Last time we found that every BASIC for every computer contains a “BRICK WALL” that can prevent the computer from doing what you want. Since the wall is different for every computer, we concentrated on the TS1000 and we found a couple of places where we could “smash into it”. As mentioned last time, I…
article, orig pub: 10.07.22, updated: 08.03.26
A Project for Advance TS2068 Users True aficionados of the TS2068 will eventually decide that they want to do something with their cartridge port. Although TIMEX produced a few plug in cartridges, many of us have our own special programs in mind. There will be a few people who need a more versatile board, able…
article, orig pub: 10.07.22, updated: 08.03.26
article, orig pub: 10.07.22, updated: 08.03.26
Where We’ve Been It’s been wonderful to see how much interest there still is toward TS2068 bank switching. Now it’s time to tie up the loose ends we’ve left, provide a firm direction for your own further study, and close the series up. For those just tuning in, we’ve been discussing the ROM code, searching…
article, orig pub: 08.25.21, updated: 08.03.26
We stopped last time in mid-description. It seems our Good Editor has such a wealth of excellent contributions last issue (besides mine, I mean) that my article had to be cut to fit the space remaining. This is just fine; my volumninous verbage often takes up so much space that I worry that I am…
article, orig pub: 10.27.20, updated: 08.03.26
A Hearty Thank You The heading really says it all. I’ve been quite pleased and encouraged by your response to Part 1. This is really turning into an “interactive series”, as I’d hoped, and I want to invite you to keep writing and calling with your ideas and questions. You’re truly making these articles much…
article, orig pub: 10.27.20, updated: 08.03.26
The Greetings Welcome back to another episode, as we try to unravel a few more clues about the Extended Bank Switching for the Timex Sinclair 2068. This time, we’ll be getting heavily involved in how the bank switching hardware would have worked, making this installment the most complicated of the series. But this article will…
article, orig pub: 10.27.20, updated: 08.03.26
article, orig pub: 10.07.22, updated: 08.03.26
It all began with my attending a B.C. Teachers’ Federation conference on computer technology in 1980. I had previously been attempting to learn about microcomputers by taking courses sponsored by the school board. As a teacher, I could see the potential of these machines, but I was left with a feeling of extreme skepticism. Firstly,…
article, orig pub: 09.13.22, updated: 08.03.26
It all began one cold and windy day in Saskatchewan. In fact it was so windy it was the reason for my first name. My childhood days were probably typical of a normal but ugly kid on the prairies. How ugly was I? I was so ugly my mom would have to tie a steak…
article, orig pub: 10.07.22, updated: 08.03.26
Having been brought up on the tail-end of an old education system, where electronic calculators and computers were forbidden and slide rulers were the norm, I was very apprehensive about purchasing an electronic calculator let alone purchase a computer. So, back in 1981, when an ad in an electronics magazine tried to convince me to…
article, orig pub: 10.07.22, updated: 08.03.26
My first computer was a ZX-81, purchased in early 1983 while I was working on a project in northern Saskatchewan. Due to the difficulty of obtaining software, and the unsatisfactory keyboard, I remained stuck on some very simple applications, using an old black-and-white television set. Later that year, I bought a Zenith green-screen monitor. Just…
article, orig pub: 10.07.22, updated: 08.03.26
I had always told myself I would never buy a computer. That is until I saw an ad for a certain item in a Popular Science magazine. Like everyone else, my first computer was a T/S 1000, but perhaps unlike everyone else, I bought mine when they first came out for $250 (including $100 16K…
article, orig pub: 10.07.22, updated: 08.03.26
The whole thing started at the Robson Square Media Centre Computer Fair in mid September 1983. For me the most interesting display was that of the TIMEX-SINCLAIR User’s Group. There was Ken Abramson’s ZX 81 exhibited in a plexiglass case – you could actually look inside and see the works! Also there were a disc…
article, orig pub: 10.07.22, updated: 08.03.26
Introduction When Timex released its Technical Manual for the TS2068, we learned how to add memory to and switch between its three internal memory banks. This was wonderful stuff, and it’s given us many excellent TS2068 products long after the “profane world” thought that the Timex computer was dead. Still, if we think back, we…
article, orig pub: 10.27.20, updated: 08.03.26
article, orig pub: 10.07.22, updated: 08.02.26
Those who’ve manipulated the nice orderly display file on the ZX-81/TS-1000 have been somewhat perplexed by the T/S 2068. Yes, the illustration on page 251 of the user’s manual that comes with the T/S 2068 does explain it. Still, most everyone reacts with the question, “Why?” This configuration was made to dovetail with the Z80…
article, orig pub: 10.07.22, updated: 08.02.26
Before reading too far into this, go grab a newspaper or some other publication that has print laid out in narrow columns. Count the number of letters and blank spaces on several lines. Chances are, you’ll find that each line contains a DIFFERENT number of characters. This is done with a method called Proportional Printing.…
article, orig pub: 09.13.22, updated: 08.02.26
Now we’ll return to the interrupt driven sprite program. When you type RANDOMIZE USR 64776 to start the program, the little sprite will bounce happily around the screen, and will keep bouncing, even while you type in your own BASIC programs and run them. While you run a BEEP command or do I/O to the…
article, orig pub: 09.13.22, updated: 08.02.26
Now we’ll cover a couple of tricks we can do because the maskable interrupt is synchronized with the computer’s video output. Since we’re looking at interrupts and video, we should first take a quick look at how a video image is formed. A monochrome television or monitor can only produce a single tiny spot on…
article, orig pub: 09.13.22, updated: 08.02.26
Now, it’s time to fire up your T/S 2068. Type in and RUN the listing below. This must be done with the original Timex ROMs in control. When the program runs, it will SAVE to tape a “TS2068 Enulator” program. The program will take a fairly long time to run before the SAVE message appears,…
article, orig pub: 09.13.22, updated: 08.02.26
Non-Maskable Interrupts You’ll need an “NMI Switch”, RAM in the DOCK bank and the ability to copy the T/S 2068 HOME ROM to the RAM. Basically, the NMI works as follows. When the NMI line at the rear connector is brought momentarily to ground, the computer stops what its doing and starts executing code at…
article, orig pub: 09.13.22, updated: 08.02.26
The interrupt driven print-screen program we’ve been playing with is just about “all used up” as a learning tool. Its main advantage was that it was very short, and could be easily entered. Unfortunately, it required a T/S 2040 printer to operate. Now we’ll learn some new things by working with an interrupt driven sprite…
