Author Topic: Custom Pre-Built Soarer's Converters and Teensy USB Cables Molded for Model M's  (Read 79010 times)

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Offline orihalcon

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Here are ebay links to the pre-built Soarer's Converters that I have been working on having made for a while now:

PLEASE NOTE - if you PM me and ask to be invoiced directly for the items you want instead of buying through ebay, I will give you 10% off your order!

SDL Version:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/271816109375

PS/2 Version:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/301365445104

XT/AT Version 180 Degree 5 Pin DIN:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/281476427201

RJ45 Version for IBM Model M Terminal:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/281476431381

Model F 122 Key Version:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/271644933588



Also had some Teensy USB Mini B Male to USB A Male cables made for installing internal Teensys for use in Model M's and 122 Key Model F's that have the same type of stress relief/cable retainer to make installation easy and professional looking:

6ft Version:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/281476529794

10ft Version:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/271645045405
« Last Edit: Tue, 14 April 2015, 17:37:58 by orihalcon »

Offline berserkfan

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omg, how did you get these done so professionally? And how did you incorporate a teensy into these cables without it showing?
Most of the modding can be done on your own once you break through the psychological barriers.

Offline geniekid

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Very impressive.  Incoming PM...

Offline fohat.digs

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These are very nice, clean, and simple.

I have one and it just works.
"The post-mortem blame game has already started, here as well as elsewhere: Harris did this, or didn’t do that, or Biden should have, shouldn’t have, whatever. Bull****.
This wasn’t Harris’s fault. She ran a campaign based on reality, while Trump, and the GOP in general, did a con job on America. And America bought it, because too many of us couldn’t face reality and didn’t want to remember history.
The GOP victory was a triumph of illusion."
- Dan K 2024-11-06

Offline ComradeSniper

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This is ridiculously cool. Nice work.

Offline terrpn

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so the ps2 version would be perfect for say model m's, etc. plus they would work on an f, xt's if i just stuck an adapter on there as well?
More

Luga G80-1865/MX Reds + Dolch G80-1813/MX Blues + G80-3700HQAUS + DK9008G2 Pro/MX Browns Thick PBT + DK9008G2 Pro/MX Clears Thick PBT +  QFR TKL/Ghetto Greens + Cherry G80-1800/MX Blues + IBM Model M SSK Bolt Modded + IBM Model M + IBM Model F + IBM AT F + Cherry G80-1000 (HAD)/MX Vintage Blacks + Razer BWU/MX Blues + Leading Edge DC2214/Blue Alps + Compaq MX11800/Browns + Chicony 5181/Monterey Blues + Chicony 5161/MX Black Cherry Clone + Focus 2001/White Alps + Chicony 5191/White Futabas + Olivetti ANK27-101 + Dell (Old Logo) AT101/Black Alps + NMB RT8255C+/Black Space Invaders + Unitek K260/Green Alps + Apple M0116/Orange Alps + AEK II M3501/Cream Alps + AEK M0115/Orange Alps + NEC  APC412/Blue Sliders + NEC APC410/Blue Sliders + Omnikey /White Alps + Wang/Yellow Alps (Omrons) + Laser/White SMK + Fame/Blue Aruz + AEK II M3501/Salmon Alps + Zenith ZKB-2R/Green Alps + Wang 724/Orange Alps + DK1087/Green Alps + Zenith ZKB-2/Yellow Alps + Dell Old Logo AT101/Salmon-Pink Alps + Leading Edge AK1012/White SMK's + Magitronic SK-1030/White (Linear) Futaba's + Packard Bell/White (Clicky) Futaba's + Datacomp DFK101/White  Alps + SGI AT101/Dampened White Alps + NMB AQ6RT-72511/Grey Space Invaders (Hi-Tek) + Datacomp/Blue Alps + Phillips 2812/White Space Invaders (Linear) + Dah Yang K251/Vintage MX Blues + Chicony 5161/DS Caps/Vintage MX Blue + Archie-NMB AQ659ZRT-725/Black Space Invader (Tactile) + IBM Model M 71G4644 (RD) Bolt Modded with Soarers Converter + IBM Model M Silver Label 1390131 + Cherry G80-1501/Vintage MX Clears + Focus FK8000/Linear Futabas + Gateway 2000 Anykey Programmable/Maxi-Switch + Dell GY13PVAT101/Dye Sub Caps/Salmon Alps + Chicony 5161/White Alps + AST K0B101/Slider over RD + Qtronix QX-32H + Everex/NMB RT8255CW+ Black Space Invaders-Split Erase + Tandon/NMB AQ659ZRT-101A/Beige Space Invaders + Cherry G80-11903 MNRUS/MX Blacks + Apple IIGS A9M0330/SMK Whites + WYSE PCE/MX Blacks + Chicony 5160AXT/Clicky Futaba + Cherry G80-0528/Vintage MX Blacks + Dell AT101/Linear (Modded) Black Alps+Topre 55g

Offline fohat.digs

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stuck an adapter on there

Heck with adapters.

