- vcf-midatlantic - lists.vcfed.org

Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Dang they don't make them like they used to ...
by Ethan Dicks 19 Nov '20

19 Nov '20

On Thu, Nov 19, 2020 at 12:00 PM Sentrytv via vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > I have had Weller soldering stations all through out my “professional career”. > I still continue to use the stations that I had in my TV shop in the mid 80s. > > > On Nov 19, 2020, at 10:38 AM, Neil Cherry via vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > > > > So my POS 35 year old Weller workstation that I got out of the back of the Computer Shopper > > for $25 shipped has developed a crack in the heat guard sleeve. I mean really I spent good > > money on this and it only lasted 35 years. I want a refund! ;-) I've been using the same Weller EC1200 since 1984. Back then, it was on the bench at work (and IIRC, they paid $250 for it new, in 1981-82). When the company folded in 1993, I bought out the stock and bench and continued to support our (few remaining) customers for the next 1-2 years. I've replaced the heater once and the thermostat unit once in those 36 years. I could use a new strain-relief grommet on the cord but it's been fine for years with gentle handling. About the only thing that could replace this battleship is a nice Hakko with a sheaf of SMT tips. -ethan

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Dang they don't make them like they used to ...
by Neil Cherry 19 Nov '20

19 Nov '20

So my POS 35 year old Weller workstation that I got out of the back of the Computer Shopper for $25 shipped has developed a crack in the heat guard sleeve. I mean really I spent good money on this and it only lasted 35 years. I want a refund! ;-) I think I can fix the crack with some heat shrink tubing. BTW if anyone has ever seen my Weller they'd wonder why I still have it. It looks like someone took a BB gun to it. It's looked that way for the last 35 years. I do need to take some epoxy to a few things to fix some of the broken parts but it still works and the tip is good (small chisel tip). The tip was bought new when I got the Weller. I think it cost more than the Weller. I also have the original tip. It was a bit worn but usable. I wonder if my Hako will last that long. Might I never use it. ;-) -- Linux Home Automation Neil Cherry ncherry(a)linuxha.com http://www.linuxha.com/ Main site http://linuxha.blogspot.com/ My HA Blog Author of: Linux Smart Homes For Dummies

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VCF-MA Steering Committee Election Update
by Dean Notarnicola 18 Nov '20

18 Nov '20

This is a reminder to everyone about the upcoming committee member election. There are two seats becoming vacant and nominations are now open. *Current nominees*: Ian Primus - *Nominated by Adam Michlin* Alex Jacocks - *Nominated by Jeff Brace* Tony Bogan - *Nominated by Dean Notarnicola* Dave McGuire - *Nominated by Chris Fala* Jason Perkins - *Nominated by Evan Koblentz* Nominations for committee members can be made simply by communicating the nomination via email to a committee member (adam.michlin(a)vcfed.org, andrew.diller(a)vcfed.org, tony.bogan(a)vcfed.org, chris. fala(a)vcfed.org, dean.notarnicola(a)vcfed.org) To be eligible for the election, the prospective nominee must then accept the nomination by replying in the affirmative to the nomination email. One nomination per member can be made. Members may also self-nominate. An updated list of eligible nominees will be published weekly. *Key dates*: Nominations close November 26th. Voting will commence on November 28th Voting will close at 11:59 pm on December 6th Winners will be announced at 1:00 pm, December 12th Regards, Dean Notarnicola VCF Committee Chairperson

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] With New COVID Restrictions, Is Museum Affected?
by Jeffrey Brace 17 Nov '20

