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RFC2795 Ltd

5,353 orders since Oct 29, 2015

Bramcote, Nottingham, United Kingdom

Ships from United Kingdom.

Custom Work Available

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Review Breakdown

5
139 4
157 3
16 2
1 1
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Average Ratings

Product: (4.82)

Documentation: (4.21)

Shipping: (4.90)

Communication: (4.73)

All Reviews

Neil | Aug. 11, 2020

Saved me a lot of work and time.

For YM2149 Sound Card for RC2014 Retro Computer

I was about to start wire-wrapping a prototype board when I learned of the existence of the sound card. I'm using this card with a rather elderly AY3-8910 programmable sound generator chip.

The board is plugged into a backplane extender on a Minstrel 4th RC2014 machine and I've written some simple drivers in Forth to implement "PING" , "EXPLOSION" and "GUNSHOT". Getting the Minstrel to handshake with the GI chip was difficult at first until I realised I'd confused the register-select and data I/O addresses. It's a very satisfying feeling when the sounds appear.

The AY3-8910 chip and the card also provide some extra digital I/Os ( 2 x 8-bit ports ) so this card is very good value. I now have proper, authentic 1980s sound effects rather than just the standard "BEEP" function. The sound generator is semi-autonomous, so it can be generating some repetitive sounds while the host machine is going about its usual business.

I've fed the audio-out from this card to one channel of a stereo speaker, with a speech-synth driving the other channel.

Please note that there a multiple revisions of this board so refer to the appropriate revision of the schematics for jumper settings etc.

Brian | Aug. 11, 2020

Excellent Kit

For RC2014 Pro - Homebrew Z80 Computer Kit

The RC2014 has evolved from it's original design to be quite elegant. I purchased the Pro kit and read all of the online information I could find several times before beginning construction. The kit went together smoothly with no issues but when I powered up the first time I got nothing. I backed off and probed with the scope and everything checked out so I plugged it all back together and this time it booted! Turns out it probably worked the first time — I even had all of the jumpers set correctly! What I didn't have was a reliable USB serial adapter. I recommend using a tried and known good cable to start or, if you don't have one, get a genuine FTDI cable from a distributor like Mouser. Avoid the crap on Amazon like I got. Shipping was prompt but, due to the current current global status, took over three weeks to arrive. The kit is beautifully packed but mine suffered a mild gash in the top which resulted in one of the TTL chips requiring "surgery" to straighten its pins. No other damage. The ROM comes with several boot images but, for the Pro kit, only the CP/M boot monitor really works. Not a problem, though, and it invites you to get involved and write your own custom boot image. The only thing I would have liked to see in the kit is a complete and detailed assembly manual. There's an opportunity there for someone. Over all, a great kit and a blast to use. I'm now kicking myself for not keeping any of the many CP/M software disks I got back in the day...

Adrian | July 22, 2020

Get twice the RAM or slightly less!

For 64K RAM Module For RC2014 - Z80 Homebrew Computer

This board gives your RC2014 a real upgrade! It gives you a new additional block of RAM with a variable size to match all your needs and ROM options. It even includes the option to map itself to ALL of the addressable space, giving you as an avid experimenter all the options for how to best make use of your RC2014 :)

Very happy with my new block of RAM and I'd highly recommend this to anyone with a RC2014 as it still works like the regular 32 kB board too.

Kurt | July 12, 2020

Compact Flash Module for CP/M RC2014

For Compact Flash Module for CP/M RC2014 Computer

A very good product.
Unfortunately, I don't have the tools to make the connection
of the CF carrier.
I get a stencil.
Good support.
thank you

Gerald | June 26, 2020

Secure and simple CPU module V2.1

For Z80 CPU v2.1 for Enhanced Bus RC2014

A bought a couple of these boards to support some RC2014 module development I’m progressing. One module has the supplied 40-pin IC socket for the 8MHz Z80 CPU. On the other module, I fitted a 40-pin Zero Insertion Force socket, to allow me to swap out the CPU for faster variants, as part of my module development efforts.