Orihalcon wants you to buy one of each!
"The post-mortem blame game has already started, here as well as elsewhere: Harris did this, or didn’t do that, or Biden should have, shouldn’t have, whatever. Bull****.
This wasn’t Harris’s fault. She ran a campaign based on reality, while Trump, and the GOP in general, did a con job on America. And America bought it, because too many of us couldn’t face reality and didn’t want to remember history.
The GOP victory was a triumph of illusion."
- Dan K 2024-11-06

Offline terrpn

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This is ridiculously cool. Nice work.

agree

More

Luga G80-1865/MX Reds + Dolch G80-1813/MX Blues + G80-3700HQAUS + DK9008G2 Pro/MX Browns Thick PBT + DK9008G2 Pro/MX Clears Thick PBT +  QFR TKL/Ghetto Greens + Cherry G80-1800/MX Blues + IBM Model M SSK Bolt Modded + IBM Model M + IBM Model F + IBM AT F + Cherry G80-1000 (HAD)/MX Vintage Blacks + Razer BWU/MX Blues + Leading Edge DC2214/Blue Alps + Compaq MX11800/Browns + Chicony 5181/Monterey Blues + Chicony 5161/MX Black Cherry Clone + Focus 2001/White Alps + Chicony 5191/White Futabas + Olivetti ANK27-101 + Dell (Old Logo) AT101/Black Alps + NMB RT8255C+/Black Space Invaders + Unitek K260/Green Alps + Apple M0116/Orange Alps + AEK II M3501/Cream Alps + AEK M0115/Orange Alps + NEC  APC412/Blue Sliders + NEC APC410/Blue Sliders + Omnikey /White Alps + Wang/Yellow Alps (Omrons) + Laser/White SMK + Fame/Blue Aruz + AEK II M3501/Salmon Alps + Zenith ZKB-2R/Green Alps + Wang 724/Orange Alps + DK1087/Green Alps + Zenith ZKB-2/Yellow Alps + Dell Old Logo AT101/Salmon-Pink Alps + Leading Edge AK1012/White SMK's + Magitronic SK-1030/White (Linear) Futaba's + Packard Bell/White (Clicky) Futaba's + Datacomp DFK101/White  Alps + SGI AT101/Dampened White Alps + NMB AQ6RT-72511/Grey Space Invaders (Hi-Tek) + Datacomp/Blue Alps + Phillips 2812/White Space Invaders (Linear) + Dah Yang K251/Vintage MX Blues + Chicony 5161/DS Caps/Vintage MX Blue + Archie-NMB AQ659ZRT-725/Black Space Invader (Tactile) + IBM Model M 71G4644 (RD) Bolt Modded with Soarers Converter + IBM Model M Silver Label 1390131 + Cherry G80-1501/Vintage MX Clears + Focus FK8000/Linear Futabas + Gateway 2000 Anykey Programmable/Maxi-Switch + Dell GY13PVAT101/Dye Sub Caps/Salmon Alps + Chicony 5161/White Alps + AST K0B101/Slider over RD + Qtronix QX-32H + Everex/NMB RT8255CW+ Black Space Invaders-Split Erase + Tandon/NMB AQ659ZRT-101A/Beige Space Invaders + Cherry G80-11903 MNRUS/MX Blacks + Apple IIGS A9M0330/SMK Whites + WYSE PCE/MX Blacks + Chicony 5160AXT/Clicky Futaba + Cherry G80-0528/Vintage MX Blacks + Dell AT101/Linear (Modded) Black Alps+Topre 55g

Offline epzy

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These are very nice, clean, and simple.

I have one and it just works.

+1 mine works flawlessly as well.
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Offline ezrahilyer

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I had been thinking of getting these made via Alibaba.com as well. I figure thats where you got them done, and the SDL cables as well.
Nice setup.

Offline dorkvader

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omg, how did you get these done so professionally? And how did you incorporate a teensy into these cables without it showing?

probably not teensy but atmega 32u4. I bet a custom house in china flashed them with soarer's code at the factory. Though it could still be the chip with the teensy bootloader on it.

