[vcf-midatlantic] June 11/12 Workshop - Who's Going? Whatcha working on?

[Dan Roganti]

On Tue, May 24, 2016 at 9:06 AM, Dean Notarnicola via vcf-midatlantic <
vcf-midatlantic at lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org> wrote:

> ​01-Jeff Brace-Commodore 64 Robotics Kit for HOPE Exhibit
> 02-Evan Koblentz-Lego LOGO robotics kit for HOPE exhibit (Apple II, IBM PC)
> 03-Alex Jacocks-PS/2 model 70 and AT&T 6300 testing/repairs (Sunday)
> 04-Dean Notarnicola - TRS-80 Model 4, Model 4D, Model I
>
>
> On Tue, May 24, 2016 at 8:07 AM, Evan Koblentz via vcf-midatlantic <
> vcf-midatlantic at lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org> wrote:
>
> > 01-Jeff Brace-Commodore 64 Robotics Kit for HOPE Exhibit
> > 02-Evan Koblentz- Lego LOGO robotics kit for HOPE exhibit (Apple II, IBM
> > PC)
> > 03-Alex Jacocks-PS/2 model 70 and AT&T 6300 testing/repairs (Sunday)
> > 04-
> > 05-
> > 06-
> > 07-
> > 08-
> > 09-
> > 10-
> > 11-
> >
>

​oh hey, I almost forgot, I still have the ​SVI-2000 robot arm if you want
something else for the HOPE exhibit or the NYC MakerFaire.
http://www.theoldrobots.com/images58/Robotarm-w1.JPG
But I'm not sure if I can find the cartridge, it plugs into the C64 User
Port. But it's very easy to make, all it was is a 4028 decoder with a row
of output transistors. They get switched on/off by the software
​ and it connects to both joystick ports on the robot arm​
. Personally, on something this slow I would use relays to keep it Retro.
Nothing like hearing the clickity-clack on vintage hardware :)
Because the bipolar transistors just suck up power away from the robot
motors. So it runs slower than normal. This was originally made to use a
pair of the popular joysticks, such as the Atari or C64, so it had direct
power to the motors. If you want to masticate on it further, then Mosfets
are the best. I could whip up this cartridge on wknd. Just have to find a
case later. Oh and bring extra batteries, they go fast on a busy day.
I don't know if you can find the original software, but they have one here
http://csdb.dk/release/?id=122345&show=summary
and here [german]
http://retroport.de/Hardware_P-Q.html
If you like, I can ship it, just have to find a big box at work, we have
plenty of foam too - I'll just pick it up the next time I visit.
I used it once at the Science center many years ago as a robot excavator
inside a Martian landscape diorama. The martian rocks were painted chunks
of styrofoam, and the dumpster rover was painted white with Nasa insignia
decals. The kids had a ball.
Dan