- vcf-midatlantic - lists.vcfed.org

Off Topic: Wisconsin couple has tens of thousands of old phones and nobody to buy them
by Christian Liendo 14 Nov '23

14 Nov '23

So when I told my wife I wanted to buy a house this situation was a concern for her. She said you have this many computers now, imagine you with a house. https://madison.com/news/local/phoneco-wisconsin-telephones-knappen-busines… "The granary constructed in 1903 is full of phones, same with the barn and its silo built in 1957 after a tornado destroyed the original dairy structure. The pole shed from Menards put up in 1979 is filled with telephones along with 33 semi-trailers, some missing their doors and surrounded by junked cars, trucks and campers. One, according to Knappen, holds 1,000 walnut boxes for vintage wall phones. Another is used to store 1,000 steel desk phones."

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Repair workshop Nov. 18 & 19, 2023 INFO
by Jeffrey Brace 14 Nov '23

14 Nov '23

Signup link is here <https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1gcb3OQ60zfuZpNcXkqi-rUwvlVeYLZF4t1s…> *WHERE:* 1) CDL's Hackerspace in building 9059 * Building 9032-A is not available this month. *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 *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. - You can send via PayPal to paypal(a)vcfed.org. or to me via cash or 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. *Sunday Morning*: We usually meet at a diner around 9AM *Sunday Afternoon*: Everyone is on their own. *PARKING:* Park in the main parking lot, unless you are unloading. Don't park on the lawn. Also park on where are "no parking signs" There is now a dedicated fire lane. *PHONE:* (732) 722 - 5015 *EMAIL: *repairworkshops(a)vcfed.org Have fun everyone! :-D 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

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Cramer Electronics, Inc "cramerkit" 8080A microcomputer
by Bill Degnan 13 Nov '23

13 Nov '23

I did a write up of the donation to Kennett Classic this weekend, of a rare Cramer "cramerkit" https://www.kennettclassic.com/1975-cramer-intel-8080a-microcomputer/ This is an excellent view into what was happening in 1975/76. It was just about the same time as the Apple I was just getting started. The microprocessor was just becoming available and many companies were jumping into the new microcomputer business. Bill

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OT / Bonding and grounding equipment for the Diana Site
by Martin A. Flynn 13 Nov '23

13 Nov '23

I left the box with the EMP/NEMP network cable suppressors, lugs, and #6 wire on the front bench by the computer. Will bring down my hydraulic burndy crimper to install the Burndy lugs on the #6 wire. Will be deploying them next Saturday around 12:00, and migrating the Diana site to the new data switch, along with replacing the display computers and one of the mounts. Extra hands are welcome, please reply off list to keep the list chatter down. Martin Flynn

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Festivus Update! Dec. 9. 2023
by Jeffrey Brace 12 Nov '23

12 Nov '23

On Sun, Nov 12, 2023 at 2:08 PM laurakid via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > This coming Saturday or December 9th? > Festivus will be Saturday December 9th starting at 10AM. > > > Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPhone > > > On Sunday, November 12, 2023, 1:25 PM, Martin A. Flynn via vcf-midatlantic > <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > > Does VCF need to borrow the CDL gas grill? > > On 11/12/2023 1:16 PM, Chris Fala via vcf-midatlantic wrote: > > I know I am not a good example since I eat like a 6-year-old, but I was > > perfectly happy with grilled hot dogs! ;-) > > > > > > > > On Sat, Nov 11, 2023 at 4:31 PM Jeffrey Brace via vcf-midatlantic < > > vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > > > >> Festivus will still be this coming Saturday, December 9 will be starting > >> officially at 10AM (some people will be there the night before and early > >> morning). > >> We will do a swap meet. > >> We will have video games. > >> We will have drinks. > >> We will have food. > >> One thing that I want to do differently is to cater the event. Food > served > >> at least for dinner which will be higher quality and we don't have to > have > >> our volunteers grilling burgers, etc for hours. I'm looking into the > cost > >> to see if it is feasible. > >> If there is a preference for food let me know. > >> Click here for a sample menu. > >> < > >> > https://drive.google.com/file/d/1vXJzMyFzxh5VFi_UhxctSiPYDzk1X3F2/view?usp=… > >> For lunch we could order subs, pizza, etc. from Anthonys, Valentes, or > >> Cracker Barrel (not the chain). > >> > >> Click here for Swap Meet Signup > >> < > >> > https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1C0e0YwN-p_gl5i249rRBx9LYmyZMce3AqeC… > >> Click here for video game signup > >> < > >> > https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1jWjr4FwdX5dMeKR8BSlkvCJpOYa3y6OX-uA… > >> Let me know if I'm forgetting anything! > >> > >> 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 > >> > > > >

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Festivus Update! Dec. 9. 2023
by Jeffrey Brace 12 Nov '23

