Improving Timex/Sinclair Tape Loading

Discussions about Sinclair ZX80 and ZX81 Hardware
diskman
Posts: 21
Joined: Tue Apr 02, 2019 9:23 pm

Re: Improving Timex/Sinclair Tape Loading

Post by 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.
User avatar
1024MAK
Posts: 5103
Joined: Mon Sep 26, 2011 10:56 am
Location: Looking forward to summer in Somerset, UK...

Re: Improving Timex/Sinclair Tape Loading

Post by 1024MAK »

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

Mark
ZX81 Variations
ZX81 Chip Pin-outs
ZX81 Video Transistor Buffer Amp

:!: Standby alert :!:
There are four lights!
Step up to red alert. Sir, are you absolutely sure? It does mean changing the bulb :!:
Looking forward to summer later in the year.
Lardo Boffin
Posts: 2160
Joined: Sat Nov 26, 2016 2:42 am

Re: Improving Timex/Sinclair Tape Loading

Post by 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.
ZX80
ZX81 iss 1 (bugged ROM, kludge fix, normal, rebuilt)
TS 1000 iss 3, ZXPand AY and +, ZX8-CCB, ZX-KDLX & ChromaSCART
Tatung 81 + Wespi
TS 1500 & 2000
Spectrum 16k (iss 1 s/n 862)
Spectrum 48ks plus a DIVMMC future and SPECTRA
User avatar
1024MAK
Posts: 5103
Joined: Mon Sep 26, 2011 10:56 am
Location: Looking forward to summer in Somerset, UK...

Re: Improving Timex/Sinclair Tape Loading

Post by 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 :oops:

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

Mark
ZX81 Variations
ZX81 Chip Pin-outs
ZX81 Video Transistor Buffer Amp

:!: Standby alert :!:
There are four lights!
Step up to red alert. Sir, are you absolutely sure? It does mean changing the bulb :!:
Looking forward to summer later in the year.
Quantum
Posts: 16
Joined: Sun Dec 12, 2021 10:26 pm

Re: Improving Timex/Sinclair Tape Loading

Post by 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.
ZX80 Clone
ZX81 Iss3, USA Int 16K, comp MOD, VR MOD,
ZX81 Iss1 UK comp MOD
ZX81 Iss1 UK comp MOD
TS 1000 Iss3 FR Comp MOD, VR MOD, vLA81 ULA, Z84C0008PEG CPU
TS 2068 Larken w-2 3.5 DD, RamDisk 256k, RGB & Accel brd, Areco, 24 pin prt.
TS 2068 NOS
User avatar
1024MAK
Posts: 5103
Joined: Mon Sep 26, 2011 10:56 am
Location: Looking forward to summer in Somerset, UK...

Re: Improving Timex/Sinclair Tape Loading

Post by 1024MAK »

Quantum wrote: Mon Jan 24, 2022 4:29 am 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
ZX81 Variations
ZX81 Chip Pin-outs
ZX81 Video Transistor Buffer Amp

:!: Standby alert :!:
There are four lights!
Step up to red alert. Sir, are you absolutely sure? It does mean changing the bulb :!:
Looking forward to summer later in the year.
Moggy
Posts: 3231
Joined: Wed Jun 18, 2008 2:00 pm

Re: Improving Timex/Sinclair Tape Loading

Post by 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
Posts: 16
Joined: Sun Dec 12, 2021 10:26 pm

Re: Improving Timex/Sinclair Tape Loading

Post by 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.
ZX80 Clone
ZX81 Iss3, USA Int 16K, comp MOD, VR MOD,
ZX81 Iss1 UK comp MOD
ZX81 Iss1 UK comp MOD
TS 1000 Iss3 FR Comp MOD, VR MOD, vLA81 ULA, Z84C0008PEG CPU
TS 2068 Larken w-2 3.5 DD, RamDisk 256k, RGB & Accel brd, Areco, 24 pin prt.
TS 2068 NOS
Moggy
Posts: 3231
Joined: Wed Jun 18, 2008 2:00 pm

Re: Improving Timex/Sinclair Tape Loading

Post by Moggy »

Quantum
Posts: 16
Joined: Sun Dec 12, 2021 10:26 pm

Re: Improving Timex/Sinclair Tape Loading

Post by 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.
ZX80 Clone
ZX81 Iss3, USA Int 16K, comp MOD, VR MOD,
ZX81 Iss1 UK comp MOD
ZX81 Iss1 UK comp MOD
TS 1000 Iss3 FR Comp MOD, VR MOD, vLA81 ULA, Z84C0008PEG CPU
TS 2068 Larken w-2 3.5 DD, RamDisk 256k, RGB & Accel brd, Areco, 24 pin prt.
TS 2068 NOS
Post Reply