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Yet another TRS-80 question
by Bob Shuster 17 Jul '22

17 Jul '22

After replacing the blown cap on the floppy power supply in my Model 4, it works great! It has a pair of 40-track DS/DD drives in the lower bay, and the upper bay is empty. (As an aside, and I don’t *think* this is relevant, the previous owner had passed a cable from the floppy connector on the bottom of the case back up inside the case to reach the upper drive bay, but it is not connected.) I connected my two external Mini Disks (26-1164 and 26-1164A) and while they seem like they are working, once connected I can’t read them *or* the internal drive 1. Disconnect them and drive 1 works perfectly. Also seems like the drive on the end of the chain (which should be drive 3 I believe?) is spinning when I access drive 0. Is this simply a cabling issue? It’s been a very long time since I used a TRS-80, and even then it was a Model I - I never had a Model 4. What am I missing? Are there jumpers that need to be set inside the drives perhaps? Any help would be most appreciated! - Bob Shuster

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] TRS-80 mystery item
by Bob Shuster 17 Jul '22

17 Jul '22

Yep, it’s a CoCo floppy controller, probably an FD-500? Thanks for the assist! I actually have two CoCos, but I’ve never turned either on sadly (hence the “downsize” thread.) - Bob Shuster > Message: 1 > Date: Sat, 16 Jul 2022 13:41:11 -0400 > From: Bob Shuster <bob(a)theshusters.com> > To: vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> > Subject: [vcf-midatlantic] TRS-80 mystery item > Message-ID: <1C522DD1-30AA-41D0-9CD9-79904B09F1AB(a)theshusters.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8 > > I found a device among my TRS-80 stuff that I can?t identify. It?s some sort of floppy controller, but in a blank case. It?s got an FD1793B-02 chip socketed in it, and 40-pin and 34-pin card-edge connectors on each end. Solder side of the board has ?8709203 Rev. B? on it, but I can find no reference to this online anywhere. > > Anyone have a clue? Photos here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1M2AKhMpHAAJ7If6sKEbWejRZ9J_YFsNs?us… <https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1M2AKhMpHAAJ7If6sKEbWejRZ9J_YFsNs?us…> > > Thanks. - Bob Shuster > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 2 > Date: Sat, 16 Jul 2022 17:45:06 +0000 > From: Richard Cini <rich.cini(a)gmail.com> > To: vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> > Cc: Bob Shuster <bob(a)theshusters.com> > Subject: Re: [vcf-midatlantic] TRS-80 mystery item > Message-ID: > <SN4P221MB0730049A06FFE9B212F34BEFFB8A9(a)SN4P221MB0730.NAMP221.PROD.OUTLOOK.COM> > > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="Windows-1252" > > To me it looks like a floppy controller from a CoCo. > > http://cini.classiccmp.org/ > Long Island S100 User?s Group > > Get Outlook<https://aka.ms/qtex0l> for iOS > > ________________________________ > From: vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic-bounces(a)lists.vcfed.org> on behalf of Bob Shuster via vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> > Sent: Saturday, July 16, 2022 1:41:11 PM > To: vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> > Cc: Bob Shuster <bob(a)theshusters.com> > Subject: [vcf-midatlantic] TRS-80 mystery item > > I found a device among my TRS-80 stuff that I can?t identify. It?s some sort of floppy controller, but in a blank case. It?s got an FD1793B-02 chip socketed in it, and 40-pin and 34-pin card-edge connectors on each end. Solder side of the board has ?8709203 Rev. B? on it, but I can find no reference to this online anywhere. > > Anyone have a clue? Photos here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1M2AKhMpHAAJ7If6sKEbWejRZ9J_YFsNs?us… <https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1M2AKhMpHAAJ7If6sKEbWejRZ9J_YFsNs?us…> > > Thanks. - Bob Shuster > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 3 > Date: Sat, 16 Jul 2022 14:08:43 -0400 > From: Dave Shevett <shevett(a)pobox.com> > To: vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> > Cc: Bob Shuster <bob(a)theshusters.com> > Subject: Re: [vcf-midatlantic] TRS-80 mystery item > Message-ID: > <CAFUwuBp7niWz99Eumesn3p--XaszTTT7mgb_oVuvY9wcg93+zA(a)mail.gmail.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8" > > COCO interface, floppy disk controller. The main chip there is: > Part, FD1793-02. Description, FLOPPY DISK FORMATTER/CONTROLlER. > > The other chips are also floppy controller related. Found a reference to > the WD1691V : > "So I was surprised when I found an IC chip in the middle of an otherwise > functional circuit that was not behaving according to its datasheet. (In > this case a WD1691V support chip in a TRS-80 Model III floppy interface.) > Apparently this is not so unheard of." > https://retrocomputing.stackexchange.com/questions/13954/what-are-typical-c… > > Looks like ya got yerself an external floppy controller, my friend :) > > > On Sat, Jul 16, 2022 at 1:41 PM Bob Shuster via vcf-midatlantic < > vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > >> I found a device among my TRS-80 stuff that I can?t identify. It?s some >> sort of floppy controller, but in a blank case. It?s got an FD1793B-02 >> chip socketed in it, and 40-pin and 34-pin card-edge connectors on each >> end. Solder side of the board has ?8709203 Rev. B? on it, but I can find >> no reference to this online anywhere. >> >> Anyone have a clue? Photos here: >> https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1M2AKhMpHAAJ7If6sKEbWejRZ9J_YFsNs?us… >> < >> https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1M2AKhMpHAAJ7If6sKEbWejRZ9J_YFsNs?us… >>> >> >> Thanks. - Bob Shuster > > > > -- > Dave Shevett > shevett(a)pobox.com >

