hkz

- #developer 💻
- #book collector 📖
- #fleamarket enthusiast 🕰️
- #electronic #retro junk hoarder 🕹️
- lazy #hamradio operator 🎙️
- #hotpeppers lover 🌶
- Part-time #farmer 👨🏻‍🌾

In no particular order.

If you feel like it, support my projects with ko-fi at https://ko-fi.com/hkzlab ☕

Public Key

npub179kfv9zdedgpzpqqqm96vf5a5pj04dm3lzqfx042am6paay0rs7q75akkw

NIP-05 Address

hkz@social-chinwag-org.mostr.pub

Profile Code

nprofile1qqs0zmykz3xuk5q3qsqqdjaxy6w6qe86kacl3qyn864waaq77j83c0qpz4mhxue69uhhyetvv9ujuerfw36x7tnsw43q06tyx6

Publishing to

relay.ditto.pub

Author Public Key

npub179kfv9zdedgpzpqqqm96vf5a5pj04dm3lzqfx042am6paay0rs7q75akkw

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Last Notes

2026-07-17 17:29:55 UTC

Wooot, look what I found while cleaning up some cardboard boxes destroyed by the thunderstorm mess: a #cosmacelf reimplementation.
This one, to be precise: https://github.com/tebl/RC1802-Cosmac-ELF
Cleaned it up, seems to work fine!
https://static.chinwag.net.au/media_attachments/files/116/936/496/503/285/782/original/12e58b9f3b10027f.jpg

2026-07-15 18:07:37 UTC

I might have to postpone my next projects. Looks like I'm short of a roof.
Looks like I was lucky enough, given that I was underneath that mess during the thunderstorm.
https://static.chinwag.net.au/media_attachments/files/116/925/312/002/977/134/original/ce8f0d327b8fb9d7.jpg
https://static.chinwag.net.au/media_attachments/files/116/925/312/337/120/345/original/a38636184d89ea61.jpg

2026-07-10 15:09:34 UTC

It's time to release the #RAMpager! An MTU banked RAM expansion card for the #KIM1 computer.
This board allows up to 1MB of memory via a 4KB banked window (with different read/write controls, so you can write to a page while reading from another!).
https://codeberg.org/hkzlab/KIM-1_RAMpager
As usual, thanks to #PCBWay for sponsoring the project via PCB production.
If you wish to donate even small amounts, it's always appreciated and you can do so via ko-fi.com/hkzlab
I use that mainly to pay components for these projects.
Enjoy!

2026-07-09 20:07:40 UTC

Today I was reminiscing with a colleague how big of idiots we were when younger.
He's one year older than me, but we went to the same high school.
We got the habit of stealing chemicals from the labs to mix black powder in-house.
With an electric blender.
Then we welded a makeshift mortar, went in the open country, middle of nowhere, and shot rocks at the crumbling walls of an old ruin.
Whoever brought down more bricks won.
Lucky i still got all my appendages.

2026-07-05 10:20:58 UTC

Surprisingly, got my whole family on #chatmail, #deltachat client precisely (while I use #arcanechat).
And it wasn't even me pushing for it, we needed to discuss something via secure channels, got them the choice between signal (secure but centralized) and DeltaChat (decentralized, "invite only", preferred by me) and they just switched.
It means that, between them and some of my colleagues, I have now switched my main messaging to Delta/Arcanechat.
I'll have to keep WhatsApp installed because it is used by some of my seldom contacted people (few colleagues, suppliers, etc), but back in the launcher drawer it goes!

2026-07-04 21:35:46 UTC

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@nprofile…hl5m mimolette! I need to try it. Last trip I made to the French market organized yearly near here I could not find it :(

2026-06-26 13:41:23 UTC

I had this great idea of taking out my grills in this fine weather (38°C) and scrape, clean and oil them.
Might even light a fire this evening.
https://static.chinwag.net.au/media_attachments/files/116/816/683/518/647/303/original/05d2785eb3e8f0cf.jpg

2026-06-25 19:44:17 UTC

Second time I set-up a phone in a month.
I recently replaced my work phone with a 3rd hand Pixel 8 Pro, and had to keep that stock because one of the work apps requires Play Integrity, same thing for some public administration apps (idiots).
But yesterday I found out that a local chain was having a discount on the 10A, stackable with another offer "bring any old phone and get an additional discount", so I brought in old fleamarket junk and got a replacement for my Pixel 6 that was going out of support. And given that this is my "private" phone, I can install #GrapheneOS!
https://static.chinwag.net.au/media_attachments/files/116/812/426/927/473/045/original/ed39ff2ba23e45a1.jpg

2026-06-21 18:29:21 UTC

The bees in our garden are really suffering the heat. They're in the shade all day, but still, have a look at how they cling on the outside of their houses.
#farm
https://static.chinwag.net.au/media_attachments/files/116/789/506/684/268/883/original/19cea1f4a6ce1315.jpg

2026-06-13 18:37:53 UTC

Fastest way to end up in the list of blacklisted phone numbers in my phone or ignored contacts on my IMs is coming up with ideas on how I should spend the free time I'm not volunteering for you.
Like, for example, bringing me a computer that I need to "please please check" and, while at it "here is my daughter's computer just because while you're at it why not both?"

