29 May
2021
29 May
'21
7:58 a.m.
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
29 May
29 May
9:37 a.m.
Smecc has an extra one of these? DEC labs... May be missing patch cords but in nice shape
we would sell or trade...
I think bitsavers? or one of the other has manual?
Off list. Please
Here is history? on Kab unit and interesting commentary? of manual writer!
https://archive.org/details/TNM_Digital_Equipment_Corp_-_Digital_Logic_Labo…
February 5, 2018
Subject:?Some Thoughts from the AuthorAlmost 50 years after I designed the Digital
Equipment H500 Computer Lab and wrote the Computer Lab Workbook, it?s incredible to see a
newly-scanned copy of the workbook on?archive.org. Of course it?s in good company with
copies of many of the other hardware and software handbooks that DEC (Digital Equipment
Corp) published in great abundance.
Even though I?m the most biased reviewer ever for this book, I?ll boldly start off the
reviews by giving it 5 stars. Since most of the folks looking at this book may have used a
DEC Computer Lab at some point in their technical education, here?s a little relevant DEC
history that you might find interesting.
In the mid 60?s DEC brought out a logic training system called the Logic Lab that used the
discrete component logic modules that at the time were the building blocks of all
computers. The Logic Lab was very flexible and powerful. In fact, DEC engineers used
multiple Logic Labs to prototype the first PDP 8S computer. The biggest problem with that
prototype was suppressing the electrical noise associated with long leads and multiple
Logic Lab chassis ? eventually though it worked.
By the late 60?s integrated circuit logic devices had displaced discrete device logic
modules as computer building blocks. Add to that a Logic Lab price of over $2,000 that was
well above the budget of many tech schools and universities ? it was time for a
replacement product.
Denny Doyle, the President of DEC Canada, wanted a locally developed and manufactured
product to expand the role of the Canadian subsidiary. About that time, I joined Digital
Equipment Canada as a newly minted electrical engineer. Shortly after I was tasked with
designing and writing a book to support an affordable logic training device for the
technical education market based on the then popular TTL (Transistor-Transistor Logic)
integrated circuits. The result was the H500 Computer Lab manufactured by Digital Canada
that sold for $400 back in the late 60?s through the early 80?s. What follows are a few
Computer Lab facts:
About 5000 Computer Labs were built over the life of the product. Most were sold to the
technical education market to be used as the practical lab part of a course on computer
logic. Over the usable life of the product, my guess is that an average of 20 students (or
more) would get to use each Computer Lab. That translates to a worldwide population of
about 100,000+ technicians and engineers who gained their first practical lab experience
with digital logic on a Computer Lab.
The Computer Lab Workbook was key to the success of the product. It was an inexpensive
paperback handbook that DEC printed in volume and freely distributed for product promotion
(along with many other DEC handbooks). The book was a ready-to-use 200 hour+ lab course
for computer logic ? that clearly appealed to educators. The first printing of the book,
100,000 copies, was gone quickly in about a year. A second printing of 100,000 was used up
much more slowly and lasted for the remainder of the product life.
DEC sold a separate Computer Lab Teacher?s Guide written by Larry DeAngelo. It had answers
to questions in the Computer Lab Work along with additional experiments and supporting
material.
Even almost 50 years after they were manufactured, Computer Labs still regularly appear
for sale on EBay.com. Interestingly surfing the web recently someone mentioned a still in
service Computer Lab as recently as 2006 in Switzerland. Got a story about cutting your
digital teeth on a Computer Lab? Add it here.
John L Hughes
Sent from the all new AOL app for Android
On Sat, May 29, 2021 at 7:58 AM, William Donzelli via cctalk<cctalk at
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
10:06 a.m.
Here is Lab book correct linkhttps://archive.org/search.php?query=H500+logic
Enjoy!ED#
Sent from the all new AOL app for Android
On Sat, May 29, 2021 at 9:37 AM, ED SHARPE via cctalk<cctalk at classiccmp.org>
wrote: Smecc has an extra one of these? DEC labs... May be missing patch cords but in
nice shape we would sell or trade...
I think bitsavers? or one of the other has manual?
Off list. Please
Here is history? on Kab unit and interesting commentary? of manual writer!
https://archive.org/details/TNM_Digital_Equipment_Corp_-_Digital_Logic_Labo…
February 5, 2018
Subject:?Some Thoughts from the AuthorAlmost 50 years after I designed the Digital
Equipment H500 Computer Lab and wrote the Computer Lab Workbook, it?s incredible to see a
newly-scanned copy of the workbook on?archive.org. Of course it?s in good company with
copies of many of the other hardware and software handbooks that DEC (Digital Equipment
Corp) published in great abundance.
