Computer retro homebrew: Orton ZX79
 

Here's something I've been working on for the last month. It's my version of the ZX80, but using only ten standard parts :)

I've got it to the stage of being a 'TV typewriter' i.e. the terminal BIOS is done. Now I have to shoehorn a BASIC into the remaining ROM. I'm not really into BASIC. I wonder if I'd do better to add machine code development tools instead...?

The circuit to the right (in the white open case) is a ROM emulator that I built. It really speeds up development (especially as I have no EPROM programmer yet, so it could be said to speed things up infinitely!)

When it's finished I might add a serial expansion board and get it to drive my little printer :)

Re: Computer retro homebrew: Orton ZX79
 

Wow ! That is a very cool project. There have been some very code compact versions of BASIC in the past to run with limited memory in early S-100 & other computers, one was called "TINY BASIC".

Re: Computer retro homebrew: Orton ZX79
 

Why have BASIC at all? I'd go for FIG-Forth.

Re: Computer retro homebrew: Orton ZX79
 

I'd like to turn my hand to language development. I've written an expression parser before (real time computation in DSP application) so I'm sure I can do it.

There's no real need to develop on the hardware though. What I need is a Z80 simulator for DOS where I can intercept terminal input and output, and redirect this to a PC simulation of my computer's screen and keyboard running in a DOS window.

Porting an existing BASIC won't be helped by my computer's non-standard character set.

Re: Computer retro homebrew: Orton ZX79
 

Excellent. What chips are in there and how much ROM space is left for BASIC. I ported BBC BASIC to the 6809 (not 100% finished by useable). It's quite large but then it does contain a full 6809 assembler too!

They keyboard looks cool - how is it constructed?

The z80 port is open source and I'm sure could be cut down to be quite small if you sacrificed, say, the assembler, floating point and specific graphics instructions etc.

D

Re: Computer retro homebrew: Orton ZX79
 

Hi Dom,
The main chips are Z80A, 8k ROM (half used for font tables) and 2k RAM. The other 7 chips are LSI and MSI LS TTL. The keyboard is tact switches with a laminated sheet on top. It works okay and you get a definite click unlike membrane keyboards.

I've got a program editor working! I can't run anything yet though :-[

In the process I've conquered a number of syntactic elements - parse number, keyword, print number, etc. The fun part (the actual language) can start now.

Progress has been quick despite lack of debug facilities.

Re: Computer retro homebrew: Orton ZX79
 

Nice work Karen.

Re: Computer retro homebrew: Orton ZX79
 

Thank you, Colin.

I'm working on the cassette routines now.

Re: Computer retro homebrew: Orton ZX79
 

I've had my new computer running simple programs!

I've also got the cassette interface and the expression evaluator working.

Just got GOTO, GOSUB, RETURN, FOR, NEXT statements to do now.

Re: Computer retro homebrew: Orton ZX79
 

Did you go for tokenized or plain text?

Re: Computer retro homebrew: Orton ZX79
 

It's just plain text, Dom.

I've based it on NIBL BASIC which is as simple as it comes.

Re: Computer retro homebrew: Orton ZX79
 

ZX79? Ah, the old one-step-ahead-of-IBM thing.

Having the name David, I'm just a little bit wary of that sort of computer. I'll open my own pod bay doors, thank you.

David

Re: Computer retro homebrew: Orton ZX79
 

Don't worry Dave, you can sit down calmly, take a stress pill and think things over :)

Yeah, the '79' thing indicates that it's even more regressive than the ZX80!

Re: Computer retro homebrew: Orton ZX79
 

Well, it's about finished. I've got about 300 bytes left so there's room for patches/extensions. I've even got (shortened) error messages e.g. 'SNTX ERROR IN 50'.

Next step is to put the BASIC on EPROM and try running it independently of the ROM emulator. There'll be a few bugs of course, but so far everything checks out :)

Re: Computer retro homebrew: Orton ZX79
 

The finished machine.

I think now I should create an expansion board of some sort. Maybe a serial port for sending stuff to my speech synth...

Re: Computer retro homebrew: Orton ZX79
 

Nice one Karen....I assume you use that ptfe coated inter connect wire on the underside..always a good fall back for logic.

Re: Computer retro homebrew: Orton ZX79
 

Hello Wendy,
I used enamelled copper wire. Modern enamel burns off after application of the iron for a few seconds. Normally I run the wiring on the top side but I thought that might spoil the visual impression (which is as important as function for me :))
I've included expansion capability but can't decide what the expansion card should do.
I've also got a stotten rinking cold that is putting a damper on further work :(

Re: Computer retro homebrew: Orton ZX79
 

Maybe one or more of: Z80-PIO (or perhaps the three-parallel-port 8255), Z80-SIO or Z80-DART, and maybe a Z80-CTC, one section of which could be the programmable baud-rate generator for the SIO/DART?

Non Volatile storage in the form of an ST or Dallas 'Thick memory' RAM package?

Re: Computer retro homebrew: Orton ZX79
 

Have you ever tried a 'Roadrunner' wiring pen? like this :

https://uk.farnell.com/roadrunner/rr...ncil/dp/145223

It's not a wirewrap tool, it holds a small spool of enamelled wire that you solder (the enamel burns off as you suggest). I find it best to solder the components to a piece of square pad board (or stripboard), tin thewire at the end of the tool then solder it to the first point. Run the wire to the next connection (taking care not to prevent access to pins you want to solder to later) then solder it then, run to the next and so on. Cut it off after the last connection on that run.

I've built a lot of prototypes using one.

Re: Computer retro homebrew: Orton ZX79
 

TonyD,
I used something similar called 'nyleze' when building my 6809 computer back in the 80s. I tend to use what I have (I have a parsimonious streak) even if that means inconvenience. We should suffer for our art :)

SH,
I have some 68B50s I could press into service, though the bus structure is somewhat incompatible. Yes, a serial port would be useful...