Custom Pre-Built Soarer's Converters and Teensy USB Cables Molded for Model M's

[orihalcon]

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

[berserkfan]

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

[geniekid]

Very impressive.  Incoming PM...

[fohat.digs]

These are very nice, clean, and simple.

I have one and it just works.

[ComradeSniper]

This is ridiculously cool. Nice work.

[terrpn]

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?

[fohat.digs]

stuck an adapter on there

Heck with adapters.

Orihalcon wants you to buy one of each!

[terrpn]

This is ridiculously cool. Nice work.

agree

[epzy]

These are very nice, clean, and simple.

I have one and it just works.

+1 mine works flawlessly as well.

[ezrahilyer]

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.

[dorkvader]

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)

[digi]

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

[Flamingchook]

Wait so these have a Atmega32u4 built into them?

If so that's impressive.

[ebacho]

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

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

[digi]

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

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..

[Flamingchook]

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

[s0b]

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

[fohat.digs]

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.

[Techno Trousers]

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.

[orihalcon]

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. 

[ShawnMeg]

--

[vivalarevolución]

I would be interested in seeing a tear down of this converter to see how it is all put together.

[runcom]

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)?

[fohat.digs]

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.

[runcom]

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) 

[fohat.digs]

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.
 

[Special K]

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?

[orihalcon]

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

[fohat.digs]

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
 

[orihalcon]

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

[rowdy]

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?

[orihalcon]

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.

[rowdy]

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?

[orihalcon]

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!

[fohat.digs]

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.

[bluebear]

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.

[rowdy]

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

[Snarfangel]

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!

[SamirD]

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?

[y11971alex]

Any chance for a RJ11 —> USB for a 5155 keyboard?

[fohat.digs]

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.

[y11971alex]

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. 

[Touch_It]

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!

[Red October]

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...

[kingnestea]

impressive

[debiatan]

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.

[zkzkz]

Sorry, posted by mistake

[arturor1990]

its a shame those cables are not for sale any more