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Vintage Computers Any vintage computer systems, calculators, video games etc., but with an emphasis on 1980s and earlier equipment. |
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6th Sep 2019, 12:35 am | #1 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Newcastle, Tyne and Wear, UK.
Posts: 11,556
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SC/MP Kit / Introkit info
There are a few people here who are interested in the SC/MP microprocessor - I've just been alerted to the availability of a cache of SC/MP and in particular 'SC/MP Kit' (as opposed to 'SC/MP Introkit') documents.
The 'SC/MP Kit' and 'SC/MP Introkit' were two SC/MP evaluation PCBs which were available from Nat Semi and in their most basic form consisted of the uP, some RAM, a PROM and a 7414 IC configured as a serial TTY interface through which the user could interact with the system using a terminal. To either of these systems you could add the same additional set of components, along with a different PROM, to make them into a classic microprocessor trainer with a 20-key hex / command key keypad and a calculator style style 7-segment display. The 'Introkit' + Display / Keypad kit then became the basis for the Science Of Cambridge MK14, which initially even used the same OS / Monitor. This cache of documents on the website of 'CuriousMarc' - worth seeking out for all his interesting micro / computer stuff online - mainly concerns the 'SC/MP Kit' rather than the 'Introkit', although one of the documents (which details how to retrofit an SC/MP II to both systems) does have nice PCB layout drawings for both the 'SCMP Kit' and the 'SCMP Introkit'. https://www.curiousmarc.com/computing/scmp The document dealing with the Keypad / Display kit contains the circuit diagram for that portion of the circuit, and since this is the same whether added to the 'SC/MP Kit' or the 'Introkit', it is effectively three quarters of the circuit diagram for the 'Introkit' (when fitted with a display / keypad). There are also a couple of documents of general SC/MP interest. I've stored local copies as well, in case they disappear from their current location. |
6th Sep 2019, 11:03 am | #2 |
Moderator
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Exeter, Devon and Poole, Dorset UK.
Posts: 6,865
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Re: SC/MP Kit / Introkit info
I put together several development microprocessor kits between 1975 and 1978 including Intel 8080, Motorola 6800, Fairchild F8 and a processor you never hear about these days the RCA Cosmac CDP1802A. I don't think I ever dealt with an SCMP although I remember lots of articles about them. I had moved on to the Z80.
The only one I still have a complete example of though is the Motorolla. I did a Motorolla Semimar with the rest of the team attendees being given a development system I built and played with mine but one of my colleagues wasn't interested so I has his as well I still have it unmade after 43 years. Cheers Mike T
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Invisible airwaves crackle with life or at least they used to Mike T BVWS member. www.cossor.co.uk |
6th Sep 2019, 11:44 am | #3 | |
Pentode
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Sheffield, South Yorkshire, UK.
Posts: 163
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Re: SC/MP Kit / Introkit info
Quote:
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6th Sep 2019, 11:50 am | #4 |
Moderator
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Exeter, Devon and Poole, Dorset UK.
Posts: 6,865
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Re: SC/MP Kit / Introkit info
Haha yes probably pinless sat on a bed of rotting foam
Cheers Mike T
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Invisible airwaves crackle with life or at least they used to Mike T BVWS member. www.cossor.co.uk |
7th Sep 2019, 10:09 am | #5 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Newcastle, Tyne and Wear, UK.
Posts: 11,556
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Re: SC/MP Kit / Introkit info
It looks as though those ICs all have gold plated pins, in which case they may be mercifully immune to 'death by foam'.
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7th Sep 2019, 11:23 am | #6 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: London, UK.
Posts: 3,687
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Re: SC/MP Kit / Introkit info
I can confirm, after buying a large lot of ICs on ebay, death by foam happens on gold plated pin ICs as well.
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8th Sep 2019, 12:12 am | #7 |
Pentode
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Bristol, UK.
Posts: 115
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Re: SC/MP Kit / Introkit info
I hope the MK14 enthusiasts look carefully at the schematic (Fig 2.1) in that SC/MP Keyboard Kit manual.
8 digits, no decimal point, (and yes, it's '157s all the way down). So SoC actually made some enhancements. (Don't mention the keypad.) Now National Semiconductor made calculators. Some were branded "Novus". Here's an example; look closely at the keys. And here's the schematic for the calculator chip inside. (I've made it more obvious.) Can you hear that Cosmic Background hissing? |
8th Sep 2019, 11:56 pm | #8 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Newcastle, Tyne and Wear, UK.
Posts: 11,556
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Re: SC/MP Kit / Introkit info
Thanks for that, I have cursed that wretched weird MK14 keypad matrix many times over the years, now at least we know its origins.
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9th Sep 2019, 9:17 am | #9 | |
Pentode
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Sheffield, South Yorkshire, UK.
Posts: 163
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Re: SC/MP Kit / Introkit info
Quote:
So if you ever get any 60s/70s/80s old-stock / used ICs in foam, take them out!! |
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