Rambo 800XL SM Version

[reifsnyderb]

1 minute ago, Overange said:

So challenge accepted  

 

Double Sided Surface Mount = 20.8mm x 18.76mm

 

If I had more time, I am seeing so much more to chip away at.

 

Shame these ICs do not have a J Leg option.

 

 

 

Now let's see you solder those chips on.  

 

[Overange]

1 minute ago, reifsnyderb said:

Now let's see you solder those chips on.  

 

Easy  

[TZJB]

If anyone wants to make one I am willing to test it. 😉

 

 

[Overange]

8 minutes ago, TZJB said:

If anyone wants to make one I am willing to test it. 😉

 

 

I am so tempted.... but so many other projects to complete first.....

Edited May 18, 2023 by Overange
Typo

[Overange]

53 minutes ago, _The Doctor__ said:

Figured someone would point out the rigidity thing as well, my 130XE's creak without them, and oddly while not a 600XL, I have an 800XL that gets bouncy if it is missing the shield or the foamy rubbery support block under the keyboard. It depends on the keyboard type is my assumption.

I think the Topic of 'RF sheilding - is it really needed?' should be raised as a new Topic Discussion, as there are so many directions this topic could go?

[_The Doctor__]

11 minutes ago, Overange said:

I think the Topic of 'RF sheilding - is it really needed?' should be raised as a new Topic Discussion, as there are so many directions this topic could go?

While I didn't raise the topic of shielding I did answer some of it. In the Atari lines, if the upgrade requires the structure or shielding be removed, it it intrinsically a part of the upgrade. It certainly is something that almost always is considered or discussed, and is not exactly off topic. In this case if the height or location doesn't require removal or modification then it could simply be said as such, but if it does, the end user would certainly want to know that in advance as well as what noted consequences are.

[TZJB]

On 5/18/2023 at 6:58 PM, Overange said:

I am so tempted.... but so many other projects to complete first.....

 

Of course, I was only half-serious. But the offer is there nonetheless. 😁

[Dopeyman06]

On 5/16/2023 at 9:54 AM, Overange said:

Can we make it smaller?

 

Sure can

 

I redesigned the 256k RAMBO XL to have a smaller foot print, however in this design its only compatible with the 800XL model.

 

Using Myteks latest Schematic, I did away with most of the parts and functions used for the 1200XL, used surface mount Components, repositioned the PIA address line connections to be closer to the PIA. Labelling/connection IDs has not changed from the original designs.

 

Its called the RAMBO 800XL SM

 

 

Connected it up using my IC Wings on the PIA chip.

 

 

All tested last night, worked first time ( Pheww!! ), verified operation with both Atari Memory tester and Extended ram tester, tried a few different games, all seem to be very stable with it.

Left it on for nearly 24 hours running Atari Blast in demo mode.

No issues to report.

 

Sent the first build to a fellow AA member for further testing 

 

 

So are the Gerber and BOM files available? Or if possible, I'd like to be in the "for testing" list 😁

[Dopeyman06]

(Duplicate Deleted)

 

Edited May 20, 2023 by Dopeyman06

[Donald Dennis]

Can anyone supply a connection diagram for the pin header of this version of the Rambo 256? Been studying the original ICD documentation but can't quite get it together in my mind what translates to what between the old and new. I just got one in the mail and have an 800XL prepped for it to go into. Thanks in advance.

[Overange]

18 minutes ago, Donald Dennis said:

Can anyone supply a connection diagram for the pin header of this version of the Rambo 256? Been studying the original ICD documentation but can't quite get it together in my mind what translates to what between the old and new. I just got one in the mail and have an 800XL prepped for it to go into. Thanks in advance.

Pin 2 goes to PIA PB2 pin 12
Pin 3 goes to PIA PB3 pin 13
Pin 4 goes to PIA PB4 pin 14
Pin 5 goes to PIA PB5 pin 15
Pin 6 goes to PIA PB6 pin 16

Pin C goes to ANTIC REF pin 8 ( soldered to the common pad which is the
upper right of ANTIC )

 

Pin D goes to the RA8 Line and is connected to the right
side of R32 which is at the top of the column of DRAMS.
Just solder the wire to the right side of this resistor.

 

 

Hope this helps?

 

Edited September 7, 2023 by Overange
typo

[Beeblebrox]

As Overange illustrates it's an easy one.

 

I've now installed this a good few times in stock 800XLs and it works perfectly.

 

NOTE: This will only install in a stock 800XL - it won't be compatible with an Atari 800XLF (the one with a freddie chip).

 

So here are some of the ref pics I use when installing (to compliment those Overange posted above):

 

 

 

 

 

 

The main thing is to make sure - if a socket is required for the 74LS158 chip - is that you use a decent socket as the Rambo XL board needs to be held securely in it. I use precision round turned sockets. Also make sure you are using the dupont connectors to connect to the Rambo's headers - don't solder directly to them. Finally, make sure the wiring to the PIA's legs is solid and use heat shink for each wire/leg as above.

