August 2022 - vcf-midatlantic

Wang 4000 Talk - the results
by Douglas Crawford 29 Aug '22

29 Aug '22

I had technical difficulties with Zoom and streaming so I had to bail on those. We did have an excellent & informative experience with our guest, Ramsey Mahadeen. I have a video recording that we will post asap. Its got flaws in the camera work but the content is gooooood. It was harder than I anticipated running both the discussion and the video production. -DC

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Need an Ensonic Music Keyboard for the museum
by Douglas Crawford 29 Aug '22

29 Aug '22

Starting a quest for an Ensonic keyboard with MIDI for use in with our Atari STe music computer in the museum. Something with the 5503 oscillator chip or otherwise containing silicon from Ensonic Semiconductor Group. http://archive.6502.org/datasheets/ensoniq_5503_digital_oscillator_chip.pdf Specifically want Ensonic for the local connection to Malvern, PA. Please contact me off list for any available item to work out an arrangement. Thanks very very much. DC

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Exciting Opportunity - VCF Needs Your Help
by Chris Fala 29 Aug '22

29 Aug '22

Attention VCF Members! We have very exciting news to announce, and an important request! As many of you are undoubtedly aware, the Vintage Computer Federation Mid-Atlantic chapter has been in possession of a 1960s IBM 1130 computer which has been on display in our museum for several years. The IBM 1130 is an early example of what became commonly known as minicomputers (smaller than room-size); one computer for one person. It is also unique in the sense that there are only a small number in existence, and few are functional. We take pride in the fact that many, in fact most, artifacts displayed in our museum are functional and provide an interactive experience for our museum visitors. We now have an opportunity to add the IBM 1130 to the list of functional artifacts! A long-time friend of VCF who lives in Florida, Carl Claunch, has experience in successfully restoring these computers to a functional state. Mr. Claunch is not able to travel to us to perform the work, so we need to transport the computer to and from his residence. As you can imagine, this presents various challenges, but we believe this is a very worthwhile effort. To ignore this opportunity to engage with this expert would be a regrettable, permanent loss for our museum. To move forward with this project, *we need your support*. We need to raise approximately $6,000 to cover shipping and other expenses involved in the repair. Funds donated will be used for expenses related to this repair project and operating costs of the IBM 1130 computer. Funds received that are in excess of the needs of this project will be directed to the restoration and preservation of other artifacts in our collection. We need to acknowledge that, in a project like this, there is no guarantee of success. We cannot predict issues that may occur during transportation. Additionally, insurmountable problems may be revealed during the repair process that would cause the computer to remain non-functional, and there could be other issues that we can only imagine. Therefore, as hopeful as we are for success, there are no guarantees, and we cannot make any promises. For this reason, we must clearly state that your donation is NOT refundable. In recognition of your support, you have the option to include your name on a donor plaque (or another suitable memorial, to be determined) which will be proudly displayed along with the computer in our museum. Please follow this link https://vcfed.org/membership/contribute/transact/?reset=1&id=2 to reach the donation page on our website. We ask that you please act soon and consider donating to this important historic project. We have a delivery window early this fall and greatly appreciate your support. We hope that you will participate in this endeavor. Please share this with like-minded individuals and organizations who may also be interested in helping to preserve computing history. Thank you all for your attention and consideration, and your interest in the advancement of our hobby through our museum. Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at any time. Sincerely, Chris Fala Chairman of the Vintage Computer Federation Mid-Atlantic Steering Committee

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Apple III mono CRT available - Northern VA
by Ethan O'Toole 29 Aug '22

29 Aug '22

I have an Apple III CRT monitor available, in original box. Has foam inserts but box is not mint. Monitor looks like great condition, the mesh on the front is perfect. It hasn't blown up yet, recommend recapping as always. Would like to find it a home, it's taking space in my garage and isn't really needed for my collection. Came to me from a friend. Northern Virginia area - Ethan

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] mystery CRT in a box -- free (somewhat O.T.)
by William Dudley 29 Aug '22

29 Aug '22

Bob, Can you comment on the function, or the inputs it expects? Bill Dudley This email is free of malware because I run Linux. On Mon, Aug 29, 2022 at 9:58 AM Bob Aviles via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > Seems to be a military item I use to work with. > Bobby > On Thursday, August 25, 2022 at 07:00:16 PM EDT, Douglas Crawford via > vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > > Actually, I'll take it only if no one else wants it. > -DC > > On 8/25/2022 6:39 PM, William Dudley via vcf-midatlantic wrote: > > Not exactly vintage computer equipement, but I know many of > > you like CRTs, so I offer this here. > > > > I got this as part of a haul at an estate auction and I finally got > > around to photographing it. > > I don't know if it's a prototype or just some one of a kind thing. > > I think it has some epoxy-block op-amps in it, but I haven't > > disassembled it enough to find out. > > > > Pictures here: > > https://www.dudley.nu/conrac > > > > It is in Jackson NJ. You can pick it up "nearby", including at the > > museum in Wall, NJ, or you can pay for shipping. I'll be visiting > > the repair party at the museum this weekend. > > > > Bill Dudley > > This email is free of malware because I run Linux. > > > >

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mystery CRT in a box -- free (somewhat O.T.)
by William Dudley 29 Aug '22

29 Aug '22

Not exactly vintage computer equipement, but I know many of you like CRTs, so I offer this here. I got this as part of a haul at an estate auction and I finally got around to photographing it. I don't know if it's a prototype or just some one of a kind thing. I think it has some epoxy-block op-amps in it, but I haven't disassembled it enough to find out. Pictures here: https://www.dudley.nu/conrac It is in Jackson NJ. You can pick it up "nearby", including at the museum in Wall, NJ, or you can pay for shipping. I'll be visiting the repair party at the museum this weekend. Bill Dudley This email is free of malware because I run Linux.

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Wang 4000 links for tomorrow
by Douglas Crawford 28 Aug '22

28 Aug '22

YouTube Live Stream: https://youtu.be/Zss2ZhAUGeY I decided Zoom would only be specific invites, sorry for the confusion. I'll try to monitor comments on Youtube.

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[OffTopic] - Anderson SB120 to XT60 Female custom cable?
by John Heritage 27 Aug '22

27 Aug '22

Hey folks, I'm not exceptionally good at soldering and crimping, and was wondering if anyone knew where I could buy custom ready-made cables like the subject here? I have an Ecoflow Delta mini battery, which accepts up to 300W via an XT60 female connector.. While this is normally intended for solar input - any source will do including batteries. (The charge controller specifies 11-75V range, 10A max up to 300W) I also have a Ryobi riding mower which supplies power via 4 x Lead Acid batteries in series (48V), and they output power via an Anderson SB120 connector. I'd like to have the extra capacity for an emergency and looking for recommendations on where to find or ask for a custom cable build like this. Thanks! John

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Wang 4000 - Aug 29th 11am-2:30pm: Sit-down with original Atlas Industries programmer
by Douglas Crawford 26 Aug '22

26 Aug '22

Confirmed we have permission to broadcast the interview and information transfer session. I have one person who wants to participate on Zoom. Links to come. DC

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Just slightly OT...
by Martin Flynn 26 Aug '22

26 Aug '22

CDL has a piece of telecom hardware that has a failed clock chip (same part as may early computers) Failed chip is a DS14287. It's suggested replacement is a BQ4287MT-SB2. Both are NLA Rather than grind the chip open and piggyback a battery on it, has anyone built one of these https://github.com/necroware/nwX287 as a replacement? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=svPNxILeQEw Martin

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