Sinclair ZX80 / ZX81 / Z88 Forums

Hi All,

Like many, my first computer was a ZX81. I was soon hooked and enjoying BASIC and Z80 assembler. I eventually moved on to a QL. I've since spent many years in software development. Sinclair really did change by life.

I'm now regressing, after spending 2022 revisiting the QL, I'm looking to get back into the ZX81 in 2023. I've been exploring the emulators. I've 3d printed a ZX81 case, added a new keyboard membrane and made possibly the worst USB keyboard. I recently made the mistake of looking on ebay. My composite modded ZX81 should arrive soon

Welcome on board!

Hi Exile,

I also owned a QL after my Zeddy – with an Spectrum in between. Today I ask myself, why I was'nt so happy with the QL. maybe, because I was the only one.

I need to add a QL to the collection at some point. I have never even seen one in the flesh!

Exile wrote: ↑Wed Feb 01, 2023 12:41 pm I've 3d printed a ZX81 case, added a new keyboard membrane and made possibly the worst USB keyboard.

You made a USB keyboard for your ZX81?

Let’s hear more about that!

Thanks for all of the replies!

mrtinb wrote: ↑Sun Feb 05, 2023 2:56 am

Exile wrote: ↑Wed Feb 01, 2023 12:41 pm I've 3d printed a ZX81 case, added a new keyboard membrane and made possibly the worst USB keyboard.

You made a USB keyboard for your ZX81?

Let’s hear more about that!

I'm afraid it is not what you may think.

It is just another example of what many people have done before. That is, use a (replica) ZX81 case and membrane as a USB keyboard for either a Windows or Linux host, to give a more "authentic" typing experience whilst using a Windows or Linux based ZX81 emulator. In this case a Raspberry Pi Pico is used to decode the key presses.

The details are at: https://github.com/ikjordan/ZX81_USB_KBD