April 2016 - vcf-midatlantic

Re: [vcf-midatlantic] MMJ cables for cheap
by VAXman＠tmesis.org 23 Apr '16

23 Apr '16

David Hoelzer via vcf-midatlantic writes: >If you are in need of DEC MMJ cables, I have some good news and bad = >news. First, the good news: > >= >http://www.amazon.com/Flat-Modular-Cable-RJ12-6x6MMJ/dp/B000AA2SL4?ie=3DUT= >F8&psc=3D1&redirect=3Dtrue&ref_=3Doh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00 = ><http://www.amazon.com/Flat-Modular-Cable-RJ12-6x6MMJ/dp/B000AA2SL4?ie=3DU= >TF8&psc=3D1&redirect=3Dtrue&ref_=3Doh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00> > >The picture is definitely an offset key (MMJ) six strand cable, 7 feet = >long, for only $3.92. > >The bad news=E2=80=A6 It=E2=80=99s not actually an MMJ, it=E2=80=99s = >just a regular MJ (Modular Jack). Even so, there=E2=80=99s still good = >news. With some strategic dremeling it is completely possible to trim = >one side of the MJ down so that it will fit quite well into a DEC MMJ = >socket. :) Why? MMJ plugs are still available even if complete cables might be a rare find. Make your own by crimping an MMJ plug on a piece of flat 6-conductor cable. Flip the cable over and crimp on the other end. Done! If you have to buy them: http://www.cabledepot.com/05MCPhoneMMJ.html Me? I just open up one of many boxes of them and put one out, even though I have ample MMJ plugs and crimper tools to make them. I only manufacture my own if/when I want a cable of a specific length to avoid having to take up the excess with zip-tied loops.

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] MMJ cables for cheap
by VAXman＠tmesis.org 23 Apr '16

23 Apr '16

David Riley via vcf-midatlantic writes: >On Apr 23, 2016, at 3:11 PM, Dave Wade via vcf-midatlantic = ><vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org> wrote: >=20 > >Dave, >=20 > I think several folks have the crimp tools and jacks/plugs >needed to = make MMJ leads. The problem I have had is finding 9 or >25-pin adaptors = when I want to plug into a non-DEC terminal. The last >cables I made = were "bodged" from a similar cable. I cut one RJ12 off >and replaced it = with an MMJ plug, so I ended up with an MMJ<->RJ12 >lead. I then tweaked = an RJ12 DE-9 Socket to connect to a laptop with >serial port. In fact = these leads are a cheap source 6-Way cable... > >DE9 and DB25 to 8p8c adaptors with completely customizable pin = >selections are easily available from Monoprice, though they insist on = >calling them DB9 and RJ45 (you really DON'T want actual RJ45 going into >= your motherboard; those buffers are tolerant, but 50v is a lot): > >http://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=3D1152 = ><http://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=3D1152> >http://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=3D1159 = ><http://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=3D1159> Those are all 8-pin modular vis-a-vis RJ45. Blackbox sells MMJ adaptor kits akin to the 8-pin kits you posted. https://www.blackbox.com/store/US/SearchResults.aspx?term=mmj >Making 8p8c->MMJ cables is really the best way to go, especially with = >the presence of these little D-sub adaptors. I beg to differ.

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July Workshop Date?
by Jeffrey Brace 23 Apr '16

23 Apr '16

While I'm at it What does everyone think about July 16/17 for another workshop?

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Looking ahead to future workshop dates
by Jeffrey Brace 23 Apr '16

23 Apr '16

I'd like to reserve workshop dates for the next few months before the big area becomes unavailable. Unlike some people who like to wait until the last minute, I'm a planner and like to get things done way in advance and get them off my mind and prepare. August 20/21 is a good date. Any objections? September 17/18 is also good. Any objections? October, November, December are difficult because of InfoAge Base of Terror and Holiday Train show. It would have to be a smaller group in a smaller area if there was enough interest. December Festivus is open for now, but usually earlier in the month is better, how about Dec. 3/4?

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Tall display case needed for museum
by Evan Koblentz 23 Apr '16

23 Apr '16

Everyone, I'm hunting for the perfect display case for our ENIAC/UNIVAC exhibit. Currently we are using a black wooden case that's about 4 ft. tall x 4 ft. wide x 2 ft. deep. But the bottom 2 feet are storage; only the top half is a display space. It looks like this: http://www.achievedisplay.com/prodimages/half-glass-display-case-l.gif except the bottom is black. It has three redeeming qualities: it's lighted, it's on casters, and the inside back doors are mirrored. Anyway, we have more artifacts that should be shown and no extra floor space, so we could use something taller with multiple levels. What I envision: - shelves at (approx.) 2, 3, and 4 ft. tall - mirrored and locking back doors - all shelves lighted - black or metal exterior - hidden casters on all corners - glass or plexi front Does anyone have something like this or know where one could be obtained inexpensively? I could make it (stop laughing!) but the materials would be expensive.