Very well done! I'm impressed as always. I was going to do something similar to this but it would not be as nice. Thanks for your efforts as always!

I had been thinking of getting these made via Alibaba.com as well. I figure thats where you got them done, and the SDL cables as well.
Nice setup.

I think the SDL cables are done by hand, actually. I dont think a properl SDL punchdown tool exists in China. The USB ones look like they use ID innovations multimode USB adapters, which are the best after the soarer converter (imo)
« Last Edit: Fri, 31 October 2014, 00:19:31 by dorkvader »

Offline digi

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no 4p4c connector converter for some dolch pac nkro love?? :D

Offline Flamingchook

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Wait so these have a Atmega32u4 built into them?

If so that's impressive.
MX: Filco Majestouch Metalic Blue 104-key w/ MX Brown, JD40 w/ MX Green, ErgoDox w/ MX Blue, GHPad w/ MX Blue. Topre: Realforce 87U 45g. BS: IBM Model M 52G9700 29-OCT-93
Soon™: GH60 w/ 62g MX Clear, [CTRL]ALT 60 w/ MX Green

Offline ebacho

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no 4p4c connector converter for some dolch pac nkro love?? :D

Those things are native PS/2 anyways, you might as well just do a cable swap.

Offline digi

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no 4p4c connector converter for some dolch pac nkro love?? :D

Those things are native PS/2 anyways, you might as well just do a cable swap.

good point, then I can just get the ps/2 adapter he has listed..

Offline Flamingchook

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Heh. Didn't see the thing about ordering from you directly and went through ebay instead. Oh well.
MX: Filco Majestouch Metalic Blue 104-key w/ MX Brown, JD40 w/ MX Green, ErgoDox w/ MX Blue, GHPad w/ MX Blue. Topre: Realforce 87U 45g. BS: IBM Model M 52G9700 29-OCT-93
Soon™: GH60 w/ 62g MX Clear, [CTRL]ALT 60 w/ MX Green

Offline s0b

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Heh. Didn't see the thing about ordering from you directly and went through ebay instead. Oh well.

Same here! I ordered through ebay because I missed that bold line :D

Offline fohat.digs

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I can't speak for other sellers, but when I am selling, I generally get much better prices on ebay because the market pool is so much larger.

That said, since ebay charges the seller 10% and Paypal takes another 3%, most ebay/geekhack sellers that post in this thread will gladly knock at least 5% off their ebay price for a direct sale and everybody wins.

That is what I do.
"The post-mortem blame game has already started, here as well as elsewhere: Harris did this, or didn’t do that, or Biden should have, shouldn’t have, whatever. Bull****.
This wasn’t Harris’s fault. She ran a campaign based on reality, while Trump, and the GOP in general, did a con job on America. And America bought it, because too many of us couldn’t face reality and didn’t want to remember history.
The GOP victory was a triumph of illusion."
- Dan K 2024-11-06

Offline Techno Trousers

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I didn't see this thread earlier, but stumbled across the F-122 version on eBay and bought it there. I'm really looking forward to trying it out. One suggestion for if and when you make another round of these: The F-122 stock cable is quite short (3 feet or so), so a longer teensy adapter cable of 3-6 feet would be very welcome for that particular application.

Offline orihalcon

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I didn't see this thread earlier, but stumbled across the F-122 version on eBay and bought it there. I'm really looking forward to trying it out. One suggestion for if and when you make another round of these: The F-122 stock cable is quite short (3 feet or so), so a longer teensy adapter cable of 3-6 feet would be very welcome for that particular application.

Yeah, when I do the next batch, I will make some 3ft versions too.  I figured that I should start out basic and then offer more variation once I see what everyone wants.  Any other variations that anyone would like? 

I am working on a USB A Female version (which will only work with keyboards that are backwards compatible with PS/2) which will allow key rollover preservation and still give you all of the other features like remapping and macros.  Seems kind of odd to have a USB to USB adapter at first, but it will add a lot of great features I figure. 

Offline ShawnMeg

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--
« Last Edit: Sat, 01 July 2017, 23:04:10 by ShawnMeg »


IBM Model F122 X 2 internal Soarer's || IBM Model M122 internal Soarer's || AEK II SKCM Salmon ALPS external adb_usb converter ||  AEK M0115 SKCM Orange ALPS click mod external adb_usb converter || AEK M0115 SKCM Salmon ALPS external adb_usb converter ||

Offline vivalarevolución

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I would be interested in seeing a tear down of this converter to see how it is all put together.
Wish I had some gif or quote for this space, but I got nothing

Offline runcom

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Just a quick question, does a ps2 to USB converter connected to my ssk  via its standard SDL cable allow me to program the converter and use it?

