ANNOUNCE: VCF East XIII 8085 Single Board Computer
Some of you may have noticed that I've been extra busy/slow to reply lately. It's not just because of taxes :) This is on my bench: http://i.imgur.com/TppyO2Mh.jpg We got together on the idea of a special edition vintage computer project for VCF East last year, but there wasn't enough time between when someone mentioned the idea and the event to actually get it done. This year, I've revised my 8085 SBC design into a larger, more full-featured board as seen above. Specs as follows: * 8085 CPU * 64K Static RAM * 32K ROM available in 4K pages * Autoboot/ROM switchout circuit * 8251A USART for console port * DS1233 EconoReset * Baud rates from 300 - 38400, baud clock independent of CPU clock * GlitchBus expansion header * Single 5V power supply The board is 8x5 inches, the GlitchBus expansion stacking area provides for a 4x5 inch board. Currently I've got the prototype version running GWMON, my ROM monitor, from Ferroelectric RAM in the ROM socket. The goal is to have a customized monitor and fully functional BASIC by VCF East. This is also the first board to commit to a GlitchBus pinout/layout -- several of us have been working together offline and through IRC to get it nailed down. Eventually, you'll be able to add a storage controller (CF, floppy, etc.) via GlitchBus and boot/run CP/M! The ROM can be switched out under software control, so the full 64K of RAM will be available to user programs. The board also supports FeRAM, so it's possible to have a core-like setup for main memory. If you use FeRAM or an EEPROM in the ROM socket, the board can update its own firmware. This revision is going to be released at VCF East XIII and is a special edition that will probably be limited to the show. We'll be doing an event-long workshop to build and test the SBC at InfoAge during VCF East, just like we did with the XT-IDE and Apple II prototyping workshop last year. If you choose to assemble your board at VCF East, you'll leave with a 100% tested and working 8085 SBC. I may bring a very few CRT terminals to make available to builders of the 8085 SBC. Evan got me a high-res PNG version of the VCFed logo, which I was able to work into a copper-and-silkscreen graphic for the PC board: http://i.imgur.com/H6iJnXIh.jpg I haven't nailed down a price for parts kits yet -- that will be forthcoming. Thanks, Jonathan
Nice work! -Dave On 04/12/2018 10:07 AM, systems_glitch via vcf-midatlantic wrote:
Some of you may have noticed that I've been extra busy/slow to reply lately. It's not just because of taxes :) This is on my bench:
http://i.imgur.com/TppyO2Mh.jpg
We got together on the idea of a special edition vintage computer project for VCF East last year, but there wasn't enough time between when someone mentioned the idea and the event to actually get it done. This year, I've revised my 8085 SBC design into a larger, more full-featured board as seen above. Specs as follows:
* 8085 CPU * 64K Static RAM * 32K ROM available in 4K pages * Autoboot/ROM switchout circuit * 8251A USART for console port * DS1233 EconoReset * Baud rates from 300 - 38400, baud clock independent of CPU clock * GlitchBus expansion header * Single 5V power supply
The board is 8x5 inches, the GlitchBus expansion stacking area provides for a 4x5 inch board. Currently I've got the prototype version running GWMON, my ROM monitor, from Ferroelectric RAM in the ROM socket. The goal is to have a customized monitor and fully functional BASIC by VCF East. This is also the first board to commit to a GlitchBus pinout/layout -- several of us have been working together offline and through IRC to get it nailed down. Eventually, you'll be able to add a storage controller (CF, floppy, etc.) via GlitchBus and boot/run CP/M! The ROM can be switched out under software control, so the full 64K of RAM will be available to user programs. The board also supports FeRAM, so it's possible to have a core-like setup for main memory. If you use FeRAM or an EEPROM in the ROM socket, the board can update its own firmware.
This revision is going to be released at VCF East XIII and is a special edition that will probably be limited to the show. We'll be doing an event-long workshop to build and test the SBC at InfoAge during VCF East, just like we did with the XT-IDE and Apple II prototyping workshop last year. If you choose to assemble your board at VCF East, you'll leave with a 100% tested and working 8085 SBC. I may bring a very few CRT terminals to make available to builders of the 8085 SBC.