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OT: I have too many phone systems
by Jason Perkins 23 Apr '16

23 Apr '16

Guys, I have a problem. I have too many PBXs and not enough space to put them in. System 1: AT&T Partner Plus. R4.1 processor card. Has one 206E card giving 6 stations and 2 CO lines, and a 200E card giving 2 additional CO lines. Has a Partner Mail VS 4.0 2 line voicemail card. Also comes with an original 2 port Partner Mail system. This is a 386 PC running concurrent CPM! I have several display and non display phones for this system. One nice thing about the AT&T Partner is that all station ports can drive both a MLS system phone and an analog / bell station. One bad thing about these early partner systems is that they forget their configuration when the nicad battery on the processor board runs out, but the programming is so simple it doesn't take long to put it back in. System 2: NEC UX5000. Has 16pt digital station card, 8 CO line card, and 4 port analog station card. Also has UX Mail card, however the CF card containing the OS died :( Has 4 display phones, one with a button sidecar. These are nice backlit displays, and the phone buttons light up too! If you buy a license from NEC this system will support IP phones. System 3: Comdial FXII. Has 2x 16pt small display station digital cards, 8 pt CO card, and an E&M tie line card. Also has battery backup cabinet, dead batteries removed. I administer a similar system at my day job, and really like the Comdial equipment. If this system had an analog station card I'd be more tempted to keep it. Bonus Item 1: Adtran TotalAccess 850. Has 6x 4pt FXS cards. This takes a T1 in and spits out 24 analog POTS lines. Has battery backup cabinet attached, dead batteries removed. If you're interested let me know and we'll talk price. I want this stuff gone, so my pricing will be very reasonable. I'm located in Springfield VA, just outside Washington DC. Thanks, -- Jason Perkins 313 355 0085

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Building a RAM Board for the Ohio Scientific Bus
by Systems Glitch 23 Apr '16

23 Apr '16

As promised, I've designed, built, and written up a project for putting a modern static RAM on the OSI bus: http://www.glitchwrks.com/2016/04/23/32k-ram-for-osi Complete with schematics, explanations of the various blocks of the circuit, and assembly tips! This was of course built on one of the clone 495 boards I had made. The linked design is a 32K board based around the common 62256 32K x 8 SRAM, which follows JEDEC pinouts. There's a number of compatible ICs, and you can also use ROM if you like. Memory is split up into 4K segments which can be individually enabled or disabled via DIP switch, allowing you to map around existing memory without disabling it. Pretty simple to build even using point-to-point wiring. I'll be working on adding a second SRAM and expanding the board to 64K this weekend. Another writeup will follow with details on that process. The upper 32K will be switchable like the lower 32K, to allow mapping around I/O devices and optionally enabling that 8K between 0xD000 - 0xE000 that CP/M wants on the 510 CPU board. I designed the circuit so that a Ferroelectric RAM (FeRAM) can be swapped in, with the addition of a write protect circuit. I'll cover that in a later writeup. Is this the sort of thing people would like to see turned into a proper board? I did the schematic in KiCad, so I'd be half the way to creating a board from the prototype. I can do a small run of them and provide either assembled/tested boards or kits. Thanks, Jonathan

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amiga 500 replacement drive wanted
by william degnan 23 Apr '16

23 Apr '16

Anyone have a replacement Epson SMD-400? I have a customer who sent me an Amiga with a bad drive. She also bought another drive, that one is bad too. I am also looking possibly for an upgrade ROM for the Amiga, so I can boot off an external drive instead..These are easier to find. b -- @ BillDeg: Web: vintagecomputer.net Twitter: @billdeg <https://twitter.com/billdeg> Youtube: @billdeg <https://www.youtube.com/user/billdeg> Unauthorized Bio <http://www.vintagecomputer.net/readme.cfm>

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FS: More Ohio Scientific 495 Boards
by Systems Glitch 22 Apr '16

22 Apr '16

link: http://www.ebay.com/itm/272173918152 Buy it Now for $100, feel free to make an offer! $100 is slightly less than I have in each board. These are the three remaining spares from my prototype run. I'll use their sales to determine if/when I'm going to do another run -- don't want to get stuck with a ton of protoboards and be out the money. *** If you want one of these, let me know! *** I'd be happy to keep them as a stock item, but I don't think there's going to be huge demand for them. Thanks, Jonathan

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VCF East - Thanks!
by Blatboy 22 Apr '16

22 Apr '16

I've been lurking on the list here for a few months and finally made it out. Just wanted to quickly tell you how much I enjoyed VCF East. It was my first time to come to one, or to any event like this. Up to this point, I've not talked to many folks in person that share my interests in this field, so it was a rare treat. I'm going to try to make some more events in the future if schedule allows. Walter Hawkes http://www.jwalterhawkes.com http://www.blatboy.com like to know where/when I'm playing? Click here <http://www.blatomaster.com/mlist.php> to sign up for my list, and let the babble begin.

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