worth the watch! Henry Harrison (1917-2010) collected 4 Bendix G-15s. His sons lent one of the G-15s to the federation's museum in Wall. The Harrison estate auctioned that unit S/N 3 https://www.rrauction.com/auctions/lot-detail/347709906735051-bendix-g-15-t… The Computer Museum @ System Source purchased the remaining three units #1 Is on display at System Source #2 Is on loan to VC Federation and is on display in the museum at Wall to replace the unit that was auctioned #3 Is on loan to Usagi Electric and is being restored. We have had volunteers scanning led by Rob Kolstad scanning our library of G-15 Documents. The docs are https://rbk.delosent.com/g15doc.html Most of the documentation we have was from a local Baltimore company that was called Greiner Engineering. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J._E._Greiner_Company Greiner Engineering did the design work for many roads and bridges in Maryland. A side note about Greiner Engineering. They had a long history of winning contracts in Maryland by participating in payoff screens involving a the former Baltimore County Executive, then Governor of Maryland, and then US Vice President Spiro T. Agnew. A good summary is in Time Magazine from August 1973 https://content.time.com/time/subscriber/article/0,33009,907711-1,00.html Bob Roswell broswell(a)syssrc.com 410-771-5544 ext 4336 Computer Museum Highlights<http://museum.syssrc.com/> [cid:image001.jpg@01DB18AC.A53F4430]

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Slightly O/T
by Martin A. Flynn 07 Oct '24

07 Oct '24

I donated a pair of Carrier Access ADIT600 channel banks in the factory rack kit to VCF a while back. Anyone know where they are in the warehouse at Camp Evans? Martin

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] vcf-midatlantic Digest, Vol 77, Issue 2
by David Waybright 03 Oct '24

03 Oct '24

I know there is ways to get ISA on new motherboards via the LPC bus if I named it right! Thanks, David Eugene Waybright CompTIA A+, NET+, & Security+ Technician Crestron Certified CIV-E Intelligent Video Engineer, CIV-D Intelligent Video Designer & CIV-S Intelligent Video Specialist Crestron Certified Masters Technology Architect; Core, Flex, DMC-D-4K & E-4K, SCT-R & C, DCT-R & C, TCT-R & C AVMM Engineer; Audio & Shades Technician Extron Certified A/V Associate IT Operations & Secure Infrastructure Specialist Tesla Referral Code: https://ts.la/david55244 Please use my referral for a free demo drive, also $500 Off + 3 mo. FSD on Model 3 & Y, $1,000 Off + 3 mo. FSD on Model S & X, & $500 Off Solar TeslaFi Referral Code: https://www.teslafi.com/signup.php?referred=Dwaybright receive a one-month trial instead of two weeks. Tessie Referral Code: https://share.tessie.com/QpzcnbTb5yb receive one month free when you sign up. ChargePoint Home Pro, CPF25, CPF50, CPH50, CT4000, CP6000, OnRamp, Express 100, 200,& 250 Certified Technician [cid:2b298971-deef-4621-bf0b-bba8a9c4ff33]<https://outlook.office.com/bookwithme/user/0f52d73c69ad43ffb4490b6e75ed0de2…> Book time to meet with me<https://outlook.office.com/bookwithme/user/0f52d73c69ad43ffb4490b6e75ed0de2…> ________________________________ From: vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic-bounces(a)lists.vcfed.org> on behalf of vcf-midatlantic-request(a)lists.vcfed.org <vcf-midatlantic-request(a)lists.vcfed.org> Sent: Thursday, October 3, 2024 8:00 AM To: vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> Subject: vcf-midatlantic Digest, Vol 77, Issue 2 Send vcf-midatlantic mailing list submissions to vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit https://lists.vcfed.org/mailman/listinfo/vcf-midatlantic or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to vcf-midatlantic-request(a)lists.vcfed.org You can reach the person managing the list at vcf-midatlantic-owner(a)lists.vcfed.org When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific than "Re: Contents of vcf-midatlantic digest..." Today's Topics: 1. ISA bus via USB? Raspberry Pi? Beaglebone? (Jeffrey Jonas) 2. Re: ISA bus via USB? Raspberry Pi? Beaglebone? (Bill Degnan) 3. Re: ISA bus via USB? Raspberry Pi? Beaglebone? (Devin Heitmueller) 4. Re: ISA bus via USB? Raspberry Pi? Beaglebone? (David Riley) 5. Re: ISA bus via USB? Raspberry Pi? Beaglebone? (Neil Cherry) 6. Re: ISA bus via USB? Raspberry Pi? Beaglebone? (Jonathan Chapman) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Message: 1 Date: Wed, 2 Oct 2024 12:13:37 -0400 From: Jeffrey Jonas <jeffrey.scott.jonas(a)gmail.com> To: vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> Subject: [vcf-midatlantic] ISA bus via USB? Raspberry Pi? Beaglebone? Message-ID: <CAOCNM4TQEkVWS78Sc12gMtSHFKMfQoH6BKOPBXJffrzYxBrD3Q(a)mail.gmail.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8" I have some 8, 16 bit ISA cards that I'd love to keep running. Are there any options such as ISA via USB? ISA on Raspberry Pi or Beaglebone? -- jeff jonas ------------------------------ Message: 2 Date: Wed, 2 Oct 2024 13:35:06 -0400 From: Bill Degnan <billdegnan(a)gmail.com> To: vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> Subject: Re: [vcf-midatlantic] ISA bus via USB? Raspberry Pi? Beaglebone? Message-ID: <CABGJBue=prsx=UN7_DCx-M+b=-zx9=Mte-Uhagrv+vasz8uhkA(a)mail.gmail.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8" time-wise, why not just get an IBM XT /clone and use that? I assume you already thought of this and don't have an XT lying around.... but what's the point if you don't have a system? Plus to really set up a USB solution you'd need an XT/AT system to confirm the USB solution works, at least for a while until you know for sure. b On Wed, Oct 2, 2024 at 12:14?PM Jeffrey Jonas via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > I have some 8, 16 bit ISA cards that I'd love to keep running. > Are there any options such as ISA via USB? > ISA on Raspberry Pi or Beaglebone? > > -- jeff jonas > ------------------------------ Message: 3 Date: Wed, 2 Oct 2024 16:25:24 -0400 From: Devin Heitmueller <devin.heitmueller(a)gmail.com> To: vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> Subject: Re: [vcf-midatlantic] ISA bus via USB? Raspberry Pi? Beaglebone? Message-ID: <CAJQgbyNxHCSHM7sFytah-Ted1q8rpQPmS694BRes62co4SZHHw(a)mail.gmail.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8" Also, even if you were able to interface the ISA bus via USB, you still need software and drivers, which probably wouldn't be available on modern Linux embedded devices such as the Pi. I guess if you can tell us specifically which cards you are interested in using, we might be able to offer better advice. I probably wouldn't think it was worth the effort unless the board performed some specialized function (e.g. control some specialized piece of equipment). I can't imagine any world where it would be worth the headache for something commonplace like an Ethernet card, video card, etc. Devin On Wed, Oct 2, 2024 at 1:35?PM Bill Degnan via vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > > time-wise, why not just get an IBM XT /clone and use that? I assume you > already thought of this and don't have an XT lying around.... but what's > the point if you don't have a system? Plus to really set up a USB solution > you'd need an XT/AT system to confirm the USB solution works, at least for > a while until you know for sure. > b > > On Wed, Oct 2, 2024 at 12:14?PM Jeffrey Jonas via vcf-midatlantic < > vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > > > I have some 8, 16 bit ISA cards that I'd love to keep running. > > Are there any options such as ISA via USB? > > ISA on Raspberry Pi or Beaglebone? > > > > -- jeff jonas > > ------------------------------ Message: 4 Date: Wed, 2 Oct 2024 16:35:23 -0400 From: David Riley <fraveydank(a)gmail.com> To: vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> Cc: Jeffrey Jonas <jeffrey.scott.jonas(a)gmail.com> Subject: Re: [vcf-midatlantic] ISA bus via USB? Raspberry Pi? Beaglebone? Message-ID: <1733C73A-C85B-4D1F-B7FC-F0C5E2C87B3F(a)gmail.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii > On Oct 2, 2024, at 12:13 PM, Jeffrey Jonas via vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > > I have some 8, 16 bit ISA cards that I'd love to keep running. > Are there any options such as ISA via USB? > ISA on Raspberry Pi or Beaglebone? I would point out that the PCI Express standard still maintains the subtractive addressing carve-out and I/O address spaces required for ISA cards, not least because some low-level elements of the PC architecture still use/emulate the old addresses. I believe there should be ISA expansion chassis available using commercially available bridge chips (a lot of PCIe serial cards are also just ISA or LPC (which is kinda-sorta serialized ISA) chips stapled onto a PCIe->ISA bridge chip as well) meant for industrial controls, but be warned that they're generally not cheap. There are also USB bridges, but I assume you'd need to write new drivers because there's no standard for tunneling ISA over USB like there is for PCI/PCIe. This is one such example. https://arstech.com/usb2-products/37-usb2isa-x3.html And it sounds like they also have a compatibility driver layer for it for many legacy operating systems: https://arstech.com/content/35-universal-software-layer For something like RPi or BeagleBone, you'd need to write your own drivers. - Dave ------------------------------ Message: 5 Date: Wed, 2 Oct 2024 18:52:48 -0400 From: Neil Cherry <ncherry(a)linuxha.com> To: vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> Cc: David Riley <fraveydank(a)gmail.com>, Jeffrey Jonas <jeffrey.scott.jonas(a)gmail.com> Subject: Re: [vcf-midatlantic] ISA bus via USB? Raspberry Pi? Beaglebone? Message-ID: <12dc5ab2-bcde-4e96-904d-5452b923bd01(a)linuxha.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8; format=flowed On 10/2/24 16:35, David Riley via vcf-midatlantic wrote: > PCIe->ISA bridge Using Dave's info in gogle: F85526 PCI Express to ISA Bridge IC And https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=putHMSzu5og Rest of the exercises let to you: -- Linux Home Automation Neil Cherry kd2zrq(a)linuxha.com http://www.linuxha.com/ Main site http://linuxha.blogspot.com/ My HA Blog Author of: Linux Smart Homes For Dummies KD2ZRQ ------------------------------ Message: 6 Date: Wed, 02 Oct 2024 23:12:10 +0000 From: Jonathan Chapman <lists(a)glitchwrks.com> To: vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> Subject: Re: [vcf-midatlantic] ISA bus via USB? Raspberry Pi? Beaglebone? Message-ID: <IU6u_3gL-zljVqSjCu_HTfsMNZFD94x7AXxRRWZDcDf-93M6rlCkHxQcBTkAQmgv20NruTadgBc1-jM58bUldxfO5L4BpVbw4_-XkzQE47U=(a)glitchwrks.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8 > I have some 8, 16 bit ISA cards that I'd love to keep running. > Are there any options such as ISA via USB? > ISA on Raspberry Pi or Beaglebone? I personally run little 4-slot industrial ISA backplane systems for ISA cards that support something important in the shop, like one of the EPROM programmers, or the NI GPIB-410 test/debug/sniffer board. You get to choose the CPU board, anything from 386SX to high-end Pentium III are common and available. I can then run whatever OS supports it without any extra work, and the hardware is more reliable than consumer stuff from the era. It's also pretty small! I know that's not a direct answer to the question asked :P Thanks, Jonathan End of vcf-midatlantic Digest, Vol 77, Issue 2 **********************************************