2026-06-08 19:03:52 UTC

In this moment I am feeling deeply envious.
#catsofmastodon
https://static.chinwag.net.au/media_attachments/files/116/716/030/554/374/141/original/43620398e51cbd54.jpg

2026-06-07 18:22:02 UTC

One of the last things before taking a shower and eating dinner is cleaning up this crate of #garlic.
It'll be used to cook black garlic, via a process of slow cooking in high humidity that lasts slightly less than two weeks.
It's supposedly very healthy, but that's not really what matters in this case: me and my wife love the taste (and she avoids garlic in every other form!).
#farm
https://static.chinwag.net.au/media_attachments/files/116/710/199/046/846/619/original/2e852f12ad3b86db.jpg
https://static.chinwag.net.au/media_attachments/files/116/710/211/845/505/031/original/ac71d0a81e8f4a72.jpg

2026-06-07 16:36:17 UTC

SNEK!
https://static.chinwag.net.au/media_attachments/files/116/709/783/392/764/633/original/b5cdf1a6eb0bb305.jpg
https://static.chinwag.net.au/media_attachments/files/116/709/793/994/942/153/original/2a13b96dd85d6684.jpg

2026-06-07 06:26:46 UTC

Well, if even my wife, on her own accord goes out of her way to change the default search engine from Google to DDG, it means someone at Google fucked up.
And I swear I had no part in this. I found out today because she asked me to tweak the settings for her on the phone.

2026-06-06 08:56:02 UTC

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@nprofile…hl5m In fact, having the ability to share the account between multiple devices is a big plus over signal already that won a person over.

2026-06-06 08:46:18 UTC

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@nprofile…hl5m not using voice/video calls here, but I found a couple of contacts that wished to try and it's working quite fine.
In fact, I'm trying to increase the number of contact making use of it.

2026-06-01 17:45:14 UTC

This is impressive.
What you see in photo is a #sd2iec identical to the one I assembled for my C64 and C128.
And it's listing files.
From the #KIM1.
And probably an 1541 would work just as well.
https://static.chinwag.net.au/media_attachments/files/116/676/082/068/118/860/original/f395a35634132e91.jpeg
https://static.chinwag.net.au/media_attachments/files/116/676/084/305/789/990/original/d05a6864ad89d67a.png

2026-05-31 20:09:14 UTC

This #deltachat is intriguing. I need to convince some of my contacts to try it with me.

2026-05-22 15:35:13 UTC

Oh god I have so many bytes now
#kim1
https://static.chinwag.net.au/media_attachments/files/116/618/957/055/593/119/original/bd440c8c5daadf94.jpg

2026-05-21 17:42:15 UTC

Finally screwed the #Kim1 to the slab of plywood, with motherboard and PSU.
Now I need to start work on expansion boards!
https://static.chinwag.net.au/media_attachments/files/116/613/791/564/864/464/original/8b7162b529e5000f.jpg

2026-05-19 18:44:30 UTC

Made my risotto with cheese and strawberries
https://static.chinwag.net.au/media_attachments/files/116/602/713/553/349/497/original/fda8095fdf65fbbd.jpg

2026-05-19 16:14:26 UTC

The new revision of the #MiSCUSI SCSI card for #apple2 works! (Almost fully SMD SCSI card with active termination)
This one uses CMOS 53C80 controllers (easier to get in PLCC format than the NMOS ones, tested several zilog and an AMD one), replaces the 'LS133 with something cheaper to get and shuffles around some components.
I was even able to test the fuse protection 😬
It's currently running some games on my Delta Apple2e clone using #BlueSCSI .
https://static.chinwag.net.au/media_attachments/files/116/602/103/140/923/207/original/64cedcb9492c9eec.jpg

2026-05-10 09:15:41 UTC

Hmmm.
Ok, I am now pretty sure that yesterday I cracked one of my floating ribs.
It'll be a few fun days now.

