-----------------Original Message----------------
Date: Fri, 30 Dec 2005 17:26:17 -0500
From: "Roy J. Tellason" <rtellason at blazenet.net>
Subject: weird modems
>Since you guys are bringing up some unusual stuff with modems, I thought of
>something else I have in storage...
>Got a pair of units that are designed to be used on a 4-wire (!) leased line,
>or something. <snip>
---------------------Reply-----------------
Speaking of...
I've got a few of those as well (even the grey rotary data phone to go with
them), although I suspect they're < 9600 bd; also some line drivers and
"Steamer" mux/demux's; just the thing for you guys with the separate
buildings - lets you run a single 4-wire cable between your terminal(s) and
the hardware collection in the "museum" out back.
Also a couple of Centronics-type parallel printer extenders (up to
50' or so of phone cable between computer & printer ports) so you
can keep the printer in your living room.
Any interest, email off-list.
mike (in Toronto)
A couple of years ago I met a couple of people on here that had
Burroughs L-series computers, but lost track of them in the meantime.
(I think there's an L5000 at Bletchley, but they probably don't need
or want anything).
I'm about to toss out the last remnants of my L stuff (programming
manuals, memory cards, tape drive, TD-700 display, etc.)
If there's anyone out there still interested, send me an email off-list
before they go into landfill.
m
-------------Original message-------------
Date: Fri, 30 Dec 2005 21:30:02 +0000 (UTC)
From: Alexey Toptygin <alexeyt at freeshell.org>
Subject: hobby cellular (was: Re: The future of our hobby (was Re:
ImageDisk project is canceled))
On Fri, 30 Dec 2005, Scott Stevens wrote:
<snippage>
>Speaking of homebrewed cellphones, the hardest part will be getting the
>specs. Even with GSM, where the 3GPP has thankfully published everything
>for free, reading and understanding all of that is a mamoth undertaking.
><cough>9.02</cough>
>Then again, you'll need at least a base station, MSC and protocol analyzer
>just to test the damned thing... <sigh> the barrier to entry into voice
>telecom is still astronomic, and not likely to lower much if the current
>players have any say in the process.
> Alexey
----------------Reply---------------
Unless, like Tony, you want to build it out of discrete transistors, it looks
pretty trivial. The detailed description of how they converted a rotary desk
phone into a cell phone (complete with the original ringer!) makes fascinating
reading (nice pictures, too).
http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/categories.php
Too bad it's too late for Xmas; for only $399 you could have asked your SO
to put one under the tree.
BTW, they also have a $10 USB<>RS-232 converter which might interest
someone.
mike
--------------Original Message--------------
Date: Fri, 30 Dec 2005 16:53:05 -0500
From: "Roy J. Tellason" <rtellason at blazenet.net>
Subject: Re: Beehive terminals
>On Thursday 29 December 2005 09:28 pm, Richard wrote:
>> Does anyone have one?
>>
>> They apparently were crappy designs and tended to die fairly readily,
>> making them hard to find. They were manufactured in Salt Lake, but I
>> haven't seen one since I used them in Delaware around 1980!
>I vaguely remember something about the Cromemco-badged one that came with my
>System Three being made by them. Only problem I remember with it is that the
>fan is getting kinda noisy...
---------------Reply---------------
I believe you're right and the Cromemco 3101/3102s were custom-programmed
Beehives.
BTW, I'm scrapping a Beehive DM-1S on the off chance that someone needs
any parts (no kbd, case or ROMS).
mike
Just out of curiosity, Tim. Where is "Sellam's Warehouse"? ;-)
That place looks like a collector's wet dream :-).
--
"The Direct3D Graphics Pipeline"-- code samples, sample chapter, FAQ:
<http://www.xmission.com/~legalize/book/>
Pilgrimage: Utah's annual demoparty
<http://pilgrimage.scene.org>
All:
I just upgraded systems to a Windows XP box and I now have an issue with
Basilisk (Mac emulator) complaining about not finding the ASPI layer
software. I made sure I had the latest files from Adaptec and installed them
as administrator. The rub is that without this, the CDROM will not work.
This is a feature that worked when I had it installed on my Win2k box.
Not much software is involved (two files) and the Adaptec
utility reports that everything is A-OK. Has anyone experienced this problem
and if so, how did you solve it?
Rich
Rich Cini
Collector of classic computers
Build Master for the Altair32 Emulation Project
Web site: <http://highgate.comm.sfu.ca/~rcini/classiccmp/>
http://highgate.comm.sfu.ca/~rcini/classiccmp/
/************************************************************/
To cut to the end, does anyone have the software disk for the Subject: line?
An explanation...
About 20 years ago, there was a Fischertechnik robotics kit. This
contains the usual blocks, gears, etc, 2 small motors, 3 lamps, an
electromagnet, 8 switches and 2 pots. And no other electonic parts.
There were various interfaces sold for this, at the time they were very
expensive and not suitable for the machines I had. So I did the obvious
thing and boilt my own...
But I have now bought the one for the BBC Micro (Part numbrer 30 564) (it
turned up on E-bay with a reasonable B-I-N). It arrived exactly as
described (brand new, still in the shrinkwrap). In the box was the
interface module, the user manual, and a supplement to that. No software
disk, although the manual makes reference to one. Fortunately, the most
important program, the low-level driver that talks to the interface via
the Beeb's user port is listed in the manual, so it is possible to use
the thing.
But I'd still like to have the demo programs for the models described
in the robotics kit manual.
As regards the interface itself, I've not seriously looked at it yet.
It's mostly 4000-series CMOS, with a 4014 shift register for the switch
inputs, a 4094 shift register driving motor control ICs for the outputs,
and a 556 timer for the pot inputs (the driver program seems to use one
of the timers in the VIA that controls the user port). Looks very hackable.
-tony
>From: Roger Merchberger <zmerch at 30below.com>
>Subject: Re: The future of our hobby (was Re: ImageDisk project
>is canceled)
>Rumor has it that Jos Dreesen may have mentioned these words:
>[snippage]
>>There will never be a hacker-friendly mobile phone for instance.
>"Build your own" isn't hacker-friendly??? ;-)
>http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/categories.php
>Laterz,
>Roger "Merch" Merchberger
------------------------
Neat stuff; _Love_ the rotary dial cell phone...
mike
I have one of the above that is giving a 102 error, meaning the system
board is toast. Any suggestions on what to do?
I do have a couple of Portable III's so could possible use some of the
parts, but see no way to reasonable revive the beast.
Next project is to revive a Wang portable(sans power supply), or maybe a
DEC Rainbow (sans monitor and keyboard).
Would a Decmate keyboard and monitor work with a Rainbow?
Anyone have either of these in their collection?
The former seemed fairly rare even in its day, while the latter was
mass produced yet I seem to never see it listed on anyone's collection
web page.
I think I have an Epson FX-80 printer somewhere in a cabinet with a
busted tractor feed mechanism on one side.
--
"The Direct3D Graphics Pipeline"-- code samples, sample chapter, FAQ:
<http://www.xmission.com/~legalize/book/>
Pilgrimage: Utah's annual demoparty
<http://pilgrimage.scene.org>