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TRS-80 mystery item
by Bob Shuster 16 Jul '22

16 Jul '22

I found a device among my TRS-80 stuff that I can’t identify. It’s some sort of floppy controller, but in a blank case. It’s got an FD1793B-02 chip socketed in it, and 40-pin and 34-pin card-edge connectors on each end. Solder side of the board has “8709203 Rev. B” on it, but I can find no reference to this online anywhere. Anyone have a clue? Photos here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1M2AKhMpHAAJ7If6sKEbWejRZ9J_YFsNs?us… <https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1M2AKhMpHAAJ7If6sKEbWejRZ9J_YFsNs?us…> Thanks. - Bob Shuster

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Fwd: Help with vintage Ampex computer / terminal ?? (David K)
by David K 15 Jul '22

15 Jul '22

Thanks to all for the help with the Ampex video terminal. Definitely now what I thought when I bought it. In terms of nothing appearing on the screen when I turn it on, Herb mentioned playing with the contrast. I did try that and still got nothing. So I really do think it is effectively dead. So this is well above my paygrade in terms of being able to use this in any meaningful way. If anyone on the list is interested in it let me know. Looking for $20 - local pickup in Reading PA (19608) though I sometimes travel. David K.

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Fwd: Help with vintage Ampex computer / terminal ??
by Herbert Johnson 14 Jul '22

14 Jul '22

I concur with Dave McGuire. It's a Z8002 control computer, with some healthy RAM and ROM, that runs some kind of studio video editing workstation, with its own display. What it can do by itself, is unclear. It's certainly *not*, some kind of general purpose computer that loads and runs text or numeric programs. recycledgoods.com, seems to have some ADO 1000 stuff, like that big video processor that Dave mentioned. Someone with technical Z8000 interest, would have to dump and disassemble the ROMS, and disassemble. And, dump that diskette - but my guess is, it's full of scripting files not "code". And they'd have to second-guess the floppy controller and the video controller, to have fun with the screen and floppy. Extra credit: communicate with five UARTs with FIFOs (character memories). And of course, figure out how to replace the keyboard (and whatever else is on that keyboard). Maybe some 1990's TV studio techs could provide some assistance or direction. So the guts of it, are late-80's chip-techie fun, for those of us who do that stuff. about "nothing appears on the screen". It may need to have a keyboard attached to finish its ROM bootup. Or maybe the brightness needs to be turned up. Or maybe there's video output on the video connector in the back. I'd say, enough Web research on Ampex video studio equipment from 1990 would find some information. Plenty of that stuff in trade-journals about TV studio production. And recyclers. I found all that, with "Ampex ADO 1000" web searching. Hey, one of my favorite Web sites is on this! https://deskthority.net/viewtopic.php?t=12256 Ampex ADO 1000 They are a little focused on the keyswitches .... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0rxuU_TaFiw Ampex ADO-1000 Digital Video Effects - promo, but there it is! Maybe it made its own promotional video? Funny. So it's likely a thing, for people who want to collect vintage video production equipment. There's actually a history of microcomputers in video production, all the way back through S-100. Cromemco (those Dazzler people) became a producer of video editing equipment in the 1990's. There's an Australian guy who was early in digital video editing, including some S-100 stuff. Thanks to David K for showing off his find, and Dean and Dave McGuire for further IDing this box. I have too many other things myself, to acquire this. 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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Free box for commodore 1702 TV (Brooklyn)
by Christian Liendo 14 Jul '22