The quality of components and board supplied is great. The slight gripe with this kit is that only a single-row, right-angled 40-pin header is supplied but to fit the enhanced bus on the backplane, there should really be some dual-row, right-angled pin header strip supplied, at least enough to allow the extra CPU signals that this board is meant to provide to get on the sockets of the enhanced backplane bus connector! This is was minor issue for me as I have a reasonable stock of header pin strips but could be quite disappointing to someone looking to upgrade.

All-in-all, it’s nicely presented module that includes 10K pull-up resistors on certain of the CPU pins that could be ‘contended’ by other backplane resident modules.

Sean | June 22, 2020

Works great!

For 64K RAM Module For RC2014 - Z80 Homebrew Computer

It got shipped out quickly, though it took a while to actually arrive with all the COVID-19 delays in the US. It only took about an hour to put together, though I am relatively experienced with assembly at this point. Worked perfectly once I figured out the right jumper settings to work with the z80ctrl board!

John | June 13, 2020

Founder of a Community

For RC2014 Pro - Homebrew Z80 Computer Kit

Spencer has founded quite a thriving community around the RC2014--possibly the most active Z80 retrocomputing community currently in existence. For the advanced user, he doesn't offer the most advanced hardware available, but what he does offer is a solid foundation to build on. I've designed a few boards for the RC2014 myself and I know how much effort it takes. I appreciate his desire to keep his kits accessible to the beginner, and his willingness to welcome other hardware designers into the community he's built. He's always there to answer questions on his RC2014-Z80 mailing list and he's a great ambassador for the retrocomputing hobby.

Bernd | June 11, 2020

Its very nice to see after 45 years a running Z80 again

For RC2014 Mini - Single Board Z80 Computer Kit

Easy in 5 hours to build. Make it running was more difficult, if you never has seen a PC-Terminal Program and its setup.
But "Heureka" when you have found the correct settings and see the first Z80 Message on screen.

Steven | May 24, 2020

Easy enough to assemble

For Digital IO Module For RC2014 Z80 Homebrew Computer

Documentation is a bit minimal but follow the photo and your be just fine. I recommend using jumpers for the out/in ports to be more flexible. There is a small basic example to get you started and with a bit of ingenuity the board can be used for a number of software and hardware management purposes.

Michael | May 9, 2020

Good kit, worked first time.

For RC2014 IDE Hard Drive Module

The kit arrived quickly, good quality PCB and components and easy to build. I had an old 20 GB 2.5" laptop disk and ordered a 44 pin ribbon cable on Amazon (pity it's not offered as an option). I have to say that the documentation is quite limited, just a schematic and photograph, but there's very little room for error as it's quite a simple build. You will probably need to do a bit of research when it comes to preparing the disk for use under CP/M, a few notes on this might be helpful. Clue - look at the documentation for fdisk80.com. But this is a hobby and working it out is part of the fun. If you are in the market for a disk interface for your RC2014, I would recommend this.

Rolf | May 8, 2020

RC2014 Pro and extra boards

For Z80 CPU v2.1 for Enhanced Bus RC2014

So I bought the RC2014 Pro, with extra I/O boards and the Raspberry Pi interface, Spencer gave me a refund since initially I did not order the kit correct. Started soldering and once completed put the power on. Hmmmmm, not working. I found out that you have to connect PORT A to the FTDI cable, I consistently used PORT B. Changed PORT and the computer booted. Started BASIC, but could not get a running light to work. After some more troubleshooting and mails back and foreward to Spencer I found out that the direct boot into BASIC version 32 or 57 starts up a BASIC version which contains a bug on the FOR loop. So this BASIC version isn't of much use. Note this only applies to the RC2014 Pro. The RC2014 Pro however has more options. So I changed to booting into CP/M, hmmmmm, not working. After some more debugging I found a soldering error. You really need to take care how to assemble the 64k RAM module. Corrected the error, bingo. Started CP/M but this does not contain a BASIC interrupter in the ROM. Spencer advised change to SCM, small computer monitor. Changed some jumpers, worked. From there you can start a BASIC version without the error. You can also boot into CP/M. Next I tried to make a small assemby program in asm80.com. Copied the HEX file into SCM, worked. So finally I was heading in the right direction. The components supplied are of good quality. The PCB's are outstanding and the kit itself was complete and I did not miss a single component. I see three improvement points. First a minor one, mounting the resistors is a bit tight. Second on the 64K RAM module the white box near the link mark should, in my opinion, be removed. I was thinking you have to mount there a header. You don't, the double row pins need to be soldered there, leaving one open pin. Last improvement is on documentation could be better organised, everything is there but it's a bit of a search. So I would advise anyone purchasing the kit, first read all documentation it really helps. And as general advice, don't just put power on the board after having completed the soldering work. You need to check, the build is not a fail-safe design. You also cannot expect this for a hobby project. Lot's of text has to be followed by an overall number, I would rate this kit as 8 out of 10. Fun factor a 10.

