ZX-Wespi tape loading

Discussions about Sinclair ZX80 and ZX81 Hardware
Lardo Boffin
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Joined: Sat Nov 26, 2016 2:42 am

ZX-Wespi tape loading

Post by Lardo Boffin »

How does tape loading work with a Wespi connected?

I have tried loading from tape (well, a TZXDuino as that is way more reliable) but not managed to get it work yet.

I assume you load using LOAD “game name”? Or should LOAD”” work if the cassette cable is plugged in?

There is a menu option in the SYS screen about S to silent load or similar (not in front of my zeddy at the mo). Any idea what this does?

Thanks!
ZX80
ZX81 iss 1 (bugged ROM, kludge fix, normal, rebuilt)
TS 1000 iss 3, ZXPand AY and +, ZX8-CCB, ZX-KDLX & ChromaSCART
Tatung 81 + Wespi
TS 1500 & 2000
Spectrum 16k (iss 1 s/n 862)
Spectrum 48ks plus a DIVMMC future and SPECTRA
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mrtinb
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Re: ZX-Wespi tape loading

Post by mrtinb »

The composite signal is sent to the Wespi, and when you type LOAD ""+N/L, the the display is turned off. The Wespi recognises this and start to send a small loader program. That program auto starts, and automatically loads a fast loader. The fast loader loads a menu, that lists programs in the Flash of the Wespi. All this happens in few seconds. Please don't specify file name, as the Wespi won't acknowledge that, and won't load.

I havn't used the "silent" option, but I believe it disables the Wespi, so you can load from tape. I think I had to pull the power from the Wespi to wake it again.
Last edited by mrtinb on Thu Apr 21, 2022 10:48 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Martin
https://zx.rtin.be
ZX81, Lambda 8300, Commodore 64, Mac G4 Cube
Lardo Boffin
Posts: 2160
Joined: Sat Nov 26, 2016 2:42 am

Re: ZX-Wespi tape loading

Post by Lardo Boffin »

mrtinb wrote: Thu Apr 21, 2022 9:19 pm The composite signal is sent to the Wespi, and when you type LOAD ""+N/L, the the display is turned off. The Weeps recognises this and start to send a small loader program. That program auto starts, and automatically loads a fast loader. The fast loader loads a menu, that lists programs in the Flash of the Wespi. All this happens in few seconds. Please don't specify file name, as the Wespi won't acknowledge that, and won't load.

I havn't used the "silent" option, but I believe it disables the Wespi, so you can load from tape. I think I had to pull the power from the Wespi to wake it again.
Thanks Martin. I will look into the silent option - I presume just switching the zeddy off and on again will have the same effect as pulling the power to wake it up afterwards.
ZX80
ZX81 iss 1 (bugged ROM, kludge fix, normal, rebuilt)
TS 1000 iss 3, ZXPand AY and +, ZX8-CCB, ZX-KDLX & ChromaSCART
Tatung 81 + Wespi
TS 1500 & 2000
Spectrum 16k (iss 1 s/n 862)
Spectrum 48ks plus a DIVMMC future and SPECTRA
Lardo Boffin
Posts: 2160
Joined: Sat Nov 26, 2016 2:42 am

Re: ZX-Wespi tape loading

Post by Lardo Boffin »

I can’t figure out the ‘silent’ option. Anyone know how it works?

2FE81049-8B42-4DFA-8E18-7244D5EA6898.jpeg

If I press S it just takes me back to the load menu with no obvious way to then load from tape.
ZX80
ZX81 iss 1 (bugged ROM, kludge fix, normal, rebuilt)
TS 1000 iss 3, ZXPand AY and +, ZX8-CCB, ZX-KDLX & ChromaSCART
Tatung 81 + Wespi
TS 1500 & 2000
Spectrum 16k (iss 1 s/n 862)
Spectrum 48ks plus a DIVMMC future and SPECTRA
Lardo Boffin
Posts: 2160
Joined: Sat Nov 26, 2016 2:42 am

Re: ZX-Wespi tape loading

Post by Lardo Boffin »

I was thinking of just putting a switch like this on the 5V line to switch off the Wespi when tape loading is required?

A9FEAAFB-AA6E-4DC9-825D-6EB57660A74C.jpeg
Is it as simple as that?
ZX80
ZX81 iss 1 (bugged ROM, kludge fix, normal, rebuilt)
TS 1000 iss 3, ZXPand AY and +, ZX8-CCB, ZX-KDLX & ChromaSCART
Tatung 81 + Wespi
TS 1500 & 2000
Spectrum 16k (iss 1 s/n 862)
Spectrum 48ks plus a DIVMMC future and SPECTRA
User avatar
mrtinb
Posts: 1906
Joined: Fri Nov 06, 2015 5:44 pm
Location: Denmark
Contact:

Re: ZX-Wespi tape loading

Post by mrtinb »

Lardo Boffin wrote: Tue May 17, 2022 11:28 am I can’t figure out the ‘silent’ option. Anyone know how it works?

