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Where to get SD2IEC in the states?

VERAULT

VERAULT

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Jan 30, 2012
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Location
Connecticut, USA
Anyone selling or have a source for SD2IEC devices here in the states relatively cheap? Seems the sources I knew of have dried up and now they are asking a fair amount. Let me know, thanks.
 
One of the reasons why the supplies have dried up is because ATMega644 chips have become horribly expensive. They now sell at twice their weight in gold. (25-30 USD each). I still have 2 left from friendlier times, I also have an SD2IEC like the above all soldered up as well as an original one I no longer use (marked melbourneconsolerepos.com SD2IEC TINY V3). I live in Europe. Shipping costs to the US will amount to about 10-12 USD. Let me know if you are interested.
 
Thankyou for replying Koolstar42. Im afraid the shipping costs would put it into the same ballpark as the other devices. I will keep searching.
 
Don't get your hopes up. ATMega644-20AU chips are the problem here. Digikey is out, Mouser is out, current delivery time is 66 weeks. next batch expected around september which will probably be sold out in days. I would not expect a regular supply anytime soon. In the mean time you can have my external unit for 25 USD (shipping included)
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Hopes are not high I assure you. That is why I started the thread. Was hoping there were details I was not privy to.
 
ATMega644 is available right now in DIP40 for less than $8. There are SD2IEC PCBs that will accept this package or you can build your own.
 
You are right off course. in times of scarcity stuff usually remains available, as long as you are willing to pay for it. For a niche product like an SD2IEC high prices quickly dry op supply. I'm sure I could still build one from available parts for a reasonable amount of money. But that does not solve OPs original problem. Two years ago I offered to make my surplus units available at cost ($5) and there was only one person interested. I quite understand why nobody is willing to build them at current market prices.
 
I am not against building my own at all. I guess sourcing the hardware and my lack of a 3D printer are the big hinderances. I bought two actually, both from abroad and different vendor. Wasnt cheap obviously. Be a few weeks at least before I see them.
 
So I ended up ordering an SD2IEC from abroad. The design interested me. Its this unit C64_SD2IEC_LP_pic1.jpg except where the 3.5mm audio jack is someone soldered an IEC cable directly. I like the idea of using any device such as a phone for data input so I may install the audio jack and the cable. Ill admit I dont fully understand what this device offers with that jack which it just labels "serial" and it has another IEC jack on the back labeled "IEC-SERIAL" This device connects to the cassette port soI guess I am not understanding its full functionality. I cannot find a user manual online. Can someone perhaps point me in the right direction? Do do one of you already have experience with this device?

also waht is the ICSP header? Is that for programming I assume? I figure the device number dips would operate identically to the 1571 drive dual dips as well. I just want to understand this so I can get the full usage out of it.

Mick
C64_SD2IEC_LP_pic1.jpg
 
Either the DIN connector or the 3mm plug is for connection to the IEC connector on the commodore. It won't work without is. The blue plug connects to the tape port and is for power only. Included are schematics of one version. you should be able to trace which wire goes where...
The ICSP port is for programming the firmware on the ATMEGA
 

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Oh I see the Din connector on the rear is meant to attach to the IEC port of the C64 but they opted to wire the IEC cable to the board directly instead of the 3.5mm audio plug. If thats the case Ill just remove the short IEC cable and use a full size cable and install a 3.5mm connector. I take it its a 3 pole audio connector?
 
I think they intended to connect to the commodore using the 3mm plug. Then the DIN socket on the board is free for other IEC devices. Normally these units come with a DIN plug attached with a short cable. I guess your board comes with a short adapter cable DIN to 3mm? If not, a straight DIN to DIN cable should also work (I guess). The 3mm plug might be a 4-pin type. IEC needs minimum 3 for signal and 1 for ground. They might have omitted the ground pin and used the ground of the tape connector (not pretty :-( ).
 
No the 3.5mm adapter is not there the short dine cable is wired in its place. You think it came with an IEC to 3.5mm cable? That seems needlessly complicated. I found a website that said the 3.5mm jack was for connecting any audio device for cassette audio
 
Seems strange to me as the 3mm connector is marked "serial". What I would do is to measure continuity of the 3mm contacts to the DIN plug and the cassette port to determine its function, or if possible trace the copper traces of the same.
 
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