Cypher 68000/Z80 SBC, Motel Computers

[Peter D. O'Neill via cctalk]

While going through some boxes which have been unopened since my last move
15 years ago I found a Cypher 68000/Z80 single board computer by Motel
Computers Ltd, Ontario Canada that I bought back in 1986. In another box I
found some of the documentation. I'm hopeful of finding the manual and disks
but they haven't turned up yet. 

 

Does anyone have the manual and disks for this board?

 

Regards,

Peter O'Neill

 

 

Re: DEC Computer Lab for sale

[Vincent Slyngstad via cctalk]

On 5/30/2021 1:02 PM, Mike Stein wrote:
What's the length and the diameters at each end of the pin? I've got 
some cables for Burroughs patch panels that might be useful.


The pin diameter at the rounded tip is .093", a standard pin diameter. 
It flares to 0.102" or so, over about 0.34" of length.  The overall pin 
length (including the insulation crimp/strain relief) is about 0.65".


Also measured some patch cords (pin tip to pin tip):
Brown is 2.75".
Red is 4.75".
Orange is 6.75".
Yellow is 8.75".
Green is 16.5".
Subtract about an inch and a quarter for the length of the visible wire.

There was also blue, though I don't have one to measure.  My notes 
remind me that the blue looks about an inch or so longer than green, 
based on the cover photo of the manual. At that length it will 
comfortably reach across the device, whereas the green is just a little 
short for that.


Found in my old notes:
The DEC 12-03498 was a #41675 taper pin.
Similar AMP taper pins:
42107 "88" series will fit.
42279 is similar, though obsolete.

My old notes also suggest higher quantities for the patch cords; 100 of 
them all together:

B 20
R 30
O 25
Y 20
G 10
B  2

Vince

On Sun, May 30, 2021 at 3:40 PM Vincent Slyngstad via cctalk 
mailto:cctalk@classiccmp.org>> wrote:


On 5/30/2021 10:54 AM, Ethan Dicks wrote:
 > On Sun, May 30, 2021 at 11:42 AM Vincent Slyngstad via cctalk
 > mailto:cctalk@classiccmp.org>> wrote:
 >> https://so-much-stuff.com/pdp8/computerlab/computerlab.php

 >> The photos get a little bigger if you click them.  Those bits of
stamped
 >> brass or whatever they are made of were probably pennies each.
 >
 > I've thought about what it might take to manufacture a pair of steel
 > rollers that could stamp those out but I haven't gotten very far with
 > it.  Same idea for the backplane bus strip DEC used to sell on the
 > roll.
 >
 > Depending on level of detail, either a small CNC or possibly a wire
 > EDM could make the dies.

I thought about machining a ram to deform an existing modern pin (or
even just tubing) to create the taper.

I also tried to cast some out of solder, but they had bubbles and
were a
little too soft (tin-lead solder).  Also, with a solder connection you
really need a good strain relief.  At some point it's too much work for
what you're accomplishing (and still not very authentic).

         Vince

Re: DEC Computer Lab for sale

[Chuck Guzis via cctalk]

What about some Molex pins?   They're plated (tin or gold), and they're
made for insertion and look to be about the right diameter, though it's
hard to say without a specific measurement..

I wonder if the originals are not quite cartridge ("yellow")brass, but
phosphor bronze.  Stiffer--and does not lose its "springiness".  Used a
lot for contacts.

--Chuck

Fabritek logic trainers anyone have manuals for these? Anyone have one of these trainers besides us??

[ED SHARPE via cctalk]

Fabritek logic trainers  anyone have manuals for these? Anyone  have one of 
these trainers besides us? Ed at SMECC MUSEUM PROJECT 
Sent from the all new AOL app for Android

Re: DEC Computer Lab for sale

[Mike Stein via cctalk]

What's the length and the diameters at each end of the pin? I've got some
cables for Burroughs patch panels that might be useful.

On Sun, May 30, 2021 at 3:40 PM Vincent Slyngstad via cctalk <
cctalk@classiccmp.org> wrote:

> On 5/30/2021 10:54 AM, Ethan Dicks wrote:
> > On Sun, May 30, 2021 at 11:42 AM Vincent Slyngstad via cctalk
> >  wrote:
> >> https://so-much-stuff.com/pdp8/computerlab/computerlab.php
> >> The photos get a little bigger if you click them.  Those bits of stamped
> >> brass or whatever they are made of were probably pennies each.
> >
> > I've thought about what it might take to manufacture a pair of steel
> > rollers that could stamp those out but I haven't gotten very far with
> > it.  Same idea for the backplane bus strip DEC used to sell on the
> > roll.
> >
> > Depending on level of detail, either a small CNC or possibly a wire
> > EDM could make the dies.
>
> I thought about machining a ram to deform an existing modern pin (or
> even just tubing) to create the taper.
>
> I also tried to cast some out of solder, but they had bubbles and were a
> little too soft (tin-lead solder).  Also, with a solder connection you
> really need a good strain relief.  At some point it's too much work for
> what you're accomplishing (and still not very authentic).
>
> Vince
>

Re: DEC Computer Lab for sale

[Vincent Slyngstad via cctalk]

On 5/30/2021 10:54 AM, Ethan Dicks wrote:

On Sun, May 30, 2021 at 11:42 AM Vincent Slyngstad via cctalk
 wrote:

https://so-much-stuff.com/pdp8/computerlab/computerlab.php
The photos get a little bigger if you click them.  Those bits of stamped
brass or whatever they are made of were probably pennies each.


