Any plans for more ST536?

[donix]

Hi,

Are there any plans to produce another batch of ST536 PCBs? A while back I got a few of the required CPLDs that I originally acquired to build a TF536 for my A500. In the meantime I got snagged up in building a ReAmiga 1200 and an A4000TX and once I got back on the A500 I had also expanded the collection with two STs. With that in mind it would be great fun to use one of those CPLDs on an ST536.

[exxos]

Short answer, no...

Mostly people was moaning it wouldn't fit in most cases which is why I abandoned the project in favour for the STE536. Nobody wanted to build adapters or help figure out fitting etc It mostly fits in the mega, but those machines are more trouble than they are worth and I don't want the debugging hassle.

A lot can't build them up and those who do generally end up with issues likely due to bad soldering etc... It's one big headache I just don't want. They work fine when people like myself or @PhilC build them up..

If someone wanted to buy at least 10, I can get some made. But i consider the project abandoned now and can't promise any support anymore. I stopped selling them as I didn't want to sell items I have no support for. I'm struggling to find time for the STE536 as it is..

[donix]

I see…

I hadn’t picked up on the fact that there were forms that issues - most of the stuff I trawled through was about software compatibility which appeared quite good.

Coming back to the fitment issues - does the ST536 fit if a Phoenix board is used?

I have two working STs and another spare logic board but no STE so far which is why the ST536 seems so appealing. The STEs are also getting a bit expensive nowadays but maybe one should start looking for one. :)

Coming back on buying more than one board I would consider picking up two boards if such an opportunity would present itself.

[exxos]

Coming back to the fitment issues - does the ST536 fit if a Phoenix board is used?

Yes @coonsgm shows one in his H5.

Coming back on buying more than one board I would consider picking up two boards if such an opportunity would present itself.

I'll try and get some made on my next PCB order as it seems to be a few people wanting them again... It may take some time to sort out as things keep going out of stock parts wise.

See if I can get the PLD soldered on as that is going to be the main problem for a lot of people.

[coonsgm]

The ST536 also fits wonderfully in a short case 520ST, the no internal floppy drive / external power supply model.

As Exxos mentions, the majority of the STF's have their CPU's in unfortunate locations that requires a relocator or different form factor for the ST536.

[PhilC]

@exxos I'd get the ROM socket done too if I was you, that's a troublesome part too.

@donix the ST536 will fit in an original.short ST or STN as well but needs a few CPU sockets stacked to take it over the top of the monitor port. It is a tight fit though I'd recommend not putting it in an STF or STFM due to the fitment issue.it will fit in a Mega ST but they are unreliable machines in other ways.

[exxos]

@PhilC Yeah, I'm going to try and get all the SMT done, top and bottom. Theres no point selling birdseed boards as most people screw them up soldering the SMT stuff..

[donix]

I was already eyeing the Phoenix board and got even more interested now as there is a new run of these as well in the pipeline judging from that video.

I fully agree on having the PLCC sockets fitted. I did develop a good method for getting these on the previous project without butchering them using light pre soldering of the pads and using a C1 tip but it is still very fiddly.

I find that QFP and SSOP packages are reasonably easy to solder if you are easy on the solder and use capillary action even on the finer pitch ones. Having said that I now see that the CPLDs have 0.3 mm pitch which is a step up from my previous personal best on the bus transceivers on the A4000TX which are 0.5. Although that sounds like an excellent excuse to go and buy a proper microscope it might be wiser to eliminate that potential source of error this time. :)

[exxos]

As said previously, a lot of people can't solder the SMT stuff which is part of my "motivation" to abandon the project because not many people could get them working and I don't have time to fully build / test / support them all...

So these boards will have the PLD, DRAM, BUFFERS, ROM SOCKET, pre-soldered (with birdseed on the bottom). Most people would have to buy them anyway, so it's not like is going to significantly add cost to the final build. Mostly through-hole components will need assembling the PLD programming.

Just its a bit of a outlay to buy all the parts for me, considering the funds involved with DFB1X, motherboards, STE536, PSUs, and other items heading into production.. The whole thing literally adds up to tens of thousands of pounds... And the bank won't let me up my credit card limit any more :( Its a double-edged sword with me not been able to ship to EU as well limiting sales and recovered monies.. Never mind the sheer amount of time involved with multiple projects and trying to keep on top of everything...

[WDB]

I will buy a couple of these boards if you decide to make more.