article, orig pub: 09.13.22, updated: 08.02.26
If you try to relocate the machine code to the same 16K memory block as the display file (16-32K), you will notice that the quality of the picture degrades badly when it’s running. The servicing of interrupt mode 2 confuses the hardware that generates the display, when both are trying to operate with the same…
article, orig pub: 09.13.22, updated: 08.02.26
Or, The Joy Of Using Interrupts On Your Computer “All right”, comes the chorus, “what’s an interrupt, and why should I care?” I’ll admit, it’s possible to lead a normal, happy life even if you’ve never heard of an interrupt. But in that case, you’ll have missed something that’s at least lots of fun and,…
article, orig pub: 09.13.22, updated: 08.02.26
How Does The Demonstrator Work? Pretty well! Seriously, let’s first look at what the demonstrator sets up in memory, and then we’ll see how it all works together. Understanding this description will require a bit of knowledge of machine code, but only a bit. The demonstrator has been written to be understood by as wide…
article, orig pub: 09.13.22, updated: 08.02.26
The following will give you some idea of the differences between the Spectrum expansion bus and the 2068’s. This information will help you hack Spectrum hardware onto a 2068. If you’ve never looked at such things, some of the conventions may be unfamiliar. Names with a bar overhead (such as INT) are read “not INT”.…
article, orig pub: 10.07.22, updated: 08.02.26
I have finished the code to make the Timex run under Gerton’s Z80 emulator and finally debugged the Series One interface code to work with the Timex 2068. The final product is changed greatly from the one that I demonstrated down in Dayton. The machine stack is located where it is suppose to be at…
article, orig pub: 10.07.22, updated: 08.02.26
Last issue, SyncWare News printed a simple flow chart generating program. Our Editor issued the following challenges to our readers: 1). Reduce the memory required by the example program to the barest minimum, 2). Create a machine code equivalent of the example program, and/or 3). Write an equivalent program for the ZX81/TS1000 in either MC…
article, orig pub: 12.28.24, updated: 08.02.26
On reading the last Issue of Computerchat, I became Interested in the different methods used to create line 0s In listings. The easiest way lo do this is to write a line 1 and then POKE 23756,0. However any line 0 can be removed by POKE 23756,1 or whatever. I put my copyright message at…
article, orig pub: 10.07.22, updated: 08.02.26
Here we are again, in the Machine Code Corner. This month, I am going to show you some ROM routines that use the TS2040 printer! But first, an apology. Last month, I gave you two routines that scrolled part of the screen left and right. For one reason or another, the BASIC loader did not…
article, orig pub: 09.13.22, updated: 08.02.26
If you’ve examined some of your programs for any of the Sinclair computers containing machine code, you’ve probably seen machine code routines called in a variety of ways. The most common calls are: where “n” represents the address where the machine code is located. How do you know which way to call a USR routine?…
article, orig pub: 10.07.22, updated: 08.02.26
Here is all you wanted to know about saving to tape but didn’t know where to look. Except for minor differences like speed, much of it applies to the microdrive and some disc files. One important function is not immediately evident: the ability to SAVE code from one location, then LOAD it back to another.…
article, orig pub: 10.07.22, updated: 08.02.26
T/S TINYBOARD was begun as an experiment in how the MODEM works. The first step in the beginning was to find out about the hardware inside the Westridge MODEM. The controlling chip is an 8251 USART. Further information about the 8251 can be found in the Intel 8080 Users Manual. The software in its present…
article, orig pub: 10.07.22, updated: 08.02.26
Had a couple of to PEOPLE aSK how make 2068 programs that start as soon as they are loaded. The answer to that one is simple but bears repeating. Simply add this LINE to your program: As simple as it may sound, some have had trouble BREAKing an autorun BASIC program on the 2068. On…
article, orig pub: 10.07.22, updated: 08.02.26
Most programs require user interaction through the keyboard, and use the INPUT or INKEY$ functions to do this job. This article will discuss some alternative ways to input through the keyboard. Method #1 Hardware generated interrupts are used in the 2068 to update the TV frames counter and to scan the keyboard for pressed keys.…
article, orig pub: 10.07.22, updated: 08.02.26
Some hams have difficulty using some color monitors with the T/S 2068. There are very good reasons for these difficulties. If the usual standards are not followed, less than perfect quality results. The trouble is deciding what are the usual standards when you are trying to build a computer which can be used any place…
article, orig pub: 10.07.22, updated: 08.02.26
There have been a number of tips for the 2000 that have shown up at news letter meetings and in outside newsletters. The authors or sources of the tips are given credit where it is known. Tip 1: The Missing Legends If you look at the space above the number keys, you may notice that…
article, orig pub: 10.07.22, updated: 08.02.26
Here is a program which you can merge with one you have written and which will print out a list of goodies such as how many bytes of BASIC, machine code and free space you have, where the character set you are using is located, et cetera. This program is for the TS 2068 and…
article, orig pub: 10.07.22, updated: 08.02.26
The loader hex-decodes machine code into memory starting at 64768, then demonstrates a “window micro-scroll” routine: a bordered box is drawn on screen and its contents are scrolled up, then right, then diagonally, by repeated calls to RANDOMIZE USR scroll with the scroll window and direction set beforehand via POKE. BASIC Listing
article, orig pub: 10.27.20, updated: 08.02.26
I am sending copies of the proposed changes to the TS2068 home ROM to those shown on the end of the listing. After receiving comments I’ll send out copies and have the results published. If you have any comments, corrections, or additions please let me know. I am also collecting corrections to the extension ROM.…
article, orig pub: 10.07.22, updated: 08.02.26
Custom functions for converting Microsoft BASIC LEFT$, RIGHT$, and MID$ to Sinclair BASIC.
article, orig pub: 02.04.24, updated: 08.02.26
STRING$ is a BASIC command used by some BASIC languages and is not the same as STR$. Knowing its meaning is necessary for SINCLAIR BASIC replacement. STRING$ is used to create strings made up of the same character in graphics, as for borders. You define the character and the desired number of repeats. SINCLAIR BASIC…
article, orig pub: 10.07.22, updated: 08.02.26
There another use of the keyword "LINE" beside starting a program at that line when saving a program. If the word "LINE" is used with a string "INPUT", the input prompt is given without the usual quotation marks.
