I've always wanted to build a real computer, the RC2014 mini kit offers something you just can't get from Arduino or raspberry pi, the build is pretty easy, do use the online build instructions though.

Although it would be easy to rush this kit I chose to spread the build over 2 evenings checking everything as I went, Im pleased to say it booted first time which made my day.

The RC2014 board is quite compact, I would have liked to use a 28 pin zif socket for the ROM but there's not alot of clearance on the board to fit one, but it's not a big deal.

My main reason for buying this kit is to tinker with z80 assembly and learn about addressing so I can later experiment with interfacing my 6502 home computer to the outside world, electronics plays a big part in my hobby as a ham radio operator and I'm looking forward to intergrating this board into the hobby.

If you enjoy kit building and are bored with blinking LEDs in c# try the RC2014 z80 at machine level instead.

Randal | March 28, 2018

This is the Kit to Get!

For RC2014 Pro - Homebrew Z80 Computer Kit

The RC2014 Pro Kit is a wonderful starting point for anyone interested in Retro Computing. This kit provides a great starting point for newcomers and is a welcome addition to any veteran’s collection.

The design and layout of the RC2104 has been well conceived and expertly executed. All the printed circuit boards are cleanly arranged and well fabricated. Anyone with basic soldering skills will be able to complete the assembly of the kit with ease. Each module is packaged and prepared with the precise components needed to construct them. The silkscreen on the board provides the correct orientation for each part, as well as specifying which part to install. The distinctive white logo and text on the blue boards is consistent throughout and looks professional and artisanal.

The Pro Kit contains the Backplane Pro as well as six modules, each having a clear function needed to bring the computer to life. Three optional modules are also available when ordering the Pro Kit which add some fun expandability. The additional optional modules I ordered were similarly well done and are available elsewhere on Tindie.

Since building my RC2014 kit I have found the support of the creator as well as the community to be outstanding. The RC2014 has provided a wonderful banner for Retro Computing enthusiasts to rally around. The standardization of the backplane and modules along with a forward-thinking design have encouraged others to create modules compatible with the RC2014.

This is not a kit that is built in a day and then hidden away on a shelf, forgotten. With new modules being released, you will return to the RC2014 again and again, tinkering, customizing, and, of course, playing and having fun!

David | March 26, 2018

Great bit of kit

For RC2014 Classic - Homebrew Z80 Computer Kit

I have had a great time building and extending this kit and am now back playing with CPM like it was the 1980's.

The kit is well made and the instructions are sufficient to get it running with ease.

When extended to support CPM you do have to actually read the instruction to ensure you do not end up going around in circles.

My biggest issue was forgetting the ERA command !!

Peter | Jan. 18, 2018

Great Fun! Excellent Quality

For RC2014 Pro - Homebrew Z80 Computer Kit

The soldering of this project was quite easy even for these old eyes. All through hole components. They mounted the only surface mounted component. I love the fact that it is so easy to build up a quick project that could be mounted to the back plane with simple pin headers. Powering it is as easy as plugging it into a USB port or if you prefer put a commonly available 5v regulator.

The developer Spencer is a treat to talk with on the RC2014-Z80 google group community and on Twitter.

If you are a electronics tinkerer make sure to get the 12 port bus as you will have plenty of room to make and add your own boards.

Wouter | Nov. 24, 2017

Very happy with the RC2014; great kit!

For RC2014 Classic - Homebrew Z80 Computer Kit

Received the RC2014 full-monty kit neatly packaged in a small box. Everything was included. Clear instructions on a printed leaflet but used the PDF from the website since it has the actual color codes. Was able to put it together in a few days, had a blast working on it. Lot's of soldering though!

My RC2014 did not work on the first try so needed to use the troubleshooting guide. It turned out that my soldering job was not that great, some pins seemed to be connected properly at first glance but turned out to make insufficient contact. Checked & fixed all joints and plugged in the power: and it works! This first time you see actual messages being sent from a computer you put together yourself is a great moment :-)

So all-in-all a great kit; especially the fact that all components are on their own separate board. The backplane als make it very nice to see what is going on and how the components communicate. Also the fact that there is a nice ecosystem with different community members making extension boards & howto's etc makes this a great choice.