Evan got me a high-res PNG version of the VCFed logo, which I was able to work into a copper-and-silkscreen graphic for the PC board:
http://i.imgur.com/H6iJnXIh.jpg
I haven't nailed down a price for parts kits yet -- that will be forthcoming.
Thanks, Jonathan
-- Dave McGuire, AK4HZ New Kensington, PA
I love that the wreath is copper and micro-vias. I'm very enthusiastic about this, and will definitely buy one from you, when they are available. - Alex On Thu, Apr 12, 2018 at 1:34 PM, Christian Liendo via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic@lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org> wrote:
I have to admit. That is pretty cool.
Thanks for the positive feedback! The "holes" on the wreath aren't actually holes, though -- too many traces running behind it! I thought about doing that, though :) Getting parts and whatnot together, depending on how many I end up ordering, it looks like the bare PC boards will be between $10 and $15. Pretty good for an 5x8 circuit board! Thanks, Jonathan On Thu, Apr 12, 2018 at 3:19 PM, J. Alexander Jacocks via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic@lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org> wrote:
I love that the wreath is copper and micro-vias.
I'm very enthusiastic about this, and will definitely buy one from you, when they are available.
- Alex
On Thu, Apr 12, 2018 at 1:34 PM, Christian Liendo via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic@lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org> wrote:
I have to admit. That is pretty cool.
Wrote an Intel HEX loader for the monitor and got MINOL BASIC (1976, originally for Altair 8800) up and running. Details: http://www.vcfed.org/forum/showthread.php?63143#post511262 Thanks, Jonathan On Thu, Apr 12, 2018 at 3:59 PM, systems_glitch <systems.glitch@gmail.com> wrote:
Thanks for the positive feedback! The "holes" on the wreath aren't actually holes, though -- too many traces running behind it! I thought about doing that, though :)
Getting parts and whatnot together, depending on how many I end up ordering, it looks like the bare PC boards will be between $10 and $15. Pretty good for an 5x8 circuit board!
Thanks, Jonathan
On Thu, Apr 12, 2018 at 3:19 PM, J. Alexander Jacocks via vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic@lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org> wrote:
I love that the wreath is copper and micro-vias.
I'm very enthusiastic about this, and will definitely buy one from you, when they are available.
- Alex
On Thu, Apr 12, 2018 at 1:34 PM, Christian Liendo via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic@lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org> wrote:
I have to admit. That is pretty cool.
Previously-linked thread updated, got IMSAI 8K BASIC going! Parts should mostly be in this week, I'll put together a costing sheet and figure out what it'll cost. Thanks, Jonathan On Sun, Apr 15, 2018 at 4:19 PM, systems_glitch <systems.glitch@gmail.com> wrote:
Wrote an Intel HEX loader for the monitor and got MINOL BASIC (1976, originally for Altair 8800) up and running. Details:
http://www.vcfed.org/forum/showthread.php?63143#post511262
Thanks, Jonathan
On Thu, Apr 12, 2018 at 3:59 PM, systems_glitch <systems.glitch@gmail.com> wrote:
Thanks for the positive feedback! The "holes" on the wreath aren't actually holes, though -- too many traces running behind it! I thought about doing that, though :)
Getting parts and whatnot together, depending on how many I end up ordering, it looks like the bare PC boards will be between $10 and $15. Pretty good for an 5x8 circuit board!
Thanks, Jonathan
On Thu, Apr 12, 2018 at 3:19 PM, J. Alexander Jacocks via vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic@lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org> wrote:
I love that the wreath is copper and micro-vias.
I'm very enthusiastic about this, and will definitely buy one from you, when they are available.
- Alex
On Thu, Apr 12, 2018 at 1:34 PM, Christian Liendo via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic@lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org> wrote:
I have to admit. That is pretty cool.