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ISA bus via USB? Raspberry Pi? Beaglebone?
by Jeffrey Jonas 03 Oct '24

03 Oct '24

I have some 8, 16 bit ISA cards that I'd love to keep running. Are there any options such as ISA via USB? ISA on Raspberry Pi or Beaglebone? -- jeff jonas

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] PDP-8/L restoration
by Ethan Dicks 01 Oct '24

01 Oct '24

On Sat, Sep 28, 2024 at 7:32 PM Mike Rieker via vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > ... I made a test board that plugs in place of the front panel that > has a RasPI and 5 MCP23017s on it to test memory. > https://www.outerworldapps.com/pdp8l-with-pipanel.jpg That's amazing. I'd like to know more! -ethan

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Donation to VCF?
by Jeffrey Brace 30 Sep '24

30 Sep '24

VCF would like to get this Compact Flash card for our museum to make demos easier for our visitors: https://www.reactivemicro.com/product/cffa1-apple1-only/ Would someone be willing to buy and donate this to VCF? If so, then please contact me. Take care! Jeff Brace VCF National Board Member Chairman & Vice President Vintage Computer Festival East Showrunner VCF Mid-Atlantic Event Manager Vintage Computer Federation is a 501c3 charity https://vcfed.org/ <http://www.vcfed.org/> jeffrey(a)vcfed.org

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REPAIR WORKSHOP OCT. 5 & 6 (GOT THE DATE RIGHT THIS TIME)
by Jeffrey Brace 29 Sep '24

