If you've never heard of the Kenbak-1, I'd suggest a trip here to read all about what is considered to be the worlds first 'personal' computer. Kenbak-1 in detail
What I have is a 1/2 scale replica using modern components, but functioning just as the Kenbak did back in the day.
IMG20240316144006.jpg (294.31 KiB) Viewed 2100 times
This kit is from the same place as my Altairduino, adwaterandstir, and is once again a very high quality kit with everything you need to get built and running.
More detail as I build it.
Collector of many retro things!
800XL and 65XE both with Ultimate1MB,VBXL/XE & PokeyMax, SIDE3, SDrive Max, 2x 1010 cassette, 2x 1050 one with Happy mod, 3x 2600 Jr, 7800 and Lynx II
Approx 20 STs, including a 520 STM, 520 STFMs, 3x Mega ST, MSTE & 2x 32 Mhz boosted STEs
Plus the rest, totalling around 50 machines including a QL, 3x BBC Model B, Electron, Spectrums, ZX81 etc...
HigashiJun wrote: Sat Mar 16, 2024 9:03 pm
A new challenger has entered the @rubber_jonnie's arena.
Oh yeah
Collector of many retro things!
800XL and 65XE both with Ultimate1MB,VBXL/XE & PokeyMax, SIDE3, SDrive Max, 2x 1010 cassette, 2x 1050 one with Happy mod, 3x 2600 Jr, 7800 and Lynx II
Approx 20 STs, including a 520 STM, 520 STFMs, 3x Mega ST, MSTE & 2x 32 Mhz boosted STEs
Plus the rest, totalling around 50 machines including a QL, 3x BBC Model B, Electron, Spectrums, ZX81 etc...
rubber_jonnie wrote: Sat Mar 16, 2024 11:57 pm
Oh yeah
Just hearing the Bomb the Bass soundtrack to Xenon 2 in my head after reading that quote!
Collector of many retro things!
800XL and 65XE both with Ultimate1MB,VBXL/XE & PokeyMax, SIDE3, SDrive Max, 2x 1010 cassette, 2x 1050 one with Happy mod, 3x 2600 Jr, 7800 and Lynx II
Approx 20 STs, including a 520 STM, 520 STFMs, 3x Mega ST, MSTE & 2x 32 Mhz boosted STEs
Plus the rest, totalling around 50 machines including a QL, 3x BBC Model B, Electron, Spectrums, ZX81 etc...
Well, today was build day. First off was the temporary assembly of the front panel:
IMG20240317111606.jpg (235.98 KiB) Viewed 2013 times
The LEDs and switches are installed, but not soldered at this point. You then flip it on it's front and the LEDs drop into position, and then you solder as this drops the LEDs into the correct position in the front panel:
IMG20240317111616.jpg (250.25 KiB) Viewed 2013 times
This is post soldering prior to front panel removal and LED leg trimming.
The next few pics are various points during assembly, culminating in a test prior to fitting in the case:
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IMG20240317120529.jpg (250.08 KiB) Viewed 2013 times
IMG20240317120717.jpg (230.44 KiB) Viewed 2013 times
And then running the same test once the final assembly is done:
IMG20240317122040.jpg (211.79 KiB) Viewed 2013 times
I have to say both the Altairduino and uKenbak-1 are really well presented and easy to build kits. This build took me maybe 1.5 hours, the Altairduino rather more as it's a much more complex kit. If it wasn't for the price, I'd say that they could be built by relative beginners to kit building. The instructions are extremely good, and there are forums for them too.
Lastly here's the two buddies together
IMG20240317124618.jpg (136.01 KiB) Viewed 2013 times
Collector of many retro things!
800XL and 65XE both with Ultimate1MB,VBXL/XE & PokeyMax, SIDE3, SDrive Max, 2x 1010 cassette, 2x 1050 one with Happy mod, 3x 2600 Jr, 7800 and Lynx II
Approx 20 STs, including a 520 STM, 520 STFMs, 3x Mega ST, MSTE & 2x 32 Mhz boosted STEs
Plus the rest, totalling around 50 machines including a QL, 3x BBC Model B, Electron, Spectrums, ZX81 etc...
