Trip to Brooklyn to the Gowanus eReycling warehouse + questions
I watch the list with little to contribute because unfortunately my background is not in IT or similar. I'm really just a fan a of vintage computers and learn a good amount from this listserve. I recently traveled to Brooklyn to the Gowanus eReycling center that is closing. This was the place mentioned in previous posts. It was an excellent experience for my son and I. I have a few question I hope someone might be able to help with. 1. I got a working KayPro 2x but I did not get the phone-like cable that connects the keyboard to the main unit. I see I can buy one on eBay for $15 but wanted to know if there were any other work arounds or if someone is selling one. 2. I got a small piece (picture attached) that apparently plugs into the C64 port 2. It is labeled "Petspeed" which is apparently some sort of BASIC assembler. I am hesitant to plug it in without knowing more. Any help with understanding what this is and how it works? 3. If you want to check out the video of our trip to Brooklyn and see what we found go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ogZhSaOk-Cs&t=1s David K.
David, In regard to the cable for the KayPro keyboard, I believe that you can use a regular handset cable from a corded telephone (you know that type that used to sit on your desk and had have 2 pieces). I seem to remember that it was a feature in case it was damaged or lost while traveling. These can often be had at a dollar store, some of which are open even during the lockdown since they sell essential items. --Jim On Wed, Jun 3, 2020 at 12:54 PM David K via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic@lists.vcfed.org> wrote:
I watch the list with little to contribute because unfortunately my background is not in IT or similar. I'm really just a fan a of vintage computers and learn a good amount from this listserve.
I recently traveled to Brooklyn to the Gowanus eReycling center that is closing. This was the place mentioned in previous posts. It was an excellent experience for my son and I.
I have a few question I hope someone might be able to help with.
1. I got a working KayPro 2x but I did not get the phone-like cable that connects the keyboard to the main unit. I see I can buy one on eBay for $15 but wanted to know if there were any other work arounds or if someone is selling one.
2. I got a small piece (picture attached) that apparently plugs into the C64 port 2. It is labeled "Petspeed" which is apparently some sort of BASIC assembler. I am hesitant to plug it in without knowing more. Any help with understanding what this is and how it works?
3. If you want to check out the video of our trip to Brooklyn and see what we found go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ogZhSaOk-Cs&t=1s
David K.
-- --Jim Hart jim@jimhart.org
On 6/3/20 1:03 PM, Jim Hart via vcf-midatlantic wrote:
David,
In regard to the cable for the KayPro keyboard, I believe that you can use a regular handset cable from a corded telephone (you know that type that used to sit on your desk and had have 2 pieces). I seem to remember that it was a feature in case it was damaged or lost while traveling. These can often be had at a dollar store, some of which are open even during the lockdown since they sell essential items.
Hey, vintage, 5 and Dime. ;-) -- Linux Home Automation Neil Cherry ncherry@linuxha.com http://www.linuxha.com/ Main site http://linuxha.blogspot.com/ My HA Blog Author of: Linux Smart Homes For Dummies
On 6/3/20 1:03 PM, Jim Hart via vcf-midatlantic wrote:
In regard to the cable for the KayPro keyboard, I believe that you can use a regular handset cable from a corded telephone (you know that type that used to sit on your desk and had have 2 pieces). I seem to remember that it was a feature in case it was damaged or lost while traveling. These can often be had at a dollar store, some of which are open even during the lockdown since they sell essential items.
FYI, these telephone handset connectors are variously known as RJ9, RJ10, or RJ22, most commonly RJ22. This is not an official designation, because they don't connect directly to the public telephone network. The "RJ" (Registered Jack) designations also define the pinout and signaling. This is is why, for example, RJ48 and RJ49 are the same connector, the former for a four-wire leased line like a T-1, and the latter for BRI ISDN. The telephone handset connector doesn't have an official RJ designation because it doesn't connect directly to the telephone network. (the common use of "RJ45" is an abuse of the naming system; the correct name for the connector is "Modular 8P8C", 8 Position, 8 Contact) -Dave -- Dave McGuire, AK4HZ New Kensington, PA
Great job on the video, David! I’ve made a lot of father and son vintage computer road trips with my boy. They are great memories that you will cherish. How’s the TRS-80 Model III working out for you? Subscribed!
On Jun 3, 2020, at 12:53 PM, David K via vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic@lists.vcfed.org> wrote:
I watch the list with little to contribute because unfortunately my background is not in IT or similar. I'm really just a fan a of vintage computers and learn a good amount from this listserve.
I recently traveled to Brooklyn to the Gowanus eReycling center that is closing. This was the place mentioned in previous posts. It was an excellent experience for my son and I.
I have a few question I hope someone might be able to help with.
1. I got a working KayPro 2x but I did not get the phone-like cable that connects the keyboard to the main unit. I see I can buy one on eBay for $15 but wanted to know if there were any other work arounds or if someone is selling one.
2. I got a small piece (picture attached) that apparently plugs into the C64 port 2. It is labeled "Petspeed" which is apparently some sort of BASIC assembler. I am hesitant to plug it in without knowing more. Any help with understanding what this is and how it works?
3. If you want to check out the video of our trip to Brooklyn and see what we found go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ogZhSaOk-Cs&t=1s
David K.
On Wed, Jun 3, 2020 at 12:53 PM David K via vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic@lists.vcfed.org> wrote:
I recently traveled to Brooklyn to the Gowanus eReycling center...
2. I got a small piece (picture attached) that apparently plugs into the C64 port 2. It is labeled "Petspeed" which is apparently some sort of BASIC assembler. I am hesitant to plug it in without knowing more. Any help with understanding what this is and how it works?
It's a software key, commonly called a dongle. The Petspeed BASIC compiler checks for it and will not run if not detected. -ethan
participants (6)
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Dave McGuire -
David K -
Ethan Dicks -
Jim Hart -
Neil Cherry -
Peter Cetinski