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geekhack Community => geekhack Media => Topic started by: Ellipse on Sun, 28 December 2014, 14:39:38

Title: Converted RJ-45 Terminal IBM Model M SSK (Space Saving Keyboard), part 1392980
Post by: Ellipse on Sun, 28 December 2014, 14:39:38
With a controller swap (swapping for an IBM SSK-specific regular controller) I converted this RJ-45 terminal SSK to a working regular one, with the SDL receptacle and working SSK Num Lock functionality on the lettered keys. 

I have some closeups of the key cap legends showing that they were different for this system. 

This one was brand new with no packaging, still with the plastic covering the curly RJ-45 cable (photos are post-controller replacement).

Title: Re: RJ-45 Terminal IBM Model M SSK (Space Saving Keyboard), part 1392980
Post by: Ellipse on Sun, 28 December 2014, 14:40:41
Last batch of photos - showing the back and insides of the keyboard - this one has the drainage channels and is from 1993.
Title: Re: Converted RJ-45 Terminal IBM Model M SSK (Space Saving Keyboard), part 1392980
Post by: rowdy on Sun, 28 December 2014, 18:30:02
Ahh such SSK, back from a time when Return was Return and you could Send a page of data at once.

sigh
Title: Re: Converted RJ-45 Terminal IBM Model M SSK (Space Saving Keyboard), part 1392980
Post by: Puddsy on Mon, 29 December 2014, 14:52:13
Do you have pics of how you converted it? I've got an RJ45 M that needs converting.
Title: Re: Converted RJ-45 Terminal IBM Model M SSK (Space Saving Keyboard), part 1392980
Post by: Ellipse on Mon, 29 December 2014, 16:27:39
Sorry no photos - what I did was open up the case, pull out the ribbon cable from the old controller, disconnect the attached RJ45 wire, remove the old wire and controller, and then connect the SSK-specific controller - it dropped right in and worked right away after that!  Much easier than converting the 11 F107s I put up for sale, which involved soldering. 

With 101-key M's you may need to confirm a controller will work if you're doing a controller replacement, as some have the LED board connected by a separate ribbon cable or other cable, while other controllers have just one longer ribbon cable that also incorporates the LEDs.
Title: Re: Converted RJ-45 Terminal IBM Model M SSK (Space Saving Keyboard), part 1392980
Post by: hwood34 on Mon, 29 December 2014, 18:00:50
Do you have pics of how you converted it? I've got an RJ45 M that needs converting.
There was also someone selling pre-made converter boxes for like $40
Title: Re: Converted RJ-45 Terminal IBM Model M SSK (Space Saving Keyboard), part 1392980
Post by: Evo_Spec on Mon, 29 December 2014, 20:44:00
the drainage channels look neat!