2 Sep
2010
2 Sep
'10
11:45 a.m.
On 9/2/10, Dave McGuire <mcguire at neurotica.com> wrote:
A MINC is a lot more than just a PDP-11!
While that's certainly true, has anyone on the list ever done anything
with the Lab I/O stuff on a MINC? I got one years ago with all the
docs and software (everything, really, except for the cart, which the
lab kept for something else). Mine only has one or two modules - a
clock board and one of the input boards (I'd have to check the exact
types), but since I didn't have much, I've only ever booted RT-11 and
noodled around on the VT105. ISTR the CPU bay is stuffed with a
KDF-11, 256K of memory, an RXV21, a DLV11J, and an IBV11.
Over the years, I've been given plenty of Qbus parts, but I've never
run across any loose MINC modules. I'm curious if anyone else ever
got a MINC loaded enough to do something fun with it.
-ethan
2 Sep
2 Sep
11:53 a.m.
I have one, but haven't gotten around to playing with it yet. Keep wanting
to, though...
-----Original Message-----
From: cctech-bounces at classiccmp.org [mailto:cctech-bounces at classiccmp.org]
On Behalf Of Ethan Dicks
Sent: Thursday, September 02, 2010 2:46 PM
To: General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts
Subject: MINC-11 (was Re: Collection reduction, part II the sequel)
On 9/2/10, Dave McGuire <mcguire at neurotica.com> wrote:
A MINC is a lot more than just a PDP-11!
While that's certainly true, has anyone on the list ever done anything with
the Lab I/O stuff on a MINC? I got one years ago with all the docs and
software (everything, really, except for the cart, which the lab kept for
something else). Mine only has one or two modules - a clock board and one
of the input boards (I'd have to check the exact types), but since I didn't
have much, I've only ever booted RT-11 and noodled around on the VT105.
ISTR the CPU bay is stuffed with a KDF-11, 256K of memory, an RXV21, a
DLV11J, and an IBV11.
Over the years, I've been given plenty of Qbus parts, but I've never run
across any loose MINC modules. I'm curious if anyone else ever got a MINC
loaded enough to do something fun with it.
-ethan
12:23 p.m.
On Behalf Of Ethan Dicks
Sent: Thursday, September 02, 2010 2:46 PM
To: General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts
Subject: MINC-11 (was Re: Collection reduction, part II the sequel)
On 9/2/10, Dave McGuire <mcguire at neurotica.com> wrote:
It's never been used for anything "fun" by us, but my Dad has a MINC that
was owned by Canterbury University (Christchurch, NZ - I know Ethan
knows;) for their Alternative Fuels experiments back in the 80s. They used
it for doing all of the ADCs from their chassis dynamometer (which Dad
built) and the emissions gear, etc. The unit had almost every one of the
slots filled. I'm afraid I'm too young to have been aware of what it was
doing when it was in action - I was only five or six when the old man left
the project.
- JP
A MINC is a lot more than just a PDP-11!
While that's certainly true, has anyone on the list ever done anything with
the Lab I/O stuff on a MINC? I got one years ago with all the docs and
software (everything, really, except for the cart, which the lab kept for
something else). Mine only has one or two modules - a clock board and one
of the input boards (I'd have to check the exact types), but since I didn't
have much, I've only ever booted RT-11 and noodled around on the VT105.
ISTR the CPU bay is stuffed with a KDF-11, 256K of memory, an RXV21, a
DLV11J, and an IBV11.
Over the years, I've been given plenty of Qbus parts, but I've never run
across any loose MINC modules. I'm curious if anyone else ever got a MINC
loaded enough to do something fun with it. 
12:31 p.m.
On Thu, 2 Sep 2010, Ethan Dicks wrote:
On 9/2/10, Dave McGuire <mcguire at
neurotica.com> wrote:
The one I had for a couple hours, only had one or two boards in it. That
and the size is why I quickly traded it. Realistically I only bought it for
the RX02, so trading for an RX02 was a good deal.
On a related note, I have a couple standard q-bus boards (I forget if they
are A/D or D/A), but they are usable in a 16-bit system. :-(
Zane
A MINC is a lot more than just a PDP-11!
While that's certainly true, has anyone on the list ever done anything
with the Lab I/O stuff on a MINC? I got one years ago with all the
docs and software (everything, really, except for the cart, which the
lab kept for something else). Mine only has one or two modules - a
clock board and one of the input boards (I'd have to check the exact
types), but since I didn't have much, I've only ever booted RT-11 and
noodled around on the VT105. ISTR the CPU bay is stuffed with a
KDF-11, 256K of memory, an RXV21, a DLV11J, and an IBV11.
Over the years, I've been given plenty of Qbus parts, but I've never
run across any loose MINC modules. I'm curious if anyone else ever
got a MINC loaded enough to do something fun with it.
-ethan 
12:48 p.m.