Gerald | April 7, 2020

Neat CF Module

For Compact Flash Module for CP/M RC2014 Computer

This RC2014 card provides an addressable (the address is 'alterable') support raft for a Compact Flash card module, providing the RC2014 with some persistent storage. It's the easiest RC2014 module to build, imho.

To be honest, I found that the module gave better results when used with the RomWBW configuration rather than the default ROM that comes with the RC2014 Pro. At least in RomWBW, I could use the CF card to store one (or more) mbasic programs and those programs could use the CF card for data storage and retrieval - I couldn't get the default ROM's Basic (28K or 56K versions) to 'Save' or 'Load' - This could be just down to my overlooking something in the documentation, however!

The RC2014 definitely needs a means of providing persistent storage and, accepting slight reservations highlighted, above this module fits the bill.

Ged

Gerald | April 7, 2020

Easy IDE Support

For 8255 based IDE disk drive interface for RC2014

I found this kit to deliver a very straightforward interface for IDE support.

It's a little dated, from a design philosophy perspective, to design an interface for parallel IDE - It's increasingly difficult to get such drives that are in good condition. In my own case, I used a couple of different adapters, one of which provided IDE to CompactFlash connectivity that worked just fine and the other adapter converted the parallel interface to SATA interface. Using an actual spinning rust drive revealed that there's insufficient power through the interface and, in fairness the adapter I used, to power the drive properly BUT the designer provided a means to 'inject' Drive-Only Power from a second source, enabling the use of the drive I had to hand. Best of all was discovering that a spare 8Gb SSD I had worked without the additional 'Drive-Only' power and was quicker (by far! *) than the CF and 'Spinner' - I'm guessing due to the SSDs memory cache, the speed of which is much more 'in the order of' drive's flash storage array.

All in all, it's a worthwhile addition but I'd strongly recommend getting a 2.5" IDE Parallel to SATA adapter and a small (really quite cheap, these days!) SSD.

Ged

Gerald | April 7, 2020

RTC Is a great addition

For DS1302 Real Time Clock Module for RC2014

We are so familiar with our computers, phones, tablets, satellite boxes, DVR/BluRay/DVD, Radios and Cars having clocks built in, it's great to see that this ubiquitous ability has been retro-fitted for our retro computers. It's not strictly necessary, of course, for the RC2014 to have a Real Time Clock (RTC) until you start to have disk (even tape!) filing systems.

The beautiful possibilities that emerge when you have an RTC are that you could record (as in make a note of...) when you shut down your RC2014 - When you start it up again, you can determine how long it's been since you last used it! Armed with such information, you can determine if you're 'in the good' for making regular use of your machine or if you need to be self-chastising for being so neglectful....

Obviously having date/time setting and enquiry allows you to associate file access, particularly updating or for any diarising/calendar application(s) you may wish to write. I think the Z os option in RomWBW can make use of the date/time information for file system management purposes - I believe it also provides console command support for setting/changing the date and time. Additionally, I believe there are 'system calls' the user's own software can make to exercise/interrogate the RTC for your own purposes. The DS1302 chip provides some battery-backed memory that an enterprising piece of software could use to record 'settings' or program suite 'chaining' or....

All in all, it's a useful addition that many retro machines never had but probably should have done so.