So much want. On Mon, Apr 16, 2018 at 9:32 AM, systems_glitch via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic@lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org> wrote:
Previously-linked thread updated, got IMSAI 8K BASIC going! Parts should mostly be in this week, I'll put together a costing sheet and figure out what it'll cost.
Thanks, Jonathan
On Sun, Apr 15, 2018 at 4:19 PM, systems_glitch <systems.glitch@gmail.com> wrote:
Wrote an Intel HEX loader for the monitor and got MINOL BASIC (1976, originally for Altair 8800) up and running. Details:
http://www.vcfed.org/forum/showthread.php?63143#post511262
Thanks, Jonathan
On Thu, Apr 12, 2018 at 3:59 PM, systems_glitch < systems.glitch@gmail.com> wrote:
Thanks for the positive feedback! The "holes" on the wreath aren't actually holes, though -- too many traces running behind it! I thought about doing that, though :)
Getting parts and whatnot together, depending on how many I end up ordering, it looks like the bare PC boards will be between $10 and $15. Pretty good for an 5x8 circuit board!
Thanks, Jonathan
On Thu, Apr 12, 2018 at 3:19 PM, J. Alexander Jacocks via vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic@lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org> wrote:
I love that the wreath is copper and micro-vias.
I'm very enthusiastic about this, and will definitely buy one from you, when they are available.
- Alex
On Thu, Apr 12, 2018 at 1:34 PM, Christian Liendo via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic@lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org> wrote:
I have to admit. That is pretty cool.
The order is being run at the PC board fab :) We decided that any leftovers *will* be available some time after VCF East, but at a higher price. That allowed me to go ahead and order 50 without worrying about getting stuck with unsellable boards, so there should be plenty for everyone. Got a few remaining parts to order. All discrete passives are in (resistors, caps, LEDs, crystals, connectors). Most of the TTL is in. I have to go through my stock of Intel 8085s and 8251As and test them, I may need to order more. Thanks, Jonathan On Tue, Apr 17, 2018 at 1:25 PM, Drew Notarnicola via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic@lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org> wrote:
So much want.
On Mon, Apr 16, 2018 at 9:32 AM, systems_glitch via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic@lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org> wrote:
Previously-linked thread updated, got IMSAI 8K BASIC going! Parts should mostly be in this week, I'll put together a costing sheet and figure out what it'll cost.
Thanks, Jonathan
On Sun, Apr 15, 2018 at 4:19 PM, systems_glitch < systems.glitch@gmail.com> wrote:
Wrote an Intel HEX loader for the monitor and got MINOL BASIC (1976, originally for Altair 8800) up and running. Details:
http://www.vcfed.org/forum/showthread.php?63143#post511262
Thanks, Jonathan
On Thu, Apr 12, 2018 at 3:59 PM, systems_glitch < systems.glitch@gmail.com> wrote:
Thanks for the positive feedback! The "holes" on the wreath aren't actually holes, though -- too many traces running behind it! I thought about doing that, though :)
Getting parts and whatnot together, depending on how many I end up ordering, it looks like the bare PC boards will be between $10 and $15. Pretty good for an 5x8 circuit board!
Thanks, Jonathan
On Thu, Apr 12, 2018 at 3:19 PM, J. Alexander Jacocks via vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic@lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org> wrote:
I love that the wreath is copper and micro-vias.
I'm very enthusiastic about this, and will definitely buy one from you, when they are available.
- Alex
On Thu, Apr 12, 2018 at 1:34 PM, Christian Liendo via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic@lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org> wrote:
I have to admit. That is pretty cool.
Now that your Friday slot is committed, can I sign up? This looks like a ton of fun to build. - Alex On Tue, Apr 17, 2018 at 3:48 PM, systems_glitch via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic@lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org> wrote:
The order is being run at the PC board fab :) We decided that any leftovers *will* be available some time after VCF East, but at a higher price. That allowed me to go ahead and order 50 without worrying about getting stuck with unsellable boards, so there should be plenty for everyone.
