RC2014 Pro - outstanding kit from a wonderful seller
For RC2014 Pro - Homebrew Z80 Computer Kit
I was looking for a 'retro-kit' that would allow me to delve in to computer architecture basics. The RC2014 fit that requirement and more. It is a fantastic machine that invites me to explore many different aspects of computer architecture, computer history, and electronics in general.
Just the layout is fantastic - the RC2014 is designed to have all major components of a computer - CPU, RAM, ROM, clock, I/O (and, for CP/M, also storage) in a modular fashion. Especially since in this kit you can have low clock speeds, this really invites to discover foundations of how a CPU works, e.g. by applying a cheap logic analyzer.
You have several tools to your disposal to interact with the system from ROM. Of course there is BASIC, but also a computer monitor (essential for delving into machine code) but there's also CP/M. This allows you to experience a bunch of 70s and early 80s software. One of my interests is history of programming languages. I have recently made my very first FORTRAN program on the RC2014, a full 63 years after it was invented. And next up is a walk down memory lane with Pascal, which was my 2nd computer language, and the first I learned in school, now 32 years ago. I also want to do machine coding/assembler, something I've done on my Commodore 64 for the 6502, but never so far for Z80. I recommend having a look at Oscar Vermeulen's Demodisk for software that you can use with the RC2014 CP/M (https://obsolescence.wixsite.com/obsolescence/multicomp-fpga-cpm-demo-disk).
This was not an easy build for me, I must admit. I consider myself a little beyond novice, but I'm certainly not highly skilled in soldering or electronics. The build instructions in itself are clear. There's loads of soldering involved though, and you really should be careful not to rush. The documentation is certainly more than adequate, but that doesn't mean that every single thing that you can do wrong is pointed out in detail. I had a few issues getting the machine going at first, which I now attribute to some ICs probably not being seated well. Seating especially the large ones (SIO and CPU) does require a bit of care, I've bent a few pins of my SIO chip, but fortunately I could get it out right, straighten the legs, and seat it right in the end.
Then, there's a bit of fiddling around with different jumpers to get the ROM options right, which also need to correctly align with the RAM jumpers. Factor in various clock settings, and you get a nice number of variables that you can mess up. Of course, as you discover how to do this right, you also get the understanding of the architecture of the thing at it's most basic level, which was in fact one of my goals for getting one.
In the end there's very little you can destroy... well, kind of. I had a major screw-up, when I wanted to power up the RC2014. I was working with my laptop as terminal device. That laptop happens to have a similar power jack.... but is not 5V of course, but 19V. I accidentally took that jack, stuck it in my RC2014 - the moment it happened I realized what I did but of course, 1 second is already too much. Fortunately Spencer was very helpful in helping out - in the end it took a considerable chip-transplant (and CF card too) to get my machine working again, but it worked out fortunately. Applying the wrong voltage is probably one of very few ways in which you can harm your machine, btw.
Finally, I want to highlight that Spencer Owen has been wonderful in his responses to my questions early on when I was investigating the RC2014 - as well as helping me out reviving my fried RC2014 by supplying spare parts and providing pointers where to troubleshoot. This kind of open and helpful atmosphere is something I have experienced many times from people that have an interest in the RC2014 - there's really a very nice RC2014 community out there. I really like these communities - similar to e.g. Raspberry Pi, although that one's bigger of course - where you can get (or provide) input and support, from novice to expert.
In all, if you have an interest in retrocomputing, or maybe more generally in computer architecture, then the RC2014 Pro is a fantastic kit to consider. In retrospect, given my limited experience, I perhaps *should* have started with a somewhat smaller build, but I did persevere, and with some help of Spencer and RC2014 community (Google Groups, Facebook etc) managed to get it going fairly easily, while learning tons of stuff along the way. There's tons more of things still to discover so I'm expecting I'm going to use (and expand) my RC2014 Pro for some years to come.