I've thought about what it might take to manufacture a pair of steel
rollers that could stamp those out but I haven't gotten very far with
it.  Same idea for the backplane bus strip DEC used to sell on the
roll.

Depending on level of detail, either a small CNC or possibly a wire
EDM could make the dies.


I thought about machining a ram to deform an existing modern pin (or 
even just tubing) to create the taper.


I also tried to cast some out of solder, but they had bubbles and were a 
little too soft (tin-lead solder).  Also, with a solder connection you 
really need a good strain relief.  At some point it's too much work for 
what you're accomplishing (and still not very authentic).


Vince

Re: DEC Computer Lab for sale

[Ethan Dicks via cctalk]

On Sun, May 30, 2021 at 11:42 AM Vincent Slyngstad via cctalk
 wrote:
> https://so-much-stuff.com/pdp8/computerlab/computerlab.php
> The photos get a little bigger if you click them.  Those bits of stamped
> brass or whatever they are made of were probably pennies each.

I've thought about what it might take to manufacture a pair of steel
rollers that could stamp those out but I haven't gotten very far with
it.  Same idea for the backplane bus strip DEC used to sell on the
roll.

Depending on level of detail, either a small CNC or possibly a wire
EDM could make the dies.

-ethan

Re: DEC Computer Lab for sale

[Eric Moore via cctalk]

Thank you!

On Sun, May 30, 2021, 10:42 AM Vincent Slyngstad <
vincent.slyngs...@gmail.com> wrote:

> On 5/30/2021 6:22 AM, Eric Moore wrote:
> > Hi, I have a DEC computer lab, but no cables. It works fine, but I would
> > love to pair it with an original-as-reasonable set of cables.
> >
> > Are the mini-banana plugs the best modern replacement available? Are
> > pics of the original plugs available?
>
> The mini-banana works OK, and I don't know of anything better that is
> still available.  A hundred of them (50 patch cables) won't be cheap.
>
> https://so-much-stuff.com/pdp8/computerlab/computerlab.php
> The photos get a little bigger if you click them.  Those bits of stamped
> brass or whatever they are made of were probably pennies each.
>
> Vince
>
> > On Sun, May 30, 2021, 3:08 AM Vincent Slyngstad via cctalk
> > mailto:cctalk@classiccmp.org>> wrote:
> >
> > On 5/29/2021 10:52 PM, William Donzelli wrote:
> >  >> While the mini-banana makes a passable (though expensive) modern
> >  >> substitute, I believe the originals were hollow crimp-on taper
> pins,
> >  >> #42107 or #42279.
>

Re: DEC Computer Lab for sale

[Vincent Slyngstad via cctalk]

On 5/30/2021 6:22 AM, Eric Moore wrote:
Hi, I have a DEC computer lab, but no cables. It works fine, but I would 
love to pair it with an original-as-reasonable set of cables.


Are the mini-banana plugs the best modern replacement available? Are 
pics of the original plugs available?


The mini-banana works OK, and I don't know of anything better that is 
still available.  A hundred of them (50 patch cables) won't be cheap.


https://so-much-stuff.com/pdp8/computerlab/computerlab.php
The photos get a little bigger if you click them.  Those bits of stamped 
brass or whatever they are made of were probably pennies each.


Vince

On Sun, May 30, 2021, 3:08 AM Vincent Slyngstad via cctalk 
mailto:cctalk@classiccmp.org>> wrote:


On 5/29/2021 10:52 PM, William Donzelli wrote:
 >> While the mini-banana makes a passable (though expensive) modern
 >> substitute, I believe the originals were hollow crimp-on taper pins,
 >> #42107 or #42279.
 >
 > Really? I have loads of taper pin patch cables. I should try one out.
 >
 > The sockets just loom too big for taper pins.

I have a few original cables.  They look to my untrained eye like
stranded hook-up wire with a crimp-on pin on each end.  The pins look
like brass, and are about the size of the ones in the DEC current loop
connectors, except brass and fatter as you move back toward the crimp.

Like proper taper pins, they wedge nicely into the brass annuli on the
H-500.  They also work nicely in the earlier Logic Lab panels that took
the flip-chip modules.  I wish I could find a source for the pins, as
I'd like to make a pile of patch cables!

Unless your taper pin patch cables fit, and you want to unload a bunch
of them :-).

         Vince

Re: Discord (was: DEC Computer Lab for sale)

[Warner Losh via cctalk]

On Sun, May 30, 2021, 3:01 AM Rob Jarratt via cctalk 
wrote:

> No, the invitation doesn't work anymore. Would be nice to get a new one.
>

https://discord.gg/xqAypCGp will work for either a week or a month.