article, orig pub: 10.07.22, updated: 08.02.26
A stream is a dataflow in/out the program. Its home terminal is the program; its remote terminal is deliberately assigned to a channel. A channel is a ML program accessed by the BASIC program via streams. IT IS NOT AN EXTERNAL APPARATUS, like a modem or robot!! The ML program could govern an outside device…
article, orig pub: 10.07.22, updated: 08.02.26
I’m sure that you all know by now how to drive your printers from a program; you simply replace your customary PRINT statement with a LPRINT statement. Simple, right? But what if you have a program which will print to the printer or to the screen at the user’s option? How do you program this…
article, orig pub: 10.07.22, updated: 08.02.26
One area which peaked my interest is the idea of adding more memory. I was excited about the idea of going beyond that 72 K boundry. I was not quite ready to take a jump an add a full 64 K, but a leap to 16 K, maybe. I had one of John Oliger’s User…
article, orig pub: 10.27.20, updated: 08.02.26
Ever been frustrated with the type of terminal programs available for your computers? Well some years ago, the only terminal programs available for the 2068 were MTERM & MTERM II, the slow key response of either program got to me, so I sat down and wrote my own. Perhaps some of you still remember the…
article, orig pub: 10.07.22, updated: 08.02.26
Some more ramblings about things not fully covered in the TIMEX MANUAL this month. Looks like the time between newsletters is shrinking, or else I am to busy with other things. A look at what the Sinclair Manual has to say about mathematical functions which are also only covered in the Timex Manual in Appendices.…
article, orig pub: 10.07.22, updated: 08.01.26
For this month lets check some of the other fine points of SINCLAIR BASIC not covered in the TIMEX MANUAL, and then some: I’m certain you know that everything that an INPUT statement writes goes to the bottom part of the screen, which acts somewhat independently of the top half. In particular, its lines are…
article, orig pub: 10.07.22, updated: 08.01.26
I do not know how many of you ever seen the manual that comes with the SPECTRUM COMPUTER? It may surprise you, how much more this manual goes into details. Especially about certain functions which are covered in the TIMEX MANUAL only in appendices. Let’s talk about some of the ones not fully covered in…
article, orig pub: 10.07.22, updated: 08.01.26
What’s new in the world of Sinclair Computers? Some time ago, one could at least get a hold of a magazine of some sorts to find out. Sure one would have to look for it, or perhaps order it from abroad, but at least there was something. I have not seen anything written about the…
article, orig pub: 10.07.22, updated: 08.01.26
I mentioned in last month column that I would hope to have VU-Calc +80 all polished up for this month, but no such luck, I could not even find the time to look at it, and rather than publishing something not up to par, I decided to wait. I modified VU-CALC some years ago, but…
article, orig pub: 10.07.22, updated: 08.01.26
Ever wonder what some of the intended functions for some of the keywords on your computer were? Like the MOVE, ERASE, CAT and FORMAT keys. Well when TIMEX came out with the 2068, there were some peripherals in the planing stage. Some were available before Timex bailed out of the computer market, like the 2020…
article, orig pub: 10.07.22, updated: 08.01.26
It is not the case that all BASIC programs for the SPECTRUM will run as is on the 2068. The IN function will return different values when used to scan the keyboard. For example, with no keys pressed, the 2068 will return 31 while a SPECTRUM will return either 255 or 191 depending on the…
article, orig pub: 10.07.22, updated: 08.01.26
In last month’s article, we inadvertently left out the printed circuit board layout, so here it is this month with our apologies. Also I have drawn a side view showing how the chips sit on the board. When installing the chips, always use great care in positioning the chips in the sockets. Generally, the width…
article, orig pub: 10.07.22, updated: 08.01.26
One of the biggest drawbacks of the 2068 is the selection of software available for it. Timex pulled out a bit too soon before a good selection of software became available. With the project I describe here, You can run many Spectrum (48K) programs on your 2068 (ones that normally don’t run on your 2068)!…
article, orig pub: 01.14.23, updated: 08.01.26
Here are a selection of POKEs and ROM calls for the Spectrum that produce some interesting effects without upsetting the machine.
article, orig pub: 10.07.22, updated: 08.01.26
At the round-table discussion during the NW Mini-Fair it was suggested that the Timex community form national BBS/Electronic means communication. The “draft” following is of the announcement prepared for Ed Grey (it was posted on RMG’S BBS where Ed obtained copy). To all dedicated Timex/Sinclair users For Immediate Release As our user base seems to…
article, orig pub: 10.07.22, updated: 08.01.26
Although we seem to concentrate on the TS2068, many if not all of us have some sort of Spectrum ROM or emulator on our TS2068 (or even QL and IBM PC). The following is a group of Sinclair Spectrum tips which were found in the September 1989 issue of the LISTing newsletter. These tips come…
article, orig pub: 10.07.22, updated: 08.01.26
A COMMENT When writing an article I always try to do something which will encourage others to try their hand at learning to program for themself. While SOUNDER is a working program, it is open to improvement and I hope some of you will do just that. You may want to allow for larger files,…
article, orig pub: 10.07.22, updated: 08.01.26
One of the things that caught my attention when I was deciding on which computer to buy three years ago was the fact that the 2068 had not one, but two means of producing sound. The “Spectrum Beep” and the sophisticated General Instrument PSG. Being that I am a musician of eight years, I wanted…
article, orig pub: 10.07.22, updated: 08.01.26
It you look at the program below, you are inclined to doubt the good judgement of the author, putting “VAL” all over. But when you program it and compare it with the way it is normally written, you find that it uses 14 BASIC bytes (12 %) less than the conventional program with 139 bytes.…
article, orig pub: 10.27.20, updated: 08.01.26
Here is a code for the 2068 that will produce snowflake-like patterns. Each run will produce a different pattern. The dendrites are produced on lines 80 to 160. The pattern is then developed from line 170 on, with the subroutine starting at line 300 making the copies of the different angles. The code will keep…
article, orig pub: 10.07.22, updated: 08.01.26
Message #251 "SINCLAIR" Date: 10-Mar-90 15:54 From: Tim Ward To: A11 Subj: Public Domain Libraries, 1000 and 2068 Hello to all dedicated T/S Users. Tim Ward and Tony Willing have discovered the Sinclair Users Echo! Glad to be here and reading the messages. We just picked up MAXCOM and a 2068 LKDOS (from RMG Ent.,…
article, orig pub: 10.07.22, updated: 08.01.26
The Sinclair Echo is now in the Seattle area, Puyallup to be precise. For those of you who use your modems the Echo will be of interest to you. Simply described the Echo provides Sinclair users with a way to contact other Sinclair users across the country without the large long-distance telephone bills. The system…
article, orig pub: 10.07.22, updated: 08.01.26
As stated in part 1, the outputs of the Port or latch can drive LEDs directly however, it would be preferred to isolate the output circuitry using optoisolaters. Refer to diagrams. The Port circuit can be connected to eight (8) opto devices since their is adequate power from the 5 volt computer power supply. External…
article, orig pub: 09.13.22, updated: 08.01.26
Before your T/S 2068 computer can be used to perform real tasks instead of playing games or to cary out simple calculations it needs some means for actuating external devices. Our simple Out Port provides the interface between the 2068 and whatever external item you wish to control (turn ‘on’ or ‘off’). The IC used…
article, orig pub: 10.07.22, updated: 08.01.26
Our Friend Eric Yruegas sent this to me. THANKS! ERIC! This month I was rattin’ around my program files and found a few programs that I haven’t used in a while. I thought that I’d share them with you. Bold Characters The first is a short machine code routine that makes bold characters on the…
article, orig pub: 10.07.22, updated: 08.01.26
See Mark Fisher’s article in the March/April issue of Sync magazine. The Timex/Sinclair has scroll controls as used in listing number 1. This program lists the addresses, character code, and symbols of the program, and scrolls until the last line is printed. The 2068 does not provide this continuous scroll unless a key is held…
article, orig pub: 10.07.22, updated: 08.01.26
The SCROLL operation in the 1000 can be obtained in the 2068 by: Try using m=1 and m=2 to see what the difference is.
article, orig pub: 10.07.22, updated: 08.01.26
Screen Store Program for TS2068 Here’s a piece of a program that may interest some of your readers. It’s designed to store the screen contents of the TS 2068. The cute thing about the program is that it stores the machine code routine and the data together in one string (A$). With this approach you…
article, orig pub: 10.07.22, updated: 08.01.26
Type in this program for the 48K Spectrum and save it as SAVE "ORGANISER" LINE 1. But do not forget that this program goes along with the SCREEN SPLITTER program by the same two people, and must have in memory the LOADCODE: BASIC Listing
article, orig pub: 07.24.25, updated: 08.01.26
Using this amazing Screen Splitting utility routine enables you to save a SCREEN$ in one of 30 different ways, combinations of top pixels, middle pixels, bottom pixels, and attributes. To show you what good value we offer you, this is two programs for the price of one. The main program lets you LOAD a screen…
article, orig pub: 07.05.24, updated: 08.01.26
Utility routine that enables you to save a SCREEN$ in one of 30 different ways, combinations of top pixels, middle pixels, bottom pixels, and attributes.
