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Ampex Computer
by Douglas Crawford 24 Jun '21

24 Jun '21

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Homebrew Computer Systems from Bob the donor
by Jeffrey Brace 24 Jun '21

24 Jun '21

>From "Bob the donor": "{FirstComputerAssembled.jpg} is what it looked like in working order, not just the box of parts I sent with bernie. The rocker switches were for entering the boot-loader for the cassette interface, which used a 565 PLL to convert the FSK audio to bits for the UART. IIRC, it used the same tones as were used on the ham bands for TeleType chats (because I also did that). {FirstComputerCircuitBoardsTop.jpg} This was my first computer because I was introduced to the MOS Tech 6502 in 1975 and thot it was Really Neat. That IC cost me $25 back then; it's the 40 pin white ceramic item on the 'middle' board. The half board, far left, is the cassette interface. To its right is the memory board (note the 2102s, partially installed at this point). There was only 2 KB of RAM, both because of the price and also my rather small programs. Various 'glue bugs' are below the RAM and on the next-right board with the processor. Below the uP are parallel interface ICs and the UART. The rightmost board is the video generator, which used a character-generator IC (the largest bug). It required another 2 KB of 2102s, used in two banks that alternated access, because they were so slow. IIRC, the display was 32 lines of 64 characters. I later removed this part, added a UART and powersupply so it worked as a standalone video display. That was in the box of parts, and should still produce serial-to-text. {FirstComputerCircuitBoardWiring.jpg} Is pretty self-explanatory. A mouse would be right at home! I added a few more wires every evening after it was too dark to continue finishing the house construction. Entering the boot-loader every time quickly became a bother so I soon added some NiCads and a small secondary powersupply to keep the main 2KB alive. It was quite a project for how little I did with it; a word processor that could output thru a Model 19 TTY, and also display ham RTTY when I didnt want the noise of the 19. It turned out that I was far more interested in building than in coding, which is why this computer didnt last and you got only a box of some parts of it. The computer in the metal case is an Apple 2 clone board. As you've discovered, I had to 'bend' the board to make it fit the neat enclosure. The price of Apple (or any) 5.25" drives was high, which is why I 'went hardware' again and installed an 8-Track drive and circuitry to make use of it. A larger pulley on the motor provided a faster tape speed (probably around 8 or 9 ips, but I dont remember exactly), dual UARTS read/write to the stereo head (writing square waves at this speed required something like 45 volts IIRC). This required special code, which was in the battery-backed CMOS RAMs that replaced the original Apple ROMs. I copied the useful parts of those ROMS into the RAM so the computer still behaved like an A-2, but my code and the 8-track 'imaged' the RAM and system state, then restore it all on demand. No doubt the battery is long dead from decades in storage, so it's all junk now. As bernie and I were loading it into his car, I noticed the back-panel connector for a paper-tape drive. I no longer have that or I would have included it. So far, I have not found any code listings or diagrams, but will forward anything that turns up." Here are the pictures folder for anyone interested with the new pictures added: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1DhjdsPnDN9s5vkCTalxUilHZGvctiVtt?us… ========================================= Jeff Brace Vice President & Board Member Vintage Computer Festival East Show-runner Vintage Computer Federation is a 501c3 charity http://www.vcfed.org/ jeffrey(a)vcfed.org

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Bernie S paid a visit!
by Jeffrey Brace 24 Jun '21

24 Jun '21

Bernie S paid a visit on May 16 at the very end of our repair workshop. He had brought some items for Dmitry. One thing was a custom built 6502 system with all sorts of wires. Another one was a custom built Apple // clone. Very interesting to see all these items. Sorry this is so late, but I've been busy planning for VCF East. Here are some pictures of the items: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1DhjdsPnDN9s5vkCTalxUilHZGvctiVtt?us… ========================================= Jeff Brace Vice President & Board Member Vintage Computer Festival East Show-runner Vintage Computer Federation is a 501c3 charity http://www.vcfed.org/ jeffrey(a)vcfed.org <https://www.avast.com/sig-email?utm_medium=email&utm_source=link&utm_campai…> Virus-free. www.avast.com <https://www.avast.com/sig-email?utm_medium=email&utm_source=link&utm_campai…> <#DAB4FAD8-2DD7-40BB-A1B8-4E2AA1F9FDF2>