SSK -> (SDL -> PS2) -> (PS2 (converter) -> USB (converter)) -> PC

Also, is there any way to reprogram the teensy inside the converter (for instance, to update the soarer code itself)?
« Last Edit: Wed, 14 January 2015, 13:06:19 by runcom »
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Offline fohat.digs

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Just a quick question, does a ps2 to USB converter connected to my ssk  via its standard SDL cable allow me to program the converter and use it?

SSK -> (SDL -> PS2) -> (PS2 (converter) -> USB (converter)) -> PC

Also, is there any way to reprogram the teensy inside the converter (for instance, to update the soarer code itself)?

Your diagram looks like it includes an extra part, but orihalcon's device should do what you want in one piece.

He does not use an actual Teensy, but it is still programmable, as I understand it.

You may not be able to re-flash the firmware, but you should be able to re-map keys.

« Last Edit: Wed, 14 January 2015, 14:34:44 by fohat.digs »
"The post-mortem blame game has already started, here as well as elsewhere: Harris did this, or didn’t do that, or Biden should have, shouldn’t have, whatever. Bull****.
This wasn’t Harris’s fault. She ran a campaign based on reality, while Trump, and the GOP in general, did a con job on America. And America bought it, because too many of us couldn’t face reality and didn’t want to remember history.
The GOP victory was a triumph of illusion."
- Dan K 2024-11-06

Offline runcom

  • Posts: 62
  • Location: Berlin
  • Topre lover
Just a quick question, does a ps2 to USB converter connected to my ssk  via its standard SDL cable allow me to program the converter and use it?

SSK -> (SDL -> PS2) -> (PS2 (converter) -> USB (converter)) -> PC

Also, is there any way to reprogram the teensy inside the converter (for instance, to update the soarer code itself)?

Your diagram looks like it includes an extra part, but orihalcon's device should do what you want in one piece.

He does not use an actual Teensy, but it is still programmable, as I understand it.

You may not be able to re-flash the firmware, but you should be able to re-map keys.
I see, I thought it was a teensy or programmable (firmware side I mean)  :(
Don't be a dumbass, always be kind to people, here and afk

Offline fohat.digs

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I see, I thought it was a teensy or programmable (firmware side I mean)


Wait, please, somebody else chime in. I am ignorant.

I don't know all the terms, I just follow instructions.

There is a tiny button and an LED on a Teensy, and that is how you activate it to begin with - using the hex file for the controller. This includes Soarer's work and the keyboard will run from here. I was calling that part "flashing the firmware" but I may be mis-speaking.

The other part with "remapblock / endmapblock" using scwr.exe is what I do to get the key layout that I want, and I think of that part as "programming" the keys.
 
"The post-mortem blame game has already started, here as well as elsewhere: Harris did this, or didn’t do that, or Biden should have, shouldn’t have, whatever. Bull****.
This wasn’t Harris’s fault. She ran a campaign based on reality, while Trump, and the GOP in general, did a con job on America. And America bought it, because too many of us couldn’t face reality and didn’t want to remember history.
The GOP victory was a triumph of illusion."
- Dan K 2024-11-06

Offline Special K

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Just to clarify:

1. I can flash these adapters to use the latest version of Soarer's firmware
2. I can remap keys as explained in the Soarer converter instructions

Is that correct?

If not, which version of the Soarer firmware is loaded on them?
« Last Edit: Fri, 13 March 2015, 23:51:42 by Special K »
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Quote from: ripster
LOL - we're on post #163 of this mega-thread and you've gone from"keyboard n00b" to "keyboard sn0b".  We've done our job.

Offline orihalcon

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The firmware can't be changed due to there not being hardware reset button or pins accessible on them, which is the only downside, but at this point Soarer's Firmware doesn't have significant known bugs, so I am not sure that there will be any future updates further down the road.

Remapping is as normal, I've put instructions in the auction link and basically is just drag and drop of a text file in Windows OS, and then you can use it with any OS thereafter.

Unless otherwise noted, they all have the latest 1.12 firmware on them.  The one instance where they do not is the AT/XT style ones that I have packaged with the new in box Lynk 122 keys as those are not properly recognized by the 1.12 firmware.  Those have 1.03:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/271832202316

I also have a few SDL to USB Soarer's converters now too:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/271816109375
« Last Edit: Tue, 14 April 2015, 20:42:00 by orihalcon »

Offline fohat.digs

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they all have the latest 1.13 firmware on them.

