Like everyone here on #Mastodon or, more specifically, the #fediverse I noticed a certain increase of activity in my timeline and was pleased to see a few accounts I really missed from that other site actually show up here (hello @bbcmicrobot )

So for those of you who came here for some #retrocomp and #classiccomputing goodness, I have put together a little list of tags and accounts which you also may want to read / follow:

First, here's some content I "tooted" (that's how we say here) after I closed my account on birdsite:

In order to celebrate the 40th anniversaries of the #zxspectrum and the #commodore64 I built a replica of each sytem in the #dudebuildingaspeccy and #dudebuildingac64 series of toots.

As for interesting, #retrocomputing related accounts to follow, I'd like to recommend the following:

@jimblimey
@48kRAM
@retrotechtive
@peter
@mos_8502
@rc2014
@swissAlisha
@acn128
@ClipHaed
@scruss

Some nice bots:

@SIDMusic
@AYMusic
@bbcmicrobot

@rc2014 I see. You may want to check out my #dudebuildingaspeccy and #dudebuildingac64 threads in cas you missed 'em ...

Yesterday afternoon my armSID arrived and so today I took some time to test it by playing "Skate or Die" (EA) and the "Boogie Factor" demo by Fairlight.

So far it sounds quite well. Had used a real 8580 until now but was curious how well those armSID would replicate the sound.

#dudebuildingac64
#Commodore64
#mos6510
#mos8580
#armSID

@Firelion you may see me posting about #z80 and #mos6502 gear every now and then. just finished #dudebuildingac64 and #dudebuildingaspeccy a few weeks ago.

Finally! It's done!!

The missing 50 pin ribbon cable arrived today so I could eventually finish the build of my #uAX64MiniLong.

I still need to finish the "Bluetooth / USB Keyboard" module but I take that one as a "nice-to-have" rather than a "must-have".

And oh, do I dig the "Cyberdeck" charme of this setup! I'm a happy person now!

#commodore64
#dudebuildingac64

Eventually soldered the missing RCA jacks, plugged in my SD2IEC adapter board and used an 40 pin IDE cable for a keyboard extension (so these are still useful indeed).

Now, the only thing that's still missing is a 50 pin ribbon cable to finally attach the peripheral board. This is - after several delays - due to arrive on tuesday!

#commodore64
#dudebuildingac64
#uAX64MiniLong

One neat feature of the #uAX64MiniLong is the additional serial bus connector on the right side of the module, originally intended to "dock" an adapter PCB which would fit on a #pizero and thus add a Pi1541 drive.

Now, of course you can also use this serial connector to dock an SD2IEC mini board. So I eventually built a small "adapter PCB" for the #sd2iecmini module I had lying around for months ...

.oO(oh, did I mention that I *hate* to solder wires?)

#dudebuildingac64
#commodore64

I just performed the very first power-up test of my #uAX64MiniLong - just the minimum set of modules and the module board (backplane) itself - aaaand:

It. Is. Alive!!

Yaaaaaaaaay!! Yay! Yay! Yay!

The even the memory module which I had to hotfix does work as long as you don't touch the jumper wire I use as a workaround for the missing socket spring at pin 57.

#commodore64
#dudebuildingac64

Finished the interface board today. In fact, I'm almost done soldering all the PCBs. Still waiting for the three RCA female connectors (yellow, red and white) and the replacement for the "RAM/PLA module".

#dudebuildingac64
#uAX64MiniLong
#commodore64
#uni64
#soldering

So I eventually finished the SID "soundcard" module for the #uAX64MiniLong as well. Quite a productive sunday today - we're getting closer to first power-on test. Still waiting for a few parts as well as for the replacement RAM module, though ...

#dudebuildingac64
#commodore64
#uni64

Today I continued soldering the modules of my #uAX64MiniLong #commodore64 clone #dudebuildingac64 #uni64

The CPU and interface module are finished, the VIC II module is just missing the Composite and S-Video jacks and a 1x DIP switch, but is otherwise finished. I also started with the SID module adding two IC sockets.

I've also started populating the Interface board, which will be mounted below the 9-slot module board.

Hotfix for the RAM Module of the #uAX64MiniLong that I screwed up (well, actually the socket quality screwed up on me) - if this one works I'll call myself "MaC= Gyver" (with chicken-lips 'C') for the rest of the month ... heh ...

Still not sure if I ever want to use this module, I'll more likely just wait for the repalcement to arrive.

#commodore64 #dudebuildingac64
#solderingwork

Yes kids, look very closely!

Unfortunately, I couldn't find any high-precision sockets for 64-pin ICs.

So this is what happens when you use cheap sockets. And let me tell you that the photograph shows the *second* attempt at getting a 64-pin socket (for the PLA) onto the board. The first one "lost" the third one of its springs on the upper left.

While I noticed the first time this happened when I only had soldered the corner pins (I could easily get the socket off the PCB again), I didn't the second time, well I did but it was too late by then. Not going to bother getting this one off again with 2/3 of the pins already done.

So no more soldering today, but I ordered a replacement board and two new sockets - the latter hopefully being of better quality this time!

#dudebuildingac64 #soldering #sockets #electronics #mos6502 #commodore64 #uax64minilong

Today, I eventually started building the first board (the "module board") of the #uAX64MiniLong #commodore64 kit by #uni64 (https://uni64.com) - it's still missing the 12V barrel jack, power switch and a 12V -> 5V voltage converter.

But soldering the 72-pin connectors is now finished, one of the less motivating tasks needed to be done.

Once the "module board" is finished, I will start building the individual CPU, VIC-II, SID and RAM modules so that they can be tested along woth the module board.

#dudebuildingac64

Too hot to do soldering today and there's footy on TV later on - but I've managed to do some pre-sorting of parts and took some time to get familiar with all the individual PCBs that will eventually make up the "uAX64 Mini Long" #uax64mini #commodore64 #replica machine.

Got almost all parts required, except for a few RCA connectors, DIN and barrel jacks. #dudebuildingac64 #hardware #retrocomputing #classiccomputing

I *really* wanted to go ahead and start building my #uax64mini which is a modular re-design of the #commodore64 (one of many new designs available from uni64.com) - but ... #dudebuildingac64 #not #yet

Harvest successful!!

I eventually got all the MOS custom chips I need off the board.

I also tried to get the 64 pin PLA (251715-01) and indeed I got i out, but now it's missing two legs (damn!) - but since I expected a desaster like this, I aquired a "new old stock" PLA a few days ago (second photograph).

So now that I have the most precious parts for the build, I will have to wait until the uAX64Mini Long PCBs arrive ...

#dudebuildingac64 #commodore64 #uAX64MiniLong #uni64

New equipment arrived today for the upcoming #dudebuildingac64 series. Took a chance to test it and whoops - there's my first desoldered IC ever (NEC D4066BC Quad Analog Sw/Multiplexer). Just for testing purposes. Going for the 6526es tomorrow ...

#electronics #commodore64 #soldering