October 2020 - vcf-midatlantic

Geoff's VT100 ASCII terminal problems
by Richard Cini 21 Oct '20

21 Oct '20

All – Has anyone on-list used Geoff’s VT100 terminal (https://geoffg.net/terminal.html) or any of its derivatives? It’s a great project that I plan on using with SIMH (which right now I’m using a USB dongle). Installation should be plug-and-play (only requiring an INF file for Windows) but it refuses to work. The port appears as available, yet nothing can connect to it. I’ve tried it on three different Windows laptops (XP, Vista and 10) -- the port emulator installs (as COM9 let’s say) and it shows in Device Manager as working, but when you try to use HyperTerm or SIMH to open or use the port, Windows complains that it can’t open it. Does anyone have this working and if so, what’s the magic trick needed to get it working? Thanks! Rich -- Rich Cini http://www.classiccmp.org/cini http://www.classiccmp.org/altair32

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] VCF East Swap Meet - Save the Date - Saturday November 7 (Rain: Sunday November 8)
by Sentrytv 20 Oct '20

20 Oct '20

Good afternoon Just wondering about the proposed “swapmeet”. If it is still happening? If there is a link to a “sign up”? It is a few weeks away and I, like most people, would like to be a vendor at this event if possible. Please feel feee to get back to me at your earliest convenience. Thank you Mike Rosen There have been a few questions asked about this, but not may answers. Sent from: My extremely complicated, hand held electronic device. >>>> I am assuming that you do not want to have the swapmeet turn into a “fleamarket”. >>>> >>>> But my question is: >>>> >>>> What are the requirements / restrictions for what people will sell? >>>> >>>> Will it be only limited to computer related items? >>>> Will it be all electronica related items? >>>> Will you allow ham radio or radio related items? (Hamfest) >>>> >>>> If you’re not limiting it to computer related items only, then here is my suggestion. >>>> >>>> A cooperative swap meet with the antique radio club. >>>> >>>> This will allow you to have more vendors, more attendance and have a broader scope of what can be sold, bought, traded or swapped. >>>> More people, more advertising, more of a possibility of opening up peoples eyes to what InfoAge and VCF are all about. >>>> >>>> Mike Rosen > On Sep 17, 2020, at 9:00 PM, Sentrytv <sentrytv(a)yahoo.com> wrote: > > Thanks for the correction > I don’t know where the hell that email address came from but it just automatically populated when I typed in Adam. > Hopefully Siri will correct in the future > who knows > thanks > > Sent from: > My extremely complicated, hand held electronic device. > >> On Sep 17, 2020, at 8:37 PM, Tony Bogan <tony.bogan(a)vcfed.org> wrote: >> >> Mike, adams e-mail is adam.michlin(a)vcfed.org >> >> You should also be able to email the steering committee as a whole. We recently changed the settings for the steering committee list so anyone can send to it. >> >> steering_vcma(a)vcfed.org >> >> Tony Bogan >> >> Sent from my iPhone >> >>>> On Sep 17, 2020, at 5:57 PM, Sentrytv <sentrytv(a)yahoo.com> wrote: >>> >>> I’m sure there are more people I should copy on this but I have a question that pertains to the swap meet. >>> >>> I am assuming that you do not want to have the swapmeet turn into a “fleamarket”. >>> >>> But my question is: >>> >>> What are the requirements / restrictions for what people will sell? >>> >>> Will it be only limited to computer related items? >>> Will it be all electronica related items? >>> Will you allow ham radio or radio related items? (Hamfest) >>> >>> If you’re not limiting it to computer related items only, then here is my suggestion. >>> >>> A cooperative swap meet with the antique radio club. >>> >>> This will allow you to have more vendors, more attendance and have a broader scope of what can be sold, bought, traded or swapped. >>> More people, more advertising, more of a possibility of opening up peoples eyes to what InfoAge and VCF are all about. >>> >>> Mike Rosen >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> Sent from: >>> My extremely complicated, hand held electronic device. >>> >>>>> On Sep 16, 2020, at 6:57 PM, Jeffrey Brace via vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: >>>> >>>> It seems that there is a lot of crossover interests between Vintage >>>> Computers and Ham Radio operators. Back in the late 80's and early 90's I >>>> was part of the Garden State Commodore User Group which was originally >>>> formed by ham radio operators. >>>> >>>> Great stuff! >>>> >>>>> On Wed, Sep 16, 2020 at 2:00 PM Matt Reynolds via vcf-midatlantic < >>>>> vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: >>>>> Sussex seems to be one of the best meets I've ever been to. I don't know >>>>> how many other big ones there are outside of Dayton, but this one seems to >>>>> be the biggest one in NJ at least. >>>>> I've gotten some cool stuff there over the years too, and a lot of it was >>>>> computer related. >>>>> Last year I got one of the TRS-80 handheld computers that looks like an old >>>>> scientific calculator for a few bucks. >>>>> On Wed, Sep 16, 2020 at 1:04 PM Jeff Galinat via vcf-midatlantic < >>>>> vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: >>>>>> I have sold at & attended the SCARC in Sussex county hamfest for over 30 >>>>>> years and Kelly & his club always do a great job. I have scored quite a >>>>>> few vintage computer related items there over the years but the best >>>>>> bargain I got there was a KIM-1 Rev B for $20 back in 2016 . The seller >>>>>> said it didn't work but I brought it home, applied power, hit reset & it >>>>>> came to life. I think the seller might have confused the SST slide >>>>> switch >>>>>> for a power switch. I entered the clock program & slot machine programs >>>>>> from the "First Book of KIM" and they ran fine. Hamfests are a great >>>>>> source for finding vintage chips, passive components connectors, ribbon >>>>>> cables, etc. I always ran into quite a few VCF list members at area >>>>>> hamfests and while many are hams, many are not. So if you get a can, >>>>> check >>>>>> out the Sussex hamfest if you are able. >>>>>> 73, >>>>>> Jeff - N2KWK >>>>>> On Wed, Sep 16, 2020 at 7:14 AM Kelly Leavitt via vcf-midatlantic < >>>>>> vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: >>>>>>> Not to flog a deceased equine but... >>>>>>> Sussex County NJ is home to a great hamfest too. >>>>>>> We have over a thousand buyers through the gates and over 200 sellers. >>>>>> Ann >>>>>>> and I usually run the kitchen. We see all kinds of folks. >>>>>>> 73 de KE2L >>>> >>>> >>>> -- >>>> ========================================= >>>> Jeff Brace >>>> Vice President & Board Member >>>> Vintage Computer Festival East Show-runner >>>> Vintage Computer Federation is a 501c3 charity >>>> http://www.vcfed.org/ >>>> jeffrey(a)vcfed.org >>>> cell: 732-759-1783 >>>

