What is RC2014?

RC2014 is a simple 8 bit Z80 based modular computer. It is inspired by the home built computers of the late 70s and computer revolution of the early 80s. It is not a clone of anything specific, but there are suggestions of the ZX81, UK101, S100, Superboard II and Apple I in here. It nominally has 8K ROM, 32K RAM, runs at 7.3728MHz and communicates over serial at 115,200 baud.

The RC2014 was designed such that standard stripboard could be used as the backplane. This board essentially does the same as stripboard, but has been designed specifically for the RC2014 and has a few extra features features

• new Power LED

• new Reset button

• Expandable up to 8 daughter-boards - Although the standard RC2014 only requires 5 slots, this gives you the option to use up to 8 boards in total

• DC power socket - 2.1/5.5mm barrel jack. If you wish to power the RC2014 with 6v - 14v, there are pads for mounting a LM7805 regulator and capacitors to give a regulated 5v to the board. If you are using a regulated 5v supply, such as from a USB adapter,simply short the two pads shown within the LM7805 footprint
• Isolating pads on data and address lines - Many Z80 designs have resistors placed between the CPU and some peripherals. This backplane gives you the flexibility of totally isolating any of the address or data lines, adding resistors or simply soldering links or jumpers across. Slots 1 & 2, slots 3, 4, 5 & 6 and slots 7 & 8 can all be partitioned off if required.
• 40 pin sockets - RC2014 modules typically uses 34 or 36 pins, but additional sockets are available for extended features.
• Clearly labelled pin identifiers.
• Nice rounded corners and mounting holes

What do I get?

This listing is for a kit of parts to build the backplane only. For the rest of the modules, see my other products.

PCB Only - Yup, you guessed it. Only the bare PCB!

Standard Kit - This includes a PCB, 5 x 40 way headers, 5 x 100nf decoupling capacitors and a 2.1mm power jack

Full Kit - This includes a PCB, 8 x 40 way headers, 8 x 100nf decoupling capacitors, 2.1mm power jack, 3mm green LED & 330r resistor, tactile switch & 2k2 resistor

Upgrade Kit - Contains 3 x 40 way headers, 3 x 100nf decoupling capacitors, 2.1mm power jack, 3mm green LED & 330r resistor, tactile switch & 2k2 resistor. This upgrades the Standard kit or the Full Monty kit with the extra headers required. does not contain PCB

Laser Cut Enclosure

Why not add a laser cut poplar enclosure to your Backplane 8. Remember, all real computers have wooden cases! :-)

Note - No other peripherals are included. The photos are to demonstrate how you might choose to populate this board. For a minimal RC2014, the easy option is to only use slot 2, 3, 4, 5 & 6 with the clock module in slot 2.

Note 2 - Some product photos feature original (non-power led/reset button) version of this board. The newer board with power led/reset button provision will be supplied