[vcf-midatlantic] ANNOUNCE: VCF East XIII 8085 Single Board Computer

[Dave McGuire]

  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