29 Sep '24

Repair workshop is October 5 & 6. Sign up now: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1onB9_JVSdS3xCxQSOitBgIXSe6K2dbcCtjq… *WHERE:* 1) Building 9059 (CDL side and Classroom side) 2) Building 9032-A (overflow room connected to main building - Ask Jeff Brace for access) *TIME:*Saturday START time == 10 A.M. END time == 11PM. Sunday START time == 10 A.M. and END == 5 P.M. *COST:* $15 per person, per day. $25 per night for those wanting to stay overnight in the visitor center's bunk beds When you arrive, find me (Jeff Brace) to get a blue wristband. *OVERNIGHT*: Bring your own pillow, blankets, soap etc. We provide a bed frame and an uncovered mattress. There are showers and a kitchen for your use. - *Payments* - PayPal: @vintagecomputerfed (or paypal(a)vcfed.org) - Venmo: @VintageComputerFederation - Cash (in person) - Credit card (in person). *EQUIPMENT:* - VCF will provide a table and you can use any available electrical outlet. - Bring your own tools, power strips, power cords, and supplies etc. - If you need particular tools that you don't own or particular parts, please let others know that you need something. They may have what you need. Let them know ahead of time. - Let everyone know what project you are working on ahead of time to inspire collaboration. *DRINKS*: You should bring your own. We have a refrigerator in CDL to keep them cold. VCF will buy some water and soft drinks for member use. *FOOD*: *Saturday afternoon*: Everyone is on their own. *Saturday Night Dinner at 7PM?*: We often go out to dinner together. I can't organize anything this time. I will be at the Wall of Honor Dinner. *Sunday Morning*: We usually meet at a diner around 9AM. Ask about this if you are interested. *Sunday Afternoon*: Everyone is on their own. *Address:* InfoAge Science and History Museums 2201 Marconi Road Wall, NJ 07719 *PARKING:* Park in the main parking lot, unless you are unloading. Don't park on the lawn. Also park on one side of the road for fire safety. *PHONE:* (732) 722 - 5015 *EMAIL: *repairworkshops(a)vcfed.org Have fun everyone! :-D Repair workshops are events which are open to the general public where members of all levels technical abilities and experience get together to help each other repair vintage computer hardware. Repair workshops are a chance to work with other VCF members to help repair your vintage artifact. *We are not there to do repairs for you*, *only to allow you the facilities and partnership to help you figure out how to repair it*. Repair workshops are held about 9 times per year at the InfoAge location in Wall. Take care! Jeff Brace VCF National Board Member Chairman & Vice President Vintage Computer Festival East Showrunner VCF Mid-Atlantic Event Manager Vintage Computer Federation is a 501c3 charity https://vcfed.org/ <http://www.vcfed.org/> jeffrey(a)vcfed.org

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] PDP-8/L restoration
by Gregg Levine 28 Sep '24

28 Sep '24

Hello! That's good news. For the group, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PDP-8 that's the Wikipedia entry for the family. How much of it is accurate? ----- Gregg C Levine gregg.drwho8(a)gmail.com "This signature was present when the impossible happened 23 years ago, twice." On Sat, Sep 28, 2024 at 7:32 PM Mike Rieker via vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > > Hi All, > Got the PDP-8/L memory working today! 4 bad diodes and a bad power > resistor. I made a test board that plugs in place of the front panel that > has a RasPI and 5 MCP23017s on it to test memory. > https://www.outerworldapps.com/pdp8l-with-pipanel.jpg > Anyway next will be getting the TTY port working so I can connect it to > the RasPI and have it download and run diagnostics. > Mike > >

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System Source Workshop in Maryland - Nov 23 and 24
by Ryan Burke 28 Sep '24

28 Sep '24

System Source is hosting another repair workshop in Hunt Valley, Maryland on November 23rd and 24th, please check out the link below for more information and to register. https://ca.syssrc.com/wp/?page_id=85&civiwp=CiviCRM&q=civicrm%2Fevent%2Finf… We are also looking for volunteers! Either for the event, or in general to help out the museum. If you'd like to help out, please send an email to rburke(a)sysssrc.com

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NEW SWAP MEET DATE: OCT. 26!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
by Jeffrey Brace 28 Sep '24

28 Sep '24

Due to a significant number of volunteers and the general public not being able to make it on Nov. 2, the swap meet has been moved to Oct. 26. Same time, same place! Swap Meet Webpage <https://vcfed.org/vcf-swap-meet/> Problems? Email me. Take care! Jeff Brace VCF National Board Member Chairman & Vice President Vintage Computer Festival East Showrunner VCF Mid-Atlantic Event Manager Vintage Computer Federation is a 501c3 charity https://vcfed.org/ <http://www.vcfed.org/> jeffrey(a)vcfed.org

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VCF SWAP MEET OCT. 26 advertising
by Jeffrey Brace 28 Sep '24

28 Sep '24

So I started advertising our event through VCF's social media channels: VCF Home Page Blog Post VCF's Discord Server VCF Forum Facebook Instagram X Meetup CC-Talk Bluesky Threads Craigslist InfoAge Constant Contact List Local Newspaper Reddit forums Next Door "What to do in NJ websites" Can anyone think of other places to advertise? Take care! Jeff Brace VCF Mid-Atlantic Event Manager Vintage Computer Federation is a 501c3 charity https://vcfed.org/ <http://www.vcfed.org/>

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OT: Someone that can refurbish commercial VCR?
by Ethan O'Toole 27 Sep '24

27 Sep '24

Hello, I have a Sony GCS-50 Super Beta machine. I like the machine a lot. It works, but the audio seems to fade out after starting playback after a few seconds. I assuming a recap is needed, but I assume that if I were to recap it -- it would throw off all kinds of tuning things that I don't understand. Anyone know a reliable legit person or company to refurbish said machine? - Ethan

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Maggie Smith, RIP
by William Sudbrink 27 Sep '24

27 Sep '24

If you wish to remember Dame Smith in a "vintage computer way", I highly recommend: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hot_Millions It's a fun little movie. Bill S. -- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. www.avast.com

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] NOVA Computer Meetup - 17 November 2024 @ 1-6pm
by Tim Gladding 27 Sep '24

27 Sep '24

Last time was a blast, I'm definitely going to be there again. The larger room had plenty of space for more people and tables too. I'll be able to add a couple of things :) On Fri, Sep 27, 2024 at 1:19 PM Ryan Stapleton via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > Hello All, > > I now have a date for a late fall Computer meetup in Chantilly, VA. 17 > November 2024 @ 1-6pm > > The Chantilly, VA Public Library. > > A link to my website that has some information. This will be continued to > be updated. > > http://www.bluewizard.net/pages/vintagecomputermeetup/ > > Thank you > -Ryan

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NOVA Computer Meetup - 17 November 2024 @ 1-6pm
by Ryan Stapleton 27 Sep '24

27 Sep '24

Hello All, I now have a date for a late fall Computer meetup in Chantilly, VA. 17 November 2024 @ 1-6pm The Chantilly, VA Public Library. A link to my website that has some information. This will be continued to be updated. http://www.bluewizard.net/pages/vintagecomputermeetup/ Thank you -Ryan

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Donation to VCF?
by Dean Notarnicola 27 Sep '24

27 Sep '24

Thanks, Mike! I’m in as well! On Thu, Sep 26, 2024 at 4:48 PM Mike Rieker via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > I'll chip in $20 > > > > VCF would like to get this Compact Flash card for our museum to make > demos > > easier for our visitors: > > https://www.reactivemicro.com/product/cffa1-apple1-only/ > > > > Would someone be willing to buy and donate this to VCF? > > If so, then please contact me. > > > > Take care! > > > > Jeff Brace > > VCF National Board Member Chairman & Vice President > > Vintage Computer Festival East Showrunner > > VCF Mid-Atlantic Event Manager > > Vintage Computer Federation is a 501c3 charity > > https://vcfed.org/ <http://www.vcfed.org/> > > jeffrey(a)vcfed.org > > > > >