Ged

Gerald | April 7, 2020

Neat idea

For Universal Micro Keyboard

This keyboard is a great idea, especially for those looking for an authentic, quirky (although somewhat 'clunky') device, to revisit the microcomputing era's pioneering days. Build-wise, it's a cinch - just be patient while soldering all those switches, which need a little pin-reshaping and wrangling to fit the through-holes on the board - after that, the rest of the build is easy!

I went for the TTL-to-TTL connectivity route - Connecting up to my RC2014 Pro's SIO port required me to make a ribbon cable but I tend to have the connector housings, pins and wires so no great drama to that. If you're new to self-build, you might want to think about the connectivity, making sure you're got an FTDI cable (that you can modify) to make the join.

Functionally, the keyboard "does what it says on the tin" - It takes a little getting used to - haptics/ergonomics are not at the fore of the design criteria but it has a charm that stirs the retro-memory that makes it actually more than OK! :-)

Ged

Ron | April 6, 2020

Great product, tons of fun

For RC2014 Mini - Single Board Z80 Computer Kit

This thing was great fun building. Documentation is light, but overall the build is very straight forward. Love the variety of products (from the Mini, to the Classic to the Pro), all fairly compatible. Soldering was straight forward. Thanks for producing so many great products!

Olev | April 6, 2020

Another very good kit

For Digital Input Module For RC2014 Z80 Computer

Having assembled the RC2014 Pro kit, I decided to add some digital I/O to it, and after the Digital Output Module, chose the Digital Input Module.
The shipment was as quick as it could be in this Covid-world.
All parts were there and intact.
Sorting them out I discovered that the card is one with tight address decoding, but the documentation described the earlier version. Three output addresses are needed to control 24 output bits -- 0, 1, and 2. For the earlier card, every output port modulo 4 would do. Which was a waste of precious address space.
The card I got has address lines A2, ..., A7 ORed via 1N4148 diodes, so it reacts only to addresses 0, ... 3. Nice.
The card was easy to assemble and started to work at first try.
Now I have 24 bits out and 24 bits in; just have to think what to do with them... But I have an Apple //e which has parallel port but no serial port...
Summary: nice kit, extremely easy to control. Great service, thanks, Spencer!

Olev | April 3, 2020

Very good kit

For Digital Output Module For RC2014 Z80 Computer

Having assembled the RC2014 Pro kit, I decided to add some digital I/O to it, and chose the Digital Output Module.
The shipment was as quick as it could be in this Covid-world.
All parts were there and intact.
Sorting them out I discovered that the card is one with tight address decoding, but the documentation described the earlier version. Three output addresses are needed to control 24 output bits -- 0, 1, and 2. For the earlier card, every output port modulo 4 would do. Which was a waste of precious address space.
The card I got has address lines A2, ..., A7 ORed via 1N4148 diodes, so it reacts only to addresses 0, ... 3. Nice.
The card was easy to assemble and started to work at first try.

Summary: nice kit, extremely easy to control. Great service, thanks, Spencer!

Olev | March 21, 2020

Where have my eyes been???

For RC2014 Pro - Homebrew Z80 Computer Kit

Back in 1983, we in a small Estonian town Tartu (this time behind the Iron Curtain, of course) built a 8-bit PC, based on 8080 (or, to be precise, it's illegal Soviet clone K580VM80). It was a great time...
Thus, when I found the RC2014 on Internet, I got excited. Yes, we have many emulators running on PCs, Macs, Pis -- but they are not the right thing.
And I, a former programmer, am a bit scared about the thought building all the hardware...
However, I know from which end to grasp the soldering iron...
So I read the descriptions of the RC2014 versions, and decided to order the "Full Monty". Why?
Because it runs CP/M. This was _the_ operating system of the early eighties, and it can do almost everything.
....
In addition to the RC2014 Pro kit I ordered the "Raspberry Pi terminal" because this lets run the RC2014 without PC.