Where is the v1.13 firmware found?

The latest that I have is v1.12
 
"The post-mortem blame game has already started, here as well as elsewhere: Harris did this, or didn’t do that, or Biden should have, shouldn’t have, whatever. Bull****.
This wasn’t Harris’s fault. She ran a campaign based on reality, while Trump, and the GOP in general, did a con job on America. And America bought it, because too many of us couldn’t face reality and didn’t want to remember history.
The GOP victory was a triumph of illusion."
- Dan K 2024-11-06

Offline orihalcon

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Typo! Was supposed to be 1.12! Just corrected that!

Offline rowdy

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Wow - I had no idea you had a RJ45 version too!

I guess that will work with an M122 terminal keyboard - I've been considering getting one of those for a while, but can't stand the ISO-like layout.

I know roughly what's involved in converting an M122 from ISO to ANSI - is there much work to get this converter to work with an ANSI M122?
"Because keyboards are accessories to PC makers, they focus on minimizing the manufacturing costs. But that’s incorrect. It’s in HHKB’s slogan, but when America’s cowboys were in the middle of a trip and their horse died, they would leave the horse there. But even if they were in the middle of a desert, they would take their saddle with them. The horse was a consumable good, but the saddle was an interface that their bodies had gotten used to. In the same vein, PCs are consumable goods, while keyboards are important interfaces." - Eiiti Wada

NEC APC-H4100E | Ducky DK9008 Shine MX blue LED red | Ducky DK9008 Shine MX blue LED green | Link 900243-08 | CM QFR MX black | KeyCool 87 white MX reds | HHKB 2 Pro | Model M 02-Mar-1993 | Model M 29-Nov-1995 | CM Trigger (broken) | CM QFS MX green | Ducky DK9087 Shine 3 TKL Yellow Edition MX black | Lexmark SSK 21-Apr-1994 | IBM SSK 13-Oct-1987 | CODE TKL MX clear | Model M 122 01-Jun-1988

Ị̸͚̯̲́ͤ̃͑̇̑ͯ̊̂͟ͅs̞͚̩͉̝̪̲͗͊ͪ̽̚̚ ̭̦͖͕̑́͌ͬͩ͟t̷̻͔̙̑͟h̹̠̼͋ͤ͋i̤̜̣̦̱̫͈͔̞ͭ͑ͥ̌̔s̬͔͎̍̈ͥͫ̐̾ͣ̔̇͘ͅ ̩̘̼͆̐̕e̞̰͓̲̺̎͐̏ͬ̓̅̾͠͝ͅv̶̰͕̱̞̥̍ͣ̄̕e͕͙͖̬̜͓͎̤̊ͭ͐͝ṇ̰͎̱̤̟̭ͫ͌̌͢͠ͅ ̳̥̦ͮ̐ͤ̎̊ͣ͡͡n̤̜̙̺̪̒͜e̶̻̦̿ͮ̂̀c̝̘̝͖̠̖͐ͨͪ̈̐͌ͩ̀e̷̥͇̋ͦs̢̡̤ͤͤͯ͜s͈̠̉̑͘a̱͕̗͖̳̥̺ͬͦͧ͆̌̑͡r̶̟̖̈͘ỷ̮̦̩͙͔ͫ̾ͬ̔ͬͮ̌?̵̘͇͔͙ͥͪ͞ͅ

Offline orihalcon

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Wow - I had no idea you had a RJ45 version too!

I guess that will work with an M122 terminal keyboard - I've been considering getting one of those for a while, but can't stand the ISO-like layout.

I know roughly what's involved in converting an M122 from ISO to ANSI - is there much work to get this converter to work with an ANSI M122?

You'd actually have to disassemble so that you can re-position the hammers inside then bolt mod to get it back together.  Kind of a lot of work, but some users do this to all of their M's.

Offline rowdy

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Wow - I had no idea you had a RJ45 version too!

I guess that will work with an M122 terminal keyboard - I've been considering getting one of those for a while, but can't stand the ISO-like layout.

I know roughly what's involved in converting an M122 from ISO to ANSI - is there much work to get this converter to work with an ANSI M122?

You'd actually have to disassemble so that you can re-position the hammers inside then bolt mod to get it back together.  Kind of a lot of work, but some users do this to all of their M's.

