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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] VCF Museum and Warehouse Update
by Tony Bogan 10 Aug '21

10 Aug '21

> Others, who visit sporadically, do not know what they are talking about. I barely know myself, despite 15 years of my visits to "the campus" of Infoage, because I have a dyslexia about "names". So building 9010 versus 9010B versus 9999 versus 9009 all. look. the same. names. to. me. Yep, always been a problem. Even I get the numbers mixed up sometimes! Since this list doesn’t allow attachments I have to upload a detailed map so everyone can see It and access it. I finished it last night after work. It’ll go up and a link sent out tomorrow. We appreciate yours and everyone else’s patience as we make all of these major upgrades and announcements about them. > Please don't tell me "we aren't responsible for InfoAge's Web site". You are responsible for vcf.org. The only map there, shows a few buildings by function; no Army numbers. We are not responsible for InfoAges website. ;-) > 2) Tony announced, a move of the museum - again, buildings a little cryptic - from one section of a building to four sections of (maybe the same) a building. And a move of the warehouse, apparently to another building. (That kind-of was my last-straw about identifying InfoAge buildings.) Apparently the new-to-VCFed sites will need preparation. Apparently some funds will have to be raised. > > This is good, this is great. But: it will take time, and volunteers. No timelines were stated. The main point of the initial update was we are moving from 1/4 of a 6000+ square foot space to an ENTIRE 6000+ square foot space for our museum. Also, we are getting new warehouse space (and space better suited to our needs) We literally just got approval for the two new spaces. I apologize if we don’t yet have specific timelines for each stage of clearing, cleaning, construction and population of the spaces yet, but we are most certainly working on those now that we have actual approval to occupy the spaces. One step at a time, this was step one of many yet to come. > Meanwhile: VCF-East is Oct 8-10 - 60 days from today. Those who have participated, know how labor-intensive that can be. > > That presents a conflict. No conflict whatsoever. The warehouse and museum spaces are not integral parts of VCF east, and no change of Museum venue will happen anywhere‘s near this VCF east or next year’s. This is going to be a multi year endeavor, and we don’t want to put the cart before the horse. > Bottom line seems clear to me. What museum or warehouse work will be scheduled *before* Oct? Site work equals people-power equals more volunteers and more people-hours. Right? People will have to choose what to do and when. Right? They may want details. For sure, people will want details. This was update number one. Announcing the fact that we now have access to two new spaces for our warehouse and our future Museum. Details of this nature are not usually in the initial announcement of the new acquisition of spaces. This announcement was about the acquisition of those spaces. I apologize if I was not detailed enough in my initial announcement. Subsequent updates will have more details. Warehouse work will commence as soon as possible, but again will not have any impact whatsoever on VCF East 2021 or 2022. > One hopes, VCFed won't be OBLIGED to move their Museum before Oct 2021. That would have consequences for the VCF-East visitors. Right? The Warehouse move "should not" impact VCF-East, but who knows? I'm just guessing There was no mention of specific dates because there are none. Yet. There was no mention of VCF east because this announcement has no bearing on VCF east 2021 or 2022. We are not obliged to move our Museum space until our new museum space is done. Once we have done detailed assessments of the museum space, (some of which has already been done) identified exactly what our needs are, then get estimates for any construction that is beyond the volunteer level, We will then pass that information along to everyone. As soon as we know, everyone else will know. > On moving: I did computer site preparation professionally, when younger. I'm too old now to hustle boxes, sweat and crawl under buildings. But I'm not in charge. But I have an interest in the outcomes. and who knows? maybe there's work for an old person. If Covid permits; that too is uncertain, hard to plan for. Great!! We will need all the help and advice we can get! And fortunately for you Herb, the buildings are on concrete slabs. No crawling underneath! Maybe some climbing around the rafters, but we will not ask you to do that! > > Meanwhile: the next 60 days will likely force certain priorities. Let people know so they can make choices ahead of time. Seams reasonable. Other than the fact that VCF East is not impacted by any of this, as I mentioned in the original email we will be reaching out to everyone so stay tuned for more updates. I’m glad you’re excited about the new spaces Herb, (I think you’re excited....) I know I am. Over 6000 square feet of museum space!! A better, slightly roomier, more accommodating warehouse space! (Bonus, closer down the hallways to our existing museum and the new space when finished will be closer still!!) Tony Bogan

