Re: N8VEM S-100 prototyping board PCBs available!

[lynchaj <lyn...@yahoo.com>]

On Jun 7, 10:28 am, jemarcks <jema...@gmail.com> wrote:
> The S100 proto boards look great!
>
> So, when will we see a S100 version of the N8VEM CPU board?
>
> jeff
>
> On Jun 5, 7:58 pm, lynchaj <lyn...@yahoo.com> wrote:
>
>
>
> > On Jun 5, 8:55 pm, "Andrew Lynch" <lyn...@yahoo.com> wrote:
>
> > > Hi All!  The N8VEM S-100 prototyping board PCBs are available!  I just
> > > received them and they are gorgeous!  They fit perfectly in the connector
> > > and the pads line up just like they should.
>
> > > I built one and it has all the right voltages in the proper places.  It
> > > works great!  I can't wait to start doing some S-100 home brew prototyping
> > > with this 9.0" x 4.5" PTH prototyping area!
>
> > > I am very happy with how these turned out.  They are $25 each with $2
> > > shipping in the US and $5 shipping overseas.  Please contact me off list if
> > > you would like some.
>
> > > Thanks and have a nice day!
>
> > > Andrew Lynch
>
> > Hi!  I uploaded some photos in the N8VEM wiki in the S100 folder.
>
> > Thanks and have a nice day!
>
> > Andrew Lynch- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

Thanks Jeff!  Well, it will be quite a while.  I would like to finish
up the VDU board and get the ECB Propeller board Dave is working on
built.

Besides, I am not sure on an approach for the N8VEM S-100.  The S-100
designs are more complicated than the ECB boards.  I am switching back
and forth in my mind about either doing a Z80 SBC similar to the Jade
Big-Z, Cromemco SCC, or Vector Graphic ZCB or possibly a Altair/IMSAI/
Vector Graphic 8080A CPU and adding RAM/ROM and a serial port.
Possibly do three cards with 8080A CPU on one, SRAM/ROM on another,
and separate serial IO?  Possibly combine the SRAM/ROM/serial board?

I don't know which way I am going to go.  The Z80 all-in-one designs
are overly complex with about 50 chips.  That would be a beast to
prototype and get to work reliably.  The three board 8080A solution
relies on three working cards to get anything at all.  Part of the
problem is the Z80 is not a natural fit on the S-100 like the 8080A.
The Z80 is almost tortured into working with S-100 whereas the 8080A
is an elegant fit, if that is possible with S-100.

Thanks and have a nice day!

Andrew Lynch