Yes, I realise that, and bolt mod it while it's apart.  That's a lot of work, hence this is a long term project for me.

But is there anything special that needs to be done to your RJ45/USB converter to work with an ANSI-modded M122?
"Because keyboards are accessories to PC makers, they focus on minimizing the manufacturing costs. But that’s incorrect. It’s in HHKB’s slogan, but when America’s cowboys were in the middle of a trip and their horse died, they would leave the horse there. But even if they were in the middle of a desert, they would take their saddle with them. The horse was a consumable good, but the saddle was an interface that their bodies had gotten used to. In the same vein, PCs are consumable goods, while keyboards are important interfaces." - Eiiti Wada

NEC APC-H4100E | Ducky DK9008 Shine MX blue LED red | Ducky DK9008 Shine MX blue LED green | Link 900243-08 | CM QFR MX black | KeyCool 87 white MX reds | HHKB 2 Pro | Model M 02-Mar-1993 | Model M 29-Nov-1995 | CM Trigger (broken) | CM QFS MX green | Ducky DK9087 Shine 3 TKL Yellow Edition MX black | Lexmark SSK 21-Apr-1994 | IBM SSK 13-Oct-1987 | CODE TKL MX clear | Model M 122 01-Jun-1988

Ị̸͚̯̲́ͤ̃͑̇̑ͯ̊̂͟ͅs̞͚̩͉̝̪̲͗͊ͪ̽̚̚ ̭̦͖͕̑́͌ͬͩ͟t̷̻͔̙̑͟h̹̠̼͋ͤ͋i̤̜̣̦̱̫͈͔̞ͭ͑ͥ̌̔s̬͔͎̍̈ͥͫ̐̾ͣ̔̇͘ͅ ̩̘̼͆̐̕e̞̰͓̲̺̎͐̏ͬ̓̅̾͠͝ͅv̶̰͕̱̞̥̍ͣ̄̕e͕͙͖̬̜͓͎̤̊ͭ͐͝ṇ̰͎̱̤̟̭ͫ͌̌͢͠ͅ ̳̥̦ͮ̐ͤ̎̊ͣ͡͡n̤̜̙̺̪̒͜e̶̻̦̿ͮ̂̀c̝̘̝͖̠̖͐ͨͪ̈̐͌ͩ̀e̷̥͇̋ͦs̢̡̤ͤͤͯ͜s͈̠̉̑͘a̱͕̗͖̳̥̺ͬͦͧ͆̌̑͡r̶̟̖̈͘ỷ̮̦̩͙͔ͫ̾ͬ̔ͬͮ̌?̵̘͇͔͙ͥͪ͞ͅ

Offline orihalcon

  • Thread Starter
  • Posts: 95
The scan codes for the new keys could be a little different than you are expecting.  If that were the case you'd just remap them to what you want.  Luckily, HID listen will tell you exactly what the scan codes are so you don't have to guess.  I've linked some basic instructions in the auction description that goes through exactly how to use it for this purpose.  Should take 10 minutes or less to get those scan codes figured out, remapped, and up and running!

Offline fohat.digs

  • * Elevated Elder
  • Posts: 6497
  • Location: 35°55'N, 83°53'W
  • weird funny old guy

I know roughly what's involved in converting an M122 from ISO to ANSI - is there much work to get this converter to work with an ANSI M122?


I think that there is precious little difference - IBM was careful to make components interchangeable.

For example, the active barrel for Backspace is the right one, if you use a long one the left barrel simply never fires. Likewise, the active Enter position is lower left, and Backslash can fire from either the upper or left position depending on which Enter barrel was vacated for your new layout.

So the barrel between Left Shift and Z either fires or remains dormant, as does the the lower half of what might be the tall numpad "+"

Most of the rest is probably handled by the OS under "region" or whatever it is called in your initial setup.
"The post-mortem blame game has already started, here as well as elsewhere: Harris did this, or didn’t do that, or Biden should have, shouldn’t have, whatever. Bull****.
This wasn’t Harris’s fault. She ran a campaign based on reality, while Trump, and the GOP in general, did a con job on America. And America bought it, because too many of us couldn’t face reality and didn’t want to remember history.
The GOP victory was a triumph of illusion."
- Dan K 2024-11-06

Offline bluebear

  • Posts: 1
I'm typing this on my Unicomp model M remapped using Orihalcon's cable. He shipped it right away, and it works great! And this was cheaper for me (up here in Canada) than buying a Teensy with everything else needed to do the mod myself, plus shipping. Next part will be buying new springs and keys from Unicomp to change it over completely to a Sun/Unix layout.