article, orig pub: 07.24.25, updated: 08.01.26
The following is a routine that will work on the TS 2068, and with address modifications, on the IS 1000. You can save screen displays, or use it to relocate a program in memory from one address to another. The program as it is written here, will allow three screen displays to be stored and…
article, orig pub: 10.07.22, updated: 07.31.26
Many times a program is written that requires the input of data that is then used in some manner. If you then turn your computer off, the program and the data are lost, unless you SAVEd the entire program to tape or made a hard copy of the output of your program. However this leads…
article, orig pub: 10.07.22, updated: 07.31.26
Have you ever written a BASIC program and have used up al! of the available memory and are still not finished? This happened to me a while back. I wrote a Macintosh type display program on Weld Design only to find about three fourths of the way through that I had only 320 bytes left.…
article, orig pub: 10.07.22, updated: 07.31.26
MC – machine code program nameBasic – basic program nameScreen – screen string program name Load the program until the screen display is displayed then BREAK and LIST. This listing will give you the starting address of the machine code (found in the line RAND USR #), the name of the machine code and the…
article, orig pub: 10.07.22, updated: 07.30.26
Many of you have purchased commercial programs that appear to be unlistable, yet they run fine. One of the ways to accomplish this is to use ‘buried’ color codes in the listing. What are buried color codes and how do I use them? They are the equivalent of the color commands you are used to…
article, orig pub: 10.07.22, updated: 07.30.26
Relocates a machine code program to new location in RAM.
article, orig pub: 10.07.22, updated: 07.30.26
Detecting multiple keys on the TS1000.
article, orig pub: 10.27.20, updated: 07.30.26
Your 2068 uses ports to scan its keyboard, as do all Sinclairs. Each uses the same addresses, but the data differs. As you know, Sinclair uses the CPU to scan its matrix keyboard. Forty keys, arranged as 8 half-rows of 5 keys each, provide all the functions. Additional keys simply connect parallel to a primary…
article, orig pub: 10.27.20, updated: 07.30.26
Your TS2068 can display lines of 64 characters, more detailed color, or a completely separate display file. We show you how to activate these functions and plot hi-res (512×192) points. First, use program 1 to move system variables out of the area used by DFILE 2, change video mode, and clear DFILE 2. Timex supplied…
article, orig pub: 10.27.20, updated: 07.30.26
The two joysticks are controlled via Register 14 (I/O Port A) of the Programmable Sound Generator Chip (see Sections 2.1.6 and 2.1.7 of the TS2068 Technical Manual). Address and data are passed via Ports 0F5H and 0F6H respectively. The joysticks are read by first addressing Register l4 in the PSG by writing a 14 (0EH)…
article, orig pub: 10.07.22, updated: 07.30.26
In writing programs in Machine Code it is sometimes necessary to bring in data from a BASIC program or from direct input. A simple way is to go to M/C with RANDOMIZE X+USR 65000. That puts X on the calculator stack, from which it may be drawn and used within the M/C program. X may…
article, orig pub: 10.07.22, updated: 07.30.26
by H. L. Schaaf A few months ago Duane Parker and I had been talking about random numbers. I told him about a program that I had done which gives the seed of any random number, that is to say it works in reverse of the random number generator. Others may also be interested, so…
article, orig pub: 10.07.22, updated: 07.30.26
If you are looking for a way to rapidly store and retrieve an entire screen display, then this approach may be useful to you. It moves the 6912 bytes of the normal screen display file (DFILE) to an address in RAM, from which it may then be retrieved as one block of data and reinserted…
article, orig pub: 10.27.20, updated: 07.29.26
MSCRIPT is a very useful program. This article is for improving MSCRIPT, although it does not change any of the coding. What we are going to do is make it load faster by transferring it to an EPROM. The following for putting MSCRIPT on an EPROM is only for the original tape version. It will…
article, orig pub: 06.13.22, updated: 07.29.26
ON ERR….. The ON ERR… command on the TS 2068 can be used to make your programs essentially “unbreakable”. If the first line of your program, for example, is: and there is a line 9000 of this sort; any time a “break” error occurs the program will “CONTINUE” Slightly nastier, and certainly terminal, is this…
article, orig pub: 10.07.22, updated: 07.29.26
The statements in “Programming tips, part 2” apply to the 2068 as WELL. However, at additional tip for the long PRINT statement is the use of the print apostrophe, which moves the print position to the beginning of the next line regardless of the previous print position. The statement “Programming tips, part 2” can be…
article, orig pub: 02.07.21, updated: 07.29.26
Sometimes a programming problem can be easily solved by using certain tricks. Here are a few tips and techniques to help you possibly the next time you get stuck. I hope you will find them useful. The Save Problem To replace the message “Start tape then press Enter” you just need to POKE 26689,38. Try:…
article, orig pub: 10.07.22, updated: 07.29.26
Sinclair Research Ltd., the UK home computer maker, it was reported, in the last issue was being purchased by Robert Maxwell. Mr Maxwell recent bid of 12M pounds has been withdrawn. An agreement has been reach with Thorn EMI, Timex, Datatech, AB Electronics, plus Barclays and Citibank Banks, once again pledging their support to the…
article, orig pub: 10.07.22, updated: 07.29.26
Some tricks I have picked up over the years are ways to save memory on your TS Computer. This are great to know tricks when dealing with low memory systems like TS 1000, TS 1500 and ZX 81 computers. It is also helpful on the TS 2068 when the out of memory error appears. The…
article, orig pub: 10.07.22, updated: 07.29.26
In honor of the “October is TS 2068 Month” movement, CATS is happy to present the following collection of tips, aids, and utilities which should prove helpful with any TS 2068 programming. These gems come to us from the archives of TIMELINEZ and SINC TIMES.
article, orig pub: 10.07.22, updated: 07.29.26
List of user groups that had contacted QuarTerS.
article, orig pub: 07.29.26, updated: 07.29.26
Supertape is a collection of programs specifically designed for the TS1000 computer. The tape is analogous to a magazine printed onto a cassette tape.
article, orig pub: 07.29.26, updated: 07.29.26
ATTRIBUTES & PRINT POSITION In the last issue we discussed the limitations of SCREEN$ in detecting and/or recognizing the presence of a character in the PRINT POSITION. We further defined PRINT POSITION as that block on the 32 X 24 grid of the screen where the very next character will be printed. PRINT POSITION is…
article, orig pub: 07.28.26, updated: 07.29.26
Finally, a speech synthesis program has come of age for us TS1000 users. It is also easy to use and affordable. The speech synthesis package consists of a 2K demonstration, which speaks “I am your computer” in repetition, a biorythym prediction program which also speaks your age based on your birthdate and the day’s date…
article, orig pub: 07.29.26, updated: 07.29.26
Upon loading the program auto-runs and you are faced choices with the menu. Five choices are subdivided into 2 categories. The first category gives you the choice of beginning a file, displaying the current file, and saving a file. tThe second category gives you two choices of printing in double or single spacing.
article, orig pub: 07.29.26, updated: 07.29.26
The map above shows’ thunderstorms reported by the National Weather Service. It was created by the TS2068 from data transmitted by CompuServe using the 2050 Modem and Smartterm II software.
