In mid-December, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) finally approved Sinclair‘s 16K RAM for the U.S. market. Users with the North American model will soon be able to buy the expansion device and plug it into their machines. But Sinclair’s Nigel Searle warns it could take several weeks before the part is available, for two reasons. First, the 16K RAM is produced in Britain, and demand in the U.K. already exceeds supply. But even if there were some waiting for shipment, a problem remains: the FCC wants some modifications to the British-model design.
There’s other good news, too. C.A.I. Instruments, Midland, MI, has completed work on three interfaces. The basic interface hooks the ZX80 to either a serial or parallel printer. The other two are really options you can buy in addition to the first hookup. One will link up to a baud-rate generator; the other is an acoustic coupler, to interface with the phone.
Both products will soon be available on a mail-order basis through Sinclair. You can order the 16K RAM ($99.95) now. But Searle warns deliveries won’t start for another few