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RC2014 Pro - Homebrew Z80 Computer Kit

(20 Reviews)

Z80 based modular homebrew CP/M computer kit.

Designed by RFC2795 Ltd, Ships from United Kingdom

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Z80 based modular homebrew CP/M computer kit.

RC2014 is a range of homebrew computer kits reminiscent of what was available in the late 70s / early 80s. They are not a clone of anything specific, but there are suggestions of the ZX81, UK101, ...

Why Choose RC2014 Pro

RC2014 Pro is the only RC2014 computer that includes all the components needed to run CP/M. With 64k RAM, Pageable ROM, Compact Flash Storage, Dual Serial and Multi-Speed Clock and 12 slot Backplane, it is the highest spec RC2014 currently available. If you are looking for a cheaper, simpler RC2014, take a look at the RC2014 Mini, RC2014 Classic or RC2014 Plus.

What is included

The RC2014 Pro Kit includes all PCBs, sockets & headers, ICs, pre-programmed ROM, pre-programmed compact flash card, passive components and USB power lead. Simple assembly guide is included, and more detailed info available on the RC2014 website. See Bill of Material link for exact list

It is assumed that you have your own soldering equipment (entry level soldering kit is sufficient), and have at least beginners experience.

You will need to supply your own USB power adapter (500ma or higher) and an FTDI cable connected to your PC/laptop

Optional Extras

If ordering a RC2014 Pro Kit, you may wish to add extra modules. The 3 most popular options will work out cheaper if ordering from this page, as well as saving you postage. (Of course, more modules are available. Please see my Other Products for the full list)

Digital I/O Module Let the RC2014 interact with the real workload through it's 8 switch inputs and 8 LED outputs. For further info see here

Pi Zero Serial Terminal Free your RC2014 from your PC by Connecting it to an HDMI monitor and USB keyboard. For further info see here Important - This product is designed to work with the original (V1.0 - V1.3) Raspberry Pi Zero. Due to changes with the UART on the new Pi Zero W (wireless) the software I currently supply will not work

Twin Port Joystick Module Add a couple of easy to use 9-pin joystick ports to enhance the gaming appeal of your RC2014. For further info click here

Rates to United States of America

Shipping Rate	First item	Additional items
Royal Mail: US Airmail	$10.00	$0.75
Royal Mail: Tracked Royal Mail Shipping	$18.50	$0.75

Review Breakdown

Average Ratings

Product: (4.00)

Documentation: (3.00)

Shipping: (4.00)

Communication: (4.00)

Russell | Feb. 17, 2019

Thoroughly recommended piece of kit.

I bought the more expensive pro version which initially seems a bit expensive, however I wanted that over the cheaper versions for the following reasons. 1) Many people seem to want the easier to build versions so there is less soldering, but I actually wanted a fairly serious soldering project so I could play with a new iron I had recently bought, so the more bits to solder on the more enjoyment for me. 2) I can see the appeal of having a cheaper version that can run BASIC, but I figured I wouldn't be satisfied unless I could run a full-on OS. Sure enough this project provides hours of fun because not only do I get the enjoyment of building it and seeing it work, it is also simple enough that you can understand what is happening in your computer. I can see and understand how the serial ports are working and the data is being addressed and moved about, which I find fascinating. Additionally being able to run CP/M means I can do a sort of archaeology involving learning and understanding this old OS, and also see the lineage that pokes through to modern systems. I can also play and enjoy old Infocom games, and I have the option of bolting more things on in the future. One slight problem is that there isn't complete hand-holding step-by-step build instructions, so you do need to think a bit about what you're doing, but a bit of problem solving just added to the enjoyment for me, others may get a bit frustrated. Thoroughly recommended piece of kit.

Rémy | Feb. 4, 2019

Congratulation, a real good and interesting product.

I found everything excellent in all aspects. Documentation is a bit messy, in pieces it is to be worked out like a puzzle ! It reveals to be adequate at the end.

David | Jan. 31, 2019

My review of RC2014

The kit arrived in short order and was packaged very well. I ordered the RC2014 Pro and added the I/O, twin joystick and Pi zero boards. The boards were nicely laid out and easy to solder. I am a PCB Designer and Electronics Engineer so I had very little assembling everything. I got things working first time although it was a struggle to find and collate the documentation on line. I would like to offer my thoughts regarding the kit.

