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Re: Z80-MBC2

Posted: 21 Nov 2024 23:03
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 :)

Re: Z80-MBC2

Posted: 22 Nov 2024 10:42
by PhilC
Great to see you've got it working RJ. I'll be interested to see what kind of upgrades are possible.

Re: Z80-MBC2

Posted: 22 Nov 2024 12:04
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.

Re: Z80-MBC2

Posted: 22 Nov 2024 13:11
by rubber_jonnie
And here is a Mandelbrot image CP/M style:

IMG20241122125901.jpg

Re: Z80-MBC2

Posted: 27 Nov 2024 13:25
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 :)

Re: Z80-MBC2

Posted: 27 Nov 2024 17:27
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

Re: Z80-MBC2

Posted: 27 Nov 2024 18:47
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 :)

Re: Z80-MBC2

Posted: 02 Dec 2024 10:51
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.

Re: Z80-MBC2

Posted: 03 Dec 2024 22:43
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.

Re: Z80-MBC2

Posted: 08 Dec 2024 17:11
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.