June 2025 - cctalk - classiccmp.org

Is there a more modern replacement for paper tape punch/reader

by ben

Now that I have my 18 bit retro computer working, I am thinking of adding classic IO, like paper tape. Sadly I am a few decades too late. Is there anything out there to replace a punch/reader used as 70's i/o? Any good mag tape (cassete tape) replacements? I would love a tiny 9 track mag tape toy sized if they made one, like the wall hanging PDP8's. On wish list, a flex writer or TTY video display replacement, ie overstrike and underline in 2/3 size VT100 case. Ben. https://www.instructables.com/23-Scale-VT100-Terminal-Reproduction/

3 hours, 14 minutes

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DEC VT11/VR17, BA350/BA356, "S" box boards

by Paul Anderson

Just a quick note/ update from my earlier post. If you're looking for an option, please send me the board #. Example:A DLV11 can be a M8017, M8027, M8028, or M8043 if my memory is working tonight. My boards are basically in numeric order, and it takes time to convert option # to part # and I don't want to ship anyone the wrong part. I have a few VT11's I will finally sell, along with a (believe it or not, long story...) VR17 which now has screen rot. A few dozen BA350 and BA356 boxes and selection of power supplies and drives. 50 or so "S" box handle boards including M3108, M3116, M3127 DESQA, M3134, M5976 KZQSA, M7493, M7740 KLESI, M8086 LPV11, M8020 DPV11, M7516 DELQA, M7504 DEQNA, M7504, M7554 CPU, Non DEC and more. Also found a pile of DECMUXII , DECMUX300, decservers and that type of stuff. And something everyone needs, SC08s!!! Please excuse any typos or messed up part #s. Thanks, Paul

5 hours, 56 minutes

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Q-bus, PDP8, VAX items

by Paul Anderson

As many of you know I have been trying to finish organizing my Unibus parts and finish building several systems for years. Other than time and my health I don't have enough space. I would like to sell, at reasonable prices, all of my q-bus parts which include 400 - 500 boards, about a dozen boxes, and a lot of spare parts. I have BA11-M, BA11-N, BA11-S and a few BA23 boxes left. If you have an original 11/03, I have a dozen or so H780 power supplies, which are very hard to find. They are also used in the Vax 11/780 front end, the RKV11-D and possibly a few other items. I can test them if I have time, but that might take awhile. I'm also taking offers on some of my 8-E and all of my 8-A items. I will entertain offers on the VT14 and all of the PDP 14 industrial controller parts. I have a few Vax 3000, 5000, and a few others along with parts including memory. Those of you who have been here know I have a ton of DEC and DEC-compatible parts, but no one has seen everything. I have brand new disk heads, tape drive heads, alignment packs, and literally tons more. I went through over 50 backplanes a few weeks ago looking for a few specific ones. Some Unibus items are also going. Probable some 11/05s, 11/34s, 11/83 and/or 84s and a lot of options and boards. So if you need or are thinking about DEC items, feel free to send me a wish list off list. I prefer phone calls and will send my number upon request. I was never great at typing and I'm getting worse. Oh- I also trade for US and foreign coins and currency. Thank, Paul

8 hours, 15 minutes

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VCF West 2026 - Speaker List

by Jeffrey Brace

Speaker List VCF West 2025: https://vcfed.org/events/vintage-computer-festival-west/ Show info: https://vcfed.org/events/vintage-computer-festival-west/ Ticket info: https://connect.computerhistory.org/events/1ffceb98-f556-df49-f011-42475680…

8 hours, 46 minutes

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Re: Q-bus, PDP8, VAX items

by Alan Frisbie

Paul Anderson <useddec(a)gmail.com> wrote: > If you have an original 11/03, I have a dozen or so H780 power supplies, > which are very hard to find. They are also used in the Vax 11/780 front > end, the RKV11-D and possibly a few other items. Wow, someone who actually knows about the RKV11-D!!! I've had DEC people visit my place, see the RKV11-D, and proclaim that "DEC never made that!". Since you know what it is, can you tell us anything about how it came to be, and why it is so little-known? I bought mine back in 1978 or so from Newman Computer Exchange for my 11/03. I later added the missing wires (and chip) to enable 18-bit addressing when I got an 11/73. I haven't used it since I moved to Oregon six years ago, but it would take just a few hours to remove the RK05 head locks and plug things in, assuming that all the capacitors are still good. It came in handy to prove to the RSX development group that RSX-11M version 2.0 would run on an 11/73. :-) Alan Frisbie

13 hours, 23 minutes

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VCF Montréal 2026 Speaker Registration

by Jeffrey Brace

VCF Montréal 2026 speaker registration is open now! https://forms.gle/iGqhMsfu94YcGoLp6 Show info is here: https://vcfed.org/vcf-montreal/ Les inscriptions pour les conférenciers du VCF Montréal 2026 sont ouvertes ! https://forms.gle/iGqhMsfu94YcGoLp6 Informations sur le salon : https://vcfed.org/vcf-montreal/ Jeff Brace

1 day, 11 hours

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Looking for IBM System/3 BASIC book

by Steve Lewis

Per the link below, it mentions a reference manual to IBM's BASIC for the System/3 as part number GC34-0001-1 but that no digital copies are known to exist. https://manx-docs.org/details.php/19,11119 I know at VCF East they've been trying to restore one of these. Not sure if any functional system still exists (especially probably not the Model 6 with CRT and disk drive). Anyway, if anyone happens to have the physical manual described above, I'm just curious if in the first few pages was it publication date? (before or after 1970?) Also - since IBM went out of their way to re-use the BASIC from the System/3, does that imply there was never a variation of BASIC written for the IBM 360/370? (asking because from my understanding, the System/3 was a lot more difficult to program and operate -- and yet someone wrote a BASIC interpreter for it). -Steve

2 days, 6 hours

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VCF West 2025 - Exhibit Lineup - Aug. 1 & 2, Mountain View, California

by Jeffrey Brace

Wow! VCF West 2025 Exhibit lineup: https://vcfed.org/events/vintage-computer-festival-west/vcf-west-exhibits/ Show info: https://vcfed.org/events/vintage-computer-festival-west/ Ticket info: https://connect.computerhistory.org/events/1ffceb98-f556-df49-f011-42475680…

2 days, 10 hours

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VCF Montréal 2026 Exhibit Registration

by Jeffrey Brace

VCF Montréal 2026 exhibit registration is open now! https://forms.gle/TKrCy7EyBHubRAdu7 Show info is here: https://vcfed.org/vcf-montreal/ Les inscriptions pour l'exposition VCF Montréal 2026 sont ouvertes ! https://forms.gle/TKrCy7EyBHubRAdu7 Informations sur l'exposition : https://vcfed.org/vcf-montreal/

3 days, 16 hours

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VCF West 2025 - Tickets - Aug. 1 & 2 at Computer History Museum - Mountain View, California

by Jeffrey Brace

Get your tickets to VCF West 2025 now! https://connect.computerhistory.org/events/1ffceb98-f556-df49-f011-42475680… VCF West takes place August 1 & 2 in Mountain View at the Computer History Museum. More info here: https://vcfed.org/events/vintage-computer-festival-west/

4 days, 11 hours

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