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Looking for an Amiga 500 case and keyboard
by Alexander Jacocks 26 Sep '24

26 Sep '24

Folks, I’m looking for a case and keyboard for an Amiga 500. I have a very nice Amiga 500+ motherboard that needs a home, and I don’t see a lot of good options available. If anyone has spare that they would be willing to part with, please let me know. Thanks! – Alex

2 1

OT: Downsizing my retro collection
by Wil Birkmaier 25 Sep '24

25 Sep '24

6 5

Re: [vcf-midatlantic] OT HAM LICENSE
by Jeffrey Brace 22 Sep '24

22 Sep '24

It's hard to find time to learn as I'm doing so much for VCF, my job, etc. as it is. I will put it on my list of things to do which is extensive. I will start with the M.O.R.E. project which is run by Dr. Rebecca Mercuri: https://n2re.org/m-o-r-e-project I can make it happen when there is a lull between events or days where schools are closed and I'm not working. On Thu, Sep 19, 2024 at 2:25 PM Sentrytv via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > ARRL practice test are Notorious for X&Y type answers. > > I have been buying, repairing and selling ham radio equipment for over 20 > years, > and still have not become a “Ham Radio, Amateur radio operator” by choice. > > I even received some door prizes at a Hamfest, so I was able to purchase > ARRL books but still haven’t bothered to get my license. > > But I do listen and learn on the airwaves. > > To those people who already have their license and have some recent spare > material to loan Jeff, I would suggest bringing them to him. > > Just my two pennies worth. > > > > > Sent from: > My extremely complicated, hand held electronic device. > > > On Sep 19, 2024, at 1:18 PM, Neil Cherry via vcf-midatlantic < > vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > > > > On 9/19/24 12:16, David Riley via vcf-midatlantic wrote: > >> Seriously, the max commitment it took from me was reading the ARRL's > cheap Kindle guidebook on passing the exam (which was useful for the non-EE > parts I wasn't as familiar with, like the traditional frequency offsets for > repeaters, atmospheric effects, licensing technicalities, etc), and one > hour on a weekend at the local radio club to actually take the test. You > can do infinite practice tests online for free to see if you're ready. My > free time is currently deeply in the red and I somehow managed it, so just > about anyone can. :-) > > > > Adding to this, not only use the online test but do try to understand the > > answers. I am dyslexic so I needed to understand the answer otherwise I'd > > get the X & Y type answers (similar but slightly different) mixed up. The > > understanding helped get around that. Some of the tests have very good > > explanations. > > > > -- > > Linux Home Automation Neil Cherry kd2zrq(a)linuxha.com > > http://www.linuxha.com/ Main site > > http://linuxha.blogspot.com/ My HA Blog > > Author of: Linux Smart Homes For Dummies KD2ZRQ > > > >

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Repair workshops for 2024: Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec.
by Jeffrey Brace 22 Sep '24

22 Sep '24

Yes. There are two repair workshops in October. First one is Oct. 5 & 6 <https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1onB9_JVSdS3xCxQSOitBgIXSe6K2dbcCtjq…> Second one Oct. 26 & 27 <https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1tnPdmCYFA6-Y3y28tVcdzTXKqHaArx_1VFl…> Normally I space these things out, but I had to move it twice: the second one was originally on Nov. 9, then Nov. 2, now Oct. 26. So since there is interest and there is space in the schedule, I will schedule one for November on Nov. 16. This is 3 weeks after the Oct. 26 one and 4 weeks before Festivus. So it should be space as well as possible. Nov. 22 is an alternative date if anyone feels like that would be better. No repair workshops for December. Any questions? Comments? Ponderings? Take care! Jeff Brace VCF Mid-Atlantic Event Manager

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Next Repair Workshop Oct. 4 & 5
by Jeffrey Brace 22 Sep '24

