On Mon, May 18, 2020 at 5:20 PM Electronics Plus via cctalk <cctalk@classiccmp.org> wrote: > Do you guys want original LK201s, or other keyboards that LOOK like LK201s > in the caps and layout, or converters? > I am a little confused... LK201 clones do not have the clip offset on the > terminal connector, so you would have to replace the connector. I have no > idea if the protocol, voltage, etc is the same.
LK201 keyboards and variants (LK401, clones, etc) have a narrow 4p4c "handset jack" connector, not offset like an MMJ serial connector. The power is +12V, the serial protocols are the same. I've used LK401s on VT220s and Rainbows, I've used LK401s and LK201s on a Planar terminal with an "LK201" input jack. That part is standard. Speaking for myself, I have a pile of devices (DECmates, Professionals, Rainbows, VT220, VT240...) that have a 4-place narrow handset jack for a keyboard, and most of them are expecting an LK201. I also have a large assortment of LK201s (with and without the WPS/EDT "Gold Key" keycaps) and 1-2 smaller but compatible keyboards. Every time I pull an LK201 off the shelf, I'm wondering if it's going to work. I have 2-3 dead ones for sure. I think at least one of them has a dead matrix because IIRC, it was causing "4 - keyboard error" until I dismantled it and unplugged the mylar keyboard matrix sheet. I suspect that the paint layer has either oxidized to high resistance/open circuit or there's a short somewhere. I haven't investigated that further. I am also aware of some electronics failures. I can obviously mix and match bits to have as many working keyboards as possible, but that is a finite decreasing number. What I would find handy in one regard is being able to use a PS/2 or USB modern keyboard on 1980s DEC equipment as if I was plugging in an LK201. I would also probably employ a device that I could plug a real DEC keyboard into but that talked PS/2 or USB to be able to use that with a modern machine. One application would be to use it with Simh or even just a dumb terminal emulator (Glass, etc) with a real terminal feel. I might employ a device that replaced the electronics in a dead LK201 but I wouldn't need that many of them. -ethan > -----Original Message----- > From: cctalk [mailto:cctalk-boun...@classiccmp.org] On Behalf Of Sophie > Haskins via cctalk > Sent: Monday, May 18, 2020 3:41 PM > To: Paul Koning; General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts > Subject: Re: LK201 emulation > > I would absolutely be interested in this - while I'd love to use original > hardware where possible, it's not always easy to get peripherals at the same > time as machines. A long term dream of mine is to build some sort of > general-purpose box that can make connections to arbitrary vintage computer > keyboard/mouse/video ports, and connect in to modern HDMI & USB peripherals > to make it easier to just pull a machine off the shelf and get going. > > > On May 17, 2020, at 5:13 PM, Paul Koning via cctalk > <cctalk@classiccmp.org> wrote: > > > > Gentlepeople, > > > > I've been having problems with broken LK201s, so as a workaround I created > an adapter that connects to a standard PC USB keyboard and makes it look > like an LK201. It's based on an Arduino (specifically, Adafruit Trinket M0, > an amazingly tiny yet powerful small microprocessor). > > > > It's working at this point, though it needs a few small software tweaks to > make it complete. I'm going to turn my breadboard into something slightly > more polished. > > > > Question to the list: is this something that would be of interest to > others? If yes, I can make the design available. Perhaps the PCB layout > and parts list. I don't think I want to get into building units for others, > though. > > > > paul > > > > > -- > This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. > https://www.avast.com/antivirus >