If I press S it just takes me back to the load menu with no obvious way to then load from tape.
I have no tape attached to my system, but as I understand it, "S" disables the Wespi, so the next load can be from tape. I only think you can enable the Wespi again by turning it off.

In my current setup I have both ZXpand and Wespi connected. So load is from ZXpand. If I want to load from Wespi, I do

Code: Select all

CONFIG "X"
On the Wespi I have a file: ZXPANDON.P that enables ZXpand again, and do

Code: Select all

RAND USR 0
So at least it's easy to swap between ZXpand and Wespi. I know that's not what you asked for, but I felt like sharing with you.
Martin
https://zx.rtin.be
ZX81, Lambda 8300, Commodore 64, Mac G4 Cube
Lardo Boffin
Posts: 2160
Joined: Sat Nov 26, 2016 2:42 am

Re: ZX-Wespi tape loading

Post by Lardo Boffin »

mrtinb wrote: Tue May 17, 2022 12:18 pm
Lardo Boffin wrote: Tue May 17, 2022 11:28 am I can’t figure out the ‘silent’ option. Anyone know how it works?

If I press S it just takes me back to the load menu with no obvious way to then load from tape.
I have no tape attached to my system, but as I understand it, "S" disables the Wespi, so the next load can be from tape. I only think you can enable the Wespi again by turning it off.
Thanks. Just not sure what S actually does!

I will get round to trying this on my rebuilt zeddy with a ZXPand at some point so that will be useful info thanks.
ZX80
ZX81 iss 1 (bugged ROM, kludge fix, normal, rebuilt)
TS 1000 iss 3, ZXPand AY and +, ZX8-CCB, ZX-KDLX & ChromaSCART
Tatung 81 + Wespi
TS 1500 & 2000
Spectrum 16k (iss 1 s/n 862)
Spectrum 48ks plus a DIVMMC future and SPECTRA
Lardo Boffin
Posts: 2160
Joined: Sat Nov 26, 2016 2:42 am

Re: ZX-Wespi tape loading

Post by Lardo Boffin »

Not got anywhere with actually loading from tape with the Wespi attached so going to try something a little more extreme…

I figured if I cut the tracks shown below (expertly cut if I say so myself) then I can fit a switch in the same place the channel switch is on the USA zeddies.

FCDA37A6-BA1C-44F7-8174-937D91861340.jpeg
D6E7EED4-EA01-4A0F-8839-A7C979DA5CBF.jpeg
Is cutting the tracks here going to cause any issues?

Obviously I won’t be doing it on a USA model!

The basic plan is to have the 5V cable go from the usual source to one side of the switch and then continue on from the other side of the switch to the Wespi.
ZX80
ZX81 iss 1 (bugged ROM, kludge fix, normal, rebuilt)
TS 1000 iss 3, ZXPand AY and +, ZX8-CCB, ZX-KDLX & ChromaSCART
Tatung 81 + Wespi
TS 1500 & 2000
Spectrum 16k (iss 1 s/n 862)
Spectrum 48ks plus a DIVMMC future and SPECTRA
Lardo Boffin
Posts: 2160
Joined: Sat Nov 26, 2016 2:42 am

Re: ZX-Wespi tape loading

Post by Lardo Boffin »

Switch fitted with a small amount of masking tape behind it as the case is metal:

21EF67D3-6936-42BA-B068-3BDD14F504FE.jpeg

From the outside:

04D1E553-C2CF-4632-A4E4-D08EE7B90681.jpeg
The switch is about 2mm proud of the case so hopefully will be fine once the feet are on!

A set of small files to de-bur the hole are on order.
ZX80
ZX81 iss 1 (bugged ROM, kludge fix, normal, rebuilt)
TS 1000 iss 3, ZXPand AY and +, ZX8-CCB, ZX-KDLX & ChromaSCART
Tatung 81 + Wespi
TS 1500 & 2000
Spectrum 16k (iss 1 s/n 862)
Spectrum 48ks plus a DIVMMC future and SPECTRA
Lardo Boffin
Posts: 2160
Joined: Sat Nov 26, 2016 2:42 am

Re: ZX-Wespi tape loading

Post by Lardo Boffin »

That switch process didn’t work as there was a lot of interference on the screen when the Wespi was switched off.

Take two…

9B3C185F-0F16-4163-97C9-090B4FABDA56.jpeg

This switch controls both Ground and +5V and works fine with the Wespi on and off.

Obviously the wiring will be tidied up!

Anyone see any issues with this approach, apart from having to fit the switch to the case which will be a bit destructive…
ZX80
ZX81 iss 1 (bugged ROM, kludge fix, normal, rebuilt)
TS 1000 iss 3, ZXPand AY and +, ZX8-CCB, ZX-KDLX & ChromaSCART
Tatung 81 + Wespi
TS 1500 & 2000
Spectrum 16k (iss 1 s/n 862)
Spectrum 48ks plus a DIVMMC future and SPECTRA
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