22 Sep '24

Yes. There will be a repair workshop Oct. 26 & 27. As stated by others the website was updated, but not the Google Sheet. Sorry I missed that and for the confusion. I also was waiting to announce the *that* repair workshop because I didn't want to overload people with information with three different things. I've found some are easily confused. I always do a repair workshop with the swap meet so it makes it more worthwhile for those driving from far. On Sun, Sep 22, 2024 at 10:25 AM Sentrytv via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > So just a quick question > From the dates it seems that there is not going to be any work shop during > the day of the swap meet correct? > > > Sent from: > My extremely complicated, hand held electronic device. > > > On Sep 21, 2024, at 9:06 PM, Bart Hirst via vcf-midatlantic < > vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > > > > Doug I have it. > > > >> On Sat, Sep 21, 2024 at 5:00 PM Douglas Crawford via vcf-midatlantic < > >> vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > >> > >> I would like to see us use the time to expand our greaseweazle to > >> have an 8" drive hooked up and then give the imaging a try. > >> I'd recommend the whole computer setup arrive so we can test > >> the copies- assuming that all works, if not, do a restoration in > >> parallel with the weazle 8" augmentation. > >> Someone has my 8" drive floppy cable adapter interface... Ian? Thomas? > >> -DC > >> > >>> On 9/17/2024 10:21 PM, Jeffrey Brace via vcf-midatlantic wrote: > >>>> On Tue, Sep 17, 2024 at 7:03 PM Jeff S <jsalzman(a)gmail.com> wrote: > >>> > >>>> I can certainly attempt to. I will probably need an 8" drive, data > >> cable, > >>>> and suitable power supply for the drive. > >>>> > >>>> An 8" external drive from the warehouse might have the power supply > >>>> built-in and an appropriate data cable. > >>>> > >>>> The only caveat is being able to test the disk on real hardware. As > >>>> mentioned before, I was successful with this operation on OSI disks > >> already. > >>>> > >>> > >>> OK. Let's take this offline and see if we can consult with Thomas to > see > >>> what we have in the warehouse. > >>> > >>> > >>>> > >>>> On Tue, Sep 17, 2024, 6:59 PM Jeffrey Brace <jeffrey(a)vcfed.org> > wrote: > >>>> > >>>>> Ah, I see. So should I tell the guy that you will make the floppies > for > >>>>> him and will bring them to the next repair workshop? > >>>>> > >>>>> On Tue, Sep 17, 2024 at 6:52 PM Jeff S <jsalzman(a)gmail.com> wrote: > >>>>> > >>>>>> Wouldn't need to be decoded at all. Greaseweazle accepts the disk > >> image > >>>>>> format, then uses the data in the image file to create the > equivalent > >> flux > >>>>>> on the fly as it writes to a disk. > >>>>>> > >>>>>> On Tue, Sep 17, 2024, 4:56 PM Jeffrey Brace <jeffrey(a)vcfed.org> > >> wrote: > >>>>>> > >>>>>>> On Tue, Sep 17, 2024 at 11:51 AM Jeff S via vcf-midatlantic < > >>>>>>> vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > >>>>>>> > >>>>>>>> I looked at the IMD files in HxCFloppy emulator. They are decoded > >> as 77 > >>>>>>>> tracks (probably a forced overread for that 77th track), > >> double-sided, > >>>>>>>> 15 > >>>>>>>> sectors per track. I see a lot of binary data, but there are a few > >>>>>>>> decodable sequences in some sectors that show portions of the > >>>>>>>> alphabet, in > >>>>>>>> sequence, in capital and lowercase letters. This may indicate that > >> the > >>>>>>>> decoded image data is correct. I've always found that if I can > read > >> a > >>>>>>>> disk > >>>>>>>> image cleanly in HxC Floppy Emulator, I can generally use it in > >>>>>>>> Greaseweazle to write out to a disk. But ultimately, it's up the > >> actual > >>>>>>>> machine the disk is made for that will decide in the process > works. > >>>>>>>> > >>>>>>> > >>>>>>> So do you think that you can decode the images and copy them to 8" > >>>>>>> floppies? > >>>>>>> > >>>>>>> > >>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>> On Tue, Sep 17, 2024 at 11:17 AM djg <djg(a)pdp8online.com> wrote: > >>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>> > >> > https://forum.vcfed.org/index.php?threads/does-anyone-have-a-working-8-inch… > >>>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>>> I took quick look at zip and files had extension imd so should be > >>>>>>>> pretty > >>>>>>>>> standard. Life got complicated so didn't go any further. > >>>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>>> -------- Original message -------- > >>>>>>>>> From: Jeff S via vcf-midatlantic < > vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> > >>>>>>>>> Date: 9/17/24 11:05 AM (GMT-05:00) > >>>>>>>>> To: vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> > >>>>>>>>> Cc: Jeff S <jsalzman(a)gmail.com> > >>>>>>>>> Subject: Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Next Repair Workshop Oct. 4 & 5 > >>>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>>> I used a Greaseweazle to both successfully image and recreate 8" > >>>>>>>> disks for > >>>>>>>>> an OSI computer a couple years ago. Since it's flux based, as > long > >>>>>>>> at the > >>>>>>>>> track spacing for the 5110 disks are the same as conventional 8" > >>>>>>>> disks, > >>>>>>>>> then it can theoretically be done using a Greaseweazle setup. I > >>>>>>>> always > >>>>>>>>> bring my Greaseweazle kit with me to Workshops, so I expect to > have > >>>>>>>> mine > >>>>>>>>> available at the next one. > >>>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>>> I would like to see what the image files are. If the images are > >> pure > >>>>>>>> flux, > >>>>>>>>> then I won't need to do much preparation to try and create a disk > >>>>>>>> from > >>>>>>>>> those images. The Greaseweazle software recognizes quite a few > >>>>>>>> popular (and > >>>>>>>>> uncommon) disk formats, and can recreate the flux transitions on > >> the > >>>>>>>> fly as > >>>>>>>>> it writes the data out to the track. The only caveat is, having a > >>>>>>>> 5110 > >>>>>>>>> available to test out the disks. Greaseweazle works with flux > >>>>>>>> resolutions > >>>>>>>>> down to 25ns, so that might not be an issue, but it would be nice > >> to > >>>>>>>> test > >>>>>>>>> them right away. > >>>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>>> Jeff Salzman > >>>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>>> On Mon, Sep 16, 2024 at 11:36 PM Jeffrey Brace via > vcf-midatlantic > >> < > >>>>>>>>> vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > >>>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>>>> There is someone looking to make 8" disks from images that he > has. > >>>>>>>> He > >>>>>>>>>> recently acquired a fully functional IBM 5110-3 (or 5120) with > >> dual > >>>>>>>>> 8-inch > >>>>>>>>>> disk drives. He found the image files to make 6 disks with > various > >>>>>>>>>> applications for this computer. > >>>>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>>>> Is there someone that can make the disk images for him and bring > >>>>>>>> to the > >>>>>>>>>> repair workshop? > >>>>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>>>> Thanks! > >>>>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>>>> Jeff Brace > >>>>>>>>>> VCF National Board Member Chairman & Vice President > >>>>>>>>>> Vintage Computer Festival East Showrunner > >>>>>>>>>> VCF Mid-Atlantic Event Manager > >>>>>>>>>> Vintage Computer Federation is a 501c3 charity > >>>>>>>>>> https://vcfed.org/ <http://www.vcfed.org/> > >>>>>>>>>> jeffrey(a)vcfed.org > >>>>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>> > >>>>>>> > >> > >> -- > >> Douglas Crawford > >> VCF Mid-Atlantic Museum Mgr > >> InfoAge Science & History Museums > >> 2201 Marconi Road > >> Wall, NJ 07719 > >> > > > > > > -- > > Bart Hirst > > "This signature will now be eaten up and spit out by Velociraptors." > >

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Next Repair Workshop Oct. 4 & 5
by David Gesswein 22 Sep '24

