RetroShield 6120 (PDP-8) for Arduino Mega/Teensy

Name: RetroShield 6120 (PDP-8) for Arduino Mega/Teensy
SKU: 33579
Price: 61.20 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 5.00 (1 reviews)

(1 Review)

Add a classic microprocessor to your Arduino Mega/Teensy

Designed by 8-Bit-Force in United States of America

RetroShield 6120 (PDP-8) for Arduino Mega/Teensy 1

RetroShield 6120 (PDP-8) for Arduino Mega/Teensy 2

RetroShield 6120 (PDP-8) for Arduino Mega/Teensy 3

RetroShield 6120 (PDP-8) for Arduino Mega/Teensy 4

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2024-02-18T21:18:29.244Z-retroshield6120_02_teensy_operating.png

2024-02-18T21:18:29.244Z-retroshield6120_03_assembled.png

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Updates: 1) New retroshields 8008, 68008 and 14500. 2) Apologies, I have to update the prices due to higher costs and fees. I kept them the same for the past 6 years. Thank you for your support.

Add a classic microprocessor to your Arduino Mega/Teensy

2025-02-04: Teensy adapter kit is now included in the full kit. My Brain-In-A-Jar Project After 3 years in the making, better late than ever, RetroShield 6120 is finally ready for public. This retros…

My Brain-In-A-Jar Project

After 3 years in the making, better late than ever, RetroShield 6120 is finally ready for public. This retroshield is designed for the Harris HD-6120, which is PDP-8 on-a-chip.

Teensy emulates Robert Armstrong's excellent SBC6120 HW design.
BTS6120 monitor code (by Robert Armstrong
You can modify teensy code to implement your own IOT's
NOTE: There is no front-panel at this time. All communication happens over UART.

Experimental:

booting OS8 from sdcard is work-in-progress. It boots to OS8 prompt, runs BASIC, etc.

What do you get?

Following options are available:

Kit w/ a HD6120 cpu
Kit without the HD6120 cpu (cost effective b/c expensive chips have higher transaction fees, which add up in the full kit price.)
PCB only

What makes it special?

You can "breadboard in software" meaning you can design, change, update your hardware platform as easily as modifying the source code.

NOTE: International Shipping

International shipping done using UPS/Fedex/DHL. You will pay initially $35 and if shipping is cheaper to your address, then I refund the difference.
If you order other retroshields, Tindie does not do combined shipping. I will combine shipping and refund you the difference.
If you don't see your country, please contact me. UPS/Fedex/DHL shipping varies greatly.

Notes on OS8

On poweron, SBC6120 boots into BTS6120 monitor code. You can view, edit, disassemble, panel and main memory, etc.

To boot into OS8, prepare SDCARD w/ disk image and type B in the monitor for bootstrap.

"B" -> Boot into OS8
"SET TTY NO PAUSE" -> Disable TTY pauses in OS8
"DIR SYS:" -> show drive SYS:, mostly system.
"DIR IDA1:" -> show drive IDA1:, mostly games.
"BASIC" -> Start BASIC

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Review Breakdown

Average Ratings

Product: (5.00)

Documentation: (5.00)

Shipping: (5.00)

Communication: (5.00)

Nicholas | March 15, 2024

Great kit for PDP-8/6120 Enthusiast

I love anything and everything to do with the PDP-8, including the 6120 processor. This kit and the teensy expansion kit were both easy to put together, and I was up and booted into OS8 in less than 15 minutes after I connected it to my PC. If you're interested in classic PDP-8 software, want something more than emulation but can't afford an actual PDP-8, and like soldering kits together yourself, I highly recommend this kit (and expansion board).