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Next Year's show - VCF East 2021
by Herb Johnson 19 Oct '20

19 Oct '20

> Our next show is planned for April 9, 10 & 11, 2021. > The theme is : > 1) 4004/8080 microchip > 2) [gaming stuff] Um, just wanted to verify. Do you really mean "8080" or do you actually mean "8008"? It would be an easy mistype, and it's a big difference. regards, Herb -- Herbert R. Johnson, New Jersey in the USA http://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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Next Year's show - VCF East 2021
by Jeffrey Brace 19 Oct '20

19 Oct '20

Our next show is planned for April 9, 10 & 11, 2021. The theme is : 1) 4004/8080 microchip 2) Text adventure games Everyone is free to do any (approved) exhibit outside of these themes. Some are doing the IBM PC 5150 anniversary Some are doing the USA release of the Commodore Vic-20 We have some exciting possibilities for speakers for this show. Michael Tomczyk - confirmed Bill Mensch - confirmed Harry Bawcome - not confirmed Scott Adams - not confirmed Willian Crowther - not confirmed David J. Bradley - not confirmed Ken Williams - not confirmed More to come! We still have t-shirts available here: http://vcfed.org/wp/t-shirts/ -- ========================================= Jeff Brace Vice President & Board Member Vintage Computer Festival East Show-runner Vintage Computer Federation is a 501c3 charity http://www.vcfed.org/ jeffrey(a)vcfed.org cell: 732-759-1783

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] rubber rejuvenation
by Jeffrey Jonas 19 Oct '20

19 Oct '20

Many thanks to everyone for their replies. Degnan is right: I never specified my situation. I have many rubber items that need restoration: tape drive rollers, printer/platen rollers, rubber stampers, sandal soles, etc. The rubber feet on equipment is the bane of my existence :-( I usually just replace them. The most annoying failure mode is when they LIQUIFY and slime everything UNDER IT :-0 Next worst: when just ONE is missing. -- Jeff Jonas

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ZX80
by Bob Aviles 18 Oct '20

18 Oct '20

Hi All, I am looking to trade for a Sinclair ZX80, I have a lot of computer stuff to trade. ThanksBobby

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Museum Report 2020-10-18
by Jeffrey Brace 18 Oct '20

