+tf_hh Posted September 24, 2017 Share Posted September 24, 2017 Hi, I´ve made a little tiny project which may not has a really amount of usage for standard user, but some tinkerer could found it useful. I call it simply "KEYCON" - a small adapter PCB for Atari XL or Atari XE keyboard connectors. First let´s take a look of the thing: The PCB is 0.8mm thick and fits also in the original keyboard connector found on all XL/XE mainboards (except 1200XL and XEGS). There are several possibilities to attach a new keyboard connector or directly solder some wire connected to the keyboard. The KEYCON PCB can be used in an Atari XL or Atari XE. Of course you must use a XL keyboard when connected to a XL computer (and same for XE) like usual For diagnostic issues (for example using the Super SALT cartridgdes) the most needed keys are seperate located on the KEYCON PCB. So you can use endless loop tests and quick diagnostics with SALT without connecting a keyboard. This saves the mylar cables from breaking and so on. For each system (XL or XE) you will found the keys RESET, OPTION, SELECT, START and BREAK. For already defective mylar keyboard cables, the main problem is always... how to connect ANY type of substitute to the genuine keyboard connector? Without using direct soldering or many glue it´s not a working solution for a long time. Some time in the past I also use ribbon cables and solder the cables directly to the pads on the mainboard, removing the keyboard connector before. Or, another solution is to use some single row pin heades, they can plugged into the genuine keyboard connector also, but must be fixed. KEYCON can be used for a quick test (just plug the whole PCB with the front side into the existing, genuine connector on the XL/XE) or as a continuous replacement for defect keyboard connections. Below this text you will fine some examples of usage. I will only ship, for interested people, the bare PCB. Everybody has different needs and wishes, and all parts (IDC header connector, single row male header and so on) are easy to get in any electronics store. Tipp: sometimes they´re extremly cheap at shops selling accessoires for Arduino & Raspberry Pi solutions. The final version will have ENIG (immersion gold finish) contacts, will be a little smaller than now (actual: 61x69 mm) and will fit better using an Atari 800XL. I have made a little wrong measurement, final version will fit perfectly. Price for one bare PCB will be from 6 up to 9 Euros, depending on the amount of orders. Please show your interest (with quantity you want) here in this thread or by PN. I will collect responses until October, the 4th (2017-10-04) and then sent infos of final price and order details. Shipping for up to 5 pieces worldwide is 5 Euros. And now some pictures... Please read also the comments between the pics KEYCON plugged into the genuine keyboard connector (Atari 800 XL mainboard) Genuine keyboard connector replaced by a female row precision header. KEYCON plugged into the replacement header. The five "XL" keys are in the same order (except BREAK) like on any standard XL keyboard. With this prototype layout, the PCB can´t be fit into a cased 800 XL. Of course final version will do. This pictures shows ALL pads on the KEYCON PCB used. This is not mandatory of course. For example, if you install KEYCON permanently, the desoldered genuine keyboard connector isn´t useful placed at KEYCON. If you want to use a standard 50 pin ribbon cable as the new keyboard cable, then the IDC male header is needed, otherwise leave these pads empty. It´s on you how you want to use it. Also the tactile momentary switches for the keys named above must not installed, if not really needed. You can break this part of the KEYCON PCB away, if you want. There´s no electronics and special thing on KEYCON. KEYCON plugged into the genuine keyboard connector (Atari XE mainboard) Genuine keyboard connector replaced by a female row precision header. KEYCON plugged into the replacement header. The five "XE" keys are in the same order (except BREAK) like on any standard XE keyboard. In post o. 2 of this thread I will collect all interests and amounts. Best regards, Jurgen 12 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+tf_hh Posted September 24, 2017 Author Share Posted September 24, 2017 Hi, this 2nd post will be used to list all interests and amounts and will be regulary updated by me. BR Jurgen. List of interests - 2017-10-04 9:00 pm (germany time) Interest poll phase has ended. All interests got a PN with order and payment details. SenorRossie 2x venom4728a 1x KlasO 2x Level42 1x erichenneke 1x Firedawg 2x Mathy 2x rdea6 1x Gandor 2x NISMOPC 1x remowilliams 2x orpheuswaking 2x olix 2x ivop 1x yenzee 2x mr_gw454 1x TemplarXB 2x toddtmw 1x dl7ukk 5x RodLightning 2x Markk 1x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
