Projects for Sinclair computers (ZX80, ZX81, TS1000, TS1500, TS2068, Spectrum and clonesn such as the Minstrel 2 & 3).
These projects maybe work-in-progress and thus not completed or fully tested!
The Timex Sinclair TS1500 is a 16KB ZX81/TS1000 in a Spectrum-style case. As such the expansion port can use full-width expansions due to the power & cassette ports. This project aims to create an extender to allow full-width expansion (i.e. ZXpand) to be used.
22-May-2025: Work in progress
The cursor keys on a ZX80/ZX81 are the 5/6/7/8 numeric keys along the top row. My simple brain can't readily adapt to this in games like ZX80 KONG or PACMAN so this is just a ZX80/ZX81 compatible keyboard with additional cursor keys. Designed initially for use with the Minstrel 2 computer (ZX80), but can also be used with the ZX80, Minstrel 3/ZX81 and Minstrel 4th/Jupiter Ace.
- Minstrel 2 (Sinclair ZX80 Clone): Part 3 (Gaming Keyboard)
- Gaming Keyboard for ZX80/ZX81/Minstrel/Jupiter Ace: Part 1 (Minstrel 2 Test)
22-May-2025: Sent to PCBWAY for test boards
14-Jun-2025: Tested, errors found & fixed, PCB layout will be corrected
16-Jun-2025: Revised PCB layout submitted to PCBWAY for test fabrication
27-Jun-2025: Rev. B keyboard tested mostly ok, dedicated RUBOUT key not working though
Small daughterboard to fix the ZX80's pixel synchronisation issue on the Minstrel 2 computer v2.8 or earlier. I have a v2.6 board.
Minstrel 2 (Sinclair ZX80 Clone): Part 2 (Pixel Synch. Issue)
7-May-2025: Sent to PCBWAY for test boards
23-May-2025: Tested successfully on my Minstrel v2.6 board! Big improvement
24-May-2025: Revised layout in Rev. B, handrouted like a big boy!
Recreating a DIY centronics interface from German computer magazine c't.
17-Sept-2023: Completed it seems, but not yet tested
Yes, yes, it's been done many times before.
I'm finally getting my hands on a Cambridge Computers Z88. I realised that the Universal Backpack Drive (UBPD) I have for the NEC-PC8201A will also work on the Z88 but requires a converter board. It's possible to order one from Soigeneris when you order a UBPD and there is an existing design available on Github, but I thought I'd also have a crack at it.
Cambridge Computer Z88: Part 2 (Backpack Drive - First Attempt)
30-Jun-2025: Tested successfully
Simple board to convert Z88 DE9 serial port to standard DE9 to use with Serial-to-USB converter, for example.
1-Jul-2025: Initial design
The original keyboard on my Z88 seems a bit flaky - let's try designing a nice, modern replacement.
25-Jul-2025: Rev. A board tested successfully, some tweaks needed.
Serial interface converter for the Z88 to use a VDrive.
9-Aug-2025: Initial design completed