As an exercise in soldering it was easy but tedious. I swapped all the IC sockets for machined pin ones. The pageable Rom board has provision for a zif socket but if fitted per the silkscreen, the handle will hit a couple of IC’s due to their height in their sockets. I ended up turning it 180 degrees so the handle is pointing out from the board. This of course works but you have to remember to put the rom chip in the same direction (which is 180 degrees on the zif socket). Also, the holes for this socket on the board could be bigger. I had some zif sockets that had much wider pins and would not fit. I ended up canaballizing a couple of other sockets to get it to fit. Having the handle stick out from the board is also not ideal as it is too easy to flip it and unseat the rom. I completed the extended slots by adding a 20 pin header to every slot. That way I can put things just where I need them. The cards with a single row connector should still be using a double row connector.
The reason is that mixing single and double row connectors results in uneven height and the holes by the chamfer on each board don’t line up. Also, the double row is much more stable and the boards don’t tend to lean over and touch each other. I added a 7805 with a heatsink but it would be nice to be able to switch between it and the USB. Replace all the jumpers with dip switches on the edge of the boards so I don’t have to keep removing them to reconfigure. I could see this project as a SBC that, instead of a backplane, was a single board that had individual sections that could be populated according to whatever you need. Some other boards that I think would be useful (and I see they were available at some tme) would be an IDE interface, 4X20 LCD or small graphic display, I2C expander, sound card.
Anyway, good job Spencer.

Charles | Jan. 27, 2019

A great taste of 70's computing, needs better documentation

I've been in to "retro home computers" for a long time... Lots of experience soldering, trouble-shooting, designing & making my own boards and custom cases, but next to no experience with CP/M.
To my pleasant surprise my daughter has developed an interest in the nuts & bolts of computers, but being 14 has little nostalgia for the 70's and 80's. As as result I thought I'd design a CP/M capable computer for the two of us to build that would be her's to tinker with, based on Grant Searle's design...
...given my total newness to CP/M, and having come across the excellent RC2014 Pro I decided a ready-made kit would be better for the both of us and so bought one. The backplane design isn't just delightfully old school while giving easy expansion potential but allowed my daughter to tackle the project in manageable chunks.

After about a week of on and off effort my daughter has become pretty decent at soldering and has a fully working machine - she's delighted, and I'm pretty darn pleased with her and the results too. She's looking forward to getting to know it and it's operation better, and is already eyeing up further options - I think Colecovision compatibility is on the cards.

So the RC2014 is an excellent little machine with a lot of potential and on that basis I'm very pleased with it. But at this point I would recommend those new to building electronics to avoid it, and even those with a bit of experience to be very careful indeed when putting this kit together.
Why? Well I consider myself to be pretty experienced when it comes to such things but even so the documentation really isn't up to the job for construction, and largely absent when it comes to leading the new user through their first steps.

As we came to the end of the build I found myself on a good few occasions having to desolder and move components about when it became apparent my initial guesses were not always right - the kit comes with no documentation, and while there is a good deal of info on the website it's often hard to track down specifics, the schematics and boards aren't all fully labeled, and there is no build guide.
I'm also somewhat glad I just spent a very frustrating weekend getting to know the absolute basics of CP/M for the first time as I suspect my daughter would have rapidly lost interest if that frustration had been hers. Some first steps advice, especially with regard to the basics of file transfer, would have saved hours of frustrated googling on my part.

If I may be so bold to make some suggestions.
Build:
-An included build manual would be wonderful but a proper on-line one would do just fine and is certainly needed
-Labeled components would, again, be wonderful but a board-by-board BOM list would be fine if included with the above guide
-No urgency, but the next run of boards could do with including component values in all areas to help reduce confusion

Post Build:
While I was fortunate enough to spot and rectify all my mistakes and finished up with a working machine...
-An initial set up, power on, and basic trouble-shooting guide would be very helpful

First Steps:
It would be REALLY helpful if there was also a simple first steps guide...
-Want to run BASIC / CP/M? Here's how you set up the computer for that, here's a link to the documentation for this version of BASIC or CP/M, and most important of all here's a quick run-down (with examples) of some commands and software you will need to start using the machine - saving / loading / file transfer basics comes instantly to mind
-A list of links to appropriate software would also be very helpful - google is fine but if you've never seen a tree before it's hard to tell one from another and the difference is often important.

I hope that helps a bit.

Richard | Jan. 14, 2019

Excellent product but documentation needs improvement

Overall, this is a fun kit but it is definitely for the intermediate to advanced kit builder; mostly for the impressive number of solder points but also for the basic documentation. I wouldn't advise this kit if you can't follow a schematic, for example giving this as a gift to a young relative who only knows the basics of soldering will have a hard time.

There isn't a full-color binder included, documentation is on the developer's website and various places on the web. If building the kit for CP/M it is important to read this document first: https://rc2014.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/RC2014-Pro-Jumper-Settings-CPM.pdf It will explain which cards are to receive double header pins.

Communication is A+. Spencer is awesome and responds very quickly to questions and offers great advice. The kit itself (once it was working) is a joy use. My advice is to please spend a few hours to update and clean up the docs.

Nino | Dec. 25, 2018

Very friendly gentleman, terrible kit.