Started with small basic programs, now testing with C programs using z88dk via the hexloader. Looking forward to more experimenting with it!

Wouter | Nov. 23, 2017

Very happy with the RC2014; great kit!

For RC2014 Classic - Homebrew Z80 Computer Kit

Wouter | Nov. 23, 2017

Very happy with the RC2014; great kit!

For RC2014 Classic - Homebrew Z80 Computer Kit

Wouter | Nov. 23, 2017

Very happy with the RC2014; great kit!

For RC2014 Classic - Homebrew Z80 Computer Kit

Wouter | Nov. 23, 2017

Very happy with the RC2014; great kit!

For RC2014 Classic - Homebrew Z80 Computer Kit

Aaron | Nov. 22, 2017

RC2014 Computer

For RC2014 Classic - Homebrew Z80 Computer Kit

Well after being put to together by an electronic engineering tech of over 25+ years and having the all the jumpers in place with the ftdi cable correctly installed.
Powered the unit up with an upgraded 5vreg (aka Recom R-78C5.0-1.0) and all blue leds, the unit run perfectly with a debug terminal program made by one of the guys here (no putty for me). Going to be doing alot with this as I do have a GU256X128D-3900 plasma display to play with: (https://www.ebay.com/itm/NORITAKE-ITRON-DISPLAY-GU256X128D-3900/122630823248?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649)
Going to try a non volatile ram and probably add an Intel Can 2.0v chip to it as well as a sound card later...
Wish someone would make a basic interpreter for an ARM STM32F407IG part as I am trying to make my own version of a basic computer using this as an output:
(http://www.4dsystems.com.au/product/uVGA_III/) ... Too many toys to play with lately is my problem from pocket chip to raspberry pi 3 and couple of win10 sbc's...

Wayne | Oct. 31, 2017

Awesome Z80 CPU kit. Nice modular design. Easy to build.

For RC2014 Pro - Homebrew Z80 Computer Kit

I have significant experience building homebrew Z80 computers. The RC2014 kits are very nice and modular. They go together easily and are well documented. Operation is completely reliable. Kit was shipped very quickly and was well packaged. RC2014 community is vibrant and helpful. This has been a great experience!

David | Oct. 23, 2017

Fantastic

For Compact Flash Module for CP/M RC2014 Computer

This works great and is a must to use your RC2014 with cpm.

I can recommend this. Well done Spencer

David | Oct. 23, 2017

Fantastic

For Compact Flash Module for CP/M RC2014 Computer

This works great and is a must to use your RC2014 with cpm.

I can recommend this. Well done Spencer

Kim | Sept. 17, 2017

A great upgraded board for the RC2014.

For Pageable ROM Module for RC2014 Homebrew Computer

Delivery was next day, the ROM board came well packaged. All components came with the exception of 2 minor components a capacitor and a 14 pin socket (mistakes happen). I emailed Spencer and he will be sending these components to me asap.
The board itself is a piece of art, the silkscreening is bright and clear the component placement couldn't be any clearer. The components are of the highest quality and the instructions couldn't be clearer. If I can follow them any one can.

The build went without a hitch took me around 15 minutes to assemble the board and it looks great. If you do manage to get stuck on whatever part, Spencer is very approachable and is happy to help.

Overall the board is well thought out, excellent quality and a breeze to build. The RC2014 is aimed at the home enthusiast weather being a complete novice getting into computing or the intermediate electronics hobbiest.
I really like this board it gets 10/10 from me.

Tor-Eirik Bakke | May 8, 2017

New and shiny retro

For RC2014 Classic - Homebrew Z80 Computer Kit

This is an excellent kit for the beginner, I put it together over a weekend - took my time doing it so that I understood what each of the parts did (or atleast how they connected). Never soldered anything smaller than a power cord before this, but started with the parts that the manual noticed as the easiest to begin and it all went sort of according to plan. Fixed most bugs by measuring for continuity using a multimeter and that was it.

Highly recommend this kit for the beginner - for the most part because of the modular setup. With other SBC (Single Board Computer kits) everything is jumbled together so it's hard for a novice to figure out how it works and what communicates with what, here all that is easy since each module more or less does only one thing. Do add the upgrade to backplane 8 since the main kit has too few slots to add anything yourself, and when done you'll want the option of making one or two modules yourself - bus monitor, joystick ports, matrix keyboard input, lcd out, simple sound card are just some of the things I've been dabbling with since putting together the main kit, so the slots will be used!

