RC2014

https://oldbytes.space/@rc2014

The official account for RC2014, a Z80 based retro computer kit. UK based with global shipping.
Posts probably include retro computing or hobby electronics related content but may include other cool stuff.

Website: https://rc2014.co.uk/
Shop: https://z80kits.com

Public Key

npub14sumczrf5k5ptakcyguvc6hnkvx6j7t8xvywmyv49c87xgcw47ts2c09w8

NIP-05 Address

rc2014_at_oldbytes.space@momostr.pink

Profile Code

nprofile1qqs2cwdupp56t2q47mvzywxvdtemxrdf09nnxz8djx2jurlryv82l9cpz3mhxue69uhhyetvv9ujuerpd46hxtnfduqs6amnwvaz7tmwdaejumr0dsw0etdm

Publishing to

relay.damus.io

nos.lol

Author Public Key

npub14sumczrf5k5ptakcyguvc6hnkvx6j7t8xvywmyv49c87xgcw47ts2c09w8

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Last Notes

2024-09-04 08:32:05 UTC

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There is 40+ meters of conduit buried along the perimeter of the garden that comes out inside #rc2014towers
And that is it so far. I still need to route the conduit at the house end, buy some fibre and pull it through, and sort out a couple of switches each end that take fibre and cat6

2024-09-03 09:38:47 UTC

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Fantastic! I'm so pleased for you. I know how much of a relief that must be.

2024-09-03 09:28:21 UTC

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Wait. Did you say commuting? As in travelling to work? Did I miss something? If so, congratulations!

2024-09-02 13:10:20 UTC

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@npub1pu6…p73t
I just got back from Costco and came here to say exactly that.
Well, almost exactly that. They're 5.89 (plus vat?) at Costco Derby. So that makes them 14p each.

2024-09-02 09:24:43 UTC

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[@Natasha_Jay](https://tech.lgbt/@Natasha_Jay ) @npub1c2w…4v6a
I'll just leave this picture of an RC2014 doing cosplay here :-)
https://assets.oldbytes.space/assets.oldbytes.space/media_attachments/files/113/067/234/609/153/665/original/3f44db82547e433a.jpg

2024-09-02 08:08:37 UTC

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This is what happens when LLMs are trained solely on XKCD content. https://xkcd.com/730/

2024-09-01 21:58:13 UTC

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Yup! Just over 10 years since I did Retro Challenge 2014. Just under 9 years since I wondered if anybody might want to buy some PCBs.

2024-09-01 17:27:47 UTC

I took part in my first Retro Challenge 10 years ago now, building a little Z80 based computer that I used the #RC2014 hashtag for. (See https://sowen.com/653/retro-challenge-2014/ for my original entry!).
Well, for the 10th anniversary, not only will there be a specific RC2014 section to enter, but I will be sponsoring a prize for #RC2024
Things kick off in 1 month, so you haven't got long to get your entry in. Sign up here https://www.retrochallenge.org/2024/08/rc202410-registration-is-open.html and good luck!
https://assets.oldbytes.space/assets.oldbytes.space/media_attachments/files/113/063/422/632/841/476/original/d14489820c6c3a96.jpg
https://assets.oldbytes.space/assets.oldbytes.space/media_attachments/files/113/063/441/983/302/877/original/bc04b1abfabc8fd3.jpg

2024-09-01 15:33:50 UTC

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I have only tested it reading, and, yes, it works. Although, sadly, it doesn't recognise the EEPROMs I mainly use.
I do have some chips that I think it should work with, although I am waiting for an opportunity to need to program one.

2024-09-01 15:24:46 UTC

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Sadly that has the wrong logo to match my programmer. I guess I'll just have to wait for another one to come along...
https://assets.oldbytes.space/assets.oldbytes.space/media_attachments/files/113/062/988/078/714/738/original/e78c593e0e3ee9d6.jpg

2024-09-01 15:23:11 UTC

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Thank you! I am chuckling away to myself reading that 😆

2024-09-01 14:02:16 UTC

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Now say that again, but in an accent from 'Allo 'Allo

2024-09-01 09:46:25 UTC

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Good news. The Butter WiFly has been located safe and well. The Mona Lisa is still missing. If you have any clues to her whereabouts please get in touch. (Or ring Crimestoppers anonymously)

2024-08-30 19:17:12 UTC

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Plot twist. It was not them that sent you the bird feeder from Amazon, but their competitor that is trying to drive them out of business with bad reviews.