Got a few remaining parts to order. All discrete passives are in (resistors, caps, LEDs, crystals, connectors). Most of the TTL is in. I have to go through my stock of Intel 8085s and 8251As and test them, I may need to order more.
Thanks, Jonathan
On Tue, Apr 17, 2018 at 1:25 PM, Drew Notarnicola via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic@lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org> wrote:
So much want.
On Mon, Apr 16, 2018 at 9:32 AM, systems_glitch via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic@lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org> wrote:
Previously-linked thread updated, got IMSAI 8K BASIC going! Parts should mostly be in this week, I'll put together a costing sheet and figure out what it'll cost.
Thanks, Jonathan
On Sun, Apr 15, 2018 at 4:19 PM, systems_glitch < systems.glitch@gmail.com> wrote:
Wrote an Intel HEX loader for the monitor and got MINOL BASIC (1976, originally for Altair 8800) up and running. Details:
http://www.vcfed.org/forum/showthread.php?63143#post511262
Thanks, Jonathan
On Thu, Apr 12, 2018 at 3:59 PM, systems_glitch < systems.glitch@gmail.com> wrote:
Thanks for the positive feedback! The "holes" on the wreath aren't actually holes, though -- too many traces running behind it! I thought about doing that, though :)
Getting parts and whatnot together, depending on how many I end up ordering, it looks like the bare PC boards will be between $10 and $15. Pretty good for an 5x8 circuit board!
Thanks, Jonathan
On Thu, Apr 12, 2018 at 3:19 PM, J. Alexander Jacocks via vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic@lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org> wrote:
I love that the wreath is copper and micro-vias.
I'm very enthusiastic about this, and will definitely buy one from you, when they are available.
- Alex
On Thu, Apr 12, 2018 at 1:34 PM, Christian Liendo via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic@lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org> wrote:
> I have to admit. That is pretty cool. >
I unfortunately will not be there on Friday, but how much will a board plus parts be going for on Saturday? Thanks, Bryan On Thu, May 3, 2018 at 2:59 PM, J. Alexander Jacocks via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic@lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org> wrote:
Now that your Friday slot is committed, can I sign up?
This looks like a ton of fun to build.
- Alex
On Tue, Apr 17, 2018 at 3:48 PM, systems_glitch via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic@lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org> wrote:
The order is being run at the PC board fab :) We decided that any leftovers *will* be available some time after VCF East, but at a higher price. That allowed me to go ahead and order 50 without worrying about getting stuck with unsellable boards, so there should be plenty for everyone.
Got a few remaining parts to order. All discrete passives are in (resistors, caps, LEDs, crystals, connectors). Most of the TTL is in. I have to go through my stock of Intel 8085s and 8251As and test them, I may need to order more.
Thanks, Jonathan
On Tue, Apr 17, 2018 at 1:25 PM, Drew Notarnicola via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic@lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org> wrote:
So much want.
On Mon, Apr 16, 2018 at 9:32 AM, systems_glitch via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic@lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org> wrote:
Previously-linked thread updated, got IMSAI 8K BASIC going! Parts should mostly be in this week, I'll put together a costing sheet and figure out what it'll cost.
Thanks, Jonathan
On Sun, Apr 15, 2018 at 4:19 PM, systems_glitch < systems.glitch@gmail.com> wrote:
Wrote an Intel HEX loader for the monitor and got MINOL BASIC (1976, originally for Altair 8800) up and running. Details:
http://www.vcfed.org/forum/showthread.php?63143#post511262
Thanks, Jonathan
On Thu, Apr 12, 2018 at 3:59 PM, systems_glitch < systems.glitch@gmail.com> wrote:
Thanks for the positive feedback! The "holes" on the wreath aren't actually holes, though -- too many traces running behind it! I thought about doing that, though :)
Getting parts and whatnot together, depending on how many I end up ordering, it looks like the bare PC boards will be between $10 and $15. Pretty good for an 5x8 circuit board!