 

Once running you can use this excellent utility to see if it's taken:

 

 

SimCheck-1.0.xex

Edited September 7, 2023 by Beeblebrox
typos

[TZJB]

3 hours ago, Beeblebrox said:

As Overange illustrates it's an easy one.

 

I've now installed this a good few times in stock 800XLs and it works perfectly.

 

NOTE: This will only install in a stock 800XL - it won't be compatible with an Atari 800XLF (the one with a freddie chip).

 

So here are some of the ref pics I use when installing (to compliment those Overange posted above):

 

 

 

 

 

 

The main thing is to make sure - if a socket is required for the 74LS158 chip - is that you use a decent socket as the Rambo XL board needs to be held securely in it. I use precision round turned sockets. Also make sure you are using the dupont connectors to connect to the Rambo's headers - don't solder directly to them. Finally, make sure the wiring to the PIA's legs is solid and use heat shink for each wire/leg as above.

 

Once running you can use this excellent utility to see if it's taken:

 

 

SimCheck-1.0.xex 5.07 kB · 0 downloads

 

For reference, the latest version of SimCheck and SimTest are here, with SimTest probably being more useful for testing the memory:-

 

 

XRAM version 0.22.0, also attached, has been fixed to test the 192 KB RamboXL memory expansion as well as most others.

 

SimCheck-1.6.xex SimTest08.xex XRAM0220.XEX XRAM0220.TXT

[Donald Dennis]

6 hours ago, Overange said:

Pin 2 goes to PIA PB2 pin 12
Pin 3 goes to PIA PB3 pin 13
Pin 4 goes to PIA PB4 pin 14
Pin 5 goes to PIA PB5 pin 15
Pin 6 goes to PIA PB6 pin 16

Pin C goes to ANTIC REF pin 8 ( soldered to the common pad which is the
upper right of ANTIC )

 

Pin D goes to the RA8 Line and is connected to the right
side of R32 which is at the top of the column of DRAMS.
Just solder the wire to the right side of this resistor.

 

 

Hope this helps?

 

Outstanding and EXACTLY what I need! I've installed a remake of the Newell Rambo module in one of my 1200XL's but wanted to try this one in a recently acquired 800XL. I have a 600, 800, and 1200XL that are outfitted with U!MB. Also have a duplicate set of machines that I wanted to set up as they would have been back in the day. Certainly appreciate the assistance.

[Overange]

1 minute ago, Donald Dennis said:

Outstanding and EXACTLY what I need! I've installed a remake of the Newell Rambo module in one of my 1200XL's but wanted to try this one in a recently acquired 800XL. I have a 600, 800, and 1200XL that are outfitted with U!MB. Also have a duplicate set of machines that I wanted to set up as they would have been back in the day. Certainly appreciate the assistance.

Not a problem, and glad to be of assistance and hope you enjoy this upgrade project

 

[Donald Dennis]

2 hours ago, Overange said:

Not a problem, and glad to be of assistance and hope you enjoy this upgrade project

 

Got it installed and functioning perfectly. My goal with this machine was to maintain as closely as I could how it would have been back in 1983 right down to retaining the RF shielding. Thought I did install a UAV to clean up the video. All in all it's worked out marvelously.

[+scorpio_ny]

On 5/18/2023 at 1:44 PM, Overange said:

So challenge accepted  

 

Double Sided Surface Mount = 20.8mm x 18.76mm

 

If I had more time, I am seeing so much more to chip away at.

 

Shame these ICs do not have a J Leg option.

 

 

 

Looks great! I would use 90 degree DuPont headers with it to make it even more low profile.

[Paul Westphal]

On 5/16/2023 at 9:54 AM, Overange said:

Can we make it smaller?

 

Sure can

 

I redesigned the 256k RAMBO XL to have a smaller foot print, however in this design its only compatible with the 800XL model.

 

Using Myteks latest Schematic, I did away with most of the parts and functions used for the 1200XL, used surface mount Components, repositioned the PIA address line connections to be closer to the PIA. Labelling/connection IDs has not changed from the original designs.

 

Its called the RAMBO 800XL SM

 

 

Connected it up using my IC Wings on the PIA chip.

 

 

All tested last night, worked first time ( Pheww!! ), verified operation with both Atari Memory tester and Extended ram tester, tried a few different games, all seem to be very stable with it.

Left it on for nearly 24 hours running Atari Blast in demo mode.

No issues to report.

 

Sent the first build to a fellow AA member for further testing 

 

 

Nice Work!

[Beeblebrox]

10 minutes ago, Paul Westphal said:

Nice Work!

The slimline boards are so much better. Main bonus is that the old boards, great though they are, are considerably bigger. Given they sit in a 16pin socket and have headers, a larger board means more pressure on the socket and more likelyhood of movement.

With the slim boards this is greatly reduced. 

 

I've shipped a few 800xl's with the old board and they nearly always move in transit. Whereas the slimline ones don't. 

 

So kudos to Overange for the slimline version.

Edited September 7, 2023 by Beeblebrox
Typos