If you've never heard of the Kenbak-1, I'd suggest a trip here to read all about what is considered to be the worlds first 'personal' computer. Kenbak-1 in detail
What I have is a 1/2 scale replica using modern components, but functioning just as the Kenbak did back in the day.
This kit is from the same place as my Altairduino, adwaterandstir, and is once again a very high quality kit with everything you need to get built and running.
More detail as I build it.
REMINDER - Stay logged in for at least 2 hours a week to get whitelisted.
Also it helps build a picture where our "good traffic" is coming from for detection scripts.
:o)
Also it helps build a picture where our "good traffic" is coming from for detection scripts.
:o)
Another blast from the past, this time it's a uKenbak-1
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rubber_jonnie
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- Posts: 15022
- Joined: 17 Aug 2017 19:40
- Location: Essex
Another blast from the past, this time it's a uKenbak-1
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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...
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
- Posts: 2388
- Joined: 19 Jun 2020 07:21
- Location: Tokyo
Re: Another blast from the past, this time it's a uKenbak-1
A new challenger has entered the @rubber_jonnie's arena.
8-)
8-)
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rubber_jonnie
- Site Admin

- Posts: 15022
- Joined: 17 Aug 2017 19:40
- Location: Essex
Re: Another blast from the past, this time it's a uKenbak-1
Oh yeah 😁
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...
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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JezC
- Posts: 2815
- Joined: 28 Aug 2017 23:44
Re: Another blast from the past, this time it's a uKenbak-1
Just hearing the Bomb the Bass soundtrack to Xenon 2 in my head after reading that quote! ;)
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HigashiJun
- Posts: 2388
- Joined: 19 Jun 2020 07:21
- Location: Tokyo
Re: Another blast from the past, this time it's a uKenbak-1
:lol:JezC wrote: 17 Mar 2024 09:50 Just hearing the Bomb the Bass soundtrack to Xenon 2 in my head after reading that quote! ;)
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rubber_jonnie
- Site Admin

- Posts: 15022
- Joined: 17 Aug 2017 19:40
- Location: Essex
Re: Another blast from the past, this time it's a uKenbak-1
:lol:JezC wrote: 17 Mar 2024 09:50Just hearing the Bomb the Bass soundtrack to Xenon 2 in my head after reading that quote! ;)
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...
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...
-
rubber_jonnie
- Site Admin

- Posts: 15022
- Joined: 17 Aug 2017 19:40
- Location: Essex
Re: Another blast from the past, this time it's a uKenbak-1
Well, today was build day. First off was the temporary assembly of the front panel:
The LEDs and switches are installed, but not soldered at this point. You then flip it on it's front and the LEDs drop into position, and then you solder as this drops the LEDs into the correct position in the front panel:
This is post soldering prior to front panel removal and LED leg trimming.
The next few pics are various points during assembly, culminating in a test prior to fitting in the case:
And then running the same test once the final assembly is done:
I have to say both the Altairduino and uKenbak-1 are really well presented and easy to build kits. This build took me maybe 1.5 hours, the Altairduino rather more as it's a much more complex kit. If it wasn't for the price, I'd say that they could be built by relative beginners to kit building. The instructions are extremely good, and there are forums for them too.
Lastly here's the two buddies together :)
The LEDs and switches are installed, but not soldered at this point. You then flip it on it's front and the LEDs drop into position, and then you solder as this drops the LEDs into the correct position in the front panel:
This is post soldering prior to front panel removal and LED leg trimming.
The next few pics are various points during assembly, culminating in a test prior to fitting in the case:
And then running the same test once the final assembly is done:
I have to say both the Altairduino and uKenbak-1 are really well presented and easy to build kits. This build took me maybe 1.5 hours, the Altairduino rather more as it's a much more complex kit. If it wasn't for the price, I'd say that they could be built by relative beginners to kit building. The instructions are extremely good, and there are forums for them too.
Lastly here's the two buddies together :)
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...
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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