Tindie

Name: Minstrel ZX80 Clone with Keyboard
SKU: 11383
Price: 110.00 USD
Availability: InStock

Minstrel ZX80 Clone with Keyboard

A ZX80 clone with 16K RAM and a tactile switch keyboard

Designed by Tynemouth Software in United Kingdom

2018-02-18T12:19:03.226Z-Minstrel with keyboard at angle.jpg

2018-01-26T17:02:43.626Z-Minstrel Kit.jpg

2018-01-26T17:02:43.626Z-Keyboard kit.jpg

2019-09-27T23:23:07.758Z-Minstrel with 8K PCB overlay.jpg

2019-09-27T23:22:36.154Z-4K and 8K PCB overlays closeup.jpg

2018-02-18T12:19:03.226Z-Boards joined beneath.jpg

2018-02-18T12:19:03.226Z-Minstrel keyboard.jpg

2018-01-26T17:02:43.626Z-ZX80 4K BASIC.jpg

2018-02-18T12:19:03.226Z-Minstrel with keyboard front.jpg

2018-02-18T12:19:03.226Z-Minstrel with keyboard on baseplate.jpg

2019-09-27T23:23:07.758Z-Minstrel with 4K PCB overlay.jpg

2019-09-27T23:23:07.758Z-8K BASIC PCB overlay.jpg

$110.00

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Shipping to United States of America starts at $15.00

Ships from United Kingdom

Quantity*

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Build Level*

Power supply / cables

Baseplate kit

Optional baseplate kit with clear acrylic sheet, mounting pillars and feet

Overlay PCBs

Optional overlay PCBs with full BASIC keywords and graphics character.

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The store will be closed from 15th December until the 29th December. Order early for international shipping.

A ZX80 clone with 16K RAM and a tactile switch keyboard

What is it? This is a clone of the 1980s Sinclair ZX80 Computer, the predecessor of the ZX81 and ZX Spectrum computers. This is based upon my Minstrel ZX80 Clone boards, which use real hardware (no...

What is it?

This is a clone of the 1980s Sinclair ZX80 Computer, the predecessor of the ZX81 and ZX Spectrum computers. This is based upon my Minstrel ZX80 Clone boards, which use real hardware (not FGPA or emulation) faithful to the original design. The only change is the addition of an few extra logic gates to improve the video output for modern TVs and Monitors.

Connected to this is a second board contains a matrix keyboard PCB with 40 individual tactile switches.

This version comes with both the original 4K BASIC ROM or the upgraded 8K BASIC ROM (selectable via a jumper), and has 16K of RAM built in (no need for a RAM pack). Power is via a 9V DC adapter (available as an option). The TV output is via composite video (PAL or NTSC, selectable via a jumper). The power supply and cable option also includes a cable to connect a computer or cassette recorder to load or save programs.

Why did you make it?

To recreate a faithful ZX80 clone, but with the ability to view on a modern TV set.

What makes it special?

These are one off hand built units using my Minstrel ZX80 boards. These boards are also available as bare PCBs and kits - minstrel-zx80-clone

What versions are available

These are available as hand built units using my Minstrel ZX80 boards. Either as a kit or fully assembled. There are more options including bare PCBs and various kits here - minstrel-zx80-clone

- Kit

This includes a PCBs and parts.

- Assembled unit

As above, but assembled and tested, ready to plug in and go.

Overlay PCBs

There is an option to include one or two overlay PCBs. These sit on top of the main PCB, with the switch plungers passing through holes in the PCB. There are two versions, one with artwork representative of the ZX80 4K BASIC and the other with ZX80 8K / ZX81 BASIC. The overlay allows a larger area around the switch to fit in all of the various levels of keywords and graphics characters used in ZX80/ZX81 BASIC.

Baseplate

There is an optional clear acrylic baseplate with mounting pillars and feet, suitable to mount the keyboard the Minstrel ZX80 clone.

BASIC Versions

The original ZX80 came with a 4K BASIC ROM. When the ZX81 was launched, Sinclair offered an upgrade for the ZX80 with an 8K BASIC ROM. This version of BASIC is more powerful and is partly compatible with the ZX81. Both versions are included, selectable via a jumper.

Rates to United States of America

Shipping Rate	Ships From	First item	Additional items
Royal Mail: International Tracked and Signed Tracked and Signed (or Tracked only for Australia). Normally 3-5 working days delivery. Recommended for international orders.	GB	$15.00	$5.00