Keyboard

[Mr_Navigator]

Two queries, does anyone know if this type of keyboard is still obtainable anywhere of if identical keys can be obtained?

The reason can be seen that some of the keys are quite worn and I would like to replace them or the whole keyboard.

Secondly has anyone found an IC or other such interface chip/cct that can convert the QL keyboard matrix to USB compatible output? (so in theory you could connect the QL keyboard to another PC based system without any of the other electronics bits inside the standard BB QL?

[vanpeebles]

I'd love a keyboard like that, I think you need a hermes with those kind as they would bounce?

[RWAP]

It was the Schon keyboard (sorry no idea how to get an umlaut on the PC!).

If only I had thought - I have thrown several away as the circuit boards under the keys become brittle and the keyboard is dead as a result.

Quanta may still have some QLs with these keyboards in their 'testing' pile

They do suffer badly with keybounce and a Hermes is recommended. THe other thing to beware is that you will never be able to go back to a normal QL keyboard - the Schon keyboard used small circuit boards to push into the molex connectors which were too wide and forced the molex connectors apart, so a membrane is then too thin!

Of course, you can always buy new molex connectors and solder them onto the QL motherboard...

[Mr_Navigator]

I have a Hermes but haven't got it out of its wrapping yet

anyhoo
Does anyone know of an IC or other such interface chip/cct that can convert the QL keyboard matrix to USB compatible output? (so in theory you could connect the QL keyboard to another PC based system without any of the other electronics bits inside the standard BB QL? I have found the SK5100 from here http://www.sprintek.com/products/SK5100.aspx which seems (I say this loosely) to be around $10 + which is cheep but associated circuitry is needed.

I have also looked here http://www.hagstromelectronics.com/prod ... dules.html
and here http://www.ultimarc.com/JShopServer/section.php?xSec=2 this seems to be around $39.

Any suggestions appreciated.