exxos's Atari, Amiga & retro forum

coonsgm wrote: 01 Sep 2025 00:35 Dang, just checked Digikey and Mouser no 6ns ones. I can find 7.5ns and above but a big fat 0 for any 6ns....

With the De-minimus changes in US tariffs, I don't expect anything from the other side of the Atlantic until that gets resolved.

Yeah 6ns is rather illusive. You could gable on a 10ns chip. But I can't predict the outcome :( all the old stuff worked with 10ns but a lot has changed since then.

exxos wrote: 31 Aug 2025 22:23

I've been working out costs, and the boards will unfortunately at cost ( if i added it up right ) £106.40 each. The 144 PLDs were already removed, and the 288 6ns is included in that price.

I'll take two. I'll build one on a 10ns 288, I have plenty from another project, and the other with the prescribed 6ns 288. Put them in the shop and I'll order them.

Would you consider compiling ST536_SLOW_ROM_v2 that runs on the 144 for the 288 CPLD? That way we're comparing apples and apples near enough? And if the new firmware isn't debugged for a while I can still use the cards on the old firmware.

Spen

spen wrote: 01 Sep 2025 09:28 I'll take two. I'll build one on a 10ns 288, I have plenty from another project, and the other with the prescribed 6ns 288. Put them in the shop and I'll order them.

Ok cool I'll try and sort that out this week. So you only want 1 PLD?

Would you consider compiling ST536_SLOW_ROM_v2 that runs on the 144 for the 288 CPLD? That way we're comparing apples and apples near enough? And if the new firmware isn't debugged for a while I can still use the cards on the old firmware.

The 144 firmware is bugged, hence moving to the 288. It basically wont work on the 288. All the fixes went into the STE536 firmware which are needed for the 288.

The STE536 firmware has slow ROM, but you need the updated patched 206. it copies ROM to TTram giving fast ROM. I don't think you can really compare both designs, to much has changed.

https://www.exxosforum.co.uk/atari/store2/#0220

4 now in stock. They will come with the 6ns 288 PLD (not soldered) Boards will need US cleaning as i've not had chance to setup my new US yet either.

Do not buy unless you know how to program the PLD, solder the PLD!! Program the ROM, solder other parts etc. They are sold "as is" and firmware is not yet final (but test firmware is available for STE536 which is untested on the STFM)

exxos wrote: 01 Sep 2025 09:42

spen wrote: 01 Sep 2025 09:28 I'll take two. I'll build one on a 10ns 288, I have plenty from another project, and the other with the prescribed 6ns 288. Put them in the shop and I'll order them.

Ok cool I'll try and sort that out this week. So you only want 1 PLD?

Send me the 6ns one as well - if the 10ns 288 doesn't work I'll swap the 6ns in.

Would you consider compiling ST536_SLOW_ROM_v2 that runs on the 144 for the 288 CPLD? That way we're comparing apples and apples near enough? And if the new firmware isn't debugged for a while I can still use the cards on the old firmware.

The 144 firmware is bugged, hence moving to the 288. It basically wont work on the 288. All the fixes went into the STE536 firmware which are needed for the 288.

Ok.

The STE536 firmware has slow ROM, but you need the updated patched 206. it copies ROM to TTram giving fast ROM. I don't think you can really compare both designs, to much has changed.

Well it'll be interesting anyway. Haven't built a ST536 in a while. I feel an A-Team style build thread coming on, utilising a turnip, some saponifer and a stick welder. :?

spen wrote: 01 Sep 2025 18:07 Well it'll be interesting anyway. Haven't built a ST536 in a while. I feel an A-Team style build thread coming on, utilising a turnip, some saponifer and a stick welder. :?

Yeah, probably best open up a new topic about your builds :)

In theory there should be no differences between the STFM and STE code base wise.. but just never know... I had issues years ago with all that in fact.. Though STE fixes *shouldn't* break the STFM stuff. But there are being that many tweaks all over the code fixing various issues..

Yes it will be interesting to find out :lol: :fire: :hide: :fire:

if the 10ns 288 doesn't work I'll swap the 6ns in.

it would be interesting to know if the -10 works. It should be less immune to bad signals which I think the 6ns is seeing. But the -10 will screw up timings which could break it again anyway..

Will try and get a bit more soldering done on mine tonight..

Huuuuh, I did it and just ordered the two remaining PCBs. :)

I'll be able to test these in my MEGA 1 and 4 and perhaps a 520ST+ and a STF, if I get these refurbished into a stable state.
I'll also try to put it into my 4160STE

My current Mega 4 setup is running a TF536, NOVA proto + modified Mach32 and some tweaked ROM/RAM EMUTOS combo booting from TF536 IDE from a MSDOS 2GB FAT16 formatted DOM without crossing cable. Will be interesting to just swap the TF536->ST536 and look, what happens. :lol: :hide:

Is there any chance to get the stencil data of the top layer, that I can order me a stencil for reflow soldering ?
Which RAM type do you currently recommend to use/try ? Is 128MB an option and does it work with 64MB firmware ?

I would also offer to give one finished ST536 as a loan to other users (preferably here in Germany), who have more sophisticated systems to test with (H5, Mint etc.).

Miri wrote: 03 Sep 2025 17:08 Huuuuh, I did it and just ordered the two remaining PCBs. :)

:bravo: :2k2:

Is there any chance to get the stencil data of the top layer, that I can order me a stencil for reflow soldering ?
Which RAM type do you currently recommend to use/try ? Is 128MB an option and does it work with 64MB firmware ?

Its possible but it comes fitted with RAM etc anyway.. You just need to solder the PLD. 128MB isn't supported no.

Got the PLD and PGA socket and headers on now!


That's all I will have time to do for the next few weeks. ultra busy with work and need finish the DFB1X builds over the next few weeks as well.

Also noticed this board has a regulator missing ! Feking JLC again!!! :cussing: Looks like not a very good PGA socket either :roll:

I wish the postman would hurry up
:waiting:

exxos wrote: 03 Sep 2025 21:14
Also noticed this board has a regulator missing ! Feking JLC again!!! :cussing: Looks like not a very good PGA socket either :roll:

Where? :-| My eyes clearly aren't good enough

Edit: :? :? :? I see the PGA socket.