May 2023 - vcf-midatlantic - lists.vcfed.org

Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Ohio Scientific 440 Video Board
by Bill Degnan 22 May '23

22 May '23

Doing a quick check I found this pic from vintagecomputer.net, a modded 400 system that has a 440, but I don't have details. https://www.vintagecomputer.net/osi/400_series/OSI_440_B.jpg But it may not help, I'd have to see if I have any documentation too. More photos here: https://www.vintagecomputer.net/osi/400_series/ BIll On Mon, May 22, 2023 at 9:37 AM Alexander Pierson via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > Howdy, > > While at VCF East, I purchased a pair of OSI boards: a 440 video board, > and a 420c 4K RAM expansion. I've seen references in the documentation of > how the 420c can be used to supplement the memory of the 440, enabling > pixel graphics, not just 32x32 text. I've been looking for photos of what > 440 board builds look like with that supplemental 420c. I've yet to find > a photo of the ribbon cables from the 420c connecting to the 3 empty > sockets on a 440 to get an idea of how that might look. > https://www.commodorez.com/OSIC4P/OSI440.jpghttps://www.commodorez.com/OSIC… > I also noted in the manual that 3 kinds of keyboard can be used, including > the Sanders 720 keyboard commonly seen for sale in surplus listings in > places like Byte magazine. I'd like to put my 720 to use on the 440, but I > was also wondering if anyone had seen such a keyboard installed with this > or any other OSI video board before. > https://commodorez.com/OSIC4P/Sanders720.jpg > I've seen Sanders 720 keyboards on TV Typewriters, notably the example in > the LSSM: > https://www.commodorez.com/LSSM/20220913_172443.jpg > I've already asked the OSI forums about it, but figured it wouldn't hurt > to enquire in other places in hope of finding photos and information about > just such a setup, especially since I know I'm not the only OSI fan on the > list. > > Thank you,-Alexander 'Z' Pierson >

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Ohio Scientific 440 Video Board
by Alexander Pierson 22 May '23

22 May '23

Howdy, While at VCF East, I purchased a pair of OSI boards: a 440 video board, and a 420c 4K RAM expansion. I've seen references in the documentation of how the 420c can be used to supplement the memory of the 440, enabling pixel graphics, not just 32x32 text. I've been looking for photos of what 440 board builds look like with that supplemental 420c. I've yet to find a photo of the ribbon cables from the 420c connecting to the 3 empty sockets on a 440 to get an idea of how that might look.https://www.commodorez.com/OSIC4P/OSI440.jpghttps://www.commodorez.com… I also noted in the manual that 3 kinds of keyboard can be used, including the Sanders 720 keyboard commonly seen for sale in surplus listings in places like Byte magazine. I'd like to put my 720 to use on the 440, but I was also wondering if anyone had seen such a keyboard installed with this or any other OSI video board before.https://commodorez.com/OSIC4P/Sanders720.jpg I've seen Sanders 720 keyboards on TV Typewriters, notably the example in the LSSM: https://www.commodorez.com/LSSM/20220913_172443.jpg I've already asked the OSI forums about it, but figured it wouldn't hurt to enquire in other places in hope of finding photos and information about just such a setup, especially since I know I'm not the only OSI fan on the list. Thank you,-Alexander 'Z' Pierson

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Anyone want some Mac boxes?
by CJ Reha 21 May '23

21 May '23

I have boxes for a Mac SE and IIcx that are taking up way too much space, but I don't have the heart to throw them out without finding some possible takers first. It's just the boxes and foam packaging inside, no systems ;). But they're free to a good home, if no interest I'll likely just fold up and toss. Can bring to the VCF June swap meet. Thanks, CJ

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Reminder: Kennett Classic May 20th hack-a-thon and Swap
by Bill Degnan 21 May '23

21 May '23

Thank you Jeff for allowing me to post a notice about our event here. I am hoping my friends from the Vintage Computer Federation will join us at our hack-a-thon swap. Kennett Classic May 20th hack-a-thon and Swap May 20th, 2023 | 9AM – 11PM 115 S. Union St. Kennett Square, PA (Hack-a-thon is in our large workspace "The Garage" across the street from the museum) Plenty of room for everyone, tables, chairs and power supplied. REGISTER NOW TO ENSURE YOUR SPACE Here is the URL for the EVENT REGISTRATION: https://www.kennettclassic.com/spring-hack-a-thon-may-20th-2023/ $5 / person (family) $10 / vendor Kids free. HACK-A-THON Any vintage computers (older than 20 years) you wish to restore, demo or sell during the day Hacking? Bring Your Tools (power strip, soldering irons, volt meters, screw drivers, spare parts) Dolly or cart to bring items in from the parking lot area. VENDORS Spaces for people who want to sell their items or exhibit/demo their projects. EXHIBITORS / DEMOS welcome! GENERAL PUBLIC There will be a pretty steady stream of visitors from the local community too. We have a growing vintage computing community in the South Eastern PA / North Delaware / North MD area. Saturdays are usually the busiest days at the museum, and downtown in Kennett. The museum will be open as usual for a Saturday, 12-5. Visit our event page for more details, contact, directions https://www.kennettclassic.com/spring-hack-a-thon-may-20th-2023/ EVENT MAILING LIST https://www.kennettclassic.com/contact.cfm Bring the Family! Things to do in Kennett Square https://www.kennettclassic.com/while-at-kennett-classic-food/ We're Nearby Longwood Gardens https://www.longwoodgardens.org Thank you. Bill Degnan Kennett Classic 484 732 741 https://www.kennettclassic.com Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/6130337163716721

