Z80-MBC2

[rubber_jonnie]

Nice!!

Thanks

There are a few expansion boards for it, so I'll have a look round and see what I can find

[PhilC]

Great to see you've got it working RJ. I'll be interested to see what kind of upgrades are possible.

[rubber_jonnie]

Great to see you've got it working RJ. I'll be interested to see what kind of upgrades are possible.

Yeah, pleased to have it running

There are a few things for it, like a VGA card, serial card (Not sure on this one, it already has serial), a parallel card plus mine has GPE built in, which is essentially like GPIO on the Pi.

Need to dig a bit deeper, see what keyboard options there are.

EDIT: The VGA board has a keyboard connector so that'll be on the list as it also provides a barrel jack for power as well so theres no reliance on power from the serial connector.

[rubber_jonnie]

And here is a Mandelbrot image CP/M style:

IMG20241122125901.jpg (292.8 KiB) Viewed 533 times

[rubber_jonnie]

Well, this arrived today:

IMG20241127125440.jpg (261.14 KiB) Viewed 510 times

Which should give VGA out and keyboard connection to the Z80-MBC2.

Need to get a BoM for it but I expect I may already have many parts in stock. Came supplied with a pre programmed ST32

[guus.assmann]

Nice bit, works like a charm.

You might also have a look at: https://www.retrobrewcomputers.org/foru ... 77&start=0&
This should be an even faster Z80 system.
I've ordered PCB's at JLCPCB and the chipset through E-Bay.
Hope it works as well, once I have the stuff.

BR/
Guus

[rubber_jonnie]

Nice bit, works like a charm.

You might also have a look at: https://www.retrobrewcomputers.org/foru ... 77&start=0&
This should be an even faster Z80 system.
I've ordered PCB's at JLCPCB and the chipset through E-Bay.
Hope it works as well, once I have the stuff.

BR/
Guus

Looks nice Guus, though I'm not sure with my project list I need another

Should hopefully have this built soon

[rubber_jonnie]

OK, so I have all the parts I don't have for the VGA board on order now, so fingers crossed they'll all be here in the next week or so and I can get it built before Xmas

I will likely start with the parts I have and get it started so I can just add as I go along.

Build Pics to follow.

[rubber_jonnie]

Well, the VGA board is coming along nicely, hopefully the rest of the parts will be here soon

IMG20241203223714.jpg (294.33 KiB) Viewed 451 times

I'm hoping they are all here for the weekend, but my Saturday is out as I am at a karate grading, but it would be good to get it finished on Sunday if the parts arrive.

[rubber_jonnie]

So, the VGA board is complete!!! Here it is all hooked up:

IMG20241208165143.jpg (313.98 KiB) Viewed 407 times

Screen output is very clear and sharp, with multiple screen colours available:

Green

IMG20241208165149.jpg (262.04 KiB) Viewed 407 times

Amber

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White

IMG20241208165322.jpg (216.91 KiB) Viewed 407 times

Blue

IMG20241208165456.jpg (236.25 KiB) Viewed 407 times

All colours being selected via combinations of these jumpers by the VGA socket:

IMG20241208165525.jpg (308.16 KiB) Viewed 407 times

The 7805 heatsink is temporary one as I'm waiting on a better one to arrive. However I may just get a Traco and have done with it.

Pretty pleased with the results overall.