zx81 Keyboard...Sort of
zx81 Keyboard...Sort of
Hi,
Can anyone remember, way back in the 80's you could get separate key switches with removable key caps where you could put your own lettering?
These keys looked very much like the keyboard on the old Sharp MZ80K computers. Does anyone have any of these or know where i could get some from?
Failing that, i would be happy with an external keyboard for the 81 if anyone has one cheap.
email: john (at) jomac.asia
John
Can anyone remember, way back in the 80's you could get separate key switches with removable key caps where you could put your own lettering?
These keys looked very much like the keyboard on the old Sharp MZ80K computers. Does anyone have any of these or know where i could get some from?
Failing that, i would be happy with an external keyboard for the 81 if anyone has one cheap.
email: john (at) jomac.asia
John
Re: zx81 Keyboard...Sort of
I'd be interested in some of these too. I've never come across them however
Re: zx81 Keyboard...Sort of
I've been looking for these too for a long time. Found this today and have ordered 60 @ 15.44.
Will be a few weeks for delivery but will let you know what they are like when they arrive.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/5pcs-Momentar ... 2c6ec7faa5
Does anyone has a wiring diagram to build a keyboard like the old DK Tronics? Extra keys would be nice too
Will be a few weeks for delivery but will let you know what they are like when they arrive.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/5pcs-Momentar ... 2c6ec7faa5
Does anyone has a wiring diagram to build a keyboard like the old DK Tronics? Extra keys would be nice too
- 1024MAK
- Posts: 5171
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Re: zx81 Keyboard...Sort of
Those switches look like click PCB mounting switches, but with clear key tops. Click switches are available from various electronic suppliers, but I'm not sure about the clear tops being available.rune wrote:I've been looking for these too for a long time. Found this today and have ordered 60 @ 15.44.
Will be a few weeks for delivery but will let you know what they are like when they arrive.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/5pcs-Momentar ... 2c6ec7faa5
Does anyone has a wiring diagram to build a keyboard like the old DK Tronics? Extra keys would be nice too
For the standard ZX81 keys, wiring up a replacement keyboard is just about arranging the keys and wiring up as per the normal keyboard matrix.
If you want extra keys that perform the same function as existing keys (say an extra shift key), just wire in parallel with the existing key.
If however, you want extra keys that simulate two existing keys being pressed at the same time, it gets much more complex. The you either need key switches that have two separate push to make contacts, or a standard key switch and some electronics to do the same job. Or you can just copy the old Maplin keyboard circuit design.
Mark
ZX81 Variations
ZX81 Chip Pin-outs
ZX81 Video Transistor Amp
Standby alert
There are four lights!
Step up to red alert. Sir, are you absolutely sure? It does mean changing the bulb
Looking forward to summer being good this year.
ZX81 Chip Pin-outs
ZX81 Video Transistor Amp
Standby alert
There are four lights!
Step up to red alert. Sir, are you absolutely sure? It does mean changing the bulb
Looking forward to summer being good this year.
Re: zx81 Keyboard...Sort of
Cheers Mark
they are coming from Hong Kong so will probably take 2-3 weeks to arrive. I couldn't find them with (or without clear tops) in the UK. Also buying from any of the major suppliers here adds a lot to the price when you pay postage.
No definite plans yet but I'm thinking about using a Speccy +2 case and putting a numeric keypad in the tape player hole.
they are coming from Hong Kong so will probably take 2-3 weeks to arrive. I couldn't find them with (or without clear tops) in the UK. Also buying from any of the major suppliers here adds a lot to the price when you pay postage.
No definite plans yet but I'm thinking about using a Speccy +2 case and putting a numeric keypad in the tape player hole.
Re: zx81 Keyboard...Sort of
From just a very quick scan of a few images of zx81 keyboards it appears that, on the whole, the only special function keys that were commonly available were those that only require shift + one other key to trigger. So, FN [shift + newline], RUBOUT [shift + 0], GFX [shift + 9], etc. etc. A cursor block is possible.
Re: zx81 Keyboard...Sort of
The Crofton adaptakit and Maplin keyboard use the removable clear key top keys, I think I may have one going spare somewhere Charlie if you could use it Lord knows I owe you enough .sirmorris wrote:I'd be interested in some of these too. I've never come across them however
The Kaydee keyboard has a repeat key fitted using shift + repeat key to operate.
Re: zx81 Keyboard...Sort of
Those keys on Pokemon's keyboard PCB would be really nice. Mine are all packed away in a box so I cannot check if they would fit!
G
G
Re: zx81 Keyboard...Sort of
Something like these...XorA wrote:Those keys on Pokemon's keyboard PCB would be really nice. Mine are all packed away in a box so I cannot check if they would fit!
G
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/50-Pcs-Electr ... 43bbc99fde
1.70 for 50 and that includes postage.
- questarian
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Re: zx81 Keyboard...Sort of
I had the same idea and used those small clear cap keys mounted on a perf board. They're the right size to fit with in the ZX keyboard area, but the problem with the ones I recieved was that they had a lot rotational play in the key heads... They really twist around... Out of 100 switches a little more than a third of them were stable enough to use for a keyboard.
I've been looking to build a ZX keyboard in panel enclosure using these:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/140686450390?_t ... EBIDX%3AIT
-John-
I've been looking to build a ZX keyboard in panel enclosure using these:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/140686450390?_t ... EBIDX%3AIT
-John-