Category Archives: Apple 1

About Apple 1 computers

Datanetics PCB here

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I’m really pleased with the result and think every Apple 1 owner will want one!

reproduction datanetics keyboard

compare the replica to the real thing which can be seen here http://www.willegal.net/appleii/images/dataneticsrevb.jpg

Many thanks to Mike Gregory for doing an excellent job cutting/bending and painting the brackets.

Besides finding your own components, it’s going to take some extra skills in order to put this together, including some drilling of brackets, mounting of eyelets, drilling out of vias and reaming of the keyswitch mounting holes (some were made just a bit too small). No detailed instructions will be provided, either. I’m calling this a level 5 kit (the hardest) in my new kit skill level grading system. Grades of other kits are as follows.

1) Apple Cassette Interface
2) PS/2 keyboard adapter
3)
4) Apple 1, Apple 2
5) Datanetics keyboard

Only 10 are have been made and most are already accounted for. Send me an email if you want more information and to get on the interest list.

Build-able Source for 4 versions of Apple 1 Basic

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I have taken Eric Smith’s disassembly of Apple 1 Basic and made it build-able with an Assembler called DASM.  But there is more,  I have compared the object code with 5 published versions of Apple 1 Basic and modified the source so that any of 4 slightly different versions can be built.  At some point, when I get a better understanding of what the differences functionally accomplish, I’ll document and put a page up on my web site.

This work is derived from Eric’s original disassembly, Eric has been gracious enough to allow me to distribute.

http://www.willegal.net/appleii/a1basic.asm

I understand that there are likely to be more versions out there, as Apple 1 basic was a work in progress during the life of the Apple 1 and WOZ distributed improvements as time went on.

Datanetics reproduction PCBs on order!

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After dragging my feet on this for a number of months, I finally pulled the trigger. 10 PCBs are on order.  Anyone who asked about buying them in November will get first chance to buy.  Any left over will be made available, first come, first serve.

Brackets and stiffeners are being fabricated also.  I have the first prototype end bracket on my desk here and it appears to be an outstanding reproduction of the original in all respects.  Part of this project will require drilling out the rivet holes in these pieces.  You will be able to use the PCB as guide to ensure proper registration of holes between the PCB and the end bracket or stiffener.

end bracket

Pricing is up in the air, as I will save some money by drilling out the plating in the matrix area of the PCB myself. On the other hand,  I haven’t factored in the cost of the end brackets/stiffeners.

Datanetics PCB update

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I’ve had a pretty small response to the offer on the Datanetics PCB.  Despite the small numbers of folks interested, I’m still going ahead with this as a one time deal.  Before doing so, I’m going to spend the next couple of days looking for better pricing on the PCB.  Ordinarily I’d stick with my current fab house, since since I have had such good luck with them.  However this PCB doesn’t have a solder mask or silkscreen, so I should be able to find a cheaper place to do this board and still get good results.   Since I haven’t collected money yet – if I turn up a better price, I’ll adjust the pricing.

The ACI Parser Bug

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I don’t know if this is really a bug or a compromise in the design needed to get it into 256 bytes of code space.

Always enter all four characters of 16 bit hex address when entering addresses into the ACI parser.  The parser doesn’t clear out preexisting addresses, so unless you enter all four address characters, you will use whatever was already present in memory mixed in with the new address.

EXAMPLE:  to load Hamarabi enter the following

004A.00FFR 0400.0FFFR

Datanetics Keyboard Plans

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These PCB boards are turning out to be very expensive to make, partly because of the need for the array of unplated vias in the encoding matrix on the upper left side of the board.  These unplated holes push this project into a custom fab process pricing, which increases cost by 25%.  Because of this, and the specialty nature of this project,  I’m not sure how many to order.  What I’ve decided to do, is to make November a pre-order month.  At the end of November, I will order enough to fill the pre-orders only.  There are no plans to stock or inventory any of these PCBs to sell later on.  The cost of the PCB will be $79 and will include no hardware, chips or other components.  I can’t even guarantee the PCB will be error free.  Actually I’m reproducing a design error that was on the original, but beyond that I can only say that I’ll do the best that I can.  However, if they turn out to be unusable, I’ll eat the cost and either get a new batch made or refund your money.  Shipping within the lower 48 US states will be free. Add $25 for overseas shipping.

Pre-orders will the accepted through the end of November.  Fabrication of the PCBs is expected to take a month, and shipment to you about a week after that.  Which would put the PCB in your hands in the first half of Janurary.

send email to “mike@willegal.net” for preordering information.

PS. If one of us can find a sheet metal vendor to do the stiffeners, I’ll be glad to coordinate a batch purchase of those at cost.

Small Apple Cassette Interface update

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I have had it confirmed from an independent source that the ACI works fine with Vince Briel’s replica 1 SE.  This same person has also successfully tried a  Radio Shack 14-109 (no longer sold) as well as the CTR-80A which is a cassette recorder packaged with the TRS80s.

If you have used a particular cassette recorder, successfully or not, let me know and I’ll share the information.

We have both noticed erratic operation of the LED, but I have previously reported that the LED can not be reliably used for setting playback volume.

Datanetics Keyboard Replica Project Status

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I’m likely to be ordering Datanetics keyboard PCBs within a couple of weeks. This will most likely be a one shot deal and I’m expecting that I’ll make less than 25. I’ll sell keyboard PCBs and possibly metal stiffeners. You’ll have to find an MM5740 encoder, key switches, key caps and the rest of the parts.

Apple Cassette Interface Status

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Apple Cassette Interface kits for the Apple 1 are now in stock.

They cost $100 alone, or $75 if combined with the purchase of a Mimeo 1 kit.

I’ve had a friend partially test with Vince Briel’s Replica 1. So far so good, but he has only tried reading from an iPod. Writes and reads from a regular cassette recorder still need to be tested with the Replica 1. I’ll provide an update when that is accomplished.