Improving Timex/Sinclair Tape Loading

[diskman]

Any life in this project still? Was anyone able to build a working one? I just placed a Jameco order to build one. Will breadboard it first.

[1024MAK]

Yes, I believe at least three exist. Lardo has one, I have one, and TMAOne has one.

Mark

[Lardo Boffin]

And it does indeed work! Thanks to Mark and Sir Morris!

I have just plugged it all in and done a quick test.

I have loaded Orbit from tape with a volume setting of 3 out of 10 with the dubber. Ordinarily in order to get this tape to load I need a volume of around 7. Edit - turns out I can load this one at just over 5 without the dubber, but still an improvement!

As soon as the data part of the tape started the LED lit up. As soon as it ended it went out. If nothing else this will tell you a load has failed if the light goes out and nothing is happening on the screen.

[1024MAK]

It has just occurred to me that I have never got around to posting up photos of the one I built using the PCB that was kindly supplied by SirMorris

I’ll try to correct that omission this weekend. But no promises.

Mark

[Quantum]

Quick question on the ZX81 cassette signal cleaner. I am trying to find the PG203J cable jacks? I live in Canada and can get the pcb build thru Osh Park, and all the componets except for the jacks. Thanks in advance.

Cheers.

Richard.

[1024MAK]

Quick question on the ZX81 cassette signal cleaner. I am trying to find the PG203J cable jacks? I live in Canada and can get the pcb build thru Osh Park, and all the componets except for the jacks. Thanks in advance.

Cheers.

Richard.

This is a long topic, remind me where the PG203J jacks are referred to please.

Mark

[Moggy]

Don't know where or if they're mentioned on the forum but a quick google reveals them to be just a standard board mounted 3.5 mm stereo socket of the type found on the Spand and readily available from sellers various.

For example.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/sourcing-Socke ... 3322&psc=1

[Quantum]

Thanks for the reply. I looked at those ones, but the pins do not match the holes in the PCB. I got the part number off the board schematic, from the ZIP files. I looked at PJ-324 and it seems to have the correct pin placement on them, but can't get here in Canada, or the US. If I knew who's part number that is on the schematic then I could search them. Cheers.

Richard.

[Moggy]

These perhaps?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/304133447495 ... SwqK1hM1rv

[Quantum]

Yes these look correct as far as the pin placement, but not sure if dimensions are correct. I sent a messages to the designer asking him/her what and who the makes the PB203G jacks. Thanks.
Cheers.

Richard.