2024-08-30 15:26:59 UTC

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I hope it doesn't loose *all* photos taken in Nottingham. I would hardly have any left!

2024-08-30 12:45:38 UTC

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Ideal for PCBs
Pizza Cooked Beautifully

2024-08-29 21:56:56 UTC

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The Artist Formerly Known As The Artist would be a great name.

2024-08-29 19:17:00 UTC

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Since getting home, I don't seem to be able to find a couple of demo boards I printed. The Mona Lisa and the Butter WiFly are missing.
If you were at the workshop and picked them up, please let me know they are safe.
https://assets.oldbytes.space/assets.oldbytes.space/media_attachments/files/113/046/914/195/915/986/original/493fe59b20ebc4c7.jpg
https://assets.oldbytes.space/assets.oldbytes.space/media_attachments/files/113/046/914/336/149/415/original/5276976cbbe8bf2e.jpg

2024-08-29 19:13:42 UTC

At the weekend I went to Hebden Bridge for the #WutheringBytes festival including #OSHCamp.
On Saturday I gave a talk about dye sublimation printing on to PCBs. Most of that talk was from this blog I wrote last year https://rc2014.co.uk/2293/dye-sublimation-printing-on-pcbs-for-rc2014-pride/
On Sunday I ran a workshop where people could design their own artwork to go on to a PCB. This could then be assembled in to an electronic dice. If anybody is interested the files for the workshop are here https://rc2014.co.uk/OSHCamp2024/
https://assets.oldbytes.space/assets.oldbytes.space/media_attachments/files/113/046/900/771/266/805/original/ce5c70a6cc28af93.jpg
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2024-08-29 16:32:18 UTC

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I honestly wasn't sure either. Decided to turn it off but for no other reason than a lack of trust with Google in recent years.

2024-08-28 12:57:30 UTC

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[@trans_rescue](https://mastodon.social/@trans_rescue ) if they can make a 4k7 resistor then I'll happily send money their way.

2024-08-27 18:27:44 UTC

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Good work.
Although I now have De La Soul as an earworm singing about a magic number!

2024-08-26 22:01:05 UTC

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I never remember a time when TVs just worked out of the box. Tuning them in was always a pain, so every few years they developed new ways to do it. That meant when you got a new TV you had to learn how to tune it in because it wasn't the same as the one you had.
Then Channel 5 came along in the UK. And they actually employed people around to go around tuning in TVs. But the frequency overlapped with games consoles, so those needed retuning (which the C5 people wouldn't do)

2024-08-25 18:15:05 UTC

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@npub194c…mkh3
That's pretty much it in a nutshell. For a deeper dive in to how I did it last year there's a blog post here https://rc2014.co.uk/2293/dye-sublimation-printing-on-pcbs-for-rc2014-pride/

2024-08-25 17:56:42 UTC

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Thanks for coming along, and I'm glad you enjoyed the workshop. Can't wait to see the cube/dice running!

2024-08-25 07:28:32 UTC

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Excellent. I'm sure there'll be space for you.

2024-08-24 22:39:19 UTC

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@npub1szn…y7qx 10am the doors open. Workshops will probably start about half hour later, although mine is pretty much a drop in, drop out, do stuff, drop in again workshop. I'm not being strict on time.

2024-08-24 20:47:01 UTC

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@npub1fht…2j5t
Check RS

2024-08-24 10:16:13 UTC

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[Waves back]

2024-08-23 22:47:20 UTC

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That is a shame and you were missed today. You'll get a mention in my talk tomorrow though.

2024-08-23 08:43:19 UTC

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You have my sympathies. This was my van yesterday. Not a puncture, but MOT advisory.
https://assets.oldbytes.space/assets.oldbytes.space/media_attachments/files/113/010/448/737/513/144/original/b2b653c217a115b4.jpg

2024-08-23 07:46:34 UTC

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Hashtag Nailed It!

2024-08-22 21:48:07 UTC

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Wow. That really is not cool.
Just remember that there are so many of us that are really pleased for you existing.

2024-08-22 16:00:46 UTC

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Caught red handed! I mean white handed. No, wait, white footed. Yeah. caught white footed is a genuine phrase I use all the time!

2024-08-22 15:55:20 UTC

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At least you knew that it was white paint in there. If it hadn't dripped, it could have been anything!

2024-08-22 08:24:46 UTC

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I went to the zoo, but all they had was one dog.
It was a Shih Tzu

2024-08-21 21:34:03 UTC

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Yes, I think they have had a lot of regret over that. #WishYouWereHere
Also, Roger used Clapton on Pros And Cons Of Hitchhiking. Which is probably the best album from either of them.