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VCF Museum and Warehouse Update
by Herb Johnson 09 Aug '21

09 Aug '21

> As I said, this is an interim fix until such time as InfoAge addresses > this issue with a standardized map with program descriptions *and* > building numbers based on this: > http://compdecon.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/tourmap_lineart_final-scale… > > > They are aware of this issue, (loops back around to Tony's statement on > how the teams are all working together nowadays) and is being worked on > in the background, so it's ready for inclusion in the VCF East program > material. > > Martin Flynn Martin, thanks for a specific response to a specific question - that is, thanks for your map as it is. I have ended my commentary on these matters. But as a matter of courtesy to you: Your description of circumstances and applications suggest that I didn't ask for a map for silly reasons on my part. Thanks for that description. Regards Herb Johnson -- 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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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Apple Branded Mid-80's Memory Compatibility Question.
by Ian Primus 09 Aug '21

09 Aug '21

The later ROM revisions actually do have a reasonably competent memory test you can access with control open-Apple solid-Apple reset, but the first rev, ROM 255, doesn't. Also, if you haven't seen it yet, the ROM4x project adds some neat stuff as well: https://github.com/mgcaret/rom4x If I'm working on a IIc and I'm at home and have access to my equipment, I usually wind up burning a new ROM and upgrading it, and then use that to find the bad RAM. Note that if you're going from a 255, the new ROM is bigger, so you'll have to change a couple motherboard jumpers. It's a good idea to upgrade off of 255 if that's what your machine has (Do a PRINT PEEK(64447) and see what version you have, would be 255, 0, 3, or 4), since the later revs add Unidisk 3 1/2" support and fix some serial bugs that let it work reliably at higher speeds. -Ian On Mon, Aug 9, 2021 at 8:18 AM Mike Willegal via vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > > Ian, > > Thanks for confirming. It sure doesn’t look like there is clearance for a socket. I’ve also fixed a couple of Mac128ks with bad memory over the years, but those systems did a POST that made debugging significantly easier. This failure was in auxiliary memory and I ended up modifying my 6502 memtest program to run from auxiliary memory in order to identify the bad chip. > > Mike Willegal

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Re: Apple Branded Mid-80's Memory Compatibility Question.
by Mike Willegal 09 Aug '21

09 Aug '21

Ian, Thanks for confirming. It sure doesn’t look like there is clearance for a socket. I’ve also fixed a couple of Mac128ks with bad memory over the years, but those systems did a POST that made debugging significantly easier. This failure was in auxiliary memory and I ended up modifying my 6502 memtest program to run from auxiliary memory in order to identify the bad chip. Mike Willegal

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Apple Branded Mid-80's Memory Compatibility Question.
by Ian Primus 08 Aug '21

08 Aug '21

Yeah. They're all the same part electrically, the same industry standard pinout. Tons of compatible part numbers.You can also use a 41256 or equivalent in a pinch, it just has an extra pin that isn't used on the 4164 for the upper address bit. And basically any RAM in that type is going to be fast enough for the 1mhz Apple IIc, so the speed isn't going to matter either. Be aware that on the Apple IIc, there might not be enough clearance to fit a socket depending on which chip it is, so check before soldering in a socket by stacking a chip on top of the soldered one, and see if it clears when you put it back together. I do see a lot of those Micron chips fail in Apple IIc's. -Ian On Sun, Aug 8, 2021 at 9:59 PM MikeWillegal via vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > > I have an Apple IIc with a bad memory chip. The chip is labeled 4264 without any dash number (speed) and branded as Apple. This is apparently a Micron 64k x 1 DRAM chip with industry standard DRAM pinouts. Does anyone know if I can use a 4864-3 that also appears to be an Apple branded Micron part? This most likely was pulled from a working 128K Macintosh many years ago. I could not find a Micron PDF for a 4864, but a Hitachi 4864 seems to have the same pinout as the Micron 4264. > > thanks in advance, > Mike Willegal