venom4728a Posted September 25, 2017 Share Posted September 25, 2017 I would like one Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+KlasO Posted September 25, 2017 Share Posted September 25, 2017 Two, please. Kind regards, Klas Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Level42 Posted September 25, 2017 Share Posted September 25, 2017 (edited) Dude, that is f-ing brilliant !!! You do NOT want to know how often I have been inserting that fragile flexible edge into open machines the last weeks....and then carefully ballancing the keyboard supported by something and praying it would not crash onto something and ripping the flex....and then trying to press some of the function keys....hah, it was more like a circus-act ! Definitely need one please ! When they're done, kindly step into your DeLorean and deliver it to me about 3 months.ago......thank you ! Edited September 25, 2017 by Level42 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Firedawg Posted September 25, 2017 Share Posted September 25, 2017 Very much needed for testing and repairing as I have several XLs without working keyboards. Jurgen I'll take two please. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mathy Posted September 25, 2017 Share Posted September 25, 2017 (edited) Hello Jürgen Two for me please! Sincerely Mathy PS will they be ready on the 28th of October? Edited September 25, 2017 by Mathy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+tf_hh Posted September 26, 2017 Author Share Posted September 26, 2017 PS will they be ready on the 28th of October? I will have them ready for ABBUC general annual meeting, yes. Jurgen 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roydea6 Posted September 26, 2017 Share Posted September 26, 2017 I would also like to have one KEYCON. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gandor Posted September 26, 2017 Share Posted September 26, 2017 I’m interested in 2 Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NISMOPC Posted September 26, 2017 Share Posted September 26, 2017 I would like one please... THANKS!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+remowilliams Posted September 27, 2017 Share Posted September 27, 2017 Excellent idea for a number of reasons, interested in two Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+orpheuswaking Posted September 27, 2017 Share Posted September 27, 2017 I'll take two Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
olix Posted September 27, 2017 Share Posted September 27, 2017 Ich würde zwei Stück nehmen. Oliver Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ivop Posted September 27, 2017 Share Posted September 27, 2017 (edited) I would like one, too! Regards, Ivo Edited September 27, 2017 by ivop Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yenzee Posted September 27, 2017 Share Posted September 27, 2017 Hallo Jürgen! Ich nehme auch 2 ! Viele Grüße, Jens. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mr_gw454 Posted September 27, 2017 Share Posted September 27, 2017 Please add me to the list for one unit. Thank you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TemplarXB Posted September 30, 2017 Share Posted September 30, 2017 I'm in for 2. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toddtmw Posted October 1, 2017 Share Posted October 1, 2017 I would like one please. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dl7ukk Posted October 2, 2017 Share Posted October 2, 2017 Hello tffh, please 5 pieces for me. Regards Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Level42 Posted October 2, 2017 Share Posted October 2, 2017 So, I assume that because of the thin PCB size it is still possible to insert the original keyboard mylar after using KEYCON for those systems that are still original ? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RodLightning Posted October 3, 2017 Share Posted October 3, 2017 Hi Jurgen, Please add me to the list for two (2) boards. Thank you! LOL, almost missed the deadline. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Markk Posted October 3, 2017 Share Posted October 3, 2017 Hallo Jürgen Ich würde 1 nehmen gruss Mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sikor Posted October 3, 2017 Share Posted October 3, 2017 Why separately XL and XE function keys? One set will be enought, I think... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+tf_hh Posted October 3, 2017 Author Share Posted October 3, 2017 Why separately XL and XE function keys? One set will be enought, I think... You´re right... when I draw the PCB I don´t mention that these momentary push buttons have two independend ways. Thanks for that idea, it will make the final version much smaller! Jurgen 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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