12 Nov '23

Festivus will still be this coming Saturday, December 9 will be starting officially at 10AM (some people will be there the night before and early morning). We will do a swap meet. We will have video games. We will have drinks. We will have food. One thing that I want to do differently is to cater the event. Food served at least for dinner which will be higher quality and we don't have to have our volunteers grilling burgers, etc for hours. I'm looking into the cost to see if it is feasible. If there is a preference for food let me know. Click here for a sample menu. <https://drive.google.com/file/d/1vXJzMyFzxh5VFi_UhxctSiPYDzk1X3F2/view?usp=…> For lunch we could order subs, pizza, etc. from Anthonys, Valentes, or Cracker Barrel (not the chain). Click here for Swap Meet Signup <https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1C0e0YwN-p_gl5i249rRBx9LYmyZMce3AqeC…> Click here for video game signup <https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1jWjr4FwdX5dMeKR8BSlkvCJpOYa3y6OX-uA…> Let me know if I'm forgetting anything! 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

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Festivus Update! Dec. 9. 2023
by Thomas G 12 Nov '23

12 Nov '23

December 9th, which happens to be a saturday. On Sun, Nov 12, 2023 at 2:08 PM laurakid via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > This coming Saturday or December 9th? > > > Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPhone > > > On Sunday, November 12, 2023, 1:25 PM, Martin A. Flynn via vcf-midatlantic > <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > > Does VCF need to borrow the CDL gas grill? > > On 11/12/2023 1:16 PM, Chris Fala via vcf-midatlantic wrote: > > I know I am not a good example since I eat like a 6-year-old, but I was > > perfectly happy with grilled hot dogs! ;-) > > > > > > > > On Sat, Nov 11, 2023 at 4:31 PM Jeffrey Brace via vcf-midatlantic < > > vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > > > >> Festivus will still be this coming Saturday, December 9 will be starting > >> officially at 10AM (some people will be there the night before and early > >> morning). > >> We will do a swap meet. > >> We will have video games. > >> We will have drinks. > >> We will have food. > >> One thing that I want to do differently is to cater the event. Food > served > >> at least for dinner which will be higher quality and we don't have to > have > >> our volunteers grilling burgers, etc for hours. I'm looking into the > cost > >> to see if it is feasible. > >> If there is a preference for food let me know. > >> Click here for a sample menu. > >> < > >> > https://drive.google.com/file/d/1vXJzMyFzxh5VFi_UhxctSiPYDzk1X3F2/view?usp=… > >> For lunch we could order subs, pizza, etc. from Anthonys, Valentes, or > >> Cracker Barrel (not the chain). > >> > >> Click here for Swap Meet Signup > >> < > >> > https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1C0e0YwN-p_gl5i249rRBx9LYmyZMce3AqeC… > >> Click here for video game signup > >> < > >> > https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1jWjr4FwdX5dMeKR8BSlkvCJpOYa3y6OX-uA… > >> Let me know if I'm forgetting anything! > >> > >> 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 > >> > > > >

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Total Solar Eclipse and VCF East 2024
by Dean Notarnicola 12 Nov '23

