🇦🇺 The TEC-1G: Part 3 (Build & Test) [TCE #0614]
22{Relevant links at the bottom}
The TEC-1 (Talking Electronics Computer) is an Aussie Z80 based single board computer (SBC) first released in 1983 by Colin Mitchell's "Talking Electronics" magazine:
https://www.talkingelectronics.com/
Unfortunately I couldn't afford the kit back in the 80s, but always wanted to get one. There's always a lot of appreciation when someone brings out their TEC-1B that they built with their dad 40 years ago ... and still in perfect working order.
I won't rehash the history - check here for more info ... and most importantly ... the correct attributions of who did what:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TEC-1
The TEC-1D boards were reproduced in 2018 and I managed to grab some. I did almost finish building it (surprise) but got distracted onto other things - one small difficulty for me was just trying to keep track off what add-ons I would need ... so many different boards were designed!
In 2023 @MarkovAllTrades brought the machine up-to-date for its 40th anniversary with the TEC-1G revision.
Mark popped in last week and he showed me his state-of-the-art TEC-1G. Very cool. He kindly sent me another board to build ... the Signature Edition version this time ... and I was determined to get it working ... I'm quite a bit more experienced now.
I will definitely re-visit the Beta board Mark originally sent me ... one major issue why it didn't work was my mixing 74HC with 74HCT/74LS logic ... duh.
I did get this one built & booting. But the keypad is unresponsive ... the 74C923 is suspect. I will investigate further - definitely going to look at making a proper keyboard for it.
Unicorn Electronics in the US is a reputable supplier (if you don't want to gamble on Aliexpress) and they do appear to have stock (but you'd need to check):
https://www.unicornelectronics.com/IC/Tele.html
You can find all the information on the TEC at Mark's Github:
https://github.com/MarkJelic/TEC-1G
Tindie store for simple everything-included options:
https://www.tindie.com/stores/tec1/
Also check out the Facebook group, if that's your thing:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/tec1z80
And, of course, Mark's YouTube channel:
/ @tec-1g
00:00 ... Intro
05:05 ... Building starts
11:00 ... Intermission
15:17 ... Building resumes
17:50 ... First power-on test
21:30 ... Running diagnostics - OK!
28:30 ... Channel thanks & outro
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Music by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio
https://karlcasey.bandcamp.com/
/ @whitebataudio