2024-08-21 21:27:12 UTC

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Indeed. Although I might question how Syd was treated in the latter part of his time in Pink Floyd.
Of the two, I have only been to one of their houses. Sadly, it wasn't Daves.

2024-08-21 20:45:32 UTC

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I don't know if you mean guitar playing skills, or morally. But yes. You're right.

2024-08-21 18:27:38 UTC

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I might pop in...

2024-08-21 18:22:17 UTC

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I would not class myself as "one of those people into that kinda thing". However, I love the work that you're doing with this. Really looking forward to seeing it all finished and working.

2024-08-21 16:57:52 UTC

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Yes, the designer posted about those on the RC2014-Z80 Google Group a while back. They look neat, although I haven't printed any myself.

2024-08-21 14:01:30 UTC

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[@Wintermute_BBS](https://oldbytes.space/@Wintermute_BBS )
[Hushed narrator voice] we don't know that it works, only that it all fits!

2024-08-21 12:18:26 UTC

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I really need to make a 13 slot backplane!

2024-08-20 21:44:58 UTC

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If it wasn't for the damn English getting in the way, Stonehenge would be IN Scotland!

2024-08-20 20:59:20 UTC

Today I have mostly been getting ready for #OSHCamp2024. I'll be giving a talk on Saturday, which, even if I do say so myself, is going to be pretty good. And there will be a workshop on Sunday. Nothing #RC2014 related, I'm afraid, but actually very exciting too.
I think there are still tickets available, so grab one if you can
https://oshug.org/event/oshcamp2024

2024-08-20 16:41:48 UTC

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Congratulations Senior DTL!

2024-08-20 14:58:43 UTC

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Do the promiscuous ones catch humans from each other?

2024-08-18 21:07:37 UTC

Back from an awesome trip visiting @npub18e4…0ncc this weekend. This included an #RC2014 Pong tournament using her new Dual Paddle Analogue Module (link below). Both her Pong software and hardware were great, although I'm not telling you which score is mine!
#RC2014 #TMSEMU #Pong
https://z80kits.com/shop/dual-paddle-analogue-module/
https://assets.oldbytes.space/assets.oldbytes.space/media_attachments/files/112/985/063/536/289/620/original/9f9a4c535a794151.jpg
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2024-08-16 17:37:32 UTC

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I come here for old technology. I'm not disappointed.

2024-08-14 19:06:18 UTC

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As an Android user that signed up via the web, I hope 100% of my patreon comes through to you. If the rules have changed and KoFi or some other payment arbitrator is better for you then I am happy to change.

2024-08-14 19:00:45 UTC

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Everything is a fuse if you mistreat it bad enough!

2024-08-12 11:54:30 UTC

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@npub1930…qm4f
LOL. Thank you :)

2024-08-12 11:33:43 UTC

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@npub1930…qm4f
There is no alt text on the image.
Also, there is no image 😿

2024-08-11 20:27:27 UTC

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Sadly, for the ink I'm using, it needs to be inkjet :(

2024-08-11 19:28:01 UTC

One of them there RP2350 boards out in the wild!
https://assets.oldbytes.space/assets.oldbytes.space/media_attachments/files/112/945/036/024/920/591/original/730ff812875480e9.jpg

2024-08-11 16:25:36 UTC

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You *must* go and visit Novelty Automation https://www.novelty-automation.com/

2024-08-11 15:40:38 UTC

Oh dear. Whatever I did in a previous life has caught up with me. That is obviously why I am stuck in a loop of printer test pages, nozel clean and dealing with Epson software and drivers.

2024-08-10 22:53:08 UTC

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RC2014 Mini or RC2014 Micro?

2024-08-10 22:51:49 UTC

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Yeah, your profile says 0 and 0, but also confirms that I am following you and lists a bunch of other accounts that I follow are also following you.
Maybe you're on an 8 bit server and already have overflowed 256 followers, or a 16 bit server and overflowed 65536 followers?

2024-08-10 21:59:03 UTC

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Yup. Clearly I didn't see this because apparently I am not following you.

2024-08-10 20:14:51 UTC

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Clearly a decisive decision and the will of the people. I can't see how this could go wrong in any way!

2024-08-10 19:38:19 UTC

Binary choice

2024-08-10 19:37:20 UTC

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NO! Do not put anything in there!

2024-08-10 19:34:58 UTC

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It is to prevent RSI from typing and moussing all day. If you can find the right button there should be a massage function that makes it feel all brrrr brrrr in your hand.

