Hey All,
I've been wanting to build a Obtronix for quite some time but have been unable to get a kit. This is probably a long shot, but does anyone know of any unassembled kits out there? I have tried to contact Steve on many occasions, but haven't had any luck.
Anyways, thanks for any help you can offer.
Cameron
I consider myself lucky, I bought just the bare board and cassette interface a while back. They both have a prominent display area on my Apple wall.
How long ago did you get it? I haven't been able to get a hold of Steve...
It has been over a year.
I have 1 full kit that is not built yet.
I also have a blank motherboard that was probably an early run because it is not as nice as the board in the full kit. I also have a blank cassette board. Steve was selling these blanks (I think a total of 10 each) on ebay. I'm assuming he was cleaning out his closet and moving onto his next project which may have been the Kim-1 repro but who knows.
I doubt you will find any more for sale from him.
I tried to contact him several times and he never answered back. Seems to be the typical story you hear from everyone. No response.
Even with the blank board, finding parts is extremely difficult. (e.g. 2513 char gen, 2504)
BTW, I do have ROMs (6301-1J ceramic) A1, A2, A3, A4 for sale, and I also have a bunch of 2513 char gen - the same Steve used in the kits (manuf by GI). I did find 1404s on ebay which I think are equivalent to the 2504, but possibly a bit faster... I won't know if they will work until I build the kit. I was able to find one of the Stancor transformers p-8667 (?), also on ebay, but haven't found the p-8380 yet.
BTW, I think Mike Willegal is considering building an apple 1 reproduction, maybe check his website / send him an email.
Anyway, good luck.
John
http://apple1computer.blogspot.com/
http://homebrewcpu.blogspot.com/
I need excellent images of both sides of an original Apple 1, before my reproduction of an Apple 1 effort is going anywhere. 2513s are out there, but I've had issues with some of them not working perfectly or having incorrect character sets (they are used on the Apple II, rev 0, as well). They can always be scavenged from the plentiful early Apple II boards, if push comes to shove. 2504's seem even harder to find - I've done some preliminary searches, with no luck. I didn't know that there was a drop in replacement, that may help things.
Stancor is still in business and those transformers are still listed on the product sheets. Find a distributer that will sell small quantities and you will be golden.
Regards,
Mike Willegal
Hi Mike,
I have the hi-res scans Vince Briel had up on his site (which he said would not remain due to size). I have them here, lemme know.
John
This is a scan of an Obtronix clone, is it not?
Regards,
Mike Willegal
Hi Mike,
Yes, it's the Obtronix Clone scan.
John
Mike,
Any progress on this. Is there any way I can help?
Thanks,
Cameron
I just got the scans, now comes the fun part - doing the layout. I also have a disk ][-USB interface halfway done. I'm now looking for help on that one, so I can focus on other things, like this project.
Regards,
Mike Willegal
I just got the scans, now comes the fun part - doing the layout. I also have a disk ][-USB interface halfway done. I'm now looking for help on that one, so I can focus on other things, like this project.
Regards,
Mike Willegal
I just got the scans, now comes the fun part - doing the layout. I also have a disk ][-USB interface halfway done. I'm now looking for help on that one, so I can focus on other things, like this project.
Regards,
Mike Willegal
Hi Evereyone,
I was wondering if anyone if still selling Obtronix kits because i have been after one for quite a while now and havent had any luck.if so please can you reply back or email me to let me know.
Thanks
Jordan
Hi Jordan,
If you can't find an Obtronix in the next few months, there is hope for you. I'm working hard on a PCB that I hope to make even more faithful to the original than the excellent Obtronix PCB was/is. Check out my Apple II rev0 replica project for an idea of what I've done in the past.
I expect that it will be approximately four months before I get the first small batch of pilot kits ready. If you are seriously interested in this project let me know and I'll add you to a list of interested folks. There will be follow on batches made up in quantities that depend upon demand.
Cost is to be determined, but I expect the kits may cost somewhat more than the rev 0 kits.
Regards,
Mike Willegal
www.willegal.net