To be upfront: it all, finally, went up in smoke and down the trash bin, after wasting me many hours. And while I would consider myself an "advanced amateur", not a professional at all, I cannot, in good faith, recommend this kit to others.

Let us start with the documentation: essentially, that is consists of various scraps of information all over this website and the author's, which in some way correlate, in some way contradict, and mostly require you to squint your eyes and try to figure out from the photos of the various components, HOW, just HOW are you supposed to place said various components. (Want a live example? Look at the parts and try to figure out which of them have double pins and which of them have single pins.) The documentation is, essentially, as bad as possible.

Now the kit: now, you might assume, if the documentation is so bad, perhaps the parts are quite obvious to put together. Well: that is NOT the case. There are pin holes where NO components should be soldered, although this is drawn on the PCB. The pins of the components don't quite fit the holes in the motherboard, and you have to be careful where you place the "starting pin". (That defies the VERY POINT of a motherboard! And of the drawing on PCBs! WHY would you draw double pins if single pins are required?)

Furthermore, it contains apparently no such thing as fail-safe mechanisms, if anything "happens" anywhere — which is super likely due to the one million solder points and the terrible documentation and the unclear kit markings. Anything goes wrong — your kit burns, as did mine (burns = the chips start to smoke and make a glistering sound).

And to be frank: you cannot say "there is no handholding" or "this requires experience", just as you cannot sell a heap of scrap.metal and say, "a little refreshment and this is a car". This is supposed to be a KIT, and it is not cheap!

As to the gentleman himself: a brilliant mind, extremely caring and fast in his replies, an absolute pleasure to deal with. — But you understand, legally, this should be a "point-in-time" contract, such is the nature of buying and selling; one should NOT NEED to contact him. His service to his buyers is GREAT. His product is NOT.

I shall buy another kit some day, I like your IDEA. I am only hoping this will motivate you to a better EXECUTION. Do not take this review unkindly, it is not meant so.

Meanwhile, I got that kit that sounds like a Greek letter (the author surely gets the hint), and — guess what — it works flawlessly.

Yours,

Nino

Paul | Dec. 23, 2018

Full Pro Kit and Pi Zero

Everything supplied arrived quickly and well packaged, circuit boards are good quality. - lots of fun to build - had 1 issue (my own fault - put the 74HCT04 in upside down on the ROM card). Boots OK to CPM from the Compact Flash card - Now for more fun - running some programs and learning more about the Z80.

Jeffrey | Sept. 9, 2018

Complete kit!

I just received my RC2014 Pro computer kit. It was well packaged in a box about the size of a book. Everything inside is organized and well protected. It is not just a box of parts. The kit is totally complete. I was surprised that there is even a compact flash memory card included. That is quite an expense part. The kit would have still been a good value without the memory chip. Now it is on to construction.

Mike | Aug. 18, 2018

An amazing little machine (though don't expect handholding)

Ordering and delivery was a dream - despatch was almost instantaneous, and arrived safely in Austria a few days later. I'd say this kit is not for the novice. You need to figure out quite a few component placements and values for yourself with the aid of the mostly comprehensive documentation on the RC2014 website, and definitely aren't walked through construction step by step. Figuring things out is part of the fun anyway, right?

That said, construction is not difficult due to the modular nature of the computer. Some boards are trickier than others and the backplane is an excellent exercise in soldering practice as it involves about 600 joints, but once it's done you have a beautiful little machine that drips with potential for fun Z80-mungous fun. I mean, it runs CP/M and you can play Zork on it. How cool is that?

It would be nice to have a proper addressable video card in order to play with graphics, but other than that pretty much everything you need is right here.

Andrew | July 9, 2018

Excellent - highly recommended

Excellent quality product, arrived very quickly and well packaged.
I would say my soldering skills were beginner level only but the assembly was pretty straight forward - and a great way to improve my skills.
My only criticism would be that I found some of the documentation a little confusing and incomplete in places - but in hindsight, part of the fun was probably figuring it out!
After assembly I got it running pretty quickly - a couple of soldering errors to correct and jumpers to configure correctly, no real dramas.
In the meantime I've been tinkering with CP/M, BBC Basic and some Z80 assembly, all good stuff...takes me back...

Milan | July 6, 2018

100% OK

Very nice kit! Quick delivery.
Not only nostalgic 8bit computer. I think it is de-facto standard and hobby platform already. :-)

Vitaliy | June 5, 2018

Very good extensible home computer circuit.

I bought the RС2014 Pro, which was assembled by me in three days. I used Aiyma T12 Digital Soldering Iron Station + T12-K Tip, wired solder 0.7 mm with 63% tin and 37% lead and 223 flux. There were wery happy days. But start was wery poorly, in all configurations! I check my work many times. In the end, I had to replace the 47 uF capacitor in the reset circuit in the dual clock board by 1 uF and the computer begin work perfectly. Perfectly works both in the basic configuration (SBC CP/M) and with the romWBW card. I am very glad! Thanks to the creators and everyone who helps the beginners in the assembly and configuration!
For those who want to remember the past and learn something new!

