16 Apr
2001
16 Apr
'01
10:20 a.m.
Well ... anything with switches would "work" depending, of course, what you
mean
by "work" but it's the physical dimensions that matter, since it has to fit
where the original goes.
This RS pad must have a catalog number, though, Allison. Since you've seen it,
perhaps you could provide the catalog number, as the RS meatheads wouldn't know
what a keypad kit was if you asked them.
Dick
----- Original Message -----
From: "ajp me" <ajp166(a)bellatlantic.net>
To: <classiccmp(a)classiccmp.org>
Sent: Monday, April 16, 2001 6:41 AM
Subject: Re: Kim / Commie keypads
Foo, mine was used, is used and works. It was dirty
enough to
require a trip through the dishwasher though. It wasn't to hard to open and
wipe the contacts afterwards.
The RS pad (special catalog item likely not their manufacuture)
would work as would many others. Maybe I'm just more resorceful
that others. Either that or rather that grouse about it I just do it.
Allison
------Original Message------
From: "Richard Erlacher" <edick(a)idcomm.com>
To: classiccmp(a)classiccmp.org
Sent: April 16, 2001 2:14:29 AM GMT
Subject: Re: Kim / Commie keypads
Well, in that case, since the user manual is posted at the URL included in the
original post, and you'll see it's not the "usual" scanning matrix
being a 7x3
or some other obtuse pattern, and not easily physically replaced with a
run-of-the mill matrix keypad. Since you have a KIM-1, you know what the size
is, and you know what the Radio Shack product is. If the RS product would fit
in place of the original perhaps you could indicate that. If your keypad is
still working, it's clear you haven't used it much. Just let us know ...
don't
equivocate. Putting a Radio Shack product on a KIM-1
kind-of makes my skin
crawl, but if it will fit closely as a replacement for the original, and if
that's what's wanted, why not?
The designers did provide access to the scanning inputs, however, so an
external
and much more comfortable and durable keypad could be
put in place with little
hassle. If the desired solution is to use a serious keypad the externally
applied replacement can be of whatever size is desired.
It occurred to me over the Easter dinner at Mom's that one could use the top
segment of the capacitive switches by situating them over a perfboard with
wire
leads soldered to it. The somewhat conductive pad on
the lower surface of the
key will close the circuit just fine if a bit of aluminum foil is
rubber-cemented to its conductive surface. If it seems I don't know what sort
of switches are in a PC keyboard, that's because I don't, BTW. The only
PC-targeted keyboard I've disassembled has been that MicroSwitch model. That
should, however, make the surplus PC-keyboard's switches useable. They're
mechanically and ergonomically decent enough.
Dick
----- Original Message -----
From: "ajp166" <ajp166(a)bellatlantic.net>
To: <classiccmp(a)classiccmp.org>
Sent: Sunday, April 15, 2001 4:16 PM
Subject: Re: Kim / Commie keypads
From: Richard Erlacher <edick(a)idcomm.com>
If that were true, this entire thread would not
have occurred. The
problem with
most of these matrix keypads in a single, solid,
monolithically-molded
assembly
NO it's someone that hasn't an idea how or what it is. RS sells a
universal
keypad kit (not usually stocked in the stores) that would work fine. One
from a calc would also work. If someones is doing museam restore that
would be harder.
Besides I obviously don't know anything about it even though I have a
KIM-1
in working condition.
Allison