TRS-80 curiosity

[Fred Cisin]

On Fri, 14 Apr 2017, Peter Cetinski via cctalk wrote:
> The EI expansion port was originally called the Screen Printer port 
> because that was the only accessory that connected directly to the 
> TRS-80 bus.

Originally.

Later, the Voice Output device (repackaged Votrax?) used the bus 
connector.
Later, the Voice Input device used the bus connector.

After we (Elcompco) built a 4 port "Bus Extender" (with active 
termination), we found that the Voice Input device had a hidden 
undocumented pass-through of the bus.  All essential to connecting an X-10 
interface and being able to say, "LET THERE BE LIGHT!", with a response of 
X-10 "all lights ON", and a voice responce of "BY YOUR COMMAND".  Thus 
demonstrating the level of practical applicability of a home computer.