2026-05-03 09:58:41 UTC

I just ran into a very weirdly behaving keyboard.
It's a "gaming" RGB/mechanical very compact keyboard that i found at the fleamarket this morning.
Works fine in BIOS/UEFI, works fine under a windows machine.
Doesn't work under Fedora 44. Even though it's detected perfectly fine.
Weeeeird.

2026-04-21 19:15:35 UTC

Surprisingly, today FedEx came earlier than scheduled and brought me the new revision of my Tauntingboard (mockingboard clone for #Apple2).
This one includes a few fixes and tweaks (including an optional phi2 circuit that uses a 74LS74 instead of the original inverter delay).
I need to complete a few things that are taking space on my workbench before I get to this though.
https://static.chinwag.net.au/media_attachments/files/116/444/276/134/413/854/original/bcd17430a0e7fa28.jpg

2026-04-20 19:25:30 UTC

Ok, I definitely won't go on with my computer kit today.
https://static.chinwag.net.au/media_attachments/files/116/438/668/663/795/498/original/740e9c549a67bd95.jpg

2026-04-11 16:31:44 UTC

"I sent you to buy cat food"
"Yes"
"Then why is there a commodore in you backseat?"
"Yes"
https://static.chinwag.net.au/media_attachments/files/116/387/022/317/067/180/original/df22cd5de8efb468.jpg

2026-04-09 09:02:28 UTC

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@nprofile…ggeh ...truly impressive.
I find BGAs quite scary still.

2026-04-08 22:10:52 UTC

Ah BTW. Today I got these in a box.
https://static.chinwag.net.au/media_attachments/files/116/371/370/413/934/620/original/5df345d67c7d8b41.jpg

2026-04-07 19:52:48 UTC

It's truly impressive how totally unrelated events in my life distribute and configure themselves to utterly maximize my frustration, anxiety and discomfort.
Just in case, if someone is up there and reading: *bravo* you fucking bastard(s).

2026-04-05 08:57:44 UTC

Hmm. Seems we have a surplus of savoy cabbage. I'll try to ferment them, let's see what I get with the same procedure I use for sauerkrauts. I'll add fresh garlic. Lots of it.
I wonder if I still have some fresh horseradish roots left...
But anyway, not today. Wife told me not to dare to work today...
#farm

2026-04-03 17:37:27 UTC

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@nprofile…r9vg hmmmm not really. If you know how to treat them.
Boiling them, peeling them, then pasteurizing them in jars with a solution of the correct PH level and salt (also add flavouring, onion, pepper, chili, etc) made me able to preserve them for at least 3 years.
The highest risk is that if you don't get tue correct lid, you risk it corroding before you eat the contents...

2026-04-03 17:15:16 UTC

Ooook. This maaay be a sign that people around here are getting worried.
Two cars in a single day that stopped by (and believe me, we have shit roads to get here, so you were actively searching) with people asking if we're selling eggs and how much a piece.

2026-04-03 16:33:48 UTC

Errands done. Took all of my afternoon. Now it's time to do some cooking: I picked some mushrooms from the hay ball.
My plan is noodles with these and a bit of sausage.
#farm #food
https://static.chinwag.net.au/media_attachments/files/116/341/729/463/869/929/original/bef215fa6e2ad8a6.jpg

2026-04-02 10:15:05 UTC

Remember the PS4 someone fucked up by flooding the HDMI connector with solder?
I guess it's time to test the repair.
https://static.chinwag.net.au/media_attachments/files/116/334/581/331/549/459/original/cfae91a47d3492cb.jpg
https://static.chinwag.net.au/media_attachments/files/116/334/580/867/114/183/original/6ac62d3d40ee2fcd.jpg

2026-03-28 11:44:17 UTC

Retro #caturday!
Benny tests the new AT junk I brought home
https://static.chinwag.net.au/media_attachments/files/116/306/618/458/014/295/original/007c066da9af8d52.jpg

2026-03-25 18:12:47 UTC

Hmm... These little ones seems to be SOT523, and the marking looks like an "AmA" to me.
Can't find any match. Does these ring a bell to anyone?
https://static.chinwag.net.au/media_attachments/files/116/291/148/897/149/763/original/14a9da08439b51d6.jpg

2026-03-24 19:10:16 UTC

Just so you all know...
After very limited bodging, I was able to get the #FoxSCSI board (by @nprofile…je5l naturally) recognized by the Delta and to boot from it using a #BlueSCSI on my Delta #apple2 clone!
https://static.chinwag.net.au/media_attachments/files/116/285/718/569/502/160/original/7f6ca314ca9d1427.jpg
https://static.chinwag.net.au/media_attachments/files/116/285/723/350/186/775/original/1ee13f9cb873176e.jpg

