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Acorn Atom Replica build

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rubber_jonnie
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Re: Acorn Atom Replica build

Post by rubber_jonnie »

And the volume problem is solved :)

IMG20260320103515.jpg
IMG20260320103515.jpg (239.14 KiB) Viewed 1265 times

I bought some small amps ages ago when I was adding sound to my TRS80-Model 1 and I have spares, so this one went into the Atom and volume is just fine and can even be turned off if required.

I will be doing a similar mod to one of my BBC model B's soon so I have volume and muting control there too.
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: Acorn Atom Replica build

Post by PhilC »

@rubber_jonnie you shouldn't need to do that with the Beeb. There is a pot that does volume control already. So you could just change that to a more friendly variety?
If it ain't broke, test it to Destruction.
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rubber_jonnie
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Re: Acorn Atom Replica build

Post by rubber_jonnie »

PhilC wrote: Fri Mar 20, 2026 10:56 am @rubber_jonnie you shouldn't need to do that with the Beeb. There is a pot that does volume control already. So you could just change that to a more friendly variety?
Yeah, I may just add an external pot, it will be a bit easier for sure.
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: Acorn Atom Replica build

Post by rubber_jonnie »

Well, I have placed an order for Yarrb-M2 and AtoMMCv4 with @roland over at Stardot, so looking forward to those arriving and getting them tested.

It's fantastic what can be done for these old machines today :)
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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HigashiJun
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Re: Acorn Atom Replica build

Post by HigashiJun »

rubber_jonnie wrote: Thu Mar 26, 2026 11:57 am It's fantastic what can be done for these old machines today :)
For sure !
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rubber_jonnie
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Re: Acorn Atom Replica build

Post by rubber_jonnie »

Good news, according to the tracking the Yarrb-M2 & AtoMMCv4 are in the post and expected Tuesday.

Of course the post being the post, I'll take it with a pinch of salt, but at least they're on the way :)
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: Acorn Atom Replica build

Post by rubber_jonnie »

Well, Yarrb M2 and AtoMMC v4 arrived today:

IMG20260331142257.jpg
IMG20260331142257.jpg (186.32 KiB) Viewed 1028 times

But a busy day meant I've only just got them installed and working. Here is Yarrb M2 installed:

IMG20260331211723.jpg
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And it requires the removal of all the RAM to the left of the CPU plus IC's 5 and 6 and a bit of logic in IC44 is modded, and a couple of bodge wires added:

IMG20260331211747.jpg
IMG20260331211747.jpg (287.41 KiB) Viewed 1028 times

Yarrb has a 'Test' ROM built in selected by a jumper and that ran perfectly:

IMG20260331211659.jpg
IMG20260331211659.jpg (251.72 KiB) Viewed 1028 times

And the AtoMMC V4 plugs in to a header on top just behind the keyboard:

IMG20260331212303.jpg
IMG20260331212303.jpg (322.8 KiB) Viewed 1028 times

And the machine sees the ROM for it and tries to run *MENU on boot:

IMG20260331213637.jpg
IMG20260331213637.jpg (229.37 KiB) Viewed 1028 times

However I haven't got an SD card sorted for it yet, hence why it errors.

It's odd, but the keyboard doesn't work with the AtoMMC removed, but thats fine since it works with it plugged in. I thought I'd killed another 8255, but thankfully just the keyboard not working without AtoMMC.
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: Acorn Atom Replica build

Post by rubber_jonnie »

And now with an SD card things are looking good!!!

IMG20260401102945.jpg
IMG20260401102945.jpg (398.1 KiB) Viewed 998 times
IMG20260401102952.jpg
IMG20260401102952.jpg (413.6 KiB) Viewed 998 times

One question @PhilC I thought it was supposed to be green, but I just get B&W, also it says NTSC on my display when the Atom powers up. Crystals are correct and as per the BoM...
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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HigashiJun
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Location: Tokyo

Re: Acorn Atom Replica build

Post by HigashiJun »

Nice progress !
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rubber_jonnie
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Re: Acorn Atom Replica build

Post by rubber_jonnie »

HigashiJun wrote: Wed Apr 01, 2026 11:36 am Nice progress !
Thanks :)
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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