The GW-DEC-1 is a prototyping board for DEC (Digital Equipment Corporation) systems, including the PDP-11, PDP-8, and many others. DEC used the same backplane connectors in many of their systems, including non-computer items such as the VT05 terminal. This board was designed to be compatible with that connector, based of dimensions provided from DEC's own engineering drawings (captured in KiCAD by Connor Krukosky). All bus pins are brought out to solder pads, no power connections are committed in copper to keep the GW-DEC-1 compatible with as many DEC systems as possible.

This prototype board is quad height, but can be sheared or otherwise cut into two dual-height cards. It is dual width in either configuration (DEC dimensions are "backwards" from how one normally thinks of dimensions, a "dual height" card would be split between the middle power busses).

The GW-DEC-1 includes the following features:

• True hard gold plated edge connectors, not "heavy ENIG" or other inferior finish
• Plated-through holes with HASL (leaded solder) finish for easy soldering
• Holes sized to accommodate up to 2W resistor leads without drilling
• Bus pins are labeled in silkscreen on front and in solder mask relief on back
• Power rails provided but not connected (for different bus compatibility)
• Mounting holes for standard DEC handles

We now offer this prototyping board with white DEC handles preinstalled. The handles are standard Bivar CP-2 white handles, riveted on with hollow brass rivets. Do note that the standard option is without handles. The third and fourth picture show the GW-DEC-1 with handles riveted on.