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Hello from Houston

V

vintagetech

Member
Joined
Feb 22, 2022
Messages
16
Location
Texas
Hello, new to the forums here but have been collecting and visiting other groups for a long time. You could say I started my collection in 1980 when I bought my first computer, an Apple II+, which is still here and running. Also have my second computer and my third and on from there as it became a collection. Had everything setup at my home over the years until it grew too large, over 200 systems of around 120 different models, and a lot had to go into storage. Many years later and now I'm in a new place with a lot more space and have a lot more free time to devote to the collection.

Just finished clearing out the storage space so everything is once again all together in one place and I'm currently working to get systems setup and running. Still have far too many computers and plan to pair down the collection, mostly pass on systems that others may be more interested in than I am. Having more time now I hope to finally be able to get out to more gatherings, swap meets, etc. as well. Also busy trying to preserve documents and software for future collectors.

Look forward to meeting others and sharing our knowledge and love for these old systems.

David
 
Hey David,

Welcome! I'm relatively close by, up in Austin.

To keep my collection somewhat manageable, I limited my collection to just old Heathkit computers. The Heath H89 was my first computer and I knew if I didn't limit it, it would quickly get out of control. Although, I guess it is a bit out of control, but not too bad.

I did keep some of the system I had built, including a dual PPro 180, dual PII-333, and a P200MMX system, but my main focus has been the Heathkit systems.

Mark
 
Hi Mark! Austin is pretty close, have plenty of friends there.

Ah I do like the Heath systems but never had any myself, just their catalogs to drool over. Well I have a couple of Zenith systems which is probably as close as I come. My uncle had an H11 which I'd love to have but he thinks his X got rid of it when they divorced. I'm trying to limit myself to mostly early systems that I liked/wanted back in the day or found to be unique, up to around the AT time period, though I have plenty of later systems. Mostly ones that I've built for mine or family use over the years or things I find interesting like my dual processor BeBox. Been slowly passing on the "newer" systems and my larger minis and others to free up space.

David
 
Welcome David,

I am miles away from Texas!

I, too, am collecting systems that I could only drool over back in the day!

I am also collecting machines that I had (and built from kits myself) but sold on to fund the Microsoft DOS and Windows machines of the day.

Welcome to our fairly global community...

Dave
 
vintagetech said:
Well I have a couple of Zenith systems which is probably as close as I come. My uncle had an H11 which I'd love to have but he thinks his X got rid of it when they divorced. I'm trying to limit myself to mostly early systems that I liked/wanted back in the day or found to be unique, up to around the AT time period, though I have plenty of later systems.
Click to expand...
The only difference between Zenith and Heath, is that the Zenith came assembled. Early Heathkits had significant amounts of soldering, later ones, were more of assembling the components, like you'd do if building your own system.

Mark
 
mgarlanger said:
The only difference between Zenith and Heath, is that the Zenith came assembled. Early Heathkits had significant amounts of soldering, later ones, were more of assembling the components, like you'd do if building your own system.

Mark
Click to expand...
True it is just when I think Heath I think earlier systems like the H8 and the H11. When I think Zenith I think of later ones like the Z-110 and Z-120, which are what I have.

David
 
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