Z80-MBC2

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rubber_jonnie
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Re: Z80-MBC2

Post by rubber_jonnie »

agranlund wrote: 21 Nov 2024 18:57 Nice!!
:cheers:
Thanks :)

There are a few expansion boards for it, so I'll have a look round and see what I can find :)
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...
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PhilC
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Re: Z80-MBC2

Post by PhilC »

Great to see you've got it working RJ. I'll be interested to see what kind of upgrades are possible.
If it ain't broke, test it to Destruction.
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rubber_jonnie
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Re: Z80-MBC2

Post by rubber_jonnie »

PhilC wrote: 22 Nov 2024 10:42 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.
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...
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rubber_jonnie
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Re: Z80-MBC2

Post by rubber_jonnie »

And here is a Mandelbrot image CP/M style:

IMG20241122125901.jpg
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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...
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rubber_jonnie
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Re: Z80-MBC2

Post by rubber_jonnie »

Well, this arrived today:

IMG20241127125440.jpg

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 :)
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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...
guus.assmann
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Re: Z80-MBC2

Post by 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
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rubber_jonnie
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Re: Z80-MBC2

Post by rubber_jonnie »

guus.assmann wrote: 27 Nov 2024 17:27 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 :)
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...
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rubber_jonnie
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Re: Z80-MBC2

Post by 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.
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...
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rubber_jonnie
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Location: Essex

Re: Z80-MBC2

Post by rubber_jonnie »

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

IMG20241203223714.jpg

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.
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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...
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rubber_jonnie
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Location: Essex

Re: Z80-MBC2

Post by rubber_jonnie »

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


IMG20241208165143.jpg


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

Green
IMG20241208165149.jpg

Amber
IMG20241208165244.jpg

White
IMG20241208165322.jpg

Blue
IMG20241208165456.jpg

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

IMG20241208165525.jpg

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.
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
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...

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