Jaime-Ivan | May 3, 2017

A very interesting add-on to rc2014

For Backplane 8 For RC2014 - Z80 Homebrew Computer

Just in case you run out of space for new add-ons, Backplane 8 comes in handy. Very nicely built blue PCB and more space to upgrade your rc2014. Recommended.

Jaime-Ivan | May 3, 2017

The best 8-bit computer available out there, IMO

For RC2014 Classic - Homebrew Z80 Computer Kit

Rc2014 with backplane 8 (I bought the Full Monty) is the best vintage DIY 8-bit computer available out there. I received all the components, several high quality blue PCBs plus the DIP chips and their sockets. Good packaging and documentation for a great design. Hours of fun guaranteed! Keep up the good work.

Jaime-Ivan | May 3, 2017

A very interesting add-on to rc2014

For Raspberry Pi Zero Serial Terminal for RC2014

I bought backplane 8 and The Full Monty, plus this add-on at a very interesting price, just in case I need it. Fast delivery, product in perfect condition, very interesting hardware. Keep up!

Dave | May 1, 2017

Never going to use it all!

For 64K RAM Module For RC2014 - Z80 Homebrew Computer

What is there to say?.. Its perfect...

I am using it with
Back plane 8
Clock
Z80 CPU Board
Serial IO
and SD Card Dump Board.

It is good having all the memory available to use. So I can write the ROM routines.

Mihkel | April 27, 2017

Well, it's ...

For RC2014 Classic - Homebrew Z80 Computer Kit

Just an awesome kit of raw computing power! Playing around with it and studying the schematics makes the functioning of a "modern" computer so much clearer - it's no more a mystical black box with Facebook and Crysis in it.

Thanks a lot Mr Owen!

Lee | April 5, 2017

Does exacty what it says on the pack

For ROM Module For RC2014 - Z80 Homebrew Computer

A 64kb rom with 8kb BASIC image, works well great for reliving the 1980's computing experiance where computers where not simple friendly things they are now, if you wanted to play more than just games you had to learn to code, this ROM provides BASIC and allows you to just that if brought with the rest of the RC2014 computer.

Paweł | April 4, 2017

Good quality and fast delivery.

For RC2014 Classic - Homebrew Z80 Computer Kit

RC2014 arrived pretty fast and was well packaged. Assembly while tedious (a lot of soldering) is quite simple and straightforward. It worked fine from first power up. Now I'm relearning BASIC and waiting for some parts to do some mods.

Warren | March 11, 2017

A great kit for anyone interested in retro-computing!

For RC2014 Classic - Homebrew Z80 Computer Kit

As a teenager in the 80's, I owned and had access to a variety of 8-bit computers, from Commodore VIC-20s to the venerable Kaypro II. All of those old systems are long gone, but they hold a special place in my heart. From the moment I saw the RC2014 in Scott Baker's YouTube video series (https://youtu.be/5lsjD1cuq5Y) I knew I had to have one.

I purchased the "Full Monty" version, because for me sourcing all of the individual components would have been way too time consuming. The kit arrived quickly from the UK (I am in the US) and was well packaged and protected against damage in shipping. The PCBs are of extremely high quality with a beautiful glossy finish and sharp, crisp silk screening. The only criticism I have is that I feel like the IC sockets could have been a little higher quality. They seem to get the job done, but for the price of the kit, I would have liked to have been provided with better quality sockets.

The kit went together easily and quickly. I am by no means an expert with a soldering iron, and it took me about six or seven hours over several days to fully assemble the kit. I would recommend a soldering station with a temperature controlled iron for anyone considering purchasing one of these kits. I'm sure assembly would go just fine using a simple pencil iron, but a little better iron will make it go a lot more smoothly. I found the included assembly guide simple and easy to follow. It doesn't provide super detailed instructions, but really the kit is simple enough that individual step-by-step instructions aren't necessary.

With over 600 solder joints, I expected at least one poor connection or bridged pin, but amazingly my computer worked perfectly after assembly and I didn't have to do any troubleshooting. The assembly guide provides some simple troubleshooting steps if you were to have any issues.

