[vcf-midatlantic] MITS Altair 8800 C&K switches

[Herb Johnson]

My apologies for all the fuss. Again: who knew this was difficult?

> Jeff Galinat writes: 
>  
> According to Mike Douglas AKA deramp .. the American
> Switch brand was used in the original Altair not C & K. 
> 
> S1 Toggle Switch On-None-On (Silver) APEM 5236AB
> S10-S25 Toggle Switch On-None-On (Gold) APEM 5236CDB
> S2-S9 Toggle Switch (On)-Off-(On) (Gold) APEM 5237CDB
> 
> Take this as you wish but I do value Mike's opinion on this 

Um, I also saw this information 1) in the VCFed discussion list 
referenced earlier in this thread and 2) on notes it referenced on the 
deramp site, about a MITS Altair front-panel replica. But...

But: those references to a replica, have confused me, as to whether the 
original Altair switches were of that brand; or if these identified 
switches are reasonable replacements; or if these are for the replica. 
Pardon my confusion.

Also: in my most-prior post here, I acknowledge I *do not know* what 
brand was in-use. My error, to suggest C&K. That's why I'm asking.

Again: proof beyond doubt, would be a photo of an original switch, in 
place, on an original front panel. Such a photo seems to be surprisingly 
hard to produce, hard to find. I certainly don't want to disassemble my 
MITS Altair just to take an internal photo.

And my apologies, this is not a "personal trust" issue. I appreciate the 
identifications given, it's a "lead". My request for evidence is not 
unreasonable. I'm surprised it's so obscure! At least in year 2020. I've 
seen BUNCHES of photos of lots of MITS boards. But not of the original 
front panel, in profile. I'll be sure to provide those, should I tear my 
Altair apart. (No it's not for sale).

Regards, Herb

-- 
Herbert R. Johnson, New Jersey in the USA
http://www.retrotechnology.com OR .net
preserve, recover, restore 1970's computing
email: hjohnson AT retrotechnology DOT com
or try later herbjohnson AT retrotechnology DOT info

-- 
Herbert R. Johnson, New Jersey in the USA
http://www.retrotechnology.com OR .net
preserve, recover, restore 1970's computing
email: hjohnson AT retrotechnology DOT com
or try later herbjohnson AT retrotechnology DOT info