22 Sep '24

This page says workshop on 26 & 27th so now have two workshops in October. https://vcfed.org/repair-workshops-at-infoage/ Spreadsheet itself says nov 2-4. https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1tnPdmCYFA6-Y3y28tVcdzTXKqHaArx_1VFl… My take was the workshop moved with swap meet and no event now in November. Think spreadsheet is wrong but letting someone official correct. On Sun, Sep 22, 2024 at 10:25:13AM -0400, Sentrytv via vcf-midatlantic wrote: > Date: Sun, 22 Sep 2024 10:25:13 -0400 > From: Sentrytv <sentrytv(a)yahoo.com> > To: vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> > Subject: Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Next Repair Workshop Oct. 4 & 5 > X-Mailer: iPhone Mail (21G93) > > So just a quick question > From the dates it seems that there is not going to be any work shop during the day of the swap meet correct? > > > Sent from: > My extremely complicated, hand held electronic device. > > > On Sep 21, 2024, at 9:06 PM, Bart Hirst via vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > > > > Doug I have it. > > > >> On Sat, Sep 21, 2024 at 5:00 PM Douglas Crawford via vcf-midatlantic < > >> vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > >> > >> I would like to see us use the time to expand our greaseweazle to > >> have an 8" drive hooked up and then give the imaging a try. > >> I'd recommend the whole computer setup arrive so we can test > >> the copies- assuming that all works, if not, do a restoration in > >> parallel with the weazle 8" augmentation. > >> Someone has my 8" drive floppy cable adapter interface... Ian? Thomas? > >> -DC > >> > >>> On 9/17/2024 10:21 PM, Jeffrey Brace via vcf-midatlantic wrote: > >>>> On Tue, Sep 17, 2024 at 7:03 PM Jeff S <jsalzman(a)gmail.com> wrote: > >>> > >>>> I can certainly attempt to. I will probably need an 8" drive, data > >> cable, > >>>> and suitable power supply for the drive. > >>>> > >>>> An 8" external drive from the warehouse might have the power supply > >>>> built-in and an appropriate data cable. > >>>> > >>>> The only caveat is being able to test the disk on real hardware. As > >>>> mentioned before, I was successful with this operation on OSI disks > >> already. > >>>> > >>> > >>> OK. Let's take this offline and see if we can consult with Thomas to see > >>> what we have in the warehouse. > >>> > >>> > >>>> > >>>> On Tue, Sep 17, 2024, 6:59 PM Jeffrey Brace <jeffrey(a)vcfed.org> wrote: > >>>> > >>>>> Ah, I see. So should I tell the guy that you will make the floppies for > >>>>> him and will bring them to the next repair workshop? > >>>>> > >>>>> On Tue, Sep 17, 2024 at 6:52 PM Jeff S <jsalzman(a)gmail.com> wrote: > >>>>> > >>>>>> Wouldn't need to be decoded at all. Greaseweazle accepts the disk > >> image > >>>>>> format, then uses the data in the image file to create the equivalent > >> flux > >>>>>> on the fly as it writes to a disk. > >>>>>> > >>>>>> On Tue, Sep 17, 2024, 4:56 PM Jeffrey Brace <jeffrey(a)vcfed.org> > >> wrote: > >>>>>> > >>>>>>> On Tue, Sep 17, 2024 at 11:51 AM Jeff S via vcf-midatlantic < > >>>>>>> vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > >>>>>>> > >>>>>>>> I looked at the IMD files in HxCFloppy emulator. They are decoded > >> as 77 > >>>>>>>> tracks (probably a forced overread for that 77th track), > >> double-sided, > >>>>>>>> 15 > >>>>>>>> sectors per track. I see a lot of binary data, but there are a few > >>>>>>>> decodable sequences in some sectors that show portions of the > >>>>>>>> alphabet, in > >>>>>>>> sequence, in capital and lowercase letters. This may indicate that > >> the > >>>>>>>> decoded image data is correct. I've always found that if I can read > >> a > >>>>>>>> disk > >>>>>>>> image cleanly in HxC Floppy Emulator, I can generally use it in > >>>>>>>> Greaseweazle to write out to a disk. But ultimately, it's up the > >> actual > >>>>>>>> machine the disk is made for that will decide in the process works. > >>>>>>>> > >>>>>>> > >>>>>>> So do you think that you can decode the images and copy them to 8" > >>>>>>> floppies? > >>>>>>> > >>>>>>> > >>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>> On Tue, Sep 17, 2024 at 11:17 AM djg <djg(a)pdp8online.com> wrote: > >>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>> > >> https://forum.vcfed.org/index.php?threads/does-anyone-have-a-working-8-inch… > >>>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>>> I took quick look at zip and files had extension imd so should be > >>>>>>>> pretty > >>>>>>>>> standard. Life got complicated so didn't go any further. > >>>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>>> -------- Original message -------- > >>>>>>>>> From: Jeff S via vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> > >>>>>>>>> Date: 9/17/24 11:05 AM (GMT-05:00) > >>>>>>>>> To: vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> > >>>>>>>>> Cc: Jeff S <jsalzman(a)gmail.com> > >>>>>>>>> Subject: Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Next Repair Workshop Oct. 4 & 5 > >>>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>>> I used a Greaseweazle to both successfully image and recreate 8" > >>>>>>>> disks for > >>>>>>>>> an OSI computer a couple years ago. Since it's flux based, as long > >>>>>>>> at the > >>>>>>>>> track spacing for the 5110 disks are the same as conventional 8" > >>>>>>>> disks, > >>>>>>>>> then it can theoretically be done using a Greaseweazle setup. I > >>>>>>>> always > >>>>>>>>> bring my Greaseweazle kit with me to Workshops, so I expect to have > >>>>>>>> mine > >>>>>>>>> available at the next one. > >>>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>>> I would like to see what the image files are. If the images are > >> pure > >>>>>>>> flux, > >>>>>>>>> then I won't need to do much preparation to try and create a disk > >>>>>>>> from > >>>>>>>>> those images. The Greaseweazle software recognizes quite a few > >>>>>>>> popular (and > >>>>>>>>> uncommon) disk formats, and can recreate the flux transitions on > >> the > >>>>>>>> fly as > >>>>>>>>> it writes the data out to the track. The only caveat is, having a > >>>>>>>> 5110 > >>>>>>>>> available to test out the disks. Greaseweazle works with flux > >>>>>>>> resolutions > >>>>>>>>> down to 25ns, so that might not be an issue, but it would be nice > >> to > >>>>>>>> test > >>>>>>>>> them right away. > >>>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>>> Jeff Salzman > >>>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>>> On Mon, Sep 16, 2024 at 11:36 PM Jeffrey Brace via vcf-midatlantic > >> < > >>>>>>>>> vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > >>>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>>>> There is someone looking to make 8" disks from images that he has. > >>>>>>>> He > >>>>>>>>>> recently acquired a fully functional IBM 5110-3 (or 5120) with > >> dual > >>>>>>>>> 8-inch > >>>>>>>>>> disk drives. He found the image files to make 6 disks with various > >>>>>>>>>> applications for this computer. > >>>>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>>>> Is there someone that can make the disk images for him and bring > >>>>>>>> to the > >>>>>>>>>> repair workshop? > >>>>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>>>> Thanks! > >>>>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>>>> Jeff Brace > >>>>>>>>>> VCF National Board Member Chairman & Vice President > >>>>>>>>>> Vintage Computer Festival East Showrunner > >>>>>>>>>> VCF Mid-Atlantic Event Manager > >>>>>>>>>> Vintage Computer Federation is a 501c3 charity > >>>>>>>>>> https://vcfed.org/ <http://www.vcfed.org/> > >>>>>>>>>> jeffrey(a)vcfed.org > >>>>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>> > >>>>>>> > >> > >> -- > >> Douglas Crawford > >> VCF Mid-Atlantic Museum Mgr > >> InfoAge Science & History Museums > >> 2201 Marconi Road > >> Wall, NJ 07719 > >> > > > > > > -- > > Bart Hirst > > "This signature will now be eaten up and spit out by Velociraptors."