12 Nov '23

Agreed fully with the above emails. IMO the risks incurred in moving the event are much greater than the risks of losing some attendance. - Dean On Sat, Nov 11, 2023 at 3:08 PM Sentrytv via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > It is too bad that the solar eclipse does not fall on the same weekend as > VCF East > > Here is the reason why I say this. > > There will be more people at the event, and setting up a solar eclipse > viewing area could have been part of the VCF East event. > (Take advantage of the natural phenomena) > > The antique radio club could get involved as well, because during the > solar eclipse, there may be a change in solar activity that could affect > reception, possibly increasing the range people can transmit and receive > radio signals, just like with the event about a month or so ago. > > I am no scientist and I’m sure there are people out there that have more > information about this. > > Just my two. Cents. > > > Sent from: > My extremely complicated, hand held electronic device. > > > On Nov 11, 2023, at 2:53 PM, Herbert Johnson via vcf-midatlantic < > vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > > > > I'm posting, because no one has suggested the *merits* of timing > VCF-East adjacent to the April 8th Eclipse. Note that the Eclipse is an > early afternoon event on the Monday after Sunday's VCF-East. > > > > First. Wall NJ will have almost 90% totality. So if someone stays over > Sunday night at VCF, they get an afternoon show without going anywhere, for > one more day at their hotel, a skipped workday. They won't see totality, > but partials are still impressive. > > > > Second. Syracuse NY is on the south edge of totality. Google Maps > suggests a 4.5 hour drive from Wall NJ to Syracuse NY, along major > highways. For other Eclipse locations, more distance/time, more/less > driving convenience. Someone in Wall NJ could drive to the Eclipse zone > Sunday afternoon/evening, stay there overnight, drive home Monday evening. > (Sunset April 8th 7:40PM local time). They could also drive Monday morning > (Sunrise 6:34AM or so) and hope for no travel problems. > > > > For some people (not many, for geographic reasons), the Eclipse may be > on-the-way to/from VCF-East. But others, they will be on-the-road anyway. > > > > Third. VCF-East is a rain/snow/shine event (barring a 'noreaster). > Cloudiness alone - just for a few hours - impedes the Eclipse. But weather > can only be forecast a few days in advance; hard weather only a week, tops. > Yet, a hotel room for the Eclipse totality-zone? Probably they are > *already* fully booked. > > > > Fourth. The Eclipse will draw more people than the VCF-East event. > > > > Don't get mad at me, these are circumstances. > > > > But these suggest, it's *strategic* to schedule VCF-East adjacent to the > public event of the Eclipse. The Eclipse is the bigger draw. VCF-East gives > eclipse-attendees, *something to do before*, on a weekend. And VCF-East is > weather-proof, it's a Plan B if you've booked a room but the weather blocks > viewing of the eclipse. > > > > Conclusion: Eclipse-travelers are a *captive market* for the VCF-East > weekend prior to the eclipse. And a *draw* for some VCF-East attendees, on > their way to/from, who want to do both. > > > > How VCFed Inc. takes advantage of this strategy is for them to > determine. But do so soon for reasons stated. Consider contacting places in > northern NY state (most adjacent geography to Wall NJ); a > geography-directed strategy that in most years won't normally work. It's > likely there's already eclipse-directed advertising venues available. > > > > 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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November Workshop Idea - Human Interfaces day
by Ian Litchfield 11 Nov '23

11 Nov '23

Hello all! It’s been a while since a theme or anything has been used at a workshop. And with the next one coming up in a week I figured it’s more than enough time to try to get one going since it’s the last one of the year! Thomas said he will be working on an IBM Electromatic and that inspired this idea! My idea is to do Human Interfaces. Keyboards, teletypes, printers etc! I’m going to bring my PDP 11/23 and try to get my Model 33 going on it since I recently got an M8017 DLV11-E which can handle 110 baud! I may also drag out the Model 15 and see about messing with that. So if anyone wants to join in with the festivities of a theme next weekend, see what you have that needs work and join us in clunky old machines making far too much noise! I’ll bring some oil, a feeler gauge, service manuals if I can find them for ASR33s I know I have them somewhere.. and toothbrushes. See you all soon! Ian Litchfield

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Total Solar Eclipse and VCF East 2024
by Herbert Johnson 11 Nov '23

11 Nov '23

I'm posting, because no one has suggested the *merits* of timing VCF-East adjacent to the April 8th Eclipse. Note that the Eclipse is an early afternoon event on the Monday after Sunday's VCF-East. First. Wall NJ will have almost 90% totality. So if someone stays over Sunday night at VCF, they get an afternoon show without going anywhere, for one more day at their hotel, a skipped workday. They won't see totality, but partials are still impressive. Second. Syracuse NY is on the south edge of totality. Google Maps suggests a 4.5 hour drive from Wall NJ to Syracuse NY, along major highways. For other Eclipse locations, more distance/time, more/less driving convenience. Someone in Wall NJ could drive to the Eclipse zone Sunday afternoon/evening, stay there overnight, drive home Monday evening. (Sunset April 8th 7:40PM local time). They could also drive Monday morning (Sunrise 6:34AM or so) and hope for no travel problems. For some people (not many, for geographic reasons), the Eclipse may be on-the-way to/from VCF-East. But others, they will be on-the-road anyway. Third. VCF-East is a rain/snow/shine event (barring a 'noreaster). Cloudiness alone - just for a few hours - impedes the Eclipse. But weather can only be forecast a few days in advance; hard weather only a week, tops. Yet, a hotel room for the Eclipse totality-zone? Probably they are *already* fully booked. Fourth. The Eclipse will draw more people than the VCF-East event. Don't get mad at me, these are circumstances. But these suggest, it's *strategic* to schedule VCF-East adjacent to the public event of the Eclipse. The Eclipse is the bigger draw. VCF-East gives eclipse-attendees, *something to do before*, on a weekend. And VCF-East is weather-proof, it's a Plan B if you've booked a room but the weather blocks viewing of the eclipse. Conclusion: Eclipse-travelers are a *captive market* for the VCF-East weekend prior to the eclipse. And a *draw* for some VCF-East attendees, on their way to/from, who want to do both. How VCFed Inc. takes advantage of this strategy is for them to determine. But do so soon for reasons stated. Consider contacting places in northern NY state (most adjacent geography to Wall NJ); a geography-directed strategy that in most years won't normally work. It's likely there's already eclipse-directed advertising venues available. 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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