Hi,

I have just posted my latest hack. This is a small C program that will convert an Apple Command Line file to AIF format. This AIF format file can easily moved to an iPod and be used to load your Apple 1 through the Apple Cassette Interface.

The program and more information can be found here: http://www.willegal.net/appleii/apple1-software.htm

In case you are wondering, an example Apple command line format file might look like this:

0: A9 00 AA 20 EF FF E8 8A
: 4C 02 00

I just posted pictures of my new PEM (power entry module) on my website.

http://www.willegal.net/appleii/apple1-enclosure.htm

In my opinion, it looks about 100 times better than the crude wood box I was using before. Plus it is smaller and lighter. Judge for yourself.

new power entry module

old power entry module

The Panasonic RQ2102 cassette recorder works about 100 times better than the period Radio Shack recorder that I was attempting to use. I recommend that all Apple 1 owners get one of these while they are still available.  Since it works pretty well, I’m go to go ahead and start the process for making a batch of ACI kits.

First,  I’ll take names for the wait list. Though the layout is done, I don’t want to invest the money until I build up a wait list of around 15 units. Send me an email (my address can found on my website) and I’ll put you on the wait list.  Once the wait list reaches 15 or so units, I’ll ask for money and then order boards and parts.  I expect the cost of the kits to be under $100.

I’ll publicly track the wait list with your initials, date I received your request, and number of kits desired on my ACI page.

Folks,

Quick update – while waiting for the panasonic cassette recorder to arrive, I’ve started work on a new project.

This is going to be a Datanetics Keyboard PCB. This was the keyboard that was most commonly used with Apple 1 computers. There were several revisions made. I’m likely to layout the rev D, since it used most of the same keycap set as early Apple IIs. However, I have access to an actual, original rev B, and may decide that I can do a more faithful replication of that version.

Note that some of the important parts for this keyboard can be very hard to find. The MM5740/AAE keyboard encoder is a very difficult IC to find. Furthermore, the ones you do find, sometimes do not work reliably. Randomly repeating characters after warm up is the symptom of this problem. It would be possible to program a micro controller to accomplish the same function and mount it on a plug in daughter card. However, I think I have enough MM5740’s to satisfy my own needs, so I’ll leave that to someone else. As far as I know, Datanetics key switches and key caps can only be sourced from early Apple II plus computers. The early Apple II/plus keyboards used the same keyswitch and the same style key caps. In fact those keyboards were made for Apple by Datanetics. There are also some metals stiffeners that will be have to be fabricated in order to complete the project.

Because of the difficulty of finding parts, my plans are to only sell bare PCBs, leaving it up to the prospective keyboard builder to find the parts for his build. In addition, I will ask for pre-payment and only order enough PCBs to fill pre-paid orders. I’ll be accepting pre-orders when I feel that the layout is ready for production. The order will be placed when I have enough pre-orders to justify making a build.

I’m still working on the ACI layout, but I have some more things to do.

I want to make sure that I can make operation more reliable before I make a batch of cards for consumption by hobbyists. Besides the capacitor change, I want to find a cassette recorder that works better than the vintage Radio Shack model that I’ve been using. Even with the capacitor change, operation is not the most reliable in the world with this recorder. The recorder I’m waiting to try is the Apple specified cassette tecorder. This is a Panasonic RQ-2102, which much to my surprise is still in production. This recorder was recommended and used by Apple back in the 1970s. I have a new one on order, but it’s on back order and not due to arrive for several more weeks. Used ones are often available on eBay, but I’m looking for a new one, since belts on cassette recorders tend to stretch and slip with age.

The ACI layout is largely complete, with only rounding off of the corners of the traces and final design checks remaining to be done. Though I did the initial layout in a couple of hours, I’ve spent a lot more time than I expected fine tuning the replication of the details of the original. I think that because the board is small, finer fidelity to the original is required to ensure that I capture the right look and feel on this board

Turns out that the Stanford “Apple 1” is an unpopulated Apple II, rev 0 PCB. The only other unpopulated A2 rev 0 I know of, is the one that the Hudson Brothers just sold. As rare as this is, it would have been nice to find a bare board Apple 1. By the way, during this investigation, an archivist at Stanford Library sent me the best image I’ve ever seen of the front of a bare original Apple II rev 0 PCB. More on that in the next post.

This page is intended to provide as much information as possible about known original Apple 1 Computers. If you have information to share about an original, and it’s not on this page, send me an email.

http://www.willegal.net/appleii/apple1-originals.htm

Just a heads up folks. One Mimeo 1 builder had a P-8667 transformer fail. The windings must have shorted out. Good thing that the Mimeo was being monitored and could be shut down before any serious damage to the Mimeo or building in which it was operated, occurred. Anyway, the result was a smokey, smelly transformer that no longer works, but no damage to the motherboard or anything else. I’ll put up a picture of the transformer, when I get a chance. It is unclear what triggered this failure, but it probably was a manufacturing problem with the transformer.

As I point out in the build manual, do not operate your Mimeo, unless someone is present to take immediate action in case of component failure. These old designs don’t have all the safety features of modern consumer electronics. Some of the components supplied with the kit are over 30 years old, so unexpected, early failure is always a possibility that should be accounted for.

One more little tidbit I picked up from the owner of this unit. Mounting the two transformers at right angles to each other, should help reduce stray coupling between them. I don’t know how much of an effect this has on performance, but I figured I’d share the tip.