Randal | March 28, 2018

This is the Kit to Get!

The RC2014 Pro Kit is a wonderful starting point for anyone interested in Retro Computing. This kit provides a great starting point for newcomers and is a welcome addition to any veteran’s collection.

The design and layout of the RC2104 has been well conceived and expertly executed. All the printed circuit boards are cleanly arranged and well fabricated. Anyone with basic soldering skills will be able to complete the assembly of the kit with ease. Each module is packaged and prepared with the precise components needed to construct them. The silkscreen on the board provides the correct orientation for each part, as well as specifying which part to install. The distinctive white logo and text on the blue boards is consistent throughout and looks professional and artisanal.

The Pro Kit contains the Backplane Pro as well as six modules, each having a clear function needed to bring the computer to life. Three optional modules are also available when ordering the Pro Kit which add some fun expandability. The additional optional modules I ordered were similarly well done and are available elsewhere on Tindie.

Since building my RC2014 kit I have found the support of the creator as well as the community to be outstanding. The RC2014 has provided a wonderful banner for Retro Computing enthusiasts to rally around. The standardization of the backplane and modules along with a forward-thinking design have encouraged others to create modules compatible with the RC2014.

This is not a kit that is built in a day and then hidden away on a shelf, forgotten. With new modules being released, you will return to the RC2014 again and again, tinkering, customizing, and, of course, playing and having fun!

Thierry | Jan. 24, 2018

Super Cool Education Tool

- Reasonably easy to assemble and to Test with quality PCBs. A good intro to soldering. Pieces easy to source
- Cool separation of the functions i.e. simple to understand: cpu, memory, I/Os, logic chips.
- Documentation is not super deep which is a plus. It forces you to understand schematics.
- A platform for loads of do it yourself projects and easy to extend
A very very nice kit for hacker kids and a jump in the past for their parents (CP/M, Turbo Pascal, Assembler).
A few pointers to development tools would be nice to apprehend the base coming in github. One or 2 test points would improve the teaching but this is
a perfect subject for a custom extension with funky LEDs.
Would be cool to have the design files open sourced 😉 at least some of the to boost the ecosystem.

Daniel | Jan. 19, 2018

Good quality of pcb and parts

I was so happy when i got it as Christmas present , i have learn a lot , the computer work perfect after debugging about 2 days i recommend to improve the documentation witch exist online but is confusing and describe all the versions in one article and mix all together and the reader have to figure witch is apply for his item. Will be great to include a serial cable to connect with computer. i didn't finish yet the keyboard since i have limited time for my hobby. All in one is a great idea and i recommend to everyone witch want to better understand how computers work and how different parts is connected and work .

Peter | Jan. 18, 2018

Great Fun! Excellent Quality

The soldering of this project was quite easy even for these old eyes. All through hole components. They mounted the only surface mounted component. I love the fact that it is so easy to build up a quick project that could be mounted to the back plane with simple pin headers. Powering it is as easy as plugging it into a USB port or if you prefer put a commonly available 5v regulator.

The developer Spencer is a treat to talk with on the RC2014-Z80 google group community and on Twitter.

If you are a electronics tinkerer make sure to get the 12 port bus as you will have plenty of room to make and add your own boards.

Per | Dec. 20, 2017

Very nice Z80 kit

Very nice kit. No problems assembling it and works reliably. Quick delivery and good packaging. Active community.

David | Dec. 20, 2017

Can't wait to get started with RC2014!

I ordered everything (Pro kit) and just about everything else. Looking forward to being a contributing member of the RC2014 community. Thank you very much, Spencer!

David | Dec. 18, 2017

The best z80 kit out there!

What a cool kit. There are tons of options for add in cards, software, and 3rd party support. The community is great as well. If you're looking to get a z80 kit, this is one of the best out there. The fact that the bus is provided via headers makes it extremely easy to probe around and debug or just examine how the computer works.

The only complaint I have is that the pro kit doesn't appear to have up to date documentation. The website is still mostly focused on previous generations and the pro kit itself doesn't come with any documentation (or at least mine didn't). When I had an issue after assembly, it made debugging very cumbersome as I didn't understand how some of the modules worked. I assume this is simply because the pro kit is so new and will be fixed in time.

Wayne | Oct. 31, 2017

Awesome Z80 CPU kit. Nice modular design. Easy to build.

I have significant experience building homebrew Z80 computers. The RC2014 kits are very nice and modular. They go together easily and are well documented. Operation is completely reliable. Kit was shipped very quickly and was well packaged. RC2014 community is vibrant and helpful. This has been a great experience!

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