New forum member who's on a journey to relive my 1980's 8-bit computing days. I currently have an Acorn BBC Model B, Series 4 motherboard, Series 1 Keyboard (Keltek 08-ANB01-3 series serial number). I'm looking to reconnect to retro 8-bit computing and discover newer, more modern, mods and upgrades for my Model B. Currently, I'm getting reacquainted with some old ROMs and the following upgrades and mods already installed on my Beeb-B, in no particular order:
1. Speech System Upgrade - Texas Instruments TMS5220 Voice Synthesis Processor and the TMS6100/CM62024 Voice Synthesis Memory (VSM) Kenneth Kendall PhROM, a 10-way Keyboard header (PL2), SK1 & 2 PhROM module edge connectors, decoupling capacitors and a trace-cut/wiring-mod to remove +5V/0V short near edge connectors.
2. Watford Electronics Sideways RAM/ROM Upgrade - Needs trouble shooting and I may replace this with a more modern sideways ROM/RAM option
3. Disk Drive Controller Upgrade
4. User Port microSD card storage Upgrade (PL10)
5. Mod to relocate VR1 volume control to the unused Reset Switch hole on the rear panel, helpful when inadvertently disturbing others unexpectedly
6. Mod to replace Composite Video panel-mounted BNC with a PCB mounted RCA socket (SK03), to ease motherboard removal
7. Mod to add S39 link to more easily switch from monochrome to colour composite video output (not sure it was worth it, given the colour video quality)
8. Mod to add 8-way DIP switch bank to Series 1 keyboard to play around with start-up link configuration settings via hardware, in place of OSBYTE &FF/*FX 255
I'm in California now, so added following mods:
1. converted the ASTEC power supply to 110VAC by adding 115V link and replaced most capacitors while I was at it, as a precaution.
2. added a PAL to NTSC composite video converter.
3. hand-built a 6-Pin DIN MAB6H Socket plug to GBS8200 Video Adapter cable to convert RGBSync signals from SK03 to a VGA LCD monitor (a cost-effective option with acceptable quality video output).
I'm intrigued by various projects listed on the Stardot Retro Hardware List - GitHub Pages at https://elminster.github.io/hardware, so have some research to do.
I'm a hobbyist and enjoy tinkering with electronics, embedded software and occasional 3D printing in my spare time. I have several Raspberry Pi 3s, 4s, Pico's and Zero based projects around the house, so may explore a Pi based coprocessor option via the Tube(R) port.
1. Speech System Upgrade - Texas Instruments TMS5220 Voice Synthesis Processor and the TMS6100/CM62024 Voice Synthesis Memory (VSM) Kenneth Kendall PhROM, a 10-way Keyboard header (PL2), SK1 & 2 PhROM module edge connectors, decoupling capacitors and a trace-cut/wiring-mod to remove +5V/0V short near edge connectors.
2. Watford Electronics Sideways RAM/ROM Upgrade - Needs trouble shooting and I may replace this with a more modern sideways ROM/RAM option
3. Disk Drive Controller Upgrade
4. User Port microSD card storage Upgrade (PL10)
5. Mod to relocate VR1 volume control to the unused Reset Switch hole on the rear panel, helpful when inadvertently disturbing others unexpectedly
6. Mod to replace Composite Video panel-mounted BNC with a PCB mounted RCA socket (SK03), to ease motherboard removal
7. Mod to add S39 link to more easily switch from monochrome to colour composite video output (not sure it was worth it, given the colour video quality)
8. Mod to add 8-way DIP switch bank to Series 1 keyboard to play around with start-up link configuration settings via hardware, in place of OSBYTE &FF/*FX 255
I'm in California now, so added following mods:
1. converted the ASTEC power supply to 110VAC by adding 115V link and replaced most capacitors while I was at it, as a precaution.
2. added a PAL to NTSC composite video converter.
3. hand-built a 6-Pin DIN MAB6H Socket plug to GBS8200 Video Adapter cable to convert RGBSync signals from SK03 to a VGA LCD monitor (a cost-effective option with acceptable quality video output).
I'm intrigued by various projects listed on the Stardot Retro Hardware List - GitHub Pages at https://elminster.github.io/hardware, so have some research to do.
I'm a hobbyist and enjoy tinkering with electronics, embedded software and occasional 3D printing in my spare time. I have several Raspberry Pi 3s, 4s, Pico's and Zero based projects around the house, so may explore a Pi based coprocessor option via the Tube(R) port.
Statistics: Posted by DROMChef — Sun Jan 19, 2025 11:24 pm