Enter Mr Spencer Owen, the "Mr RC2014".
He posted the package almost immediately, and it arrived quickly. Very well packed, all parts present and intact.
However, I would recommend to have a multimeter or, better, some Chinese component-multitester, at hand. Then you can be sure you'll solder all resistors and capacitors in right places.
I also think that the soldering equipment must be a bit better than entry level. I have a soldering station with temperature control, and the iron has some medium-size tip. As all pads are at least 0.1" apart, this is sufficient. In a other review a 0.7 mm solder s recommended. My shop hadn't this at the moment, so I got 0.5 mm one, and it worked very well. Maybe the soldering time is a bit longer than with 0.7, but I can control the process better.
For old people like me, the headset with magnifying glasses (something like https://www.oomipood.ee/product/vtmg13_suurendusprillid_led_lambiga_1_5_10dioptriat_1_375_2_5x) is recommended although not absolutely necessary.
I started at the backplane. Not liking the idea have "regular" and "enhanced" slots on it, I bought additional 1x20 sockets and made all slots enhanced. This means 720 solder pads for slots only, so it's no wonder it took me three evenings to sold all things together.
There's a recommendation on 'net how to hold the slots in vertical position while soldering: https://groups.google.com/forum/#!topic/rc2014-z80/pA9cCaR9568 , but there's a small problem: just _every other_ slot matches with the connector's pins. So I soldered first every other slot. Then I sacrificed two connectors (of my own spares), cutting two pins where the "wrong parity" slots would be, and using them, soldered the remaining slots.
The backplane soldered, I connected the power and threw the switch. And the green light was given :)
Then I soldered all modules. When next one was ready, I inserted it into backplane and made sure the green LED still lit up. (Didn't insert any IC-s yet).
All modules ready, I inserted the IC-s, put modules onto backplane and threw the power switch.
The "Pi terminal" started to work, but the Z80 machine didn't.
Mr Spencer reacted promptly on my complaints. It turned out that I had soldered the "regular" pins on the RAM module, but there should be 2-row "enhanced" connector. Luckily, as Mr Spencer indicated, there's only one pin in use from enhanced row, so the error was corrected with a jumper wire.
Then it turned out that by mistake I had got wrong ROM. Again, Mr Spencer was very helpful and posted the right one at once. So I could 3 days learn the commands of the "Simple Monitor", which was not useless :).
The weakest point of this configuration (Pro kit + Pi terminal) is the software of the Pi terminal. It has poor character quality on screen and is not configurable (screen size, etc.). Unfortunately, the software is not written by Mr Spencer, and the creator seems have lost interest.
This is a point I will investigate... after all, the code (PiGfx) is available, and one Mr Pierot seems having done some improvements...
Meanwhile I decided to continue with PC terminal, and -- as recommended -- the TeraTerm program.
I messed around a whole day, having very erratic connection between RC2014 and PC... until I got another USB-serial converter. Then all started to work.
So when the right ROM arrived, I just had to plug it in, and CP/M was airborne... Great feeling.
There is a lot of CP/M software on the 'net, so the only problem is: how to transfer it on the RC2014?
Fortunately, other people had this problem earlier ;) See Mr Grant Searle's page http://searle.x10host.com/cpm/index.html
And, with the help of the DOWNLOAD program, transfer the XMODEM program as the first thing. (I saw that DOWNLOAD will hang sometimes).
And then... I have been playing with WordStar, MBasic, dBase II, etc., etc. for more than a week. And with Turbo Pascal. Especially with Turbo Pascal. What a fun to write-compile-run...

So, to resume:
1. Superb kit. Very well manufactured, errorless, capable.
2. Very good service (prompt posting, excellent support).
3. Satisfactory documentation. Not for the beginners, but it suited for me who has some bits of information from both hardware and software sides.
4. The best property -- when you have the machine up and running, then the fun does not end, but just begin.
5. The only thing that has to be changed -- the Raspberry Pi terminal software.

Thank, you, Mr Spencer!

Edit on 20200331: I found M. Pierot' software for Pi terminal at
https://github.com/fbergama/pigfx/blob/master/bin/kernel.img
It is considerably better, especially the 8*16 font. The downside is that it is not exactly VT100 nor exactly ANSI, so one has to readjust Turbo Pascal, WordStar, dBase etc. Taht is not a great problem, but the ESC sequences for color controls are veeeeeeeeeeeery long and do not fit into dBase places, for example. Still, you can live with monochrome picture...