Overall I highly recommend the kit for anyone interested in building a simple 8-bit system. It was fun to assemble and is easily expandable. I plan to purchase several more add-on boards for the system in the near future.

Richard | Feb. 6, 2017

Well made boards.

For RC2014 Classic - Homebrew Z80 Computer Kit

Items arrived today. Items are well packaged. Overall quality of boards and the components are great. Well i am about to hit the iron on this project and looking forward to playing with this unit.

James | Jan. 2, 2017

Very nice way to get back into "real" computing.

For RC2014 Classic - Homebrew Z80 Computer Kit

This kit is well-thought-out and easy to assemble. Worked first time. My only issue was the MBasic ROM saw 32k of RAM instead of the 64k that I had installed. A quick email to and from Spencer sorted that out

Now to grow the system and continue learning!

Thank you for such a great kit!

Jim

Ed | Dec. 23, 2016

Awesome kit, easy to build

For RC2014 Classic - Homebrew Z80 Computer Kit

It's fair to say I've got a Z80 obsession, owning various Z80 based computers already (Spectrum, CPC464, Epson PX-8, Master System), so this kit looked to be right up my street!

I collected from Spencer at the Derby Maker Faire, where he gave me a bonus Pi Zero Serial Terminal. Cheers!

Basic "full monty" kit went together very smoothly and fired up first time, after which point I had to put the project on hold due to moving house. Now it's Christmas I'm having fun assembling the other modules :)

Be aware that the documentation doesn't do too much hand holding but this invites you to learn about the underlying design during construction.

David | Dec. 12, 2016

Excellent service, will purchase from vendor in the future.

For RC2014 Classic - Homebrew Z80 Computer Kit

Excellent service, arrived promptly, would purchase from the vendor in the future. Looking forward to building it over Christmas.

Jim | Dec. 8, 2016

Fantastic

For RC2014 Mini - Single Board Z80 Computer Kit

I loved this kit. It took about an hour to solder it together. Fired right up. Had flashbacks of my youth. Loved it! I've always wanted a Z80 based computer.

Adam | Nov. 14, 2016

A fun build

For RC2014 Classic - Homebrew Z80 Computer Kit

I quite enjoyed this. I found that getting the kit with the Pi terminal was good for giving the project the feel of an independent computer.

Dominik | Oct. 19, 2016

Such a brilliant kit - a happy user

For RC2014 Classic - Homebrew Z80 Computer Kit

I had an TRS-80 compatible computer in my youth, and always planned to build a Z80 from scratch, yet it never happened until now.
The kit is very well made: after a few hours of soldering, the parts can be plugged into the main board, and behold: the basic prompt on the serial terminal.
Hopefully the plans for SD-cards work out, so that we can run something like CP/M.
Thank you for making such a brilliant kit at a very affordable price.

Arlene | Oct. 4, 2016

Great kit - recommended!

For RC2014 Classic - Homebrew Z80 Computer Kit

This kit was an excellent purchase. It was shipped promptly and packed securely, and Spencer answered e-mails immediately. The components went together smoothly with a minimum of hassle and the unit worked well. Right now it is just a counter, but with the addition of a Pi (when someone has one in stock) I can see some interesting projects ahead.

Will be ordering again no doubt. Thanks Spencer!

Grégory | Oct. 3, 2016

Awesome Z80 kit

For RC2014 Classic - Homebrew Z80 Computer Kit

Very well designed kit. It was a pleasure to build it and was pretty easy (but I took my time).
I ordered more parts (Pi Zero Terminal) to complete the computer.

Chris | Oct. 3, 2016

Can't wait for graphics!

For RC2014 Classic - Homebrew Z80 Computer Kit

This was a pleasure to build, I can't wait for a video module. If you are into retro computers or learning how computers work and have a little bit of soldering experience then this kit is for you.

Thomas | Sept. 13, 2016

RC2014 - Thoroughly Enjoyable

For RC2014 Classic - Homebrew Z80 Computer Kit

I'm not a hardware guy, usually I'd rather buy a Pi and Hat and stay away from anything lower level. However something about the RC2014 caught my attention, the simple kit form, through-hole soldering, proper PCB, simple design, actually building a working computer and all at the same time as enjoying the experience. I can't wait for more boards to come out!

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