article, orig pub: 07.28.26, updated: 07.28.26
It seems that you are the commander of an experimental space ship that is invisible to enemy ships’ detection. On your first voyage your. ship experiences an electrical fire which cripples the main engine, laser, and autopilot controls. Leaving you with only 30 pounds of fuel to operate with. The only controls’ that are functioning…
article, orig pub: 07.28.26, updated: 07.28.26
In the Winter-85 issue of QuarTerS Bill Johnson enlightened us with a TS2068 program to COPY a screen without using the COPY command. The advantage being selected lines could be specified to COPY instead of the entire screen. His program used the SCREEN$ function as the heart of the routine. Although it worked, the SCREEN$…
article, orig pub: 07.28.26, updated: 07.28.26
Caroline Bower seeks accounting software for the TS 2068. Bill Blau looking for numerological reading software for his 1000. Paul Meyer has questions about the VAL$ and DEF FN functions.
article, orig pub: 07.28.26, updated: 07.28.26
This column is a new feature which will appear from now on in QuarTerS. What is telecommunications? It is the interaction of two or more computers by the use of telephone lines. Normally a computer user connects with a large data base or a Bulletin Board Service (BBS) by using a device called a modem.
article, orig pub: 07.28.26, updated: 07.28.26
Here is a short program that was written on the TS1000 with no memory added. It can also be used on the TS2068. It has some interesting features.
article, orig pub: 07.28.26, updated: 07.28.26
As an owner of the AERCO Disk Interface for my TS1000, it was only a matter of ‘time before I purchased an interface for my TS2068.
article, orig pub: 07.28.26, updated: 07.28.26
Here are a few of my favorite RAM saving substitutes for you to ponder: Instead of Try using PRINT #0 PRINT #RND GOTO 3 GOTO PI PRINT #1; PRINT #RND; GOTO 6 GOTO PI+PI 0 NOT PI GOTO 10 GOTO PI*PI 1 SGN PI GOTO 8000 GOTO VAL “8e3” 100 CODE “d” INK 3 INK…
article, orig pub: 10.07.22, updated: 07.27.26
Here is a cute routine to show your friends. Did you know that you can use DRAW command with a radius variable? Here is another cute routine from Dale Barnard.
article, orig pub: 10.07.22, updated: 07.27.26
Here is something I picked up from Chuck Dawson in the Ft. Worth User’s Group Newsletter. Did you know that you have access from the keyboard to all of the PRINT options, besides INVERSE? They are accessed from the extended mode, which is reached by pushing the CAPS SHIFT and SYMBOL SHIFT at the same…
article, orig pub: 10.07.22, updated: 07.27.26
The TS 1000, 1500, and 2068 computers do not support this function but many forms of BASIC do. I have had no experience with this function but have noticed its use in some programs so decided it warranted investigating. There appears to be more than one form of PRINT USING. The simplest establishes the form…
article, orig pub: 09.13.22, updated: 07.27.26
This is an updated version of Dick Wagner’s PRINTUSING routine, wrapped in a demonstration that takes a set of numbers, prints them as BASIC prints them, and then prints the same numbers again formatted to a ######.## template. The formatter itself is the subroutine at 2000–2170; everything below 300 is the demo around it. BASIC…
article, orig pub: 09.13.22, updated: 07.27.26
The Epson printer manual for the JX-80 printer has some good programs that are adaptable to Sinclair BASIC. One of interest is a method of sending to the printer data that has been stored in arrays. The following program calculates the plot of a small circle. The calculations are for one quarter segment of a…
article, orig pub: 09.13.22, updated: 07.27.26
Each new book І have bought on the TS 2068 has taught me quite a bit about programming on the computer. The things I have learned lately on the keyword PRINT are quite interesting. The latest book I purchased, “Introduction to 2068 Machine Language” by Dr. Lloyd Dreger, explained quite a bit about it. Many…
article, orig pub: 09.13.22, updated: 07.27.26
Although some bank-switching applications might encompass seemingly insurmountable programming obstacles…there are many others that can be accomplished with ease! I’d like to present three bank-switching examples/applications that can be adapted and expanded on for a wide variety of uses. Bank Switching Theory — From a Layman’s Perspective What is bank switching? In very simple terms,…
article, orig pub: 10.27.20, updated: 07.27.26
Those of us who have not “graduated” to a more up-to-date computer probably have a tangle of peripherals hanging out the back of the 2068. Each of these add-ons draws power from the internal power supply. There is a real danger of overloading it with rather nasty results. Bill Jones of UPDATE magazine tells me…
article, orig pub: 10.27.20, updated: 07.27.26
BINARY TREE If you have followed me this far, we come to the reason I wrote the article. A binary tree is an excellent way to store large amounts of alphabetical or numeric data since the functions INSERT (of new data) and LOCATE (of existing data) are so fast. A binary tree of numbers looks…
article, orig pub: 09.13.22, updated: 07.27.26
This method of using recursive DEF FN to obtain sums was discussed in a TS Survival column in COMPUTER SHOPPER. It is fast and handy in some applications.
article, orig pub: 10.07.22, updated: 07.27.26
One of the best features of the T/S 2068 computer is its ability to create and display high resolution graphics. There are commands in TS BASIC to PLOT points, DRAW lines, and even make CIRCLEs and arcs. This article will present subroutines to draw equalateral trianges, squares, penta-hexa-hepta- octa-nona-deca- and other polygons. Polygon shapes have…
article, orig pub: 10.27.20, updated: 07.27.26
I was one of the first people to learn that Timex was getting out of the personal computer retail market. A friend of mine, who was working there, called me to tell me the news just minutes after she received the word herself. My first reaction was that it was hard to believe, although Timex…
article, orig pub: 10.27.20, updated: 07.27.26
I have been collecting all sorts of pokes, hints, maps, and other information for the Spectrum and TS2068. I have finally gotten around to getting it sorted out, and want to pass some of it on. Most of it is for the Spectrum but the 2068 codes should be easy to find. If you want…
article, orig pub: 10.07.22, updated: 07.27.26
An error in the March page of POKES needs a correction. The last one was RANDOMIZE 0, it should have been RANDOMIZE USR 0. Let’s add some more to our list. POKE 23561,# (#=1 to 35)Time that a key must be held down before it repeats. Try 10-15 for test. POKE 23562,# (#=1 to 5)Delay…
article, orig pub: 10.07.22, updated: 07.26.26
The January 1993 issue of UPDATe magazine has a page of pokes by Frank Davis. I believe the lists that I have will mostly include those in UPDATE. Continued from last month: CLEAR 63255Do this first if you plan to use UDGs in a long BASIC program that will incorporate a video mode change. A…
article, orig pub: 10.07.22, updated: 07.26.26
I had never used the function POINT until entering the program that turns the screen upside down (RAMTOP Feb. 86). It made me curious, so I decided to learn more about it. On page 199 of the 2068 USER MANUAL is a very brief explanation, as follows: The function POINT is followed by two numbers…
article, orig pub: 10.07.22, updated: 07.26.26
Announcement of the Planet Sinclair website.
