Homebrew QL kits for DIY QL builders !

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lezanderson
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Homebrew QL kits for DIY QL builders !

Post by lezanderson »

Hi.

Anyone interested in building a homebrew Sinclair QL ??

I'm considering selling some QL Homebrew self-build kits on ebay...not sure of the price yet, but I'll try to keep it low.

Would (possibly) consist of :

MC68008P10 DIP48 10MHZ 68008 CPU $1.50
512K SRAM DIP32 $3.50
256K EEPROM DIP32 $1.0
EPM7128SLC84 Glue Logic CPLD PLCC84 $2.0
AY-3-8910 Sound Chip DIP40 Sound IC (has two parallel ports too!) $2.50
DS12887 RTC Clock/Calendar $2.50

7805,7812, regulators, Switches, connectors, LEDs etc

optional !

extra 128K SRAM DIP $1.5
128K NVSRAM DIP $3.50
AM9511 Maths Co-processor DIP $2.50


I might be able to sell them on ebay for about £15 ??

Anyone interested leave a message !


** These ICs can be bought direct from Funkward-tech


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robheaton
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Re: Homebrew QL kits for DIY QL builders !

Post by robheaton »

Sounds like a great idea!
Would the kits just need a set of stock ROMS?


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vanpeebles
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Re: Homebrew QL kits for DIY QL builders !

Post by vanpeebles »

Moved to hardware section :)


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Dave
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Re: Homebrew QL kits for DIY QL builders !

Post by Dave »

These packages have been sold for a long time on eBay, etc. Nobody has built a QL with them, because the CPLD is blank and doesn't reproduce *any* of the functionality of the custom chips inside the QL.

If you have a CPLD that reproduces the custom logic of the QL, then that's a very different story, and useful.


lezanderson
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Re: Homebrew QL kits for DIY QL builders !

Post by lezanderson »

these kits are aimed at those with an electronics or technical background (or those willing to learn) whom wish to make/design their own 68000 machine..possibly a low cost Sinclair QL. Thus learning about how to design and build your own microcomputer system

The EPM7128 can be programmed to decode memory, do I/O decoding, produce video output to a VGA monitor, decode PS/2 keyboard etc. 128 macrocells is quite low but they can be upgraded with a larger CPLD EPM7192 etc if needed. A CPLD like the Atlera MAX or Xilinx series can reproduce/replicate the functionality of a Sinclair QL by programming it.

Hope this helps ?


lezanderson
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Re: Homebrew QL kits for DIY QL builders !

Post by lezanderson »

Sorry No PCB .. but at the price you can't really complain..

.. Just ICs, some D-type sockets, PS/2 keyboard connectors, switches, LEDs 7805 reg etc

They are aimed mainly at those interested in electronics and possibly building their own homebrew machine and learning about microelectronics on the way.

I'm sure a lot of people have noticed the exorbitant price of ICs on the Web !! Which is just a rip-off as most of these legacy chips can be sourced direct Very Cheap !


JonB
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Re: Homebrew QL kits for DIY QL builders !

Post by JonB »

As others have said, unless the programmable logic is pre setup I think it's not going to be a viable proposition for most people. Lack of a PCB would be an issue, too.

Anyone that can program these devices isn't going to need to buy a package of parts on eBay.

What you ought to be thinking along is a kit of parts, including PCB and preprogrammed logic, that a reasonably competent hobbyist could solder together, like the old computers of times past (Atom, UK101, ZX80/81). It would need keyboard and floppy drive interfaces, plus some sort of video output, preferably VGA compliant.

By all means market a bag of chips, but don't be surprised if very few people buy it.

Sorry if that sounds harsh, but that's my opinion (which you have solicited), for what it's worth.

Cheers

JonB


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Dave
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Re: Homebrew QL kits for DIY QL builders !

Post by Dave »

I'm looking for quantities of:

68EC020 SMD variant at sensible prices. Interested in any speed.

512k SRAMs. What is their part number and organization?

27512 EPROMs, 27256 EPROMs, or their SMD flash equivalents (5v tolerant).

WD1770 or WD1772 floppy controllers.


Derek_Stewart
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Re: Homebrew QL kits for DIY QL builders !

Post by Derek_Stewart »

Hi,

There is another problem, in that the QL ROM code, probably Minerva, would have to be translated from 68K assembler or a loader written to emulate a MC68000 structure, so that the operating system could be loaded in. Not an easy task.

Derek


Regards,

Derek
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Re: Homebrew QL kits for DIY QL builders !

Post by RWAP »

Dave wrote:I'm looking for quantities of:

68EC020 SMD variant at sensible prices. Interested in any speed.

512k SRAMs. What is their part number and organization?

27512 EPROMs, 27256 EPROMs, or their SMD flash equivalents (5v tolerant).

WD1770 or WD1772 floppy controllers.
I've just had a look through the chip pile here and only hae 128K EPROMS (1818-4486) or AMD 27C010 unfortunately....


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