DIY ASCII Keyboard ( for Apple 1 Clones )

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speedyG's picture
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DIY ASCII Keyboard ( for Apple 1 Clones )

Hello to all AF-members,

while searching in old elektor magazins resulting from a demand for translation of another
project in my site i stumbled across a issue from 1978 that published a DIY project of making
a ASCII keyboard including the film for creating a PCB and the complete decoding and the circuitplan.
The entire description is in english language.

This is a quite good alternative to create a keyboard for use also with Apple 1 clones.

Therefor i decided to launch a page with the entire description and the related updates:

http://www.appleii-box.de/A20_ASCIIkeyboard.htm

There is also a link to a downloadable file of the content of that page.

Have fun....

sincerely

speedyG

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Joined: Jan 1 2015 - 18:57
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Re: DIY ASCII Keyboard

Nice find SpeedyG

Hello to all AF-members,

http://forum.6502.org/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=3127while searching in old elektor magazins resulting from a demand for translation of another
project in my site i stumbled across a issue from 1978 that published a DIY project of making
a ASCII keyboard including the film for creating a PCB and the complete decoding and the circuitplan.
The entire description is in english language.

This is a quite good alternative to create a keyboard for use also with Apple 1 clones.

Therefor i decided to launch a page with the entire description and the related updates:

http://www.appleii-box.de/APPLE1/appleboxASCIIkeyboard.htm

There is also a link to a downloadable file of the content of that page.

Have fun....

sincerely

speedyG

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Joined: Jun 5 2008 - 07:26
Posts: 475
Re: DIY ASCII Keyboard ( for Apple 1 Clones )

Wendell Sander has built a very nice Apple1/Apple II keyboard. The description is on his site.

http://www.apple1notes.com/old_apple/Peripheral_Boards.html

I think what most people will find is that building a custom keyboard with mechanical switches from scratch is an expensive proposition. Unless you can get the switches and keycaps from a donor keyboard, the cost really adds up.

I have most of a layout done for a similar Datanetics clone keyboard that uses Cherry keyswitches, and would use a modern micro controller for decoder. It was going to be setup to work with either an Apple 1 or as an Apple II replacement. However, it just seemed to me that the price of the thing would limit the market to a very few people and those people would probably rather have a true Datanetics clone for the Apple 1 or find a real Apple II keyboard for that system.

regards,
Mike Willegal

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Re: DIY ASCII Keyboard ( for Apple 1 Clones )

Hello Mike,

last year i would have agreed 100% with your opinion.....

but in ther meantime (at least here in Europe ) the price for a Apple II keyboard ( even a clone one ! )
have raised up to 100 Euro ( aprox. 115 bucks ) and more.....

so in the meantime if you have a chance to get such a singlesided PCB etched by hobby equipment
and a chance to pick up very old IBM keyboard from the dumpyard ....
well - then such a DIY project can be realized for aprox. 50 Bucks....

and that ( at least here in Europe ) is an alternate chance.....

At US market situation is far better to snatch a keyboard from a recycler ....
there i still agree with your remarks...

speedyG

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Re: DIY ASCII Keyboard ( for Apple 1 Clones )


I have most of a layout done for a similar Datanetics clone keyboard that uses Cherry keyswitches, and would use a modern micro controller for decoder. It was going to be setup to work with either an Apple 1 or as an Apple II replacement. However, it just seemed to me that the price of the thing would limit the market to a very few people and those people would probably rather have a true Datanetics clone for the Apple 1 or find a real Apple II keyboard for that system.

Mike,

Just FYI - I would buy that kit in a heartbeat if it worked in a II+. I have a broken foil keyboard in a II+ that I have given up on saving. A replacement with modern components would be a gift at any price. Smile

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Re: DIY ASCII Keyboard ( for Apple 1 Clones )

A replacement with modern components would be a gift at any price. :)

Hello bushnrvn.,

in that case i´d recommend to send Mike a pm for info on terms of buy and shipment......

sincerely
speedyG

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