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Re: Time to go back in time again - ZX80 replica build

Posted: 26 Sep 2025 14:17
by rubber_jonnie
Using my worst Paint skills I did a quick edit to the one in the middle:

Edited.jpg

So essentially inverting what was there. Definitely not back porching correctly as the two either side are what it actually looks like.

Re: Time to go back in time again - ZX80 replica build

Posted: 27 Sep 2025 15:21
by rubber_jonnie
OK, so I took the board out of the modulator can and swapped the transistors for what the original design called for and then did another lash up:

IMG20250927145230.jpg

Which included a transistor mod on the output side. Interestingly I now get a better looking signal:

IMG20250927150402.jpg

Blue is input from the ZX80, yellow is the output side of the mod board. There is some back porch now, and I am almost getting an image, it's slightly better than before, but not quite there. Also odd is that the original signal from the ZX80 appears to have a very minimal back porch, which I'd not noticed before.

The seller has given me both a refund and sent another board, which is amazing and I'm very grateful for such a brilliant response.

After several recommendations I have ordered a ZX8-CCB, so we'll see how that pans out when it arrives.

Re: Time to go back in time again - ZX80 replica build

Posted: 28 Sep 2025 19:57
by rubber_jonnie
OK, so the ZX8-CCB is in the post, lets hope it's the answer I am looking for. It's coming from Germany so may take a little while to arrive.

Re: Time to go back in time again - ZX80 replica build

Posted: 03 Oct 2025 10:34
by rubber_jonnie
Just had an email that the ZX8-CCB will be arriving today, so hopefully I can put this project to bed in time to bring it to CL4 :)

Re: Time to go back in time again - ZX80 replica build

Posted: 03 Oct 2025 11:37
by HigashiJun
:crossed1:

Re: Time to go back in time again - ZX80 replica build

Posted: 04 Oct 2025 10:56
by rubber_jonnie
Well, Royal Mail, more like Royal Fail!!

No ZX8-CCB yesterday, and the letter post has been super erratic, though my wife actually had a next day delivery parcel arrive on time via Royal Mail yesterday.

Really don't get why the post has gone to :shite: again...

Re: Time to go back in time again - ZX80 replica build

Posted: 04 Oct 2025 10:59
by HigashiJun
Oh no...

I was expecting some good feedback from you today.

:(

Re: Time to go back in time again - ZX80 replica build

Posted: 04 Oct 2025 11:38
by rubber_jonnie
HigashiJun wrote: 04 Oct 2025 10:59 Oh no...

I was expecting some good feedback from you today.

:(
I was hoping I could give some...

Re: Time to go back in time again - ZX80 replica build

Posted: 04 Oct 2025 15:50
by rubber_jonnie
Well it seems my moan worked and a bunch of post arrived today, including the ZX8-CCB which I hooked up immediately:
IMG20251004145814.jpg
Whilst it's a step forward, something is still wrong. After a bit of adjustment I get a nice clear white background
IMG20251004145853.jpg
But no K cursor. Video signal is nice and I have a good back porch. Yellow is the output from the ZX8-CCB, blue is the input from the ZX80 into the Z8-CCB

It's more of a signal than I've had before, and I think the machine is working fine based on my earlier findings. I will swap out the RAM for know good in my OSI 600, but I don't think that's the problem, so next up I need to have a good look at the video circuit.
IMG20251004153935.jpg
IC's 11, 12,13 and 20 seem to be the main protagonists so I may just pop them in the TL866 to see if they are all good.

EDIT: All the IC's test fine...

Re: Time to go back in time again - ZX80 replica build

Posted: 05 Oct 2025 03:05
by HigashiJun
Oh bugger !

This issue seems to be really tough...

Hope you will find soon what's going on there.