Samuel | March 3, 2020

Needs detailed assembly instructions in some places.

For RC2014 ZED - Homebrew Z80 Computer Kit

I came rather close to destroying several of the cards which came with the kit because assembly was not obvious to me, and going to the webpages of the vendor was not helpful. Although webpages DID exist, they were not linked to via any of the common landing points to the website. I only found out about them AFTER voicing my concerns on Twitter, and only after receiving a *direct URL* to them. One such example is how to prepare extended bus connectors, which can be found at https://rc2014.co.uk/1426/preparing-enhanced-bus-connectors/ . I wish I'd known this sooner!

Otherwise, the kit as a whole was quick to assemble (assuming you have soldering experience), and after accidentally swapping the RAM and ROM chips on the memory card, I was able to get the computer to boot. It took me about two days of work to get everything together. This product functions exactly as advertised, and it's fun to be able to put something together and see it work. Some of the diagnostics that went into double-checking things were working were part of the puzzle-solving, and was both elucidating as well as exhilarating to see things in the real world behave more or less as they're described in the data sheets. I do recommend you have an oscilloscope (50MHz or greater bandwidth recommended) on hand as you're building the kit, so you can see signal waveforms are behaving as expected. Test early, test often. You'll learn more that way.

I strongly recommend this product. Although it came with no documentation, and there were some places where I had to guess how things were to be put together, I found the vendor to be exceptionally cordial and very helpful. I eagerly look forward to contributing my own 3rd-party modules for this ecosystem.

Dean | Feb. 11, 2020

Fun, simple and retro cool - brings back the memories

For RC2014 ZED - Homebrew Z80 Computer Kit

Just powered up my retro RC2014 computer - Worked just perfectly first time. Very happy. Easy to build, took my time to double/tripple check as i go.

If you want to build a computer, a Retro Computer - i can highly recommend this.

Package arrived in Australia, just fine and quite quickly too - just watch out, as Australia Post does not integrate with Royal Mail - so the tracking system's last entry will be its left the UK. Then a few days later its at your front door!

Michael | Jan. 29, 2020

Hours of fun!

For RC2014 Pro - Homebrew Z80 Computer Kit

Quick delivery, no missing parts, good quality components. I enjoyed building it, I did have to scratch around in various locations for documentation, but probably in the process I picked up a better understanding of the design. The system worked first time. The RC2014 forum on Google Groups is a good place to find information and advice. If you want a modular system with lots of options and add-on modules, this is a good choice. Being able to run CP/M makes it possible to run a lot of different software. This kit has already proved to be the basis for a lot of tinkering and experimentation with hardware and software, which makes its price tag feel more reasonable. Recommended.

Rolf | Dec. 27, 2019

Looks like a good prototyeing platform

For Backplane 8 For RC2014 - Z80 Homebrew Computer

I am actualy going to use it to build something like Ben Eater's Simple as possible ttl computer. I tried before using prototype boards with the same configuration as solderess breadboards but it turned into a big mess and I gave up. I should be able to do it with the backplane and blank prototype boards. It would have been nice if the prototype boards came with the right agle 40 pin header that they need.

Rolf | Dec. 27, 2019

Good product

For Prototype PCB for RC2014

Good product. Every board will need a 40 right angle header so it would have been nice if they where supplied.

Antony | Dec. 9, 2019

Nice upgrade to the RC2014, but documentation is fragmented

For CP/M Upgrade Kit for RC2014 Classic or Classic II

Having built the standard RC2014 Full Monty, I decided to upgrade to CP/M, and this kit proved to be a painless route. As mentioned by the other reviewer, finding all of the documentation is a bit like an Easter Egg hunt, but it is there.