Offline rowdy

  • HHKB Hapster
  • * Erudite Elder
  • Posts: 21175
  • Location: melbourne.vic.au
  • Missed another sale.
I'm typing this on my Unicomp model M remapped using Orihalcon's cable. He shipped it right away, and it works great! And this was cheaper for me (up here in Canada) than buying a Teensy with everything else needed to do the mod myself, plus shipping. Next part will be buying new springs and keys from Unicomp to change it over completely to a Sun/Unix layout.

Welcome to Geekhack!

Hope you're enjoying your oneness with buckling spring :)
"Because keyboards are accessories to PC makers, they focus on minimizing the manufacturing costs. But that’s incorrect. It’s in HHKB’s slogan, but when America’s cowboys were in the middle of a trip and their horse died, they would leave the horse there. But even if they were in the middle of a desert, they would take their saddle with them. The horse was a consumable good, but the saddle was an interface that their bodies had gotten used to. In the same vein, PCs are consumable goods, while keyboards are important interfaces." - Eiiti Wada

NEC APC-H4100E | Ducky DK9008 Shine MX blue LED red | Ducky DK9008 Shine MX blue LED green | Link 900243-08 | CM QFR MX black | KeyCool 87 white MX reds | HHKB 2 Pro | Model M 02-Mar-1993 | Model M 29-Nov-1995 | CM Trigger (broken) | CM QFS MX green | Ducky DK9087 Shine 3 TKL Yellow Edition MX black | Lexmark SSK 21-Apr-1994 | IBM SSK 13-Oct-1987 | CODE TKL MX clear | Model M 122 01-Jun-1988

Ị̸͚̯̲́ͤ̃͑̇̑ͯ̊̂͟ͅs̞͚̩͉̝̪̲͗͊ͪ̽̚̚ ̭̦͖͕̑́͌ͬͩ͟t̷̻͔̙̑͟h̹̠̼͋ͤ͋i̤̜̣̦̱̫͈͔̞ͭ͑ͥ̌̔s̬͔͎̍̈ͥͫ̐̾ͣ̔̇͘ͅ ̩̘̼͆̐̕e̞̰͓̲̺̎͐̏ͬ̓̅̾͠͝ͅv̶̰͕̱̞̥̍ͣ̄̕e͕͙͖̬̜͓͎̤̊ͭ͐͝ṇ̰͎̱̤̟̭ͫ͌̌͢͠ͅ ̳̥̦ͮ̐ͤ̎̊ͣ͡͡n̤̜̙̺̪̒͜e̶̻̦̿ͮ̂̀c̝̘̝͖̠̖͐ͨͪ̈̐͌ͩ̀e̷̥͇̋ͦs̢̡̤ͤͤͯ͜s͈̠̉̑͘a̱͕̗͖̳̥̺ͬͦͧ͆̌̑͡r̶̟̖̈͘ỷ̮̦̩͙͔ͫ̾ͬ̔ͬͮ̌?̵̘͇͔͙ͥͪ͞ͅ

Offline Snarfangel

  • Posts: 288
I just want to say I purchased the XT/AT version and it works great. I got it from Ebay, though, so I missed the Geekhack discount. :(

Can't wait to program the key mappings!

Offline SamirD

  • * Esteemed Elder
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  • Location: HSV and SFO
  • on Buckling Springs since '88
    • http://www.huntsvillecarscene.com
I didn't know this thread existed--or that an rj45 version existed.  Could this be used for the 102 key terminal Model Ms as well as the M122?

Offline y11971alex

  • Posts: 402
  • Location: Toronto, Canada
  • Looking for Toronto meetup
Any chance for a RJ11 —> USB for a 5155 keyboard?
Keyboards owned: IBM Selectric | 3278 | 3101 | 5251 | Model F XT | AT | 122 (6110344) | Model M 1390120 | 1390131 | 1391472 | 1392464 (DisplayWriter SSK) | 1395100 (SSK) | Honeywell RD IBM 09F4230 | Leading Edge DC-2014 (Blue Alps) | Chicony 5891 (Monterey Blue) | E&E-101 (KPT Blue) | BTC 5100 | 5100C | 5369 | DEC VT100 (Hi-tek Linear) | Burroughs TP109 (Hall) | Realforce 87 (55g)

Keyboards wanted: IBM Model F 104 (Unsaver) | Model M 1391401

Offline fohat.digs

  • * Elevated Elder
  • Posts: 6497
  • Location: 35°55'N, 83°53'W
  • weird funny old guy
Any chance for a RJ11 —> USB for a 5155 keyboard?

