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geekhack Community => Keyboard Keycaps => Topic started by: WiLOUCHE on Wed, 08 July 2020, 14:35:13

Title: Radioshack TRS-80 model ii keyboard. What switches are those?
Post by: WiLOUCHE on Wed, 08 July 2020, 14:35:13

Hello community!!!
I recently picked one of those keyboard because I thought it looked nice! (Album below)
https://imgur.com/a/zLLiV9q (https://imgur.com/a/zLLiV9q)

Here is my questions:
1- What is this kind of switch? I heard TRS-80 model 3 and 4 were using alps. Do you recognize it?
2- Would I be able to use them on any kind of modern switch, like alps mathias or something like that for a board I would make.
3- What layout would I be able to use it for? A planck? A HHKB style keyboard? A ID75...? I'm open to suggestions of what you think the best layout for it would be!

Thank you!!!

Title: Re: Radioshack TRS-80 model ii keyboard. What switches are those?
Post by: Findecanor on Wed, 08 July 2020, 14:40:39

1. The switches have embossed writing "Key Tronic" "Spokane", don't they? ;)
They look like vintage Key Tronic foam-and-foil (https://deskthority.net/wiki/Key_Tronic_foam_and_foil) switches.

2. The keycap mount is Key Tronic's own. AFAIK no other manufacturer uses it. The switches are capacitive and plate-mounted, and PCB and plate would probably need to be custom for another layout. Controllers for capacitive keyboards do exist, however. (Search for "xwhatsit")

Title: Re: Radioshack TRS-80 model ii keyboard. What switches are those?
Post by: WiLOUCHE on Wed, 08 July 2020, 15:03:45

Alright thank you, you're right!

Anyone know if there is a project anywhere to make these keycaps usable? I haven't found one and would really like to make use of these keycaps :)
A 3d printed part maybe like this project: https://github.com/tltx/MeC64/tree/master/keycap_adapter (https://github.com/tltx/MeC64/tree/master/keycap_adapter)