Jim Bailey

Hello Everyone, It seems TE Connectivity is going to be discontinuing the V23105A5003A201 relay's at some point in the near future, however they don't give the date (https://www.te.com/usa-en/product-8-1393792-8.html). I know other some people used alternatives which proved to be compatible. At the moment Mouser and probably other still have a good stock, but I figured it would be good to mention this in case anyone wanted to grab a couple of spares for their existing computer or even order some...

Hello Everyone, It seems TE Connectivity is going to be discontinuing the V23105A5003A201 relay's in some point in the near future, however they don't give the date (https://www.te.com/usa-en/product-8-1393792-8.html). I know other poeple used diffrent but compatable relays in thier builds with that worked well. At the moment Mouser and probably other still have a good stock, but I figured it would be good to mention this in case anyone wanted to grab a couple of spares for their existing computer...

I don't suspect he at this point, as he has not posted the Gerbers or KiCad files (anywhere that I have looked). Of course if someone just wants to build one he does sell the PCB's. I do hope he post the PCB files if he ever decides to stop selling the boards... This is too nice of a computer to allow it to slip in to history.

The left and right edges are only about 1/4" wide with what look to be registration or mounting holes on the top and bottom of each strip. So I suspect you are right about its being close to the panel size. Lucky it's really not hard to remove if someone wants to.

I don't suspect it is, as he has not posted the Gerbers or KiCad files anywhere. Of course if someone just wants to build one he does sell the PCB's (which does not meet your purpose.)

I would love it if you made boards for a PDP-8, impractical? Yes. However not everything is about what's practical, after all :-) In any event, thank you for designing and making this relay computer available, I don't think the 256 addressing is a limitation. It still provides a very good learning opportunity about coding in assembly or machine code. You provide all the tools needed to get started in the machine itself and its not too hard to understand the hardware... Plus its RELAYS what else does...

I would love it if you made boards for a PDP-8, impractical? Yes. However not everything is about what's practical, after all :-) In any event, thank you for designing and making this relay computer available, I don't think the 256 addressing is a limitation. It still provides a very good learning opportunity about coding in assembly or machine code. You provide all the tools needed to get started in the machine itself and its not too hard to understand the hardware... Plus its RELAYS what else does...

No its two separate computers that don't share anything. I normally make two of every kit I build. In the hope that if one of them should ever fail, I can use the working computer and an oscilloscope, logic probe or such to perform test and checks between them for a hint as to the nature of the failure. In this case I was thinking it would be fun to make a two player game or some program to run between them. I just haven't thought of a good candidate yet, that will fit within their memory limita...