Mechanical Keyboard (Cherry, etc)

[NobodyIsHere]

Hi,
I am restoring a Vector Graphic computer and I am missing a mechanical parallel keyboard. These are the old style keyboards such as those found in early terminals and often associated with S-100 style computers. They have a parallel interface and are completely different from the modern PC capacitive style keyboards.

If anyone has a spare or even a pull from a broken system or terminal they would like to sell, please contact me. Thanks!

Andrew Lynch

 

[MikeS]

Parallel keyboard

Parallel keyboard

Hi Andrew; fancy meeting you here.

I'll have a look, but there's parallel and there's parallel, and then
there's ASCII and there's ASCII ;-)

I'll be in touch off-list.

mike

 

[Druid6900]

Ok, here's the schematic from a TRS-80 Model 1 keyboard. The early ones, like the ones I have, were Cherry keyboards, mechanical switches and pretty damn reliable.

Would it do?

http://www.vintagecomputersnparts.com/M1KYBRD.jpg

 

[MikeS]

Thanks, but afraid not; that's a raw scanned keyboard, what Andrew needs
is a parallel ASCII keyboard. I suggested he use a PC for the time being,
connect to the printer port and cobble up a quickie prog to send typed
chars out the port. If he had an old laptop with a busted display, it'd
be perfect.

BTW, talking with Andrew off-list persuaded me to fire up *my* Vector;
that's one of the reasons I didn't make it to Hamilton today - took a
little longer to sort out a few issues than I thought (what else is new).

m