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Food for sale at the Swap Meet June 10
by Jeffrey Brace 21 May '23

21 May '23

The South Monmouth Fire Museum will be selling food across the road from the swap meet. It is a fundraiser for their non profit museum. So far they have on their menu: hotdogs chili chips drinks Take care, Jeff Brace VCF National Board Member Chairman & Vice President Vintage Computer Festival East Showrunner Vintage Computer Federation is a 501c3 charity https://vcfed.org/ <http://www.vcfed.org/> jeffrey(a)vcfed.org

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Help advertise VCF Swap Meet
by Jeffrey Brace 21 May '23

21 May '23

Google Form is here for those who can help spread the word: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1jhYR_K7u-4vUWR1VzH7K85fGZvpiLrtk9m-… Thanks! Jeff Brace VCF National Board Member Chairman & Vice President Vintage Computer Festival East Showrunner Vintage Computer Federation is a 501c3 charity https://vcfed.org/ <http://www.vcfed.org/> jeffrey(a)vcfed.org

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Repair Workshop 2023-06-10
by Jeffrey Brace 21 May '23

21 May '23

There is a repair workshop the same weekend of the swap meet. Sign up here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Y17roR2xP75sq5kjbv8jcVPk-a3vCVjWdmT… For those that are still around Sunday morning we will be going to breakfast at Americana Diner <https://goo.gl/maps/BvvTN9J4SedqbQwn9?coh=178571&entry=tt> ( in Shrewsbury at 9AM. It is a 14 minute drive from InfoAge. PLUS ... After breakfast we will be going to a private residence to see what someone has for sale. Lots of good stuff from a long time member. It's just getting too hard to haul all these heavy items to a swap meet for him so we are going to his house. Take care, Jeff Brace VCF National Board Member Chairman & Vice President Vintage Computer Festival East Showrunner Vintage Computer Federation is a 501c3 charity https://vcfed.org/ <http://www.vcfed.org/> jeffrey(a)vcfed.org

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Swap Meet June 10 volunteers
by Jeffrey Brace 21 May '23

21 May '23

Hello everyone, I need volunteers for the upcoming swap meet on June 10. Please send me a private e-mail if you are available to volunteer. Thanks! Jeff Brace VCF National Board Member Chairman & Vice President Vintage Computer Festival East Showrunner Vintage Computer Federation is a 501c3 charity https://vcfed.org/ <http://www.vcfed.org/> jeffrey(a)vcfed.org

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OT: What's old is new again. A new 8088 based DOS laptop
by Christian Liendo 19 May '23

19 May '23

Ok.. I made sure to add the OT label, but reproductions of other computers are here, I thought this would be of interest. https://liliputing.com/past-meets-present-in-this-200-mini-laptop-with-a-in… I am on the fence on getting this. I don't know how much classic 8088 based laptops are as I don't collect them, but this may be fun to play with.

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Using a newer IEEE 696 RAM on an IMSAI front panel system
by Bill Degnan 15 May '23

15 May '23

Hey all, I posted the basics of upgrading an IMSAI 8080 with front panel to use 64K IEEE 696 RAM and thought some here might be interested. The newer s-100 bus standard (IEEE 696) conflicts with the older S-100 systems (PHANTOM disrupts the Altair/IMSAI front panel). BUT if you can resolve the bus conflicts, newer RAM boards are less electrically noisy and they help make for a more stable system. More RAM the better. Worth the effort. So, if you're interested, here is how I got the Morrow MM65K 64K RAM board to work on my IMSAI: https://www.vintagecomputer.net/browse_thread.cfm?id=811 I provide links to sources including Jon Chapman's GWMON-80 ROM and Herb Johnson's info about S-100 bus particulars. For the upcoming workshop this Saturday at Kennett Classic for my project I plan to hack into an ancient hard drive that is password protected by using an Z80 in-circuit emulator to extract the password (hopefully). I also have a NABU computer that I want to map out with the emulator. Maybe I can get a little help with my PDP-8 (straight 8). Hope to see you there. Let me know what you're bringing/wanted. Here is a link to the event page: https://www.kennettclassic.com/spring-hack-a-thon-may-20th-2023/ If you want to get on the event mailing list: https://www.kennettclassic.com/contact.cfm I have not posted much about the swap end, but there will be items for sale, I have a few vendors who plan to attend. I will have a table or two of choice items, spares/donations to Kennett Classic Bill

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