Even though I?m the most biased reviewer ever for this book, I?ll boldly start off the
reviews by giving it 5 stars. Since most of the folks looking at this book may have used a
DEC Computer Lab at some point in their technical education, here?s a little relevant DEC
history that you might find interesting.
In the mid 60?s DEC brought out a logic training system called the Logic Lab that used the
discrete component logic modules that at the time were the building blocks of all
computers. The Logic Lab was very flexible and powerful. In fact, DEC engineers used
multiple Logic Labs to prototype the first PDP 8S computer. The biggest problem with that
prototype was suppressing the electrical noise associated with long leads and multiple
Logic Lab chassis ? eventually though it worked.
By the late 60?s integrated circuit logic devices had displaced discrete device logic
modules as computer building blocks. Add to that a Logic Lab price of over $2,000 that was
well above the budget of many tech schools and universities ? it was time for a
replacement product.
Denny Doyle, the President of DEC Canada, wanted a locally developed and manufactured
product to expand the role of the Canadian subsidiary. About that time, I joined Digital
Equipment Canada as a newly minted electrical engineer. Shortly after I was tasked with
designing and writing a book to support an affordable logic training device for the
technical education market based on the then popular TTL (Transistor-Transistor Logic)
integrated circuits. The result was the H500 Computer Lab manufactured by Digital Canada
that sold for $400 back in the late 60?s through the early 80?s. What follows are a few
Computer Lab facts:
About 5000 Computer Labs were built over the life of the product. Most were sold to the
technical education market to be used as the practical lab part of a course on computer
logic. Over the usable life of the product, my guess is that an average of 20 students (or
more) would get to use each Computer Lab. That translates to a worldwide population of
about 100,000+ technicians and engineers who gained their first practical lab experience
with digital logic on a Computer Lab.
The Computer Lab Workbook was key to the success of the product. It was an inexpensive
paperback handbook that DEC printed in volume and freely distributed for product promotion
(along with many other DEC handbooks). The book was a ready-to-use 200 hour+ lab course
for computer logic ? that clearly appealed to educators. The first printing of the book,
100,000 copies, was gone quickly in about a year. A second printing of 100,000 was used up
much more slowly and lasted for the remainder of the product life.
DEC sold a separate Computer Lab Teacher?s Guide written by Larry DeAngelo. It had answers
to questions in the Computer Lab Work along with additional experiments and supporting
material.
Even almost 50 years after they were manufactured, Computer Labs still regularly appear
for sale on EBay.com. Interestingly surfing the web recently someone mentioned a still in
service Computer Lab as recently as 2006 in Switzerland. Got a story about cutting your
digital teeth on a Computer Lab? Add it here.
John L Hughes
Sent from the all new AOL app for Android========Here is Lab book correct
linkhttps://archive.org/search.php?query=H500+logic
Enjoy!ED#
?=================
? On Sat, May 29, 2021 at 7:58 AM, William Donzelli via cctalk<cctalk at
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
??===?=====?=============
?Here is Lab book correct link
https://archive.org/search.php?query=H500+logic
Enjoy!ED#
10:42 a.m.
Manual is here:
http://www.bitsavers.org/pdf/dec/handbooks/Digital_Computer_Lab_Workbook_19…
On 5/29/2021 7:58 AM, William Donzelli via cctalk 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
10:54 a.m.
On 2021-May-29, at 7:58 AM, William Donzelli via cctalk 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...
As I am aware of it Discord is a software package.
What does "Over on the Discord" mean?
Or, what Discord server?, where?
10:59 a.m.
The ClassicCMP Discord.
--
Will
On Sat, May 29, 2021 at 1:54 PM Brent Hilpert via cctalk
<cctalk at classiccmp.org> wrote:
On 2021-May-29, at 7:58 AM, William Donzelli via cctalk 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...
As I am aware of it Discord is a software package.
What does "Over on the Discord" mean?
Or, what Discord server?, where?
12:08 p.m.
Whatever that is?
Sent from the all new AOL app for Android
On Sat, May 29, 2021 at 10:59 AM, William Donzelli via cctalk<cctalk at
classiccmp.org> wrote: The ClassicCMP Discord.
--
Will
On Sat, May 29, 2021 at 1:54 PM Brent Hilpert via cctalk
<cctalk at classiccmp.org> wrote:
On 2021-May-29, at 7:58 AM, William Donzelli via cctalk 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...
As I am aware of it Discord is a software package.
What does "Over on the Discord" mean?
Or, what Discord server?, where?
5:40 p.m.
On Sat, May 29, 2021 at 10:58 AM William Donzelli via cctalk
<cctalk at 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.
