Altair 8800b Replica

[TomL_12953]

How about an 8800b Replica? A Teletype ASR-33 Replica? AN ADM-3A Replica (not just an interface to modern VGA and keyboard) I want it all!

[sje]

The Altair 8800b front panel circuit is much more complex than the 8800/8800a, but other than the added expense it should be doable.

I'm guessing that an ASR33 Teletype replica would cost about US$4,000 and that price would be obtainable only in quantity 1,000 or so. There were literally hundreds of moving parts and the heavily used machines were often in need of repair.

I never cared too much for the ADM terminals; the ones from Soroc, Teleray, and Hazeltine were okay.

[Grant Stockly]

I don't think it will be that much more expensive because of the complexity. The cost of ICs in these projects is minimal. The flat paddle switches are about 50-60% more expensive than the Altair 8800s, that is where the most expense will be.

Someone has loaned me a complete set of Altair 8800b blank PCBs. I have scanned them all at 3200dpi and 1600dpi. Soon after I am through with the backlog of kits I will start uploading them for people to collect.

[sje]

Well, if an Altair 8800b replica kit were available then I'd like to buy one. As I recall, the significant front panel improvements in the 8800b were a direct competitive response to the rather well done IMSAI 8080 front panel.

Say, what's the current situation with optional S-100 cards? As in RAM, PROM, serial, cassette I/O, and the SuperAltair card. I'd like to be able to boot a system with full RAM, a boot PROM, along with a serial link and use it to play chess on an Internet server.

Another idea for you: get a video camera, perhaps just an inexpensive web cam, and upload a few Altair operation videos to YouTube or similar sites. You could show a time compressed video of a complete kit assembly where the machine magically comes together in a minute or so.

[Grant Stockly]

A video has been a plan of mine since the beginning. I've got a 3CCD camera, just no free time! : ( I recorded a video of me toggling in a program to play music on an AM radio, but I never processed it for the internet. I also want to get some good videos of the Kenbak.

[sje]

Use the CCD camera, but run the video through some post processing to make it look like it was printed on scratchy 16 mm film from the Old Days. For further pseudo-realism, hire some actors dressed in 1970s costume with hairstyles to match.

On a more serious note, I suspect that making a 1970s glass tty replica will soon be impractical due to the lack of plain B/W CRT manufacturing.

I have found a paper tape reader at a reasonable price that uses modern electronics. However, it has no moving parts and so relies upon the user to tug the tape. There are still sources of unpunched paper tape reels, but there aren't any new punches available and used punches cost around US$1,000. Punch card equipment is even harder to locate.