If you're one of those people who wants a PDP-8 but can't find one, don't
despair - you can always build your own! The SBC6120 is a complete PDP-8
built around the venerable Harris HM6120 CPU and modern programmable logic
devices. All parts used except the 6120 are contemporary, easily available
devices.
The entire system fits on a PC board 6.2" by 4.2" and has approximately the
same footprint as a 3.5" hard disk. The SBC6120 has an IDE disk interface,
an optional 2Mb non-volatile RAM disk (that's as big as an RK05!), and a true
KL8/E compatible console terminal interface. OS/8 device handlers are
available for the IDE and RAM disks, and the system will run standard
OS/8 V3D. There's even an expansion bus so you can design and build your
own daughter cards to plug into it.
To find out more, visit the SBC6120 web page at
http://www.SpareTimeGizmos.com/Hardware/SBC6120-2.htm
I've recently had two requests to buy SBC6120 PC boards. These are four
layer boards with plated holes and are quite expensive in quantity one or two,
but the price falls per piece falls dramatically for quantities as small as
four or six. I'd like to find a few other people who would be interested in
building their own SBC6120 and going in together on a PCB order. The price
for a SBC6120 PC board would be something like:
Two boards ==> $100 per board
Four " ==> $60 per board
Six " ==> $45 per board
Ten " ==> $36 per board
I also have about four spare 6120 chips, which I'm willing to sell at my
cost of $50 each. Believe it or not, it is still possible to buy new old
stock 6120s, at $50 each, with a minimum order of ten (!!), but if enough
people want SBC6120s we could always go this route.
If you're interested, please write to me at bob_at_jfcl.com.
Bob Armstrong
Received on Thu Oct 31 2002 - 10:48:00 GMT