article, orig pub: 10.07.22, updated: 07.26.26
After reading your article on “TS2068 Video Bells and Whistles” in the October, 1992 issue of UPDATE, I decided to write a sample program which incorporated incorporated your your ideas on using the high resolution color graphics mode. The result is the enclosed program on disk in LKDOS format. “PALLET.B1” utilizes the entire 24 line…
article, orig pub: 10.27.20, updated: 07.26.26
If you would like to speed up your BASIC programs and increase the available storage, you might consider coding with logical expressions. These are often overlooked program statements that can accomplish the above, and also clean up many GOTOs that often tend to clutter up a program listing. A logical has two conditions; true or…
article, orig pub: 01.23.22, updated: 07.26.26
Background The LARKEN RAMDISK banks are all mapped into the DOCK bank of the 2068 even though the board is plugged into the back expansion slot. Consequently, it is possible to load any of the RAMDISK banks with data for a database or spreadsheet. This means that up to 256K more information can be handled…
article, orig pub: 10.27.20, updated: 07.26.26
Let’s delve into the mysterious realm of channels and streams and those two odd tokens OPEN # and CLOSE #. These two commands are extremely powerful and have many uses and yet there is nothing at all about them in the TS2068 User Manual except to say that “these and other commands like FORMAT, MOVE,…
article, orig pub: 10.27.20, updated: 07.26.26
A person whom I’d never heard of sent me a cassette, saying that it contained an important program that “hangs up every time it is loaded”. I loaded the program and sure enough it did hang up. A touch of the NMI button on the Oliger DOS board gave me “O.K” at the screen bottom.…
article, orig pub: 10.27.20, updated: 07.26.26
My wife Heddy and І arrived in Indianapolis at 5:30PM local time on Friday May ist after an uneventful USAir flight from Los Angeles. The Holiday Inn North’s airport bus arrived in about 25 minutes to take us to the hotel. The accommodations seemed to be very nice. The pre-festival banquet began at 8:00PM and…
article, orig pub: 10.07.22, updated: 07.26.26
Please refer to the June issue of THE PLOTTER for details of this program. A handy program format follows for Larken users. The CODE has been saved as “getput.C1” at address 60000, 396. This is the code entered in GETPUT. This program makes it easy to enter formulas, text, etc, to be scrolled in part…
article, orig pub: 10.07.22, updated: 07.26.26
Tim Hartnell reports back from the Consumer Electronics Show. After some 18 months with the Timex version of the ZX81, Timex have managed to sell 600,000 of the machines in America. The Timex stand was enormous, about the area of a four-room flat, and it was dominated by giant pictures of the T/S 2000 and…
article, orig pub: 10.27.20, updated: 07.26.26
Having a Z80 processor in the Timex 2068 gives the user a powerful suite of instructions to use. One of the most useful is IM2. This instruction allows the user to divert interrupts to their own routines to do almost anything imaginable. In normal operation the processing is interrupted 60 times a second so the…
article, orig pub: 10.27.20, updated: 07.26.26
The following “Little Goodies” are a collection of tips, aids, utilities, etc. that should prove helpful in 2068 programming. Special thanks to John Kuhn of the SINC TIMES in Florida and Stuart Ree of the TIMELINEZ N/L in Northern Calif. for their help. If you have a “Little Goodie” to share, please send it along…
article, orig pub: 10.27.20, updated: 07.26.26
PASCAL, and descendant languages such as MODULA and ADA, are very structured compared to BASIC. All variables must be identified before use, Procedures and Functions (ie subroutines) must all appear before the main program and the punctuation required is “persnickity” to the extreme. These requirements are all well and good For large commercial use since…
article, orig pub: 09.13.22, updated: 07.25.26
I really enjoy your magazine and please keep up the good work! I have a question…do you know of any BBS Program for the 2068 (using the 2050 modem)? I have included two graphic printouts that I made using a program that I call “draw”. Hope you enjoy them as much as I did making…
article, orig pub: 10.27.20, updated: 07.25.26
Fifth installment of the Z80 machine language series, presenting the world-map printing routine for CONQUEST. Covers FMO (find map start based on player position), PMAP (print map to screen), WRAP (horizontal and vertical wrapping logic for a 64×64 toroidal map), FINDAT (attribute address calculation), and PRUDG (print User Defined Graphic characters for map symbols). Full…
article, orig pub: 03.12.26, updated: 07.25.26
Fourth installment in Lloyd Dreger’s Z80 machine language series for the Timex/Sinclair 2068, presenting the general menu system used in his CONQUEST wargame. Covers the SetTV and GetTV screen-switching routines, PrintMENU for rendering menu text to screen, MoveCURsor for arrow-key cursor movement, and GETINPut for accepting both keyboard and joystick input. Full assembly listings with…
article, orig pub: 03.12.26, updated: 07.25.26
Sixth installment of the Z80 series, providing corrections to the issue #5 map routine plus the FINDAT color-attribute routine that assigns display colors to map units and cities for three players, a PAPER routine for background attribute setting, and the PRUDG UDG printer used throughout the CONQUEST map display system. Full assembly listings with addresses…
article, orig pub: 03.12.26, updated: 07.25.26
Seventh installment of the Z80 series, presenting the map-cursor and map-editor routine for CONQUEST. Covers PRCURS and PRCUR (cursor initialization and main loop), PIXLOC (screen address from XY coordinates), ATTR (attribute address calculation), PRCHA (print character), INTJOY (joystick-to-cursor translation), TRANS (cursor-to-map coordinate conversion), PUTX (place map element), DOIT (dispatch table using JP(HL)), and four scroll…
article, orig pub: 03.12.26, updated: 07.25.26
The following BASIC joystick program for the T/S 2068 computer is an enhancement to an original by Warren Fricke, first pub- lished in TIME DESIGNS Sept/Oct 1985 (Vo1.1, No. 6). Keeping the flavor of its predecessor, this program does no more than demonstrate its new potential. Possible applications will be dealt with later. There are…
article, orig pub: 10.27.20, updated: 07.25.26
Third installment in a series on interrupt-driven Z80 machine language programming for the Timex/Sinclair 2068. Covers a BLINK routine that alternates two User Defined Graphics characters on screen using variables for timing, position, and attributes, followed by three sound-effects routines: a border-toggle BEEP, a gun/bomb effect, and a whistle-and-bang bomb effect. Full machine code listings…
article, orig pub: 03.12.26, updated: 07.25.26
After playing with a QL and seeing its clock run independently of every thing else, I decided to try the same thing on the TS2068 using the IM 2 interrupt mode. Here is the results of that attempt. Very simply, it prints a digital clock to the upper right hand corner of the screen while…
article, orig pub: 10.07.22, updated: 07.23.26
The following changes are necessary to last months machine code. 64824 0 NO-OP Inst.64979 241 POP AF Note I have indicated where to call another routine if you desire to do something else before returning. Put it in there with a call as you have all the registers still pushed. But remember you are still…
article, orig pub: 10.07.22, updated: 07.23.26
А discussion of interrupts was a bit too advanced a subject to cover in detail in my book “Introduction to 2068 Machine Code,” since the beginning student has enough other things to learn, so here is a short discussion of them. There are two kinds of interrupts available for the Z80 CPU, the maskable (MI)…
article, orig pub: 02.13.24, updated: 07.23.26
In revising programs or comparing technique I often use the system variable FRAMES to measure elapsed time. Near the start of the program temporarily insert: That will reset the counters to 0. They will advance one unit per 1/60.1145 second. Near the end of the program, insert: For direct comparisons just note the number of…
article, orig pub: 03.14.26, updated: 07.22.26
In revising programs or comparing technique I often use the system variable FRAMES to measure elapsed time. Near the start of the program temporarily insert: That will reset the counters to 0. They will advance one unit per 1/60.1145 second. Near the end of the program, insert: For direct comparisons just note the number of…
article, orig pub: 09.13.22, updated: 07.22.26
WARNING: Modification requires opening the computer case, drilling one hole and cutting out a opening the slot for a will void any warranty from the manufacturer. Parts Required Tools Required Modification – Mechanical Place the T/S 2068 on a flat surface which is covered with a towel or foam, on the keyboard side. Remove each…
article, orig pub: 09.13.22, updated: 07.22.26
Last month in Interfacing Tips and Troubles we presented part one of a two part article on interfacing the Sinclair computers. In part one we looked at the hardware required for a simple interface, and explained how to protect memory space for storing machine language programs. This month in part two, we will present the…
article, orig pub: 10.27.20, updated: 07.21.26
Bryan Lepkowski of Mechanicville, New York wrote in and wanted to know what changes would be required to adapt the VIC-20 EPROM programmer (The Computer Journal Vol.II, No.4) to operate with the Sinclair TS2068 color computer. As I attempted to answer his question, I realized two things. One, the question cannot be answered in a…
article, orig pub: 10.27.20, updated: 07.21.26
In the May-June ’86 Issue of SyncWare News, I went through several sort routines for the 2068 and 1000 computers. For general use, I decided that the Shell-Faulk was the best all-round choice, but I also asked readers to send in any better ideas. One reader did, Larry Crawford of London, Ontarlo, Canada. He took…
article, orig pub: 08.28.21, updated: 07.21.26
I like to get newsletters with bits of programming that I can use to dress-up my programming or add to existing programs that I feel have “rough” spots in them. I have seen a variation of this one before but the Jan ’93 issue of UPDATE Mag. got me started playing around with this one…
article, orig pub: 10.07.22, updated: 07.20.26
When you try out a new program, the first impression you get is from the graphics. In fact, clever graphics (or lack o1) can make or break a well written but otherwise lackluster program. The following annotated routines show how simple but effective graphics displays are created. The program scrolls a 60 character message through…
article, orig pub: 10.27.20, updated: 07.20.26
Pokes and programming hints from a T-S Horizons article by George Mockridge.