I have never gotten an "RJ11" (actually an RJ14 since it needs 4 pins) to work with a Teensy but Soarer did make a special "WYSE" adapter for those 6P4C terminals.
"The post-mortem blame game has already started, here as well as elsewhere: Harris did this, or didn’t do that, or Biden should have, shouldn’t have, whatever. Bull****.
This wasn’t Harris’s fault. She ran a campaign based on reality, while Trump, and the GOP in general, did a con job on America. And America bought it, because too many of us couldn’t face reality and didn’t want to remember history.
The GOP victory was a triumph of illusion."
- Dan K 2024-11-06

Offline y11971alex

  • Posts: 402
  • Location: Toronto, Canada
  • Looking for Toronto meetup
Any chance for a RJ11 —> USB for a 5155 keyboard?

I have never gotten an "RJ11" (actually an RJ14 since it needs 4 pins) to work with a Teensy but Soarer did make a special "WYSE" adapter for those 6P4C terminals.
I think some DIY will be necessary since the 5155 keyboard is said to be just the 5150 keyboard in disguise. Which is to say it can share an adapter with my 5150 keyboard if I can find a RJ14 to 5-pin DIN adapter.  :(
Time for more trawling on the Internet. 
Keyboards owned: IBM Selectric | 3278 | 3101 | 5251 | Model F XT | AT | 122 (6110344) | Model M 1390120 | 1390131 | 1391472 | 1392464 (DisplayWriter SSK) | 1395100 (SSK) | Honeywell RD IBM 09F4230 | Leading Edge DC-2014 (Blue Alps) | Chicony 5891 (Monterey Blue) | E&E-101 (KPT Blue) | BTC 5100 | 5100C | 5369 | DEC VT100 (Hi-tek Linear) | Burroughs TP109 (Hall) | Realforce 87 (55g)

Keyboards wanted: IBM Model F 104 (Unsaver) | Model M 1391401

Offline Touch_It

  • Posts: 715
My mom bought me one for my f122 for my birthday.  Plugged in in, just to see if they keyboard was alive or not and it seemed to be working perfectly!  Thanks orihalcon!
« Last Edit: Thu, 31 March 2016, 13:17:55 by Touch_It »


Visit the Typing Test and try!

Offline Red October

  • Posts: 97
Received mine today, XT-USB, working great with my Original Model F, typing now with it.  Oh gods I haven't heard that sound and seen characters come on the screen for too long.  I have a question about it, though:  I have an odd Honeywell keyboard, I made a thread about it when I got it; it's got a DIN-5 and was sold as AT, probably by some doorknob who thinks DIN-5=AT, but it doesn't work work with a DIN-5-PS/2 adapter, the power light lights up and that's it.  Is it possible that I will injure my converter by trying to use this keyboard with it, to determine if it is using the XT protocol?  I seem to recall years ago possessing a Franklin-branded keyboard that was possibly XT, and that only a few functions worked, one of them being a light.  Now of course my Model F doesn't have any lights...

Offline kingnestea

  • Posts: 436
impressive

Offline debiatan

  • Posts: 4
Hi Orihalcon!

   I just received the two SDL->USB converters I ordered through ebay a few days ago and they work like a charm on my IBM M4-1 keyboards. Thanks!

I have a question regarding this sentence:
The firmware can't be changed due to there not being hardware reset button or pins accessible on them, which is the only downside, but at this point Soarer's Firmware doesn't have significant known bugs, so I am not sure that there will be any future updates further down the road.

But wouldn't it be possible to launch the teensy bootloader using 'scboot' and then flash another firmware with the Teensy Loader utility?

I've done the test of issuing 'scboot' and using the command './teensy_loader_cli --mcu=atmega32u4 -b -v' to see if the integrated controller responds to the teensy protocol and it seems to work. I haven't tried writing anything to it because I don't know which firmware file I should write to it to restore it to its current state and I don't want to mess the converter, but if you pointed me to the firmware file you're using (is it Soarer_Controller_v1.20_beta4_atmega32u4.hex?), I might give it a try.

Offline zkzkz

  • Posts: 0
Sorry, posted by mistake
« Last Edit: Thu, 08 April 2021, 12:57:26 by zkzkz »

Offline arturor1990

  • Posts: 0
  • Location: Venezuela
its a shame those cables are not for sale any more