Build your own PDP-8! - test-drb@ccmp.vtda.org

1 Nov 2002

Then add my name to the list!

 Michel Adam
 311 Rockridge Apts.
 4905 - 54th Ave.
 Yellowknife, N.W.T.
 Canada   X1A 1H6

Thanks

Michel
micheladam(a)theedge.ca

----- Original Message -----
From: bob(a)jfcl.com (Bob Armstrong)
Date: Friday, November 1, 2002 8:55 am
Subject: Re: Build your own PDP-8!

...

  In about twenty four hours eleven people have signed up for 13 
 PC boards.
 This is far more than I ever expected, and I'm glad to see so many 
 peopleinterested in PDP-8s and the SBC6120.  I plan to keep taking 
 sign ups until
 Monday, or we get to 20, which ever is first.

  BTW, the number of people signed up for our cooperative so far 
 is enough
 to guarantee a PCB price somewhere in the low $30 range.

 Thanks again,
 Bob Armstrong

   If you're one of those people who wants a
PDP-8 but can't find   one, don't
 despair - you can always build your own!  The
SBC6120 is a   complete PDP-8
 built around the venerable Harris HM6120 CPU and
modern   programmable logic
 devices.  All parts used except the 6120 are
contemporary, easily   available>devices.

  The entire system fits on a PC board 6.2" by 4.2" and has  
approximately the
 same footprint as a 3.5" hard disk.  The
SBC6120 has an IDE disk   interface,>an optional 2Mb non-volatile RAM disk
(that's as big as 
 an RK05!), and a true
 KL8/E compatible console terminal interface.  OS/8
device   handlers are
 available for the IDE and RAM disks, and the
system will run standard
OS/8 V3D.  There's even an expansion bus so you can design and   build your
 own daughter cards to plug into it.

  To find out more, visit the SBC6120 web page at

	http://www.SpareTimeGizmos.com/Hardware/SBC6120-2.htm

  I've recently had two requests to buy SBC6120 PC boards.  These   are four
 layer boards with plated holes and are quite
expensive in   quantity one or two, 
 but the price falls per piece falls dramatically
for quantities   as small as 
 four or six.  I'd like to find a few other
people who would be   interested in 
 building their own SBC6120 and going in together
on a PCB order.    The price 
 for a SBC6120 PC board would be something like:

	Two boards  ==> $100 per board
	Four   "    ==>  $60 per board
	Six    "    ==>  $45 per board
	Ten    "    ==>  $36 per board

  I also have about four spare 6120 chips, which I'm willing to   sell at my
 cost of $50 each.  Believe it or not, it is still
possible to buy   new old
 stock 6120s, at $50 each, with a minimum order of
ten (!!), but   if enough
 people want SBC6120s we could always go this
route.

  If you're interested, please write to me at bob(a)jfcl.com.

Bob Armstrong 