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Next Repair Workshop Oct. 4 & 5
by Jeffrey Brace 22 Sep '24

22 Sep '24

There is someone looking to make 8" disks from images that he has. He recently acquired a fully functional IBM 5110-3 (or 5120) with dual 8-inch disk drives. He found the image files to make 6 disks with various applications for this computer. Is there someone that can make the disk images for him and bring to the repair workshop? Thanks! Jeff Brace VCF National Board Member Chairman & Vice President Vintage Computer Festival East Showrunner VCF Mid-Atlantic Event Manager Vintage Computer Federation is a 501c3 charity https://vcfed.org/ <http://www.vcfed.org/> jeffrey(a)vcfed.org

7 13

VCF Tech Swap Meet Nov 2, please let your friends and groups know.
by Herbert Johnson 21 Sep '24

21 Sep '24

Congrats to David Riley upon obtaining a US radio amateur license. The ham community has overlap with technical computing and by legacy with vintage computing. And it's a pleasant community. There are other reasons, other overlaps of course. Amateur radio has its own merits. I concur, the effort needed to obtain the Technician license is as he describes: review all the possible questions and get familiar with the answers. There's study guides that provide additional background. I find them worthwhile because questions are regulatory as well as technical. I got my license a year ago, in the manner David describes. That's why I'm posting. The original topic, was about Jeff Brace trying to resolve ARRL requirements to have the VCF-Mid tech swap listed in the ARRL's hamfest listings. That thread seems to be completed. regards Herb -- Herbert R. Johnson, New Jersey USA https://www.retrotechnology.com OR .net preserve, recover, restore 1970's computing email: hjohnson AT retrotechnology DOT com or try later herbjohnson AT comcast DOT net

2 1

Am I an AI? (was: IBM and 8-inch (was: Next Repair Workshop Oct. 4 & 5))
by Herbert Johnson 21 Sep '24

21 Sep '24

> https://forum.vcfed.org/index.php?threads/does-anyone-have-a-working-8-inch… So, funny thing happened to me, in the VCFed forum, where there was that discussion of IBM 5510 8-inch floppy drive/disk business, also discussed here. I laid out my usual considerations about making old IMD disk images onto floppy disks. Writing in my usual way, pretty much. People here, know what to expect from me. But in that forum, more than one person wondered "is this an AI chatbot response?" When I suggested otherwise (!), the person apologized and explained their reasoning. In another discussion, they wrote, someone recently gave them a somewhat formal and neutral-tone response. Apparently, their respondent used some AI-generated content as part of their post. So I said, in so many words, I'm old and technically trained. Maybe, I sound like the old-school content that was trained into that AI 'bot? Makes some kind of sense. While I was initially annoyed, our exchange made me thoughtful. Is this gonna be a thing now? Is some informed-sort of response, now gonna be judged as maybe being AI-generated, and therefore suspect of what some call "hallucinations" (and others call nonfactual, fantasies, or lies)? If generative AI becomes the standard, and real humans don't meet that standard, will people be held at fault? Or worse, leave correspondence entirely to the 'bots? That's my general fear, for any new technology of convenience. That is, degrading some skill that used to require human activity. Here in vintage computing, we (should) know something about that history. Is this an AI response too? Most sources, would say it is not. If I desire, can you provide me with character references (Spock)? regards, Her"bot" Johnson -- Herbert R. Johnson, New Jersey USA https://www.retrotechnology.com OR .net preserve, recover, restore 1970's computing email: hjohnson AT retrotechnology DOT com or try later herbjohnson AT comcast DOT net

5 7

software-freedom-day
by Jeffrey Jonas 20 Sep '24

20 Sep '24

murph and I are among several folks active with VCF and the North Jersey Linux User Group www.njlinux.org I'm forwarding this message from murph because 1) many of us rely on open software for retro and non-retro activities 2) open source/shareware was invented by clever folks to advance the state of the art and not keep re-inventing the wheel ... forwarded message ... [at the upcoming NJ Linux meeting] I'd like to have a conversation about Software Freedom Day. We haven't done one in quite a while, and I'd like to see what people might be interested in doing next year. There is a virtual event happening in Florida, one of the few in the US. Might be good for some of us to attend, and see if we can add to the conversation, and get ideas for next year: It is before the meeting, so hopefully some of you can stop in virtually. This is of course on September 21st this year, here is a link with the details. https://digitalfreedoms.org/en/software-freedom-day/events/pbsfg-virtual-sf…

1 0

Miniterm 1205 terminal. love it or list it?
by Herbert Johnson 19 Sep '24

19 Sep '24

> Also the deteriorated rubber tractor band feels like a pretty big show stopper unless I can find a source (seems like a long shot). Any other MiniTerm will likely have the same problem, they are all old and all age. So hoping for a "donor" is not likely realistic. It's a common problem of that belting technology. These belts have to be stable and accurate. They aren't "splice"-able really, in most cases. and, they are all custom, no two alike except by pure happenstance. These belts have fibers through them to keep their dimensions stable. Your belt's fibers may be visible. So the idea of making your own is probably not realistic, whatever your skills level. Rubber belts appear on all kinds of vintage equipment. In the past there have been private services that replicate belts to order. People have stock materials, tools and skills to make belts at length and width. The instance I recall, the person charged a tooling fee (to set up tools and make measurements) and then charged per belt to produce them (materials and time). Sometimes the same persons make rubber rollers to dimension. If you are interested, I suggest you measure the dimensions of the belt, teeth per inch, and take good photos. Don't cut it, if you can avoid doing so. Then web-search for forums where people work on these things. Printers, floppy drives, magtape drives, electric typewriters, sewing machines come to mind, your search will find other domains. You'll find a producer that way. Or search for "rubber belts to order" kinds of descriptions. Or you'll find various attempts to make belts. Maybe someone has a scheme that works. Otherwise the unit has value for repair parts, and as a display piece. As printing technology is out-of-favor, most of these will not be saved, or parted out. In another time, that will create rarity and they may gain interest/value accordingly. regards, Herb -- Herbert R. Johnson, New Jersey USA https://www.retrotechnology.com OR .net preserve, recover, restore 1970's computing email: hjohnson AT retrotechnology DOT com or try later herbjohnson AT comcast DOT net

2 1

OT HAM LICENSE
by Sentrytv 19 Sep '24

19 Sep '24

ARRL practice test are Notorious for X&Y type answers. I have been buying, repairing and selling ham radio equipment for over 20 years, and still have not become a “Ham Radio, Amateur radio operator” by choice. I even received some door prizes at a Hamfest, so I was able to purchase ARRL books but still haven’t bothered to get my license. But I do listen and learn on the airwaves. To those people who already have their license and have some recent spare material to loan Jeff, I would suggest bringing them to him. Just my two pennies worth. Sent from: My extremely complicated, hand held electronic device. > On Sep 19, 2024, at 1:18 PM, Neil Cherry via vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > > On 9/19/24 12:16, David Riley via vcf-midatlantic wrote: >> Seriously, the max commitment it took from me was reading the ARRL's cheap Kindle guidebook on passing the exam (which was useful for the non-EE parts I wasn't as familiar with, like the traditional frequency offsets for repeaters, atmospheric effects, licensing technicalities, etc), and one hour on a weekend at the local radio club to actually take the test. You can do infinite practice tests online for free to see if you're ready. My free time is currently deeply in the red and I somehow managed it, so just about anyone can. :-) > > Adding to this, not only use the online test but do try to understand the > answers. I am dyslexic so I needed to understand the answer otherwise I'd > get the X & Y type answers (similar but slightly different) mixed up. The > understanding helped get around that. Some of the tests have very good > explanations. > > -- > Linux Home Automation Neil Cherry kd2zrq(a)linuxha.com > http://www.linuxha.com/ Main site > http://linuxha.blogspot.com/ My HA Blog > Author of: Linux Smart Homes For Dummies KD2ZRQ >