On 9/2/10, Dave McGuire <mcguire at neurotica.com> wrote:
Sort of. With one of my Mincs, I removed the CPU, RAM and boot boards and
replaced the former with the Q-bus end of a DW-11B. That connected the
Lab I/O stuff (and the IBV11) to my 11/45 system.
I certainly have used the digital I/O modules like that. I think i tested
the ADC but never did much with it.
What MINC I/O modules are there? I have : ADC, DAC, clock, digital in,
digital out, DMM preamp (essentially V/mA/Ohms converters to feeed into
the ADC) and thermocouple preamp. I know there was an analogue mutiplexer
unit which I;ve not got. Any oters?
I seem to rememebr that having 2 clock modules in the same MINC is
desirable, you can use them to make a frequency counter or similar.
Has anyone ever seen the MINC BASIC system? It wsa essentally an
interpreted BASIC with routines to do thigns like generate and display
(on a VT105) a historgram of pulse heights, things like that. I don't
have it myself, I think I have some of the manuals for it.
-tony
A MINC is a lot more than just a PDP-11!
While that's certainly true, has anyone on the list ever done anything
with the Lab I/O stuff on a MINC? I got one years ago with all the 
1:01 p.m.
At 8:48 PM +0100 9/2/10, Tony Duell wrote:
What MINC I/O modules are there? I have : ADC, DAC,
clock, digital in,
digital out, DMM preamp (essentially V/mA/Ohms converters to feeed into
the ADC) and thermocouple preamp. I know there was an analogue mutiplexer
unit which I;ve not got. Any oters?
These are the ones I know about:
MNCBA The Chassis
MNCSE Slot Expander
MNCAD Analog/Digital Converter (16 channels)
MNCAA Digital/Analog Converter (4 channels)
MNCAG Preamplifier (4 channels)
MNCAM Analog Multiplexer (increases capacity of A/D by 16 channels)
MNCDI Digital Input (16 lines)
MNCDO Digital Output (16 lines)
MNCKW Real-Time Clock
MNCTP Thermocouple Preamplifier (8 channels)
There might be others that were released later.
John
3 Sep
3 Sep
10:40 a.m.
Incidnetally, I believe the MINC backplane has the normal Q18 connections
and CD interconnect (certianly an RLV11, which uses CD interconenct
between its 2 boards will work in the CPU bay, but I think there's CD
interconnect between the MINC modules too, to cpmmect the analoge input
moduels to the ADC, the clock to the ADC (for sampling at a given time
interval) and so on/
Now that I;ve not seen. What is it?
What MINC I/O
modules are there? I have : ADC, DAC, clock, digital in,
digital out, DMM preamp (essentially V/mA/Ohms converters to feeed into
the ADC) and thermocouple preamp. I know there was an analogue mutiplexer
unit which I;ve not got. Any oters?
These are the ones I know about:
MNCBA The Chassis
MNCSE Slot Expander MNCAD Analog/Digital Converter (16 channels)
Strictly a single-channel ADC (12 bit?) with a 16 inptu mux on the input
and the capability to connect other multiplexers to that input node.
MNCAA Digital/Analog Converter (4 channels)
That one is 4 separate DACs IIRC.
MNCAG Preamplifier (4 channels)
That's the DMM unit I was thinking of. It's quite useful. It includes a4
channel mux and doesn't use up any of the 16 ADC inputs.
Somebody is going to murder me, but about 5 years ago I was at an auction
and a MINC turned up. It contained quite a few modules, including the
MNCAG and the MNCTP, neither of which are common. It was the floppy disk
model (dRX02) on the trolley and it was a MINC-23. It sold for \pounds
2.00 (I am not kidding). Yes I was the winning bidder. I actually bought
it to get those 2 modules, but of course I've kept the whole thing.
MNCAM Analog Multiplexer (increases capacity of A/D
by 16 channels)
MNCDI Digital Input (16 lines)
MNCDO Digital Output (16 lines)
MNCKW Real-Time Clock
MNCTP Thermocouple Preamplifier (8 channels)
There might be others that were released later.
Yes, thsoeare the ones I know about (apart form the slot expander).
Anyone know of any others?
-tony
2 Sep
2 Sep
12:58 p.m.
At 2:45 PM -0400 9/2/10, Ethan Dicks wrote:
Over the years, I've been given plenty of Qbus
parts, but I've never
run across any loose MINC modules. I'm curious if anyone else ever
got a MINC loaded enough to do something fun with it.
I don't personally have it, but I have access to one here that was
used to control various telescopes at Mt. Palomar. I have archived
almost all the printed material for the system and have 5 RL01's, of
DEC layered product distributions staring at me for the system, that
need to be archived. I also have the spares modules (CPUs, clock,
preamp, digital in) and many extra parts for the system. The current
owner has promised it to me when he's through.
A MINC-23 can be upgraded to a -73 (which ours has), and I would find
that VERY interesting.
John
4:44 p.m.