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Saw this and thought this list is exactly the target audience.
by Mark Whittington 23 Jun '21

23 Jun '21

[image: image.png] Not sure how the list handles embeds, so here's a link: https://imgur.com/a/gsSGV1a

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Laserdisk transfer to digital?
by Dave McGuire 22 Jun '21

22 Jun '21

Frequently this is not the case, though, and it's not the case here. Matt is a professional video archivist; he wrote the book on this. -Dave On June 21, 2021 3:45:45 PM Sentrytv via vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > ---------- > Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Laserdisk transfer to digital? > From: Sentrytv sentrytv(a)yahoo.com > Date: Jun 21, 3:45 PM > To: vcf-midatlantic vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org > > As usual, there is a complicated answer and way to do things > and > there is a simple answer and way to do things. > > Somewhere in between is the correct way to do this. > > JM2C > > Sent from: > My extremely complicated, hand held electronic device. > >> On Jun 21, 2021, at 1:03 PM, Alexander Jacocks via vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: >> >> Since Matt has offered, and he has the expertise, I think that we should >> have him do it. >> >> If you want, at the Baltimore workshop, bring the LDs and, and I will bring >> them to Matt, in Pittsburgh. >> >> - Alex >> >>> On Sun, Jun 20, 2021 at 4:30 PM Jeffrey Brace via vcf-midatlantic < >>> vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: >>> >>> On Sun, Jun 20, 2021 at 4:23 PM Jeff Salzman via vcf-midatlantic < >>> vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: >>> >>>> I have a laserdisc player, time base corrector, and video capture card. >>> How >>>> soon does this need done? >>> >>> There is no rush for this, but I would like someone to work on it steadily >>> so that it doesn't get forgotten. >>> A player was donated, but don't know if it works or if it is better or >>> worse than your player. I will leave that up to you. >>> Alex Jaccocks has offered to do this, but maybe both of you can figure out >>> between you two who wants to do it or collaborate. >>> >>> >>>> >>>> Jeff Salzman >>>> >>>> On Sun, Jun 20, 2021, 3:23 PM Dean Notarnicola via vcf-midatlantic < >>>> vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: >>>> >>>>> So called “Video Game Enhancers” are simple time-base correctors and >>> will >>>>> remove Macrovision. >>>>> >>>>> On Sun, Jun 20, 2021 at 3:07 PM Wil Birkmaier via vcf-midatlantic < >>>>> vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: >>>>> >>>>>> Laserdisc has a few different formats: all analogue, analogue video >>>> with >>>>>> mono analogue audio and digital audio, or analogue video with all >>>> digital >>>>>> audio. >>>>>> >>>>>> They key to a good capture these days is to get the best composite >>>> video >>>>>> converter you can find as the video is stored like a vinyl record, as >>>> an >>>>>> analogue composite video stream. So yes using the svideo on some of >>> the >>>>>> newer players, the conversion of composite to svideo is still not the >>>>> best. >>>>>> I need to find a link to a decent converter to 720p I have been using >>>>> with >>>>>> vhs and am happy with. >>>>>> >>>>>> On Jun 20, 2021 14:45, Jeffrey Brace via vcf-midatlantic < >>>>>> vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: >>>>>> >>>>>> Does anyone know if it is possible to transfer laserdisks to a modern >>>>>> digital format? There are 16 laserdisks recently donated that have C >>>>>> programming training from 1984, which was part of a UNIX and C >>>>>> training program. The reason for the transfer is that we don't know >>> how >>>>>> rare these disks are nor how long laserdisk will last. >>>>>> >>>>>> There are 16 laserdisks as well as supplemental floppy disks and some >>>>>> paper >>>>>> manuals. >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> ========================================= >>>>>> Jeff Brace >>>>>> Vice President & Board Member >>>>>> Vintage Computer Festival East Show-runner >>>>>> Vintage Computer Federation is a 501c3 charity >>>>>> http://www.vcfed.org/ >>>>>> jeffrey(a)vcfed.org -- Dave McGuire, AK4HZ New Kensington, PA