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] VCF Tech Swap Meet Nov 2, please let your friends and groups know.
by Jeffrey Brace 19 Sep '24

19 Sep '24

On Thu, Jun 27, 2024 at 12:19 Sentrytv via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > Thinking the same way > Please make sure that the ARRL calendar is updated with the event as well! Yes of course, but now they require a someone with a Ham Radio license. I do not have one. Martin did it last time. I will try to get a VCF member to do it this time. > > Sent from: > My extremely complicated, hand held electronic device. > > > On Jun 27, 2024, at 10:51 AM, Christian Liendo via vcf-midatlantic < > vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > > > > So, I know this happens every time but as we get closer to the next > > swap meet we get told. My group has an event and they conflict. > > > > Can you please let the groups you belong to know about the event. This > > should reduce the chance of a conflict and it will also drum up > > interest. > > > > https://vcfed.org/vcf-swap-meet/ > > > > We would like the next swap meet to be bigger and it would help to > > start getting the word out now. > > > > Thanks > >

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Miniterm 1205 terminal. love it or list it?
by glenn.f.roberts＠gmail.com 18 Sep '24

18 Sep '24

A while back I picked up a Miniterm 1205 but it needs some help. Category:Computer Devices - Terminals (terminals-wiki.org) <https://terminals-wiki.org/wiki/index.php/Category:Computer_Devices> Computer Devices Miniterm 1205 - Terminals (terminals-wiki.org) <https://terminals-wiki.org/wiki/index.php/Computer_Devices_Miniterm_1205> After removing the cover, I see evidence of a pretty massive tantalum failure (and these tants are huge!) and perhaps other concomitant damage to the power supply. Also the rubber tractor band that moves the head back and forth appears to have dry rot on it - not sure that can be cleaned up. And the label on the unit says it's for 230V/50Hz (not sure if there's an option on the power supply board to reconfigure that (?). (hmm. Wondering if someone attempted to power with 120V?) This is an impressively built machine with a beautiful keyboard. It has a NASA property sticker on it. I am nostalgic for the old era of these terminals (I used a TI silent 700 back then) and when I picked it up was hoping to get it in working order some day. So I'm trying to decide what to do with this unit. Are schematics or service manuals likely to be available? If not, how best to repair the power supply? (find someone else who has one?) Am I likely to be able to find a workable replacement for the belt? Or fix it? I guess I'd have to get a power converter to run this. Feels like a lot to take on. Interested in any advice or pointers. If someone in the group would be interested in tackling this project I'd be happy to have a discussion (off list) on that. Thanks * Glenn

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VCF 2022
by Christian Liendo 18 Sep '24

18 Sep '24

I know I shared some photos of VCF 2022 and now my folder is gone. If anyone has any of the ones I shared, if they can please share them back with me it would be appreciated.

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IBM and 8-inch (was: Next Repair Workshop Oct. 4 & 5)
by Herbert Johnson 17 Sep '24

17 Sep '24

> There is someone looking to make 8" disks from images that he has. He > recently acquired a fully functional IBM 5110-3 (or 5120) with dual 8-inch > disk drives. He found the image files to make 6 disks with various > applications for this computer. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IBM_5110 I had to look up "5510 model 3". It predates MS-DOS and ISA-class PC's. I had forgotten that one such model had 8-inch floppy drives. There's a good chance, that what-became-ordinary floppy disk controllers on IBM (ISA) MS-DOS PC's and CP/M-80 class computers, will not be able to process such 5110/5120 disks or their images. (I don't know for sure.) I'm saying, Jeff, that most old computers won't likely be able to work with these *even older IBM* disks. There's a modern class of bit-sampling floppy disk emulators and reader/writers, usually operated as USB devices. (I don't pretend to know them well.) Because they operate at the "bit" (flux change) level, in principle they can handle almost anything a floppy controller every written - IF, if, someone trained up on that particular format to decode the floppy bits. Problem is, the owners and developers of those USB devices, probably never had their hands on an IBM 5510/5520! So, if I read 40 words of description correctly (unlikely), I suggest this person outta get on the Web NOW, and contact these developers of these USB floppy reader/writers NOW, to identify if their models can handle disks from their particular IBM model. They might also contact whomever created those image-files. See how they created those images. It may be, there's a "downloader and format" 5110 program as well. The owner should also clarify/confirm exactly what hardware they have, where these image files came from, and so on. . Oh - and if the computer works *to their knowledge*. I get requests from people all the time, for stuff for their computers, before their seller delivers it to them. If the owners already did this work, they should make that info readily available as they ask for help. The zeroth help I can give someone, is to noodge them to identify their problems. Problems solve themselves faster, if details are resolved first. Details identify the tools and knowledge needed, weed out those who don't have either. Regards Herb Johnson -- Herbert R. Johnson, New Jersey USA https://www.retrotechnology.com OR .net preserve, recover, restore 1970's computing email: hjohnson AT retrotechnology DOT com or try later herbjohnson AT comcast DOT net

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Truckload in Cape Cod
by Bart Hirst 17 Sep '24

17 Sep '24

https://forum.vcfed.org/index.php?threads/truckload-of-computers-and-parts-… -- Bart Hirst "This signature will now be eaten up and spit out by Velociraptors."

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Friden Flexowriter in Trenton
by Joseph Giliberti 14 Sep '24

14 Sep '24

At $700 the price is a bit steep, but they aren't exactly common https://www.facebook.com/share/riPGR4N2g2EbnRcM/?mibextid=kL3p88

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] OT- NTE ELECTRONICS IS NO MORE
by Dave McGuire 12 Sep '24

12 Sep '24

Well they certainly didn't pull any punches about their suit problem. -Dave -- Dave McGuire, AK4HZ New Kensington, PA

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Part #1 of the Paul Allen Collection
by Christian Liendo 11 Sep '24

11 Sep '24

https://www.christies.com/en/auction/pushing-boundaries-ingenuity-from-the-… $945k for the Apple I

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] OT- NTE ELECTRONICS IS NO MORE
by Neil Cherry 11 Sep '24

11 Sep '24

On 9/11/24 14:37, Sentrytv via vcf-midatlantic wrote: Wow, one of the last. :( -- Linux Home Automation Neil Cherry kd2zrq(a)linuxha.com http://www.linuxha.com/ Main site http://linuxha.blogspot.com/ My HA Blog Author of: Linux Smart Homes For Dummies KD2ZRQ

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OT- NTE ELECTRONICS IS NO MORE
by Sentrytv 11 Sep '24

11 Sep '24

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