On Thursday 02 September 2010, Ethan Dicks wrote:
On 9/2/10, Dave McGuire <mcguire at
neurotica.com> wrote:
I have a working MINC/DECLAB-23 with the following:
MINC Components
---------------
(1) MNCAM Dual Multiplexer
(1) MNCAG Preamp
(1) MNCAD A/D
(1) MNCAA D/A
(2) MNCKW Clock
11/23 Components
----------------
M8043 DLV11J 4 port serial
M8029 RXV21 RX02 Controller w/RX02
M8059KP Memory 128KW
M8186YB 11/23 CPU w/MMU&FP11
M7954 IBV11 IEEE488
I also have all MINC manuals and MINC BASIC, etc.
At the moment, I have a slight bug in one channel of the MNCAM, but other that that,
everything passes MINC diagnostics.
Cheers,
Lyle
--
Lyle Bickley, AF6WS
Bickley Consulting West Inc.
http://bickleywest.com
"Black holes are where God is dividing by zero"
A MINC is a lot more than just a PDP-11!
While that's certainly true, has anyone on the list ever done anything
with the Lab I/O stuff on a MINC? I got one years ago with all the
docs and software (everything, really, except for the cart, which the
lab kept for something else). Mine only has one or two modules - a
clock board and one of the input boards (I'd have to check the exact
types), but since I didn't have much, I've only ever booted RT-11 and
noodled around on the VT105. ISTR the CPU bay is stuffed with a
KDF-11, 256K of memory, an RXV21, a DLV11J, and an IBV11.
Over the years, I've been given plenty of Qbus parts, but I've never
run across any loose MINC modules. I'm curious if anyone else ever
got a MINC loaded enough to do something fun with it. 
3 Sep
3 Sep
4:33 a.m.
On 3 September 2010 00:44, Lyle Bickley <lbickley at bickleywest.com> wrote:
I also have all MINC manuals and MINC BASIC, etc.
At the moment, I have a slight bug in one channel of the MNCAM, but other that that,
everything passes MINC diagnostics.
You're all making me want to attempt to power mine up now! Mind, it's
been in 2 watertight-but-not-fully-wind-tight garages for 6 or 7 years
so at minimum the RX02 will need to be stripped and cleaned fully.
--
adrian/witchy
Owner of Binary Dinosaurs, the UK's biggest home? computer collection?
www.binarydinosaurs.co.uk
7:25 a.m.
On 9/2/10, Lyle Bickley <lbickley at bickleywest.com> wrote:
I have a working MINC/DECLAB-23 with the following...
Lyle,
Your post has jogged my memory. I'm pretty sure I have the following:
MINC Components
---------------
(1) MNCAG Preamp
(1) MNCKW Clock
11/23 Components
----------------
(1) M8186 11/23 CPU w/MMU
(4) M8044 MOS Memory 32KW
(1) M8043 DLV11J 4 port serial
(1) M8029 RXV21 RX02 Controller w/RX02
(1) M7954 IBV11 IEEE488
(1) M8012 BDV-11 bootstrap and terminator
ISTR the MINC module slots are CD slots (with wide spacing), so it
might not be difficult to mount an RLV11 in there, too, but I haven't
tried it.
-ethan
11:33 a.m.
Ethan,
On Friday 03 September 2010, Ethan Dicks wrote:
On 9/2/10, Lyle Bickley <lbickley at
bickleywest.com> wrote:
You also jogged my memory - my MINC also has (as all MINCs do) an M8012 bootstrap and
terminator.
I have a working MINC/DECLAB-23 with the
following...
Lyle,
Your post has jogged my memory. I'm pretty sure I have the following:
MINC Components
---------------
(1) MNCAG Preamp
(1) MNCKW Clock
11/23 Components
----------------
(1) M8186 11/23 CPU w/MMU
(4) M8044 MOS Memory 32KW
(1) M8043 DLV11J 4 port serial
(1) M8029 RXV21 RX02 Controller w/RX02
(1) M7954 IBV11 IEEE488
(1) M8012 BDV-11 bootstrap and terminator
ISTR the MINC module slots are CD slots (with wide
spacing), so it
might not be difficult to mount an RLV11 in there, too, but I haven't
tried it.
According to the MDL 23 Eng. Drawings an RLV11 should be installed as follows:
Slot 4 M8013, Slot 5 M8014 - i.e.:
Slot Board
1 M8186
2 M8044
3 M8044
4 M8013
5 M8014
6 M7954
7 M8043
...
Cheers,
Lyle
-ethan
--
Lyle Bickley, AF6WS
Bickley Consulting West Inc.
http://bickleywest.com
"Black holes are where God is dividing by zero"
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11 comments
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ard＠p850ug1.demon.co.uk -
binarydinosaurs＠gmail.com -
dundas＠caltech.edu -
ethan.dicks＠gmail.com -
healyzh＠aracnet.com -
jplist2008＠kiwigeek.com -
lbickley＠bickleywest.com -
tony.eros＠machm.org