Pretty cool stuff! Did the Cherry come with a case and are you able to test it?There was no case, and the cherry board is supposedly for an 8 bit machine or something. I would need to teensy mod it to use it.
Show Image(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-WkBAeQFONHw/UdZWHrc-IQI/AAAAAAAAATo/mMJ6ZO6sLyo/w1390-h782-no/20130705_001311.jpg)
The DECwriter served as both printer and console. Yes, as in the terminal. Here's a video of one in action. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T3TifjAX51I) The operator would enter commands (with feedback from the printer, but you still wanted to be VERY careful) and the computer would write to the printer for output. What's got me scratching my head though is that the LA36 did not come in bidirectional from what I've found (HDX/FDX means it's bidi.) The change from toggle switches to pushbutton mid-flight would not surprise me at all. Especially since the LA34 (just a printer, not a console) used a keyboard-style push button set identical to these.umm, isn't this how all teletypes worked? hence, the modern tty socket?
Okay, so I mentioned DECwriter and I have a bit so let's elaborate so you all can bask in the awesomeness of CommunistWitchDr's find.Huh, certainly is interesting, explains the lack of a case. Thanks for the info.
This is a DECwriter.Show Image(http://www.vintagecomputer.net/digital/PDP11-40/thm_DEC_Decwriter-II_LA36_front.JPG)Show Image(http://archive.computerhistory.org/resources/still-image/DEC/DEC_Accessories/dec_accessories.dec_digital_decwriter3.102627796.lg.jpg)
Specifically this keyboard is from a DECwriter - I'm pretty sure it's an LA36. You may have also noticed that the keyboard appears to be missing the number pad - it's not. That's a separate part assembly. The Berg connector at top is semi-proprietary Digital, which is why it's stamped uniquely - it connected to the control board via rainbow cable or ribbon cable.
Those cluster of keys on the left are the printer controls, with some also on the right. (Specifically Line Feed and Repeat.) Line Loc is used to indicate current line location. FDX/HDX is to switch between Full Duplex and Half Duplex modes. 110 and 300 are the baud rates. Alt Char Set and Char Set Lock set the printing character set. Auto LF is Automatic Line Feed. Here Is, I honestly don't remember how to use. Yes, I've actually had to work on a DECwriter III - it was hooked up to a VAX.
Here's some pictures to give you an idea of the internals. (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Digital-Decwriter-II-LA36-Line-Terminal-Printer-Rare-Vintage-Hardware-DEC-/171032384615?pt=US_Vintage_Computing_Parts_Accessories&hash=item27d2531467)
The DECwriter served as both printer and console. Yes, as in the terminal. Here's a video of one in action. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T3TifjAX51I) The operator would enter commands (with feedback from the printer, but you still wanted to be VERY careful) and the computer would write to the printer for output. What's got me scratching my head though is that the LA36 did not come in bidirectional from what I've found (HDX/FDX means it's bidi.) The change from toggle switches to pushbutton mid-flight would not surprise me at all. Especially since the LA34 (just a printer, not a console) used a keyboard-style push button set identical to these.
The DECwriter served as both printer and console. Yes, as in the terminal. Here's a video of one in action. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T3TifjAX51I) The operator would enter commands (with feedback from the printer, but you still wanted to be VERY careful) and the computer would write to the printer for output. What's got me scratching my head though is that the LA36 did not come in bidirectional from what I've found (HDX/FDX means it's bidi.) The change from toggle switches to pushbutton mid-flight would not surprise me at all. Especially since the LA34 (just a printer, not a console) used a keyboard-style push button set identical to these.umm, isn't this how all teletypes worked? hence, the modern tty socket?
(http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kIC0MVWwko4/UNrYOG9fZUI/AAAAAAAAAMc/dDRZc_J0we4/s640/Jackie+Chan+Dance+GIFs.gif)The DECwriter served as both printer and console. Yes, as in the terminal. Here's a video of one in action. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T3TifjAX51I) The operator would enter commands (with feedback from the printer, but you still wanted to be VERY careful) and the computer would write to the printer for output. What's got me scratching my head though is that the LA36 did not come in bidirectional from what I've found (HDX/FDX means it's bidi.) The change from toggle switches to pushbutton mid-flight would not surprise me at all. Especially since the LA34 (just a printer, not a console) used a keyboard-style push button set identical to these.umm, isn't this how all teletypes worked? hence, the modern tty socket?
Yepyep, except there are DECwriters which are also NOT consoles. (Like the LA34.) They are literally just printers. Digital did this because "screw customers that's why" I guess. There's also different flavors with the same name - some are wheel, some are dot-matrix.
Get your Jackie Chan GIFs ready folks, because it gets better.
This model would date to about 1979. Or 9 years after the introduction of the VT05 terminal (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VT05) and 5 years after the VT52 (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VT52) which is also the VT61 AND the VT62 which was PDP-11 + TRAX specific. Oh, and a good year after the VT100. Meaning a compatible CRT-based console had been available for nine full years before the introduction of this printer console.
Told you to get those GIFs ready.
Show Image(http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kIC0MVWwko4/UNrYOG9fZUI/AAAAAAAAAMc/dDRZc_J0we4/s640/Jackie+Chan+Dance+GIFs.gif)
Ooo, nice Hall Effect keypad :DPulled a switch and found no code. There are a few numbers on each pad though.
Would you mind pulling out one of the switches and looking for a switch code? There should be one IIRC.
Maybe a better pic of the black label too :P (there should be a date code there)
The switches themselves are meant to be moved around (sorta). The Hall Effect sensor is soldered but the rest of the switch is held down with the metal tabs. The later Honeywell Hall Effect switches use a steel plate for the same effect.
Another question (if the keypad doesn't have much wear), are there any molding defects on the tops of the keycaps? Specifically around the letters.
Ooo, nice Hall Effect keypad :D
Would you mind pulling out one of the switches and looking for a switch code? There should be one IIRC.
Maybe a better pic of the black label too :P (there should be a date code there)
The switches themselves are meant to be moved around (sorta). The Hall Effect sensor is soldered but the rest of the switch is held down with the metal tabs. The later Honeywell Hall Effect switches use a steel plate for the same effect.
Another question (if the keypad doesn't have much wear), are there any molding defects on the tops of the keycaps? Specifically around the letters.