18 Oct '20

Two visitors came with high interest and were taking pictures with a high end camera. They both had experience with mainframe computers. The woman said: "I used to verify the keypunch cards of everyone on the 030. The mainframes would fill the whole room. I programmed in COBOL, but preferred programming in assembly. I used to have a IBM PC portable that had a bigger screen than that." They both recognized a lot of the machines in the museum and were amazed that there were so many of them working. They asked if we made our own parts to repair them. Other things I did: 1) Updated the event board in the hallway. 2) Got the Atari 1200XL hooked up with Fujinet plugged in. It needed a micro USB for power. It works great! I tested it out by playing Jumpman. 3) Took care of some other administrative tasks. -- ========================================= Jeff Brace Vice President & Board Member Vintage Computer Festival East Show-runner Vintage Computer Federation is a 501c3 charity http://www.vcfed.org/ jeffrey(a)vcfed.org cell: 732-759-1783

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System Source Repair Workshop November 14 & 15
by Jeffrey Brace 17 Oct '20

17 Oct '20

The Vintage Computer Federation and the System Source Computer Museum are hosting a vintage computer workshop on Saturday November 14th and Sunday November 15th 2020 at: System Source Computer Museum 338 Clubhouse Road, Hunt Valley, MD 21031 Plenty of free parking, short walk from Baltimore’s light rail (Gilroy Road Stop) We will open at 9:00 AM on Saturday November 14th, 2020 and will lock up by 7:30 PM. We will go to dinner afterwards. If you are interested in dinner, then please indicate on the signup form. We will open at 9:00 AM on Sunday November 15th and lock up at 5:00 PM Accommodations: Try https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotels-g41196-Hunt_Valley_Maryland-Hotels.html Feel free to talk with others about sharing a room. Food: There are plenty of restaurants within a short drive. We will have a catered Indian buffet on Saturday at cost ($12.00?) and catered Barbecue ($12.00?) on Sunday for those who sign up. We will feature tours of the museum throughout both days and several mini- workshops: - Retrobright workshop (bring your yellowed plastics) - Pre-industrial computing class - Learn to use a slide rule, and various types of Abaci - Hot Metal Typesetting (3500 lb word processor) If you need a machine to work on, please let me know. We have lots of computers awaiting restoration! Let others know what you are working on. If you have unusual needs, (220 Volts, fork lift, etc please email Bob Roswell at museum(a)syssrc.com Bob Roswell broswell(a)syssrc.com https://museum.syssrc.com 410-771-5544 x 4336 Sign up for the repair workshop is here: < https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Z72yC72x5PmN4jb0Aw8uK3x0sQwMAk-0Opu… > -- ========================================= Jeff Brace Vice President & Board Member, VCF East Showrunner Vintage Computer Federation http://www.vcfed.org/ jeffrey(a)vcfed.org

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VCF artifact repair workshop 10/24 & 10/25
by Jeffrey Brace 17 Oct '20

17 Oct '20

VCF has a list of artifacts that need repair in the museum and the warehouse. We are looking for volunteers to come and help us repair them. Anything is fair game to repair *with permission*. These are artifacts either in the museum or warehouse. We want to get the ones in the museum working first as we like to have as much hands on working computers in the museum as possible. We are also looking for good or better demos for the computers in the museum. Any volunteers working on VCF stuff are *not* charged a fee this repair day and stay for free in the Sandy bunkroom. VCF will likely even pay for a simple breakfast (Dunkin Donuts) and lunch (Pizza). Date: October 24 & 25, 2020 Time: 10AM to midnight (24th), 10AM to 6PM (25th) Building: CDL, 9032A Signup here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1PC9h_XgDNuKPhEVFC6_PMjt9SlKeLMhZgfq… NEEDS REPAIRING: Mac Portable (needs good power supply and machine testing) TI Portable SWTPC HeathKit H89 Zorba (monitor) NEEDS DEMOS: Mac Portable TRS-80 Color 2 Challenger 2P Atari Mega STE? OREL Sinclair SX 80 clone SX 81 SWTPC TRS-80 Model I Osbourne 1 HeathKit H89 Zorba Commodore PET Atari 1040ST Amiga 1000 Commodore PET Zorba -- ========================================= Jeff Brace Vice President & Board Member Vintage Computer Festival East Show-runner Vintage Computer Federation is a 501c3 charity http://www.vcfed.org/ jeffrey(a)vcfed.org cell: 732-759-1783

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Museum Report 2020-10-17
by Jeffrey Brace 17 Oct '20

17 Oct '20

Dennis was docent today and got a few nice visitors despite being such a nice day outside. One was very high interest and loved the Commodore 64/The Printshop bedroom exhibit. Another really loved the IBM 1130 and the original IBM PC. Looks like visitors are starting to come back as the weather gets cooler. -- ========================================= Jeff Brace Vice President & Board Member Vintage Computer Festival East Show-runner Vintage Computer Federation is a 501c3 charity http://www.vcfed.org/ jeffrey(a)vcfed.org cell: 732-759-1783

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