article, orig pub: 06.26.21, updated: 07.20.26
article, orig pub: 10.27.20, updated: 07.20.26
article, orig pub: 10.27.20, updated: 07.20.26
This program is a graphics utility that I wrote to convert a standard 32 col. screen to a high resolution (64 col.) screen. The user has the option of placing the 32 col. screen (which is on the left half of the new 64 col. screen) on the right half of the screen, or starting…
article, orig pub: 10.27.20, updated: 07.20.26
There have been several examples of renumbering routines that have run in the CATS newsletter over the years. They all share a common failing – they could not alter the GOTOs and GOSUBs. This is a problem in BASIC, because all program jumps (GOTO and GOSUB) are absolute jobs. The program jumps to a specific…
article, orig pub: 10.07.22, updated: 07.18.26
The attached page one gives the schematic for the ATARI Key pad and 2068 joystick (a fairly standard joystick configuration). Note that line 8, STB 1s the one key pin missing from the key pads plug. This makes the pad useless as a simple input device. Still, there are several inexpensive ways around this problem.…
article, orig pub: 09.13.22, updated: 07.18.26
The following tips, etc for 2068 Programming is from a collection assembled by George Mockridge of TIMELINZ newsletter. These are a little more “advanced” than some that have been published befare. Resets RAMTOP without destroying variables that were not defined in the program. GOTO 9999 to find the elapsed time in seconds that a program…
article, orig pub: 09.13.22, updated: 07.18.26
1st + 2nd Displays You can use this routine to move the Function Dispatcher so you can use the 2nd Dispatcher. After the 1st use, you then have to use these commands, otherwise you will bomb out. OUT 255,2 for the 2nd DisplayOUT 255,0 for the 1st Display 22nd + 23rd Display Lines If you…
article, orig pub: 09.13.22, updated: 07.17.26
Bob Orrfelt has done wonders in his resurrection of the 2068 cartridge. While the programs on the two sample cartridges that I have tried are very simple they do demonstrate the use of the cartridge to store and use programs. Bob will soon, to my understanding, have an EPROM programmer available that will allow the…
article, orig pub: 09.13.22, updated: 07.17.26
It is interesting to see the computer work in true fractions instead of converting everything to decimal numbers. This program first displays a blank equation: Each unknown flashes, in turn, for entry of a number operator. Lines 55 to 80 provide the necessary cross-multiplication. The result is available as X and Y in line 85,…
article, orig pub: 10.07.22, updated: 07.17.26
I’m sure that you are all aware by now that it is possible to run most Spectrum programs on a 2068. Some will run without modification and some will not. As indicated in the last issue (Games review, SWN 2/3), if a program stops due to an illegal RAMTOP (too low), then changing the CLEAR…
article, orig pub: 10.27.20, updated: 07.17.26
The July issue of Sinclair User has the most momentous news as far as the 2068 users are concerned. It seems that two weeks before the Sinclair sellout to Amstrad, TIMEX Corp. had bagged the complete rights to the Sinclair line of computers Eastern Europe. Timex (Portugal) has just completed a deal with Poland (see…
article, orig pub: 09.13.22, updated: 07.17.26
Most computers use variations of the Dartmouth BASIC Language as their operating systems. The assembly language routines in ROM are designed to facilitate the Basic language as used by the operator and the Basic Editors of the computers are designed to process the particular variation of syntax used. Generally, the differences in syntax are easily…
article, orig pub: 10.27.20, updated: 07.17.26
Schematic for a parallel printer interface using the Zilog Z80-A parallel input/output chip (PIO).
article, orig pub: 09.13.22, updated: 07.16.26
Notes on adjusting the Boriel compiler to work with the TS 2068.
article, orig pub: 02.02.22, updated: 07.16.26
To increase the volume of SOUND on the 2068, try this little circuit. Circuit placement is not critical, but try to keep the signal lead as short as possible. In place of the #4B connection, you can use a 9 volt battery. The ‘A’ side of the the connector is toward the top of the…
article, orig pub: 01.14.23, updated: 07.16.26
The following utility really should be in the EXTRA MEMORY section, because it is so useful be able to MOVE a BASIC program to a specific STARTING MEMORY ADDRESS. It is a take off from the “MOVE” utilities issue of UP-DATE given in the January issue of UP-DATE. But, we are discussing the use of…
article, orig pub: 10.27.20, updated: 07.16.26
Lynd Church goes to Scotland to discover just how the ZX-81 is manufactured. In keeping with its philosophy of sub-contracting all manufacturing processes, Sinclair Research appointed Timex to produce the ZX-81 when it was introduced in March 1, 1981. Since that time, production at the Timex plant at Dundee has increased from 10,000 to 60,000…
article, orig pub: 10.27.20, updated: 07.16.26
Appendix D of the user manual lists the memory addresses of RAM where most of the TS-2068 system variables are stored. The left column “notes” tells whether the variable number is larger or smaller than 255. The significance of this is that system variable numbers larger than 255 require two memory addresses for storage. If…
article, orig pub: 10.27.20, updated: 07.16.26
I recently purchased a FOOTE interface for my Seikosha SP-1000A printer. It now allows me to use TECH-DRAW, BANNER and other AERCO and TASMAN B & C interface software. It also allows you to mount the Emulator chip such as Doug Dewey’s EMU, or other ROM based software. I had a problem getting it to…
article, orig pub: 09.13.22, updated: 07.15.26
This month I finish up my series on the printer interface with the circuit board layout and simple print driver software. In reconfiguring the layout to include the ROM interface, I had to rearrange things a bit, so here is the final version of the schematic showing the new pin configuration. The schematic to the…
article, orig pub: 01.14.23, updated: 07.15.26
Most of us can visualize the computer's "regular" memory. We know that the ROM part of memory has "fixed" machine programming put there by Timex when they built the computer, and that there Is a section called RAM that we store our own programs in.