Warner

Regards
>
> Rob
>
> > -Original Message-
> > From: cctalk  On Behalf Of Torfinn
> > Ingolfsen via cctalk
> > Sent: 30 May 2021 08:54
> > To: General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts
> > 
> > Subject: Re: Discord (was: DEC Computer Lab for sale)
> >
> > On Sun, May 30, 2021 at 5:20 AM Mike Stein via cctalk
> >  wrote:
> > >
> > > Any way to get a Discord invite?
> > >
> >
> > The original post about Discord is in the mailing list archives
> > http://www.classiccmp.org/pipermail/cctalk/2019-November/050588.html
> > not sure if the invite still is working.
> >
> > --
> > Regards,
> > Torfinn Ingolfsen
>
>

RE: DEC Computer Lab for sale

[Dave Wade G4UGM via cctalk]

https://discord.gg/zBcwn8Za

> -Original Message-
> From: cctalk  On Behalf Of Mike Stein via
> cctalk
> Sent: 30 May 2021 03:43
> To: William Donzelli ; General Discussion: On-Topic
> and Off-Topic Posts 
> Subject: Re: DEC Computer Lab for sale
> 
> Any way to get a Discord invite?
> 
> On Sat, May 29, 2021 at 10:58 AM William Donzelli via cctalk <
> cctalk@classiccmp.org> wrote:
> 
> > Over on the Discord, I have posted a DEC Computer Lab H-500 for sale.
> > Needs cosmetic help, but will be priced accordingly.
> >
> > Offers? Off list...
> >
> > --
> > Will
> >

Re: DEC Computer Lab for sale

[Eric Moore via cctalk]

Hi, I have a DEC computer lab, but no cables. It works fine, but I would
love to pair it with an original-as-reasonable set of cables.

Are the mini-banana plugs the best modern replacement available? Are pics
of the original plugs available?

Thank you,

-Eric






On Sun, May 30, 2021, 3:08 AM Vincent Slyngstad via cctalk <
cctalk@classiccmp.org> wrote:

> On 5/29/2021 10:52 PM, William Donzelli wrote:
> >> While the mini-banana makes a passable (though expensive) modern
> >> substitute, I believe the originals were hollow crimp-on taper pins,
> >> #42107 or #42279.
> >
> > Really? I have loads of taper pin patch cables. I should try one out.
> >
> > The sockets just loom too big for taper pins.
>
> I have a few original cables.  They look to my untrained eye like
> stranded hook-up wire with a crimp-on pin on each end.  The pins look
> like brass, and are about the size of the ones in the DEC current loop
> connectors, except brass and fatter as you move back toward the crimp.
>
> Like proper taper pins, they wedge nicely into the brass annuli on the
> H-500.  They also work nicely in the earlier Logic Lab panels that took
> the flip-chip modules.  I wish I could find a source for the pins, as
> I'd like to make a pile of patch cables!
>
> Unless your taper pin patch cables fit, and you want to unload a bunch
> of them :-).
>
> Vince
>

RE: Discord (was: DEC Computer Lab for sale)

[Rob Jarratt via cctalk]

No, the invitation doesn't work anymore. Would be nice to get a new one.

Regards

Rob

> -Original Message-
> From: cctalk  On Behalf Of Torfinn
> Ingolfsen via cctalk
> Sent: 30 May 2021 08:54
> To: General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts
> 
> Subject: Re: Discord (was: DEC Computer Lab for sale)
> 
> On Sun, May 30, 2021 at 5:20 AM Mike Stein via cctalk
>  wrote:
> >
> > Any way to get a Discord invite?
> >
> 
> The original post about Discord is in the mailing list archives
> http://www.classiccmp.org/pipermail/cctalk/2019-November/050588.html
> not sure if the invite still is working.
> 
> --
> Regards,
> Torfinn Ingolfsen

Re: Discord (was: DEC Computer Lab for sale)

[Torfinn Ingolfsen via cctalk]

On Sun, May 30, 2021 at 5:20 AM Mike Stein via cctalk
 wrote:
>
> Any way to get a Discord invite?
>

The original post about Discord is in the mailing list archives
http://www.classiccmp.org/pipermail/cctalk/2019-November/050588.html
not sure if the invite still is working.

-- 
Regards,
Torfinn Ingolfsen

Re: DEC Computer Lab for sale

[Vincent Slyngstad via cctalk]

On 5/29/2021 10:52 PM, William Donzelli wrote:

While the mini-banana makes a passable (though expensive) modern
substitute, I believe the originals were hollow crimp-on taper pins,
#42107 or #42279.


Really? I have loads of taper pin patch cables. I should try one out.

The sockets just loom too big for taper pins.


I have a few original cables.  They look to my untrained eye like 
stranded hook-up wire with a crimp-on pin on each end.  The pins look 
like brass, and are about the size of the ones in the DEC current loop 
connectors, except brass and fatter as you move back toward the crimp.


Like proper taper pins, they wedge nicely into the brass annuli on the 
H-500.  They also work nicely in the earlier Logic Lab panels that took 
the flip-chip modules.  I wish I could find a source for the pins, as 
I'd like to make a pile of patch cables!


Unless your taper pin patch cables fit, and you want to unload a bunch 
of them :-).


Vince