Introducing: New Dragon lab-cartridge (version 1.0)
Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2014 9:49 pm
Introducing: New Dragon lab-cartridge (version 1.0)
Today I want to show you something new: The first (as far as I know, at least ) universal laboratory cartridge for Dragon/CoCo computers.
Probably most of us know the problem. You want to build some electronic device for the Dragon, because the cartridge port is easy to use, but how do you hook it up? The edge connector is not exactly user friendly or easy to access.
Before building the device, you have to solve some mechanical problems. How do you reliably connect the busses? Bothering with badly attached wires and cables? Even breadboards tend to become a bit unstable if the number of wires increases.
I believe, it's easier to solder the components right on a board or at least part of those. If more space is required one still can put some extra components on a separate board or simply solder a connector onto the lab-cart and plug in one or two extra boards. I tried to come up with a somewhat flexible design: There are arrays of connected pads and special places for switches, display, jumpers, resistors or capacitors. Furthermore pads which directly lead to the edge connector. All the connections are printed on both sides of the PCB to make them easy to see. DIL-Sockets for ICs can be of the slim type or of the wide one, up to DIL-40. Again, I made ten boards.
I hope, you like it!
Best regards,
Rolo
Today I want to show you something new: The first (as far as I know, at least ) universal laboratory cartridge for Dragon/CoCo computers.
Probably most of us know the problem. You want to build some electronic device for the Dragon, because the cartridge port is easy to use, but how do you hook it up? The edge connector is not exactly user friendly or easy to access.
Before building the device, you have to solve some mechanical problems. How do you reliably connect the busses? Bothering with badly attached wires and cables? Even breadboards tend to become a bit unstable if the number of wires increases.
I believe, it's easier to solder the components right on a board or at least part of those. If more space is required one still can put some extra components on a separate board or simply solder a connector onto the lab-cart and plug in one or two extra boards. I tried to come up with a somewhat flexible design: There are arrays of connected pads and special places for switches, display, jumpers, resistors or capacitors. Furthermore pads which directly lead to the edge connector. All the connections are printed on both sides of the PCB to make them easy to see. DIL-Sockets for ICs can be of the slim type or of the wide one, up to DIL-40. Again, I made ten boards.
I hope, you like it!
Best regards,
Rolo