I already have one, but it has no wires and a reasonable substitute
has not come to light despite occasional discussions over the past 20
years.
But they are really cool.
-ethan
5:58 p.m.
Who's idea was the mini-banana anyway? I do not think it was General
Radio. Pomona?
I recently came across some dual mini banana adapters (for someone
without correct context that would be very confusing) but they have no
makers marks. Sort of like GenRad 274 stuff but half sized in every
dimension.
--
Will
--
Will
On Sat, May 29, 2021 at 8:41 PM Ethan Dicks <ethan.dicks at gmail.com> wrote:
On Sat, May 29, 2021 at 10:58 AM William Donzelli via cctalk
<cctalk at 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.
I already have one, but it has no wires and a reasonable substitute
has not come to light despite occasional discussions over the past 20
years.
But they are really cool.
-ethan 
10:49 p.m.
On 5/29/2021 5:58 PM, William Donzelli via cctalk wrote:
Who's idea was the mini-banana anyway? I do not
think it was General
Radio. Pomona?
I recently came across some dual mini banana adapters (for someone
without correct context that would be very confusing) but they have no
makers marks. Sort of like GenRad 274 stuff but half sized in every
dimension.
While the mini-banana makes a passable (though expensive) modern
substitute, I believe the originals were hollow crimp-on taper pins,
#42107 or #42279.
Vince
On Sat, May 29, 2021 at 8:41 PM Ethan Dicks
<ethan.dicks at gmail.com> wrote:
>
> On Sat, May 29, 2021 at 10:58 AM William Donzelli via cctalk
> <cctalk at 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.
>
> I already have one, but it has no wires and a reasonable substitute
> has not come to light despite occasional discussions over the past 20
> years.
>
> But they are really cool.
>
> -ethan
11:33 p.m.
On 5/29/2021 10:52 PM, William Donzelli wrote:
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
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. 
30 May
30 May
6:22 a.m.
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 at classiccmp.org> wrote:
On 5/29/2021 10:52 PM, William Donzelli wrote:
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
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.
8:42 a.m.
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
<cctalk at classiccmp.org <mailto:cctalk at classiccmp.org>> wrote:
On 5/29/2021 10:52 PM, William Donzelli wrote:
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
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.
8:45 a.m.
Thank you!
On Sun, May 30, 2021, 10:42 AM Vincent Slyngstad <
vincent.slyngstad at 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
<cctalk at classiccmp.org <mailto:cctalk at 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.
31 May
31 May
11:25 p.m.
Jack Rubin sent me photos of the patch cords he has, which are quite
different. Maybe they are originally from the older logic lab, instead
of the computer lab? Anyway, I updated my page:
https://so-much-stuff.com/pdp8/computerlab/computerlab.php
slightly to include the pin numbers and the photos of Jack's cool DEC
branded stackable mini-banana plugs.
Vince
30 May
30 May
10:54 a.m.
On Sun, May 30, 2021 at 11:42 AM Vincent Slyngstad via cctalk
<cctalk at 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.
-ethan
12:34 p.m.
On 5/30/2021 10:54 AM, Ethan Dicks wrote:
On Sun, May 30, 2021 at 11:42 AM Vincent Slyngstad via
cctalk
<cctalk at classiccmp.org> wrote:
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
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. 
1:02 p.m.
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 at 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
<cctalk at classiccmp.org> wrote:
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
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. 
1:31 p.m.
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
3:02 p.m.
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
<cctalk at classiccmp.org <mailto:cctalk at classiccmp.org>> wrote:
On 5/30/2021 10:54 AM, Ethan Dicks wrote:
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
On Sun, May 30, 2021 at 11:42 AM Vincent
Slyngstad via cctalk
<cctalk at classiccmp.org <mailto:cctalk at classiccmp.org>> wrote:
> https://so-much-stuff.com/pdp8/computerlab/computerlab.php
<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.
31 May
31 May
10:24 a.m.
Sorry, these pins are smaller: .056" - .068'.
m
On Sun, May 30, 2021 at 6:02 PM Vincent Slyngstad <
vincent.slyngstad at gmail.com> wrote:
On 5/30/2021 1:02 PM, Mike Stein wrote:
you
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
<cctalk at classiccmp.org <mailto:cctalk at classiccmp.org>> wrote:
On 5/30/2021 10:54 AM, Ethan Dicks wrote:
steel
On Sun, May 30, 2021 at 11:42 AM Vincent
Slyngstad via cctalk
<cctalk at classiccmp.org <mailto:cctalk at classiccmp.org>> wrote:
> https://so-much-stuff.com/pdp8/computerlab/computerlab.php
<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 > 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 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
6 Jun
6 Jun
5:34 p.m.