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Apple Branded Mid-80's Memory Compatibility Question.
by MikeWillegal 08 Aug '21

08 Aug '21

I have an Apple IIc with a bad memory chip. The chip is labeled 4264 without any dash number (speed) and branded as Apple. This is apparently a Micron 64k x 1 DRAM chip with industry standard DRAM pinouts. Does anyone know if I can use a 4864-3 that also appears to be an Apple branded Micron part? This most likely was pulled from a working 128K Macintosh many years ago. I could not find a Micron PDF for a 4864, but a Hitachi 4864 seems to have the same pinout as the Micron 4264. thanks in advance, Mike Willegal

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Mice!
by Herb Johnson 08 Aug '21

08 Aug '21

> On Wed, Aug 4, 2021 at 2:01 PM Christian Liendo >> >> You can bid on these and add them to the exhibit >> > Adam Michlin Wed Aug 4 18:44:39 UTC 2021 > They really do belong in a museum, but, alas, too rich for my blood. > https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXyPvhISkRQ 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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VCF Museum and Warehouse Update
by Tony Bogan 08 Aug '21

08 Aug '21

Good evening everyone. The VCF Steering Committee is pleased to inform you of some exciting updates involving our warehouse and museum! The warehouse is going to be moving to a different section of the building it is currently in, providing us with about 600 additional square feet over the space we have now. More importantly, this section has a better roof on it (no leaks!) a paved ramp to the entrance and access to a loading dock (albeit one that needs some love and attention) We will be moving into this new space in short order and will then begin the process of finishing and climate controlling the space. This is good news for all the VCF artifacts! Now for even more exciting news! As many of you know, our current museum occupies just under 1/4 of a section of the 9010 Building at InfoAge (specifically just under 1/4 of section 9010A.) Each full section is about 6800 square feet. VCF will be moving into section 9010B. All of 9010B. When all is said and done we will have over 6300 square feet of museum space or just over 4 times what we currently have! Additionally, 9010B accesses the main hallway that connect all the ‘H’ buildings together (referred to as “Broadway” by InfoAge) which means several things for us. People will be able to access our new museum once completed by simply crossing the street from the main building. This will eliminate them having to walk down the street and around the corner. People will also be able to enter our museum from both ends, so whether they are by the Model Railroad and Wireless Operators section, (Where our current museum is) or coming from the Military Technology Museum or the Electronic Warfare section they can access our museum. We are very excited about these changes and will be reaching out to all our members looking for volunteers to help clear and prep the spaces and make them ready for our artifacts and/or the general public, as well as raising the funds to make all of these things happen!! Stay tuned for more updates as the time approaches for us to start clearing 9036C (the location of our new warehouse) in preparation for the big move as well as working on 9010B for our new museum. We will need your help and support as we transition to our new locations! Tony Bogan On behalf of the VCF Steering Committee

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VCF East Related....
by Martin Flynn 08 Aug '21

08 Aug '21

Quick update: 1. VCF and CDL (Ken, Mona, Stephen, and myself) were working on the network prep for VCF-East. Ken and Mona wrapped up the installation of the fiber hangers on 9059 (this is for the fiber to 9032A) , Stephen and myself prepped the new data switch for 9032A. 2. The whole team worked on the data rack in the hotel basement as prep for upgrading the first floor WiFi. Picture of the last two weekends work in the hotel at http://compdecon.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/img_1382.jpeg 3. Our friends at Ubiquiti sent two more UniFi access points for the 9032A meeting room (UAP-AC-PRO-E-US) Martin

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OT: Looking for recommendations on new soldering station for vintage electronics!
by Bob Shuster 08 Aug '21

08 Aug '21

I'm looking for a recommendation for a new soldering station. I think it's time to retire my 40+ year old Archer soldering pencil - that I've had at least since I built my first TRS-80 Model I expansion interface, maybe longer! I'm looking for compact, with an auto-off feature, temperature controlled, and a variety of tips. Is this pretty much every current station? I'm looking at the Hakko FX888, or maybe the less expensive X-Tronic 3020? Mainly I repair or modify vintage electronics, but occasionally modern stuff where I need a finer tip and less heat. Thoughts/recommendations? Thanks. - Bob Shuster

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