RC2014 Pro Homebrew Z80 Computer Kit [IN PROGRESS]

[Chris Savage]

A Z80 based modular homebrew CP/M computer kit.



CLICK HERE TO GO TO THIS PROJECT ON THE SAVAGE///CIRCUITS WEBSITE

[Chris Savage]

With us moving, I hadn't had time to get back to this project for a while, but I have been doing little things in the background.

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A couple of weeks ago I received a new module for this kit, the LCD Driver Module.

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I had started assembling this, but ran out of headers at the time.

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I recently unpacked some more headers and was able to finally wrap the assembly of this module, so I will soon be able to work on this again.

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This adapter allows you to connect to an LCD with a 16-pin SIP connection using the included 2x10 cable.

[Chris Savage]

I just noticed that, apparently due to the global tariffs the U.S. is putting on everything, this kit is not currently shipping to the United States.

[granz]

Yeah, it is sad, but we need to level up the playing field. Many other countries have been adding tariffs (some over 200%) to our products for years. This prevents us from selling to other countries as much as we would like to. Fair is fair, and as they lower their tariffs on U.S. products, we will lower our tariffs on their products.

Also, have you heard of Wirsa modems(https://www.tindie.com/products/retrodisks/wirsa-v3-wifi-rs232-serial-modem-adapter-with-sd/)? I have one of these, and it enables my antique computers to access the Internet (or the local WiFi network. It's pretty cool, and not too expensive. This could give your RC-2014 access to BBS sites, and other network stuff.

[Chris Savage]

Also, have you heard of Wirsa modems? I have one of these, and it enables my antique computers to access the Internet (or the local WiFi network. It's pretty cool, and not too expensive. This could give your RC-2014 access to BBS sites, and other network stuff.

I've not heard of them. It does seem they're geared toward older computers with an RS-232 port. My RC2014 has two serial ports, but they're both TTL level. One is intended to connect to a terminal. The other would be for connecting to other computers. I wonder if they have a TTL / Logic Level version of this board? It looks like an ESP32 board. For that matter, I question whether or not I already have the hardware to get online?

[granz]

I've not heard of them. It does seem they're geared toward older computers with an RS-232 port. My RC2014 has two serial ports, but they're both TTL level. One is intended to connect to a terminal. The other would be for connecting to other computers. I wonder if they have a TTL / Logic Level version of this board? It looks like an ESP32 board. For that matter, I question whether or not I already have the hardware to get online?

For your serial ports, you would need a TTL to RS-232 converter.

You can make your own, with just an ESP module. You would just need to install the ESP firmware for the Wirsa. Look around, the Wirsa is not the only WiFi modem based on the ESP modules. Several (most? all?) of them are open sourced.

[Chris Savage]

For your serial ports, you would need a TTL to RS-232 converter. You can make your own, with just an ESP module. You would just need to install the ESP firmware for the Wirsa. Look around, the Wirsa is not the only WiFi modem based on the ESP modules. Several (most? all?) of them are open sourced.

Yeah, I would make my own before I would connect something to convert to a RS-232 signal, just to have it convert right back on the device.