Kempston Electronics ZX KBD2

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

Kempston Electronics ZX KBD2

Post by Lardo Boffin »

I got this today attached (badly, with much blu-tack) to a zeddy.

IMG_4381.jpeg
IMG_4380.jpeg

It is a very nice keyboard to use!
ZX80
ZX81 iss 1 (bugged ROM, kludge fix, normal, rebuilt)
TS 1000 iss 3, ZXPand AY and +, ZX8-CCB, ZX-KDLX & ChromaSCART
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Lardo Boffin
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Joined: Sat Nov 26, 2016 2:42 am

Re: Kempston Electronics ZX KBD2

Post by Lardo Boffin »

Given the height of the pins any idea how this was supposed to be attached? Just a few layer of thick double sided sticky tape?

IMG_4382.jpeg
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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Dim_75
Posts: 80
Joined: Fri Sep 01, 2017 11:04 pm
Location: Paris, FR

Re: Kempston Electronics ZX KBD2

Post by Dim_75 »

Nice ! what is the purpose of the red key ? The tracks do not seem connected to anything on the back ? Are they ?
Lardo Boffin
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Joined: Sat Nov 26, 2016 2:42 am

Re: Kempston Electronics ZX KBD2

Post by Lardo Boffin »

Not sure about the red key!

Here is a close up.

IMG_4383.jpeg
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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1024MAK
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Joined: Mon Sep 26, 2011 10:56 am
Location: Looking forward to summer in Somerset, UK...

Re: Kempston Electronics ZX KBD2

Post by 1024MAK »

I think the red key is unallocated. It looks like it’s connected to the unused pads where the eight way ribbon cable connects to the board. Hence it’s not part of the keyboard matrix.

It could be used as a reset button if wanted (although given its position, I’m not keen on that idea).

Mark
ZX81 Variations
ZX81 Chip Pin-outs
ZX81 Video Transistor Buffer Amp

:!: Standby alert :!:
There are four lights!
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Moggy
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Re: Kempston Electronics ZX KBD2

Post by Moggy »

I still have this keyboard somewhere and If I recall correctly it was attached with the thick double sided "sticky foam" similar to what Karl uses to attach the top layer of his "Clicky" keyboards.
Lardo Boffin
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Joined: Sat Nov 26, 2016 2:42 am

Re: Kempston Electronics ZX KBD2

Post by Lardo Boffin »

Thanks Moggy.
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
sP1d3r
Posts: 122
Joined: Mon May 16, 2022 9:20 am

Re: Kempston Electronics ZX KBD2

Post by sP1d3r »

I got one of my ZX 81's working today using this keyboard,
Iss 1 with vLA81 and Kempston keyboard
Iss 1 with vLA81 and Kempston keyboard
The red key doesn't seem to do anything, so far :?
I thought that it looked like the return/enter key.
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1024MAK
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Location: Looking forward to summer in Somerset, UK...

Re: Kempston Electronics ZX KBD2

Post by 1024MAK »

Um, surely you mean’New Line’ not return/enter….

About the red key, did you read my earlier post?

Mark
ZX81 Variations
ZX81 Chip Pin-outs
ZX81 Video Transistor Buffer 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 later in the year.
sP1d3r
Posts: 122
Joined: Mon May 16, 2022 9:20 am

Re: Kempston Electronics ZX KBD2

Post by sP1d3r »

1024MAK wrote: Fri Nov 03, 2023 1:32 am Um, surely you mean’New Line’ not return/enter….
I've never had a working Zeddy before.
1024MAK wrote: Fri Nov 03, 2023 1:32 am
About the red key, did you read my earlier post?

Mark
Seems too ostentatious for something that's got no function :roll:
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