article, orig pub: 10.27.20, updated: 07.15.26
One day, as I was rummaging through the TS2068 ROM, I discovered that there was more to the INPUT command than what was described In the manual. Digging a little deeper, I found that what’s presented here is covered In detail In the Spectrum manual. Well, so much for international communications. The TS2068 manual tells…
article, orig pub: 10.27.20, updated: 07.14.26
The programs of listings 1 and 2 in Part 1 got you programming 27128’s on the standard TS2068 computer with the supplied home ROM (U16). There IS, however, another way to get around the problem which is much better in the long run, it you plan on programming very many 27128 EPROMs. And what is…
article, orig pub: 10.27.20, updated: 07.14.26
Tutorial and code for storing text in machine code.
article, orig pub: 03.26.21, updated: 07.14.26
This subroutine will the user to allow enter up to Characters to 277 into machine code and recover them at will. The routine consists of four parts. The first part is the machine code loader program. RUN the above program then DELETE it. The second part consists of six lines that allow the text you…
article, orig pub: 10.07.22, updated: 07.14.26
Back in ’86 I was faced with a problem with memory. I had a program in which I stored and sorted movie titles, updating it each month. As the list approached 1000, it was obvious that RAM would soon be full and extra banks of memory were needed. l put together a board using eight…
article, orig pub: 10.27.20, updated: 07.14.26
I received an interesting Macintosh disk from Anthony J. Oresteen, 50518. 452 Orion Rd., Batavia, IL. On it was some software which included a program to convert Sinclair ZX 81 BASIC files (tokens) to ASCII files.
article, orig pub: 07.12.26, updated: 07.12.26
A few years ago I had trouble understanding why hams were putting computers in their shacks. The darn things made a lot of noise and as far as I could see didn’t have a thing to do with radio communications. Then an article in ORBIT magazine offered to help me plot satellite orbits and with…
article, orig pub: 07.12.26, updated: 07.12.26
As you has seen in article published under title “TURN OR NOT TURN?” that is an automatic antenna rotator controller designed to interface between the TS-1000 and virtually all rotators. Now, if you are interested in a system with two rotator for use in satellite tracker will control both an azimuth (360°) and an elevation…
article, orig pub: 07.12.26, updated: 07.12.26
As you has seen in article published under title “TURN OR NOT TURN?” that is an automatic antenna rotator controller designed to interface between the TS-1000 and virtually all rotators. Now, if you are interested in a system with two rotator for use in satellite tracker will control both an azimuth (360°) and an elevation…
article, orig pub: 07.12.26, updated: 07.12.26
The short program at the end of this article can be used to test the RAM of you ZX81 type Sinclair computer. It does a quite thorough check of all the RAM installed in your system except for that being used by the program. Of course if the program is running correctly that by itself…
article, orig pub: 07.12.26, updated: 07.12.26
I am not too sure why anybody would want to use this circuit to extend their RAM when QZX has been offering a free 16 K RAM box for several months now, but the circuit on the following page can be used to add just the amount of RAM that you wish and it is…
article, orig pub: 07.12.26, updated: 07.12.26
KF5GG – George renewed and sent a contribution to the postage fund. KHAFM Raymond renewed and sent a contribution to postage fund. James Powell renewed and sent a contribution to the postage fund. Arnold Nieuwenhoff renewed and did not sent a contribution to the postage fund. He sent something just as good, a book of…
article, orig pub: 07.12.26, updated: 07.12.26
These computers always have a surprise for you. Or at least the programs do. I thought the last QZX was all fixed up with templates so that all I had to do was add the articles. Well when it printed out the headers and footers were missing. I still have not the foggiest notion of…
article, orig pub: 07.12.26, updated: 07.12.26
You will need a piece of perf-board, about 2 inches by 1 inch, holes on .100 center, two 10K ohm resistors, one . 1 MFD capacitor, one single pole double throw switch, 5 feet wire wrap 30ga. Remove the TIMEX ROM, making sure not to remove the EXROM (see drawing), and place on non-conductive foam.…
article, orig pub: 09.13.22, updated: 07.09.26
By using a combination of PAPER; INK and UDG screens we can have an almost endless variety of colors. Most color printing we see in magazines, packages etc. are printed using only four colors; cyan, yellow, magenta and black: These are called process colors. The seemingly endless varieties are determined by a combination of screened…
article, orig pub: 09.13.22, updated: 07.09.26
There has been a considerable amount of questions and interest about Dense Pack programming techniques and the use-of-Boolean logic. While browsing through antique ZX publications I came across an interesting article written in 1983 by Sharon Aker (where are you now Sharon?). Since Sharon’s article merges nicely with my feeble attempts to explain the use…
article, orig pub: 10.27.20, updated: 07.05.26
Reference: “Speed Up Basic‘ in Plotter (4/87). The use of Boolean logic with BASIC has not been covered well in computer literature. (Ed. Boolean Logic, named after George Boole, who defined an algebra of logical operations, such as AND, OR, and NOT, on the two values true and false). The Timex Sinclair computers are very…
article, orig pub: 09.13.22, updated: 07.05.26
The following circuit will allow you to use the memory area above the EXROM, which ocupies the 0 to 8K chunk in that memory bank, as RAM. Cut the traces from pin 22 of the Exrom (mreq) and install the circuit in Figure 1. The easiest place to put this modification is a little left…
article, orig pub: 10.27.20, updated: 07.04.26
ESC Escape control code circuit If you have a full-sized printer you might appreciate this circuit which generates the series of characters for the ESC escape control code – CHR$27; – with one keystroke. The circuit can be implemented if you use 4066’s to interface the keyboard with the computer. Here’s how Figure 1 works.…
article, orig pub: 10.27.20, updated: 07.04.26
If you have ever felt limited on the 2068 with only eight colors, here is a way to create up to fifteen NEW colors and twelve new shades of the ones you already have. What’s the catch? Well, actually there are two. One, you are limited to the new color being the size of the…
article, orig pub: 09.13.22, updated: 07.03.26
This circuit will add 32k of RAM to a 2068 for about $25.00. It can be installed without removing the circuit board from the lower half of the case. The RAM occupies the upper half of the dock bank from 32768 to 65535. It can be disabled if you have something else that uses this…
article, orig pub: 10.07.22, updated: 07.03.26
I needed a way to keep track of my growing library of programs. Vu-File seemed like it might do the trick but it was a bit cumbersome to load both files each time. Besides, I’d never written any sort of record program before so I decided to do the definitive BASIC tape record file. (Definitive…
article, orig pub: 06.25.21, updated: 07.03.26
Most printing to the screen involves just 22 lines and 32 columns. One line scrolling is quickly done with RANDOMIZE USR 2361. This program takes scrolling a bit further. It will scroll each scan-line row of any defined block of graphics or text on the screen. The block will wrap around or scroll off the…
article, orig pub: 10.27.20, updated: 07.03.26