14 Jul '22

This is not my ad but if someone can get it it is free https://newyork.craigslist.org/brk/zip/d/brooklyn-free-box-for-commodore-17…

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Fwd: Help with vintage Ampex computer / terminal ??
by David K 13 Jul '22

13 Jul '22

I have been subscribed to the list for a few years. I rarely make posts. I really enjoy vintage computing but have little knowledge to offer. I recently purchased an Ampex computer/work station at a garage sale. I did not know exactly what I was buying and the seller was also unsure what it was (he got it from someone who was dumping it if I remember correctly). I am trying to understand what it is. There is no keyboard. There was one disk in the drive. When powered on, nothing appears on the screen though there is a humming noise which I'm almost certain is only the fan. The red light does not come on. I've tried inserting the disk and removing it once or twice and thought I heard the *very* faint sound of the drive but it never seems to fully power up or read the disk. The back of the "computer" has various in/outputs that I am not familiar with ("Chan A" "Concen" "SMPTE") The sticker on the back says it contains "multichannel software" version 9.4. I thought that might indicate it is some type of terminal that needs to be used with a mainframe?? I did some research but couldn't figure out what it is. Any information/help is appreciated. You can see pictures of this (including pics of it opened up) at https://imgur.com/a/WfHORyP Secondarily; if this ends up being something I can't make use of - if anyone is interested let me know. David K.

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] OT: Sussex Hamfest Sunday July 17th Rain or Shine
by W2HX 12 Jul '22

12 Jul '22

I'll be there too! I'll have my land rover with me, so come over and say "hi" hihi. 73 Eugene W2HX Subscribe to my Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/w2hx-channel/videos From: vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic-bounces(a)lists.vcfed.org> On Behalf Of Sentrytv via vcf-midatlantic Sent: Tuesday, July 12, 2022 8:26 AM To: Kelly Leavitt <kelly(a)catcorner.org> Cc: Sentrytv <sentrytv(a)yahoo.com>; vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> Subject: Re: [vcf-midatlantic] OT: Sussex Hamfest Sunday July 17th Rain or Shine

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OT: Sussex Hamfest Sunday July 17th Rain or Shine
by Kelly Leavitt 12 Jul '22

12 Jul '22

The 2022 Sussex Hamfest will be held, Rain or Shine, on Sunday, July 17, 2022 at the Sussex County Fair Grounds, 37 Plains Road in Augusta NJ 07860 (GPS: Lat/Long N41-08-10.2 / W74 43 01.9 Decimal 41.136200 / -74.717233 ) Vendors 6 AM Buyers 8 AM VE Exam session at 10am in the Fair Grounds Administration Building. Contact VE Team at K2GG(a)IEEE.ORG<mailto:K2GG@IEEE.ORG> with any questions. 2022 Fees: Buyers: $8.00 Tailgaters: $25.00 Indoor Tables: $25.00 per table. Overnight parking (Fees charged by Fair Grounds): RV type vehicles $50.00. Other Vehicles, tents, etc. $20.00 Hamfest 2022 is Featuring:- Indoor sales area, Tailgating, Overnight parking, FCC Exams, DXCC Card Checking, Food area and more. ARRL Forum -- A presentation on League and Ham Radio issues Door Prizes - Grand Prize: Yaesu FT-991A HF/VHF/UHF Transceiver For further Hamfest information – Email: Hamfest(a)scarcnj.org<mailto:Email:%20%20%20Hamfest@scarcnj.org> Hamfest telephone: 973-862-8197 -- Sussex County Hamfest Committee "Rain or Shine since 1979"

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Help needed to put fiber optic on InfoAge campus on 7/16 at 10AM
by Jeffrey Brace 11 Jul '22

11 Jul '22

CDL will be putting up some fiber optic cable on 7/16 at 10AM. They would like some volunteers to help. If VCF has members that can help then it will take about 2 hours to finish. Anyone interested? If so, then send me a private reply. CDL will be deploying the first portion of the fiber optic cable between the main network rack in the Makerspace (Building 9059) and the furnace room in the Guard Shack (Building 9093) on Saturday, July 16th. This is to replace the Ethernet over coaxial cable system we deployed as a work around. Plan of the day is to route the fiber optic cable from the equipment in the makerspace, through the vault, and along the exterior of Building 9059, using the same hardware supporting the fiber to Building 9032. Help will be needed to go up and down ladders to route the fiber along the side of the building. The more help the better. Let's help support CDL, InfoAge and VCF. 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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