UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum - View Single Post - Tdec and sdec prototype boards solderless breadboards

TonyDuell · 13th Oct 2017, 7:38 pm

This brings back memories....

There were actually 4 breadboards (at least) in the series :

Sdec, which was for discrete components only and had quite widely spaced holes.

Tdec, which could take a single 16 pin DIL IC carrier or a pair of 10 lead metal can IC carriers in the middle. These carriers were little PCBs with pins fitted (not too well, I remember soldering them to the PCB to avoid bad contacts) and a suitable IC socket. I only ever had one 16 pin DIL one, and I wore out the socket, so I just soldered a new one to the PCB.

Udec A. Like the Tdec, the same size, and acutally much the same moulding. But with some of the contact strips cut in half and extra locating holes in the top plate so you could use twice as many IC carriers as with the Tdec (2 off 16 pin DIL, 4 off 10 lead metal, or 1 off 16 pin DIL and 2 off 10 lead metal).

Udec B. This had a pair of 16 pin DIL sockets built in, but was otherwise the same as the Udec A.

At one point I had the set of 4 Sdecs and a Tdec. I think I saw the Tdec the other day, no idea where the Sdecs are now. Probably at least one is still around somewhere...

13th Oct 2017, 7:38 pm	#9
TonyDuell Dekatron Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Biggin Hill, London, UK. Posts: 5,215	Re: Tdec and sdec prototype boards solderless breadboards This brings back memories.... There were actually 4 breadboards (at least) in the series : Sdec, which was for discrete components only and had quite widely spaced holes. Tdec, which could take a single 16 pin DIL IC carrier or a pair of 10 lead metal can IC carriers in the middle. These carriers were little PCBs with pins fitted (not too well, I remember soldering them to the PCB to avoid bad contacts) and a suitable IC socket. I only ever had one 16 pin DIL one, and I wore out the socket, so I just soldered a new one to the PCB. Udec A. Like the Tdec, the same size, and acutally much the same moulding. But with some of the contact strips cut in half and extra locating holes in the top plate so you could use twice as many IC carriers as with the Tdec (2 off 16 pin DIL, 4 off 10 lead metal, or 1 off 16 pin DIL and 2 off 10 lead metal). Udec B. This had a pair of 16 pin DIL sockets built in, but was otherwise the same as the Udec A. At one point I had the set of 4 Sdecs and a Tdec. I think I saw the Tdec the other day, no idea where the Sdecs are now. Probably at least one is still around somewhere...