Thanks, Jonathan
On Thu, Apr 12, 2018 at 3:19 PM, J. Alexander Jacocks via vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic@lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org> wrote:
> I love that the wreath is copper and micro-vias. > > I'm very enthusiastic about this, and will definitely buy one from you, > when they are available. > > - Alex > > On Thu, Apr 12, 2018 at 1:34 PM, Christian Liendo via vcf-midatlantic < > vcf-midatlantic@lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org> wrote: > > > I have to admit. That is pretty cool. > > >
There's no signup, no price gradient based on which day you get there. I have 36 full parts kits, the first 36 people to come and do the workshop get those. There's an additional 14 bare boards for those who just want a bare board (the parts are very common TTL bits, if you have an extensive cache of ICs you probably have nearly everything to build it). Amy and I are packing kits currently. A few shortage items will be coming in Tuesday, then everything is complete. I crimped all of the pigtails today...6 wires per board, one crimp per wire, that's 216 individual Molex KK-100 crimps with a Paladin ratcheting hand crimper! They're apparently not designed for left-handed people, I have to hold it upside-down. Thanks, Jonathan On Sat, May 12, 2018 at 7:46 PM, Bryan Pope via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic@lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org> wrote:
I unfortunately will not be there on Friday, but how much will a board plus parts be going for on Saturday?
Thanks,
Bryan
On Thu, May 3, 2018 at 2:59 PM, J. Alexander Jacocks via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic@lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org> wrote:
Now that your Friday slot is committed, can I sign up?
This looks like a ton of fun to build.
- Alex
On Tue, Apr 17, 2018 at 3:48 PM, systems_glitch via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic@lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org> wrote:
The order is being run at the PC board fab :) We decided that any leftovers *will* be available some time after VCF East, but at a higher price. That allowed me to go ahead and order 50 without worrying about getting stuck with unsellable boards, so there should be plenty for everyone.
Got a few remaining parts to order. All discrete passives are in (resistors, caps, LEDs, crystals, connectors). Most of the TTL is in. I have to go through my stock of Intel 8085s and 8251As and test them, I may need to order more.
Thanks, Jonathan
On Tue, Apr 17, 2018 at 1:25 PM, Drew Notarnicola via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic@lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org> wrote:
So much want.
On Mon, Apr 16, 2018 at 9:32 AM, systems_glitch via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic@lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org> wrote:
Previously-linked thread updated, got IMSAI 8K BASIC going! Parts should mostly be in this week, I'll put together a costing sheet and figure out what it'll cost.
Thanks, Jonathan
On Sun, Apr 15, 2018 at 4:19 PM, systems_glitch < systems.glitch@gmail.com> wrote:
Wrote an Intel HEX loader for the monitor and got MINOL BASIC (1976, originally for Altair 8800) up and running. Details:
http://www.vcfed.org/forum/showthread.php?63143#post511262
Thanks, Jonathan
On Thu, Apr 12, 2018 at 3:59 PM, systems_glitch < systems.glitch@gmail.com> wrote:
> Thanks for the positive feedback! The "holes" on the wreath aren't > actually holes, though -- too many traces running behind it! I thought > about doing that, though :) > > Getting parts and whatnot together, depending on how many I end up > ordering, it looks like the bare PC boards will be between $10 and $15. > Pretty good for an 5x8 circuit board! > > Thanks, > Jonathan > > On Thu, Apr 12, 2018 at 3:19 PM, J. Alexander Jacocks via vcf-midatlantic > <vcf-midatlantic@lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org> wrote: > >> I love that the wreath is copper and micro-vias. >> >> I'm very enthusiastic about this, and will definitely buy one from you, >> when they are available. >> >> - Alex >> >> On Thu, Apr 12, 2018 at 1:34 PM, Christian Liendo via vcf-midatlantic < >> vcf-midatlantic@lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org> wrote: >> >> > I have to admit. That is pretty cool. >> > >> > >
participants (6)
-
Bryan Pope -
Christian Liendo -
Dave McGuire -
Drew Notarnicola -
J. Alexander Jacocks -
systems_glitch