2024-08-09 15:18:12 UTC

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Yeah, after posting the first pics I noticed there was no indication of scale. Lego Minifigs are perfect for things like this :)

2024-08-09 14:09:51 UTC

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#LegoMinifigForScale
Also macro shot of the pads
https://assets.oldbytes.space/assets.oldbytes.space/media_attachments/files/112/932/460/197/299/097/original/56b0dcdde8641c1b.jpg
https://assets.oldbytes.space/assets.oldbytes.space/media_attachments/files/112/932/460/313/689/993/original/4783c2d8f2e8ed3e.jpg

2024-08-09 14:02:22 UTC

Seriously, how cute are these USB C bulkhead sockets? They're just adorable. And surprisingly solid and resilient, particularly when they're in a block and haven't had the individual PCBs snapped apart.
https://assets.oldbytes.space/assets.oldbytes.space/media_attachments/files/112/932/430/580/170/497/original/fef949ed38f3a45b.jpg
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2024-08-08 14:08:01 UTC

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First thought would be the power supply. Those ESP devices are quite power hungry as they boot and the reset manager on the I/O module (3 legged transistor thing) is waiting for a clean 5v before bringing the machine out of reset.

2024-08-08 13:04:04 UTC

I bought a new clock radio alarm a few months back, and it has one of those fancy "sleep sounds" settings. To help you get to sleep you can listen to 15 mins of waves lapping the beach, or birdsong, or rain fall in the trees.
But where are the settings that *I* want?
- ZX Spectrum loading Jet Set Willy
- 56k modem dial up and handshaking sounds
- Epson FX80 dot matrix printer printing off a school project
- Punched tape punching out a long Z80 assembly program

2024-08-08 12:50:14 UTC

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Yeah, sorry, the first revision of the PCB was missing some details on the silkscreen :(
R1-8 are 1k
R9-16 are 2.2
R17 is 10k
https://z80kits.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Front-Panel-IO-Kit_2.jpg

2024-08-07 19:51:02 UTC

So, whilst everybody has been distracted by the flashing lights at the front, I have been working on making the rear end look presentable. I hope you like what you see.
One of the best things about a modular design like the #RC2014 is that anybody can use whatever modules they need.
One of the worst things about people using whatever modules they need is designing a rear panel to accommodate them. I think a modular design works here too.
https://assets.oldbytes.space/assets.oldbytes.space/media_attachments/files/112/922/476/926/440/876/original/e01d3639e07d0a62.jpg
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2024-08-05 19:05:03 UTC

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Old #BBCMicro have one of two different types of RIFA caps. Those that have gone bang, and those that will go bang soon!

2024-08-05 12:08:06 UTC

IYKYK
https://assets.oldbytes.space/assets.oldbytes.space/media_attachments/files/112/909/332/333/819/873/original/8fc13f44e7a76721.jpg

2024-08-02 11:22:49 UTC

Any guesses which #RC2014 kits I might be kitting up this morning?
https://assets.oldbytes.space/assets.oldbytes.space/media_attachments/files/112/892/167/229/049/879/original/ec1e334b6e1f5c3c.jpg
https://assets.oldbytes.space/assets.oldbytes.space/media_attachments/files/112/892/167/363/072/271/original/8794ef329b92965c.jpg

2024-07-31 07:44:27 UTC

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I wasn't sure if it was related to *the* Ericsson phone manufacturer, or just a coincidence that Britain had a phone manufacturer of the same name. This explains it https://www.vintagephones.com.au/Pages/Essays/British%20Ericsson.htm

2024-07-31 07:35:29 UTC

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Wow, so Nokia 3310 isn't the oldest phone in existence then!
Also, Beeston is only a mile from here. I might have to find out where the factory was.

2024-07-29 10:11:47 UTC

In addition to my list of things to look for when ordering a Blue Box as an #RC2014 enclosure, I have now added a section on what to avoid.
Many thanks to @npub1unr…x7pa for buying the "wrong" box and reporting back on her experience.
https://rc2014.co.uk/backplanes/blue-box-110x250x190/
https://assets.oldbytes.space/assets.oldbytes.space/media_attachments/files/112/869/229/414/348/631/original/68399e5e436fdbe1.jpg
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2024-07-08 09:27:22 UTC

Ah good! My new accordion has arrived!
https://assets.oldbytes.space/assets.oldbytes.space/media_attachments/files/112/750/155/624/983/558/original/54bf5cf05f142e50.jpg