17 Nov '20

Bill, It's not likely that InfoAge Museum will shutdown unless ordered by the Governor. Apart from a few occasions that brought in a lot of people at one time such as scheduled boy scout tours or a Jewish holiday there haven't been too many visitors at one time. Visitors have trickled in at a slow pace over the last few months. Also the protocols that we have been using already limit people to 10 at a time in a museum room. So even with the 10 person per room restrictions, InfoAge (and VCF) are already following them and have been following them since re-opening in June. I would expect that unless there is a order or some problem, InfoAge won't shutdown. They are already following strict protocols such as limiting the number of people, requiring everyone to wear a mask, taking temperatures at the front desk, taking down contact tracing info, hand sanitizer, etc. It is up to IA to make the call. In the VCF museum we are already limiting people to 10 inside our museum and following all protocols for mask wearing, temperature taking, and sanitizing. Jeff On Mon, Nov 16, 2020 at 6:20 PM Bill Inderrieden via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > Indoor gatherings are limited to a MAXIMUM of 10 people Effective Nov 23rd: > > Outdoor gatherings are limited to a MAXIMUM of 150 people > > > > > Now that Gov. Murphy has tightened restrictions, will there be any opening > restrictions / hours to Info Age, and VCF? > > Bill Inderrieden > > > -- ========================================= 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 cell: 732-759-1783

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neat VGA tester
by W2HX 17 Nov '20

17 Nov '20

For you folks that work on machines with VGA monitors. https://www.mpja.com/11-16-20.asp?r=344017&s=2 I don't own one but it seemed interesting enough to pass on. 73 Eugene W2HX

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Festivus Cancelled
by Jeffrey Brace 16 Nov '20

16 Nov '20

I'm sorry to report that due to new guidelines in New Jersey Festivus is cancelled for this year :( But don't lose heart, I'm hoping to do a Summer Festivus if conditions permit. So stay tuned for that. The steering committee will still be announcing the two new Steering Committee members during that weekend. We will let everyone know the time and method of announcement. Stay safe everyone! -- ========================================= 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 cell: 732-759-1783

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With New COVID Restrictions, Is Museum Affected?
by svcatitc＠aol.com 16 Nov '20

16 Nov '20

Indoor gatherings are limited to a MAXIMUM of 10 people Effective Nov 23rd: Outdoor gatherings are limited to a MAXIMUM of 150 people Now that Gov. Murphy has tightened restrictions, will there be any opening restrictions / hours to Info Age, and VCF? Bill Inderrieden

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Festivus and Covid-19
by Jeffrey Brace 16 Nov '20

16 Nov '20

So I'm currently monitoring the spike in cases in NJ and in the region as well as the guidelines. As of today Festivus is still on. The current guidelines are: ******** General indoor gatherings must be limited to 25 people or 25% of a room's capacity -- whichever number is lower. All attendees at indoor gatherings must wear face coverings and stay six feet apart. ******** The plan that I have will follow these guidelines. If the guidelines change to something less (i.e. no more than 10), then I will have to cancel. I will make a call by December 7. Festivus is scheduled for December 12 & 13. Even if I cancel it, there is no reason why I can't reschedule it to July or any other month. It might even work out better for some people. -- ========================================= 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 cell: 732-759-1783

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Museum Report 2020-11-14
by Jeffrey Brace 15 Nov '20

15 Nov '20

About a dozen visitors came today with Dylan as the docent. Andy and Dennis were there working on SGI stuff. I was working on installing the new color laser printer for the museum office area. Bill Indereiden stopped by to work with Andy on a museum project. I will be at the museum tomorrow. -- ========================================= 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 cell: 732-759-1783

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Micromint MPX-16 technical manual
by Richard Cini 15 Nov '20

15 Nov '20

All – I found a Micromint MPX-16 motherboard in my attic yesterday. I know back in 2002, I traded away one in the enclosure and it had the technical manual, but strangely I didn’t scan it for some reason. Now, I’d like to see if this board I have works. The magazine article gets most of the way there, but what’s missing is the DIP switch settings. I’ve made some guesses based on the source code for the ROM, but the actual manual would help. Bitsavers doesn’t have it, unfortunately. Thanks! Rich -- Rich Cini http://www.classiccmp.org/cini http://www.classiccmp.org/altair32

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