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IBM and RCA computing video
by W2HX 22 Jun '21

22 Jun '21

After some telephone switchboard stuff, lots of shots of IBM and RCA computers in this pentagon data center video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J8hLqpigv1g 73 Eugene W2HX

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Your selected charity received a $32.71 donation from AmazonSmile
by Dean Notarnicola 21 Jun '21

21 Jun '21

Thanks! I was only able to locate it on Amazon using the full string ‘Vintage Computer Federation’. This is the way it is listed on the IRS website. On Mon, Jun 21, 2021 at 10:40 AM Jonathan Sturges via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > A quick note to anyone changing their Smile charity to VCF. I couldn't > get smile.amazon.com to locate VCF by any name-based searching I tried, > but using the tax ID # (47-4133714) works. > > -Jonathan > > >

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Your selected charity received a $32.71 donation from AmazonSmile
by Jonathan Sturges 21 Jun '21

21 Jun '21

A quick note to anyone changing their Smile charity to VCF. I couldn't get smile.amazon.com to locate VCF by any name-based searching I tried, but using the tax ID # (47-4133714) works. -Jonathan

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Your selected charity received a $32.71 donation from AmazonSmile
by Jeffrey Brace 21 Jun '21

21 Jun '21

The $32.71 is from everyone for the quarter of the year. Jan. 1 to Mar 31, 2021. On Sat, Jun 19, 2021 at 9:45 AM David Hayden via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > "This is my Amazon Smile donation to VCF for this quarter ?" > > That's what they want you to think. But the fine print shows something > different: > > "... the amount of $32.71 as a result of qualifying purchases made by you > AND OTHER CUSTOMERS who have selected this charity" > > While your purchases certainly help, they don't help as much as you might > think. > > Dave > > -- ========================================= Jeff Brace Vice President & Board Member Vintage Computer Festival East Show-runner Vintage Computer Federation is a 501c3 charity http://www.vcfed.org/ jeffrey(a)vcfed.org

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VCF East 2022 Dates: April 29, 30, May 1
by Jeffrey Brace 20 Jun '21

20 Jun '21

So the dates for VCF East 2022 will be April 29, 30, May 1. We are returning to our usual time of the year for the show. I'm planning on always doing the show the last weekend of April, unless there is a major reason that we can't (NJ Marathon that same weekend which causes all the hotels in the area to be booked up). My reasoning is that May is a busy month with holidays and events. April has Easter, Passover, Palm Sunday always changing their dates, so the last weekend of April will never conflict with these holidays. Also we want to give us the best shot at "better" weather. Also May starts the summer shore season and the hotel rates go up and availability goes down. Since VCF East 2021 will be 6 months before VCF East 2022, I am reserving the date and doing some pre-planning for that date. After East 2021 is done, then I will have to right away start planning for East 2022. So I will be doing what I can ahead of time. I'm brainstorming the theme for the 2022 show, and will announce it later. I know that there are some important anniversaries like the 40th of the C64 and others. I will try to get speakers around that, but the overall theme will be as generalized as possible. If anyone has any suggestions, then I'm open to them. ========================================= Jeff Brace Vice President & Board Member Vintage Computer Festival East Show-runner Vintage Computer Federation is a 501c3 charity http://www.vcfed.org/ jeffrey(a)vcfed.org

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