On 31/05/2021 10:02 am, Vincent Slyngstad via cctalk wrote:
On 5/30/2021 1:02 PM, Mike Stein wrote:
I've got to admit that I recently found I had some boxes of these cords
and as they were rather tarnished, considered tossing them into the
cable recycling pile :-(
Now that you have reminded me what they are (I checked they fitted
computer lab), I have checked the dimensions you gave and can confirm
the approx dimensions of the pins and most of the cords.? But two
changes, the green ones are 16.75" inches long, and the blue ones are
24.75" long.
Can anyone independently verify the number of each cord type in a set?
-- Tony.
--
This email has been checked for viruses by AVG.
https://www.avg.com
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 
3 Jun
3 Jun
3:16 p.m.
On 5/30/21 10:42 AM, Vincent Slyngstad via cctalk wrote:
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.
That's interesting, I just dug out my 1962 DEC modules handbook (which
appears to pre-date the H-500 by a few years) and they were using banana
plugs for connections between their modules at that point in time. I wonder
why they changed - purely cost reasons?
29 May
29 May
7:42 p.m.
Any way to get a Discord invite?
On Sat, May 29, 2021 at 10:58 AM William Donzelli via cctalk <
cctalk at 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
30 May
30 May
12:54 a.m.
New subject: Discord (was: DEC Computer Lab for sale)
On Sun, May 30, 2021 at 5:20 AM Mike Stein via cctalk
<cctalk at classiccmp.org> 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
2:01 a.m.
New subject: Discord (was: DEC Computer Lab for sale)
No, the invitation doesn't work anymore. Would be nice to get a new one.
Regards
Rob
-----Original Message-----
From: cctalk <cctalk-bounces at classiccmp.org> On Behalf Of Torfinn
Ingolfsen via cctalk
Sent: 30 May 2021 08:54
To: General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts
<cctalk at classiccmp.org>
Subject: Re: Discord (was: DEC Computer Lab for sale)
On Sun, May 30, 2021 at 5:20 AM Mike Stein via cctalk
<cctalk at classiccmp.org> 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 
7:25 a.m.
New subject: Discord (was: DEC Computer Lab for sale)
On Sun, May 30, 2021, 3:01 AM Rob Jarratt via cctalk <cctalk at classiccmp.org>
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 <cctalk-bounces at classiccmp.org> On Behalf Of Torfinn
Ingolfsen via cctalk
Sent: 30 May 2021 08:54
To: General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts
<cctalk at classiccmp.org>
Subject: Re: Discord (was: DEC Computer Lab for sale)
On Sun, May 30, 2021 at 5:20 AM Mike Stein via cctalk
<cctalk at classiccmp.org> 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 
2 Jun
2 Jun
8:46 a.m.
New subject: Discord (was: DEC Computer Lab for sale)
There was an incorrect link posted, and then a few moments later the correct link was
posted. So ignore the first one and use the second one.
If you use the first one, you'll join my MOHAA gaming discord, probably not what you
want heh
I will check the 2nd one to make sure it is still valid, but thought it had no expiration
date.
Jay
-----Original Message-----
From: cctalk <cctalk-bounces at classiccmp.org> On Behalf Of Warner Losh via cctalk
Sent: Sunday, May 30, 2021 9:26 AM
To: rob at jarratt.me.uk; Rob Jarratt <robert.jarratt at ntlworld.com>; General
Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts <cctalk at classiccmp.org>
Cc: Torfinn Ingolfsen <tingox at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: Discord (was: DEC Computer Lab for sale)
On Sun, May 30, 2021, 3:01 AM Rob Jarratt via cctalk <cctalk at classiccmp.org>
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 <cctalk-bounces at classiccmp.org> On Behalf Of Torfinn
Ingolfsen via cctalk
Sent: 30 May 2021 08:54
To: General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts
<cctalk at classiccmp.org>
Subject: Re: Discord (was: DEC Computer Lab for sale)
On Sun, May 30, 2021 at 5:20 AM Mike Stein via cctalk
<cctalk at classiccmp.org> 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 
30 May
30 May
6:24 a.m.
https://discord.gg/zBcwn8Za
-----Original Message-----
From: cctalk <cctalk-bounces at classiccmp.org> On Behalf Of Mike Stein via
cctalk
Sent: 30 May 2021 03:43
To: William Donzelli <wdonzelli at gmail.com>; General Discussion: On-Topic
and Off-Topic Posts <cctalk at classiccmp.org>
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 at 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
>
1294
days inactive
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29 comments
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