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Home of the New Altair 680 Replica Kit!

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Coming Soon!
SuperAltair Card (for the 680) - 64k RAM, 512k FLASH, Disk drive emulator, ADM3 emulator (VGA/NTSC/PAL and PS2), Ethernet, MP3, and more!

Please visit the
Stockly Electronics Forums for a discussion of this kit!


Introduction/FAQ:
The Altair 680 is one of my favorite computers.  Its small, easy to assemble, and in its minimal configuration is very useful.  The Altair 680 comes with 1k of memory, 256 bytes of system monitor ROM, and 768 bytes of VTL-2 (Very Tiny Language) ROM.  With these minimalist resources it is able to do quite a lot!  VTL-2 is an amazing piece of code!  The Altair 680 can easily be upgraded to 32k or more of memory and run MITS basic which allows even more powerful programs (and compatibility with a vast variety of existing basic programs).

Please see the forums for software examples and screen shots!
   
Availability:
7/07/07 -  Discounts for veterans and active military are available.  Possible educational discounts available.  Reservations for units may be made now.  I will not expect or accept any money until something is ready to be sold/shipped.  These "reservations" are non binding of course, they are just place holders.  E-mail me at grant@stockly.com about it and include "Altair" in the subject line.
Details:
The Altair 680 replica kit is built using the highest quality parts available.  Every part is new or new old stock.  Every part required to complete the kit is included except the power cord, which I do not want to include due to possible liability issues.

The kit contains:
  • Revision 0 Front Panel PCB, Revision 1-6X Motherboard PCB
  • Genuine Optima enclosure with powder coated and ink silk screened dress panel
  • VTL-2 (Very Tiny Language) supplied on 3 1702A EPROMs
  • ACIA Monitor supplied on 1 1702A EPROM
  • ALL parts required to complete the kit (please see "More Pictures" for examples of kit contents)
  • 9v 60W Switching Power Supply (can be trimmed to 10v), +15v/-15v/5v 40W Switching Power Supply (can be trimmed to 16.5v)
  • Restored Altair 680 Assembly Language Development System Manual, Assembly Manual, Basic Reference Manual, and Operators Manual - as well as my own full color assembly guide with step-by-step instructions illustrating the assembly process.  Over 100 hours has been put just into the documentation (deleting copy machine specks, positioning text blocks and page numbers, etc)  The manual is printed on 28lb premium Hammermil paper and bound in a D ring binder.   (available for PDF download to anyone soon)
  • New 2007 version of the VTL-2 (Very Tiny Language) written by Frank McCoy (the author of VTL) with vintage ROM listing.
  • Modern 32kbyte RAM expansion daughter card for booting basic and running the Assembler/Editor software

This Altair 680 replica is functionally and in most ways physically identical to the original Altair 680 Computer.  All peripherals and software designed for the Altair 680 will work with this model.  A complete listing of differences is available.  If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me!  I will be glad to provide requested pictures, specifications, or a description of your area of interest.

3 slot expander card kits (with 4 card edge connectors) are available at a price of $100 each.

The kit comes with a guarantee that you will end up with a fully functional Altair.  As long as you make a good effort at assembling the kit, and pay shipping both ways, I will diagnose and repair your kit for free.  This guarantee does not cover physical damage to any part during or because of incorrect installation.  Some parts, if damaged, cost so little that I would not charge for replacement.  PCBs, Power supply, or the case for example would not be replaced for free.

See "More Pictures" for the kit contents!
   
Everything Else:
I'd like to acknowledge the following people for their assistance in the creation of this kit.  Their advice and support is responsible for the quality and value of the kit!

Tom Sanderson of http://www.virtualaltair.com/ a former Pertec employee, for loaning me his vintage Altair 680 and related materials for the project.  This would not be possible without him!
Steve Shepard a former MITS employee, for loaning me near perfect copies of Altair 680 manuals!
Frank McCoy, for the VTL-2 software and new manual!
Geoff Harrison, Bill Degnan, and Dan Roganti for helping me verify VTL-2 EPROM code and retype old programs
Steven Reidman of Mile High Testing Services, for providing raw PCB to Gerber scanning services.  EXCELLENT quality, service, and pricing!
©2007 Grant Stockly
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