2026-03-05 19:50:36 UTC

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@nprofile…l7em it's an Italian clone of the Apple //e. The original project asked for a 6502, mine has a 65C02: https://codeberg.org/hkzlab/NE_Delta_Schematics

2026-03-05 19:37:41 UTC

I reconstructed this computer from board scans and schematics found in an Italian magazine from the '80s.
I fixed some of its design flaws and patched its ROMs.
I designed a keyboard for it.
I soldered every single PCB you see connected to it (and the mainboard too).
All so that I could use it to telnet into a #BBS without using the PC I have 50cms on the right.
I'm a totally stable person.
https://static.chinwag.net.au/media_attachments/files/116/178/231/907/393/040/original/5ed5afab30cca989.jpg

2026-03-02 18:00:18 UTC

ffffffffuuu... 🥲
https://static.chinwag.net.au/media_attachments/files/116/160/880/792/618/779/original/2c8d7708505590db.png

2026-02-25 06:35:03 UTC

Ok, #apple2 #retrocomputing people of the fediverse, I need some help.
If any of you has a few minutes and an Apple II SCSI card (picture attached), I'd like some help to buzz out a connection.
You'll notice a ceramic disc capacitor, C7, near U2B (74LS08).
In the schematics I have, that cap is not present. I'd appreciate the following:
1. Value of the cap (or whatever is written on top)
2. Buzz out the connections: I guess one leg goes to GND, what about the other?
Thanks a lot everyone, boosts appreciated!
https://static.chinwag.net.au/media_attachments/files/116/129/862/666/985/767/original/da56a2c5618da4d1.png

2026-01-03 10:35:02 UTC

People of the Fediverse, I need your advice.
My FIL undergoes dialysis every other day. He reads on an ereader during the therapy to pass time, because he can hold the device with a single hand and it is usually lighter than a book.
He's also an eldery person, he has issues adapting to touch interfaces.
I have collected all the button based kindles I could from fleamarkets. I repair them where possible, but their batteries are all dying.
I need advice on a **button based** ereader that is either economical (risk of drop is real) so I can buy spares, or resistant enough to survive drops. #ebook #ereader #kindle #accessibility

2026-01-02 23:02:26 UTC

I'm officially an old fuck now.

2025-11-27 20:59:15 UTC

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@nprofile…x4wz it is. 80 columns straight out of the box.

2025-11-27 20:32:57 UTC

I've begun adding the BOM files to the DELTA repo. I added the two small video boards for now.
Tomorrow I'll start working on the BOM for the mainboard.
Then I'll share the gerbers on #PCBWay also and contact them for the keyboard. I just placed a small Mouser order for the components I was missing to build it.
https://codeberg.org/hkzlab/NE_Delta_Schematics

2025-03-22 19:06:52 UTC

Yes, my SRAM adapter for the C128 works!
Seems I've ran out of 'HCT00s... Will have to search for one to validate the board with it.
https://static.chinwag.net.au/media_attachments/files/114/207/628/021/701/326/original/c8cc4c4512d56542.jpg
https://static.chinwag.net.au/media_attachments/files/114/207/639/410/232/329/original/de17f5b8226ee8bd.jpg

2025-03-17 17:19:41 UTC

I present you the FRANKMICOM!
I resurrected the Famicom from which I stole crystal, CPU and PPU using clones (UA6547 for the CPU and WDL6528 for the PPU), and it works!!
But this isn't the fun part, that part is the fact that it works great by using the PPU digitizer by c0pperdragon, even though the PPU is a clone!
https://static.chinwag.net.au/media_attachments/files/114/178/893/780/184/260/original/457e57a448b7860b.jpg
https://static.chinwag.net.au/media_attachments/files/114/178/905/409/820/771/original/ebca8de203ba02d7.jpg

2025-02-14 17:26:36 UTC

Released the Rev 1 of my #Amiga500 "IDE activity LED injector" adapter.
It includes a small, optional improvement that uses 3 SMD components in addition to the rest, mainly a buffer for the IDE /ACTIVITY signal: I found that, with some of my SD card adapters, the signal was low enough when inactive (active low, remember) to leave the activity LED faintly lit.
If one doesn't care, a jumper can be bridged and the additional components left out.
https://github.com/hkzlab/A500_IDE_led
#A500
https://static.chinwag.net.au/media_attachments/files/114/003/405/097/259/695/original/cb04a0417c2ebee1.jpg
https://static.chinwag.net.au/media_attachments/files/114/003/405/478/213/096/original/ecb73183db342e29.jpg

2024-05-27 13:34:58 UTC

This... Might be a good reason for this board not to start.
https://static.chinwag.net.au/media_attachments/files/112/513/308/551/432/290/original/84a0677549eb91bd.jpg