Edge connectors / protoboards wanted. (UK.)

[stevie232323]

Hi guys. I've just joined the forum and have put a message up in the newbie section.
I have a LO-Profile keyboard ZX spectrum (48k) and want to do some hardware tinkering with serial ports and PIO chips.
Does anyone know where I can buy edge conns or even edge conn/protoboard crossovers in the UK?
Thanks,
Steve.S

[mrtinb]

PokeMon on this forum sells both the connector, and a protoboard:

http://www.sellmyretro.com/offer/details/3823

http://www.sellmyretro.com/offer/details/2738

[stevie232323]

Thanks mrtinb but these are for the ZX81. I have a Spectrum.

[mrtinb]

You are writing in the ZX80/81 forum.

The Spectrum forums are a the bottom of the page.

[stevie232323]

oh yeah! duh! thanks.

[1024MAK]

As specific edge-connectors for both the ZX80, ZX81 and ZX Spectrum are no longer made, they have to be cut down from longer generic edge-connectors. Either by a helpful supplier or by you. A key way also has to be fitted. These were once available. But are hard to get nowadays. A number of different solutions have been found for this, they include: a cut down section of plastic (often from a broken cassette case) glued into place, bending and soldering the contacts, drilling the plastic top and bottom, then using a soldering iron to push a nail through (then cutting the nail flush to the top and bottom plastic), inserting a spring washer into glue. There may be other methods...

The longer edge-connectons are sometimes sold as ISA slot connectors. The type required have a pitch of 0.1inch / 2.54mm.

The divide web store sells both unmodified edge-connectors and ready to use edge-connectors, they also sell extension PCBs of various types. http://www.divide.cz/index.php?x=eshopn&lang=en

Ben at Byte-Delight uses edge-connectors for his products. So if you ask he may be able to supply some. http://www.bytedelight.com/?post_type=product

I have used both of these sellers, and both are reliable (although items from http://www.divide.cz take a little while to arrive).

Maplin used to sell a suitable "ISA" length edge-connector, but it was marked as while stocks last, so they are likely to have sold out now. Some of the bigger electronic suppliers are likely to sell them (RS, Farnell). Or try eBay.

Mark

[1024MAK]

I'm not sure if any ZX Spectrum protoboards are available in the UK. But Shaos in the USA sells breadboard versions - see https://www.tindie.com/products/TRC/zx- ... readboard/

I have bought one from him. They are very useful
Of course, coming from the USA, they are a bit pricey now that our exchange rate has changed (after the referendum the value of the GBP fell).

Mark

[povvercrazy]

Again late to the party but thanks for the info Mark, been struggling to find an equivalent edge connector want to make a kempston 9pin and a pc15 pin joystick interface / 'ear' LM386 amp interface combo for my speccy. (i was here looking for an '81 ULA)

[Paul]

I managed to track down the maker of these connectors. He if from Taiwan and sells via eBay.
They are very good quality.
Several sizes are available. Also they sell different numbers of pieces.
Postage to Germany was about two weeks.
Zx81:
http://m.ebay.de/itm/50pc-Industrial-Ca ... 7587057003

ZXSpectrum:
http://m.ebay.de/itm/5pc-Industrial-Car ... Ciid%253A2

[mrtinb]

Again late to the party but thanks for the info Mark, been struggling to find an equivalent edge connector want to make a kempston 9pin and a pc15 pin joystick interface / 'ear' LM386 amp interface combo for my speccy. (i was here looking for an '81 ULA)

If you want small quantities it's cheaper to buy from PokeMon on his site on SellMyRetro