You use i.c.s from the standard RC2014 kit's ROM and RAM boards, with the exception of the original ROM chip, and the new boards soon go together. On running the updated computer for the first time, I was a little disappointed to find that the only way to get Basic (from the ROM) was by changing the A15 Page Selector on the ROM board from position 1 to 0 to boot into 32K basic, so effectively CP/M is divorced from Basic. I will investigate loading a version of Basic onto the Compact Flash card. Theoretically it is possible to boot into Basic from the start menu, but this is the large version of basic that doesn't work with the standard serial I/O board, you would also need to replace this board and it doesn't come as part of the upgrade kit. I have now substituted a PCB switch for the jumper/header on A15, so that I can conveniently switch between Basic and CP/M by flicking the switch and pressing the reset button.

I'm new to CP/M - one of the reasons why I built the upgrade - so I've got a steep learning curve with much internet searching and reading to be done. Such Fun!

Antony | Dec. 9, 2019

Easy to contruct board that is easily controlled by Basic

For Digital IO Module For RC2014 Z80 Homebrew Computer

This module is simple to construct. The instructions on the website under "Assembly Guides" refer to a previous version of the board, but you can find all that's needed on the main Digital I/O page, including a couple of test programs written in Basic.

Rather than adding wire links to fix input and output ports, I added my own headers and used jumpers to select the port. This at least demonstrates that by selecting Port 1 (using jumpers) instead of Port 0 (and changing the program to suite) it still works.

When the computer is booted, all 8 LEDs light up and remain lit until you issue the OUT 0,0 command. All a bit bright if working in CP/M without a Basic interpreter running! In this case it is possible to boot up into Basic, issue the OUT 0,0 command, then reset the computer and go into CP/M.

An entertaining module, the switches and LED's allow you try out physical computing under Basic command, with the possibility of wiring in your own interfaces - RC2014 Robot anyone?

Antony | Dec. 6, 2019

Works well with CP/M but of limited use for Basic

For Raspberry Pi Zero Serial Terminal for RC2014

I bought the Pi kit Zero - consisting a PCB, a right angle connector, and a couple of resistors. I then added my own extra connectors and bits-n-bobs to bring it up to spec. I did have problems with it to begin with. I had followed the pigfx readme and copied the kernel.img file from the website, and added start.elf and bincode.bin from an existing Raspberry Pi Zero SD card. The screen came up on the Pi but I couldn't get it passed the "waiting for serial" message. I suspected the hardware and tried bread-boarding various resistors and even a line-level shifter but at best got junk characters on screen. As a final attempt, I copied everything from the following page: https://github.com/fbergama/pigfx/tree/RC2014/bin - excluding the config.txt file, and it all suddenly started working. Had I bought a full kit with micro SD card then I'm sure it would have worked first time. A slightly changed set of instructions would have help.

The board contains an FTDI header, but the RX and TX pins are reversed when compared to the serial board, so you need to be aware of this when plugging in your USB FTDI connector.

The Pi Zero Serial Terminal board works in conjunction with the serial board and is not a replacement. The Raspberry Pi acts as a dumb terminal and doesn't "appear" to have any I/O capability, so you have to still connect an FTDI cable to your computer in order to load and save Basic programs. Less limiting when running CP/M as much of the time files can be read and saved to Compact Flash.

Carlos | Nov. 24, 2019

Great computer project, fun to build and use.

For RC2014 Micro - Single Board Z80 Computer Kit

The kit contained all the needed parts, neatly arranged and with simple instructions. Additional instructions are available in the web site. After soldering for a couple of hours, struggling to understand how the jumpers work (documentation could be better on this) and finding out how to connect it to my Mac, I got a small computer up and running with the possibility of using BASIC or SCM (Small Computer Monitor). I have spent a few days remembering BASIC and having fun with Z80 assembly language. I would recommend this kit to anyone interested on the experience of building his own single-board, Z80-based computer.

Andy | Nov. 15, 2019

Great product. Fun to build and use.

For RC2014 Pro - Homebrew Z80 Computer Kit

It's a great product, I put it together in a couple of soldering sessions using lead-free 96SC and a No 8 Weller tip. 1mm is the max solder dia you will be able to use, 0.7mm would be better. It burst into life after I found and removed a couple of solder bridges. If you haven't soldered before, leaded solder may be easier; also get a temperature-controlled iron and a solder pump.

The assembly instructions aren't all in one place. Here are my notes:
1. None of the three jumpers on the SIO/2 board should be fitted.
2. On the serial board use port A (on the 45 degree angle) to boot CP/M.
3. Only Gnd, Rx and Tx are needed for SIO to work, that's pins 1, 3, 4. Crossed over of course!
4. I bought a USB to TTL module with 3V/5V jumper set to 3V3; the tx/rx LEDs on this module are really useful.
5. On the RAM board, use the double row edge connector and don't fit "link".
6. To boot CP/M, set jumpers on ROM board to A13, A14 = 0 and A15 = 1
7. You will need the 5V Direct link on the motherboard to use the supplied USB power cable.

Also join the Google group email list (details on RC2014 website) for more info and help.
There are some great tips on the Google group, including ways to get info on and off the CF card.

Tobias | Oct. 28, 2019

Recommended!

For Compact Flash Module for CP/M RC2014 Computer

Shipping was fast, assembly was easy. I recommend to have some (good quality, with flux) solder wick for the CF card connector. M2 screws and nuts can be added to give it some additional support (not included in the kit).
Thanks!

Gerald | Oct. 8, 2019

Superb product

For RC2014 Pro - Homebrew Z80 Computer Kit

This self-build kit is a superb way to get involved at some fundamental computer engineering.

The Z80 is an excellent choice for a ‘home-brew’ computer: single 5v supply, all the control/state inputs/outputs you’d need to distinguish instruction from data accesses, separate IO addressing, great interrupt options and even dynamic memory refresh capabilities.

The modular design approach adopted in the RC2014 design is well delivered. Separate CPU, system clock generator, ROM (with MS BASIC abs monitor), RAM and Serial IO modules gives you an excellent base system, which with a suitable interface to a PC or a MAC (either used as a terminal display) gets you up-and-running pretty quickly, once you’ve completed building the motherboard and modules.

What I really like about the RC2014 is that it’s open: anyone can devise and build a new module - that flexibility is really welcome as it allows the RC2014 to be used in a myriad of applications.

Given this kit has a reasonable, not full, level of documentation, ‘newbies’ to electronics, the soldering iron etc may be put off but there is some excellent unofficial support available, driven by friendly, enthusiastic and knowledgeable interest group/forum members.

Wouter | Aug. 21, 2019

Easy to build, user-friendly kit

For RC2014 Classic - Homebrew Z80 Computer Kit

The kit comes with clear instructions and all the parts needed to build a working computer. Build itself took only a few hours and the machine booted after a few tries - make sure to pay attention to jumper settings! You also get a brief but useful troubleshooting section that covered the mistakes I initially made.

Communication with the author of the kit was excellent - I got a quick and professional reply.

Two small downsides: the modules aren't all oriented the same way, so I ended up with two modules facing "left" when plugged in and two modules facing "right". This can be avoided by switching the header to the other side of the board, but that means de-soldering 80 connections. Also, while the laser-cut case is very well made and comes together nicely, it didn't come with printed instructions for assembly - it goes together logically, but I was initially confused about the power LED ending up underneath the top panel, or the function of the cardboard insert (don't throw it out!).

Both of those are minor nitpicks and neither stops me from wholeheartedly recommending this kit. It's fun, it's educational and it's a solid basis for expansion.

Andrew | Aug. 14, 2019

My RC2014 looks very spiffy now.

For RC2014 Laser Cut Enclosures

I didn't rate the documentation as highly as it didn't come with any, but it is fairly obvious how to put together.

It came with a replacement button which has a longer button part so you can press it when the enclosure is on. If you're like me and nervous about unsoldering and resoldering things and plan on getting an enclosure, perhaps buy the enclosure at the same time so you can put the button on when you first assemble.

It's a very tight fit, which is good, but just be aware in case you put things on crooked.

It looks good. I got the Poplar one.

Chris | June 15, 2019

The perfect substrate for my alternative CPU project

For Prototype PCB for RC2014

I used a prototype PCB to make a TMS9995 CPU module. It was handy to have tracks above the bus and alongside the power rails. Shame there isn't any right angle header in the kit, but Spencer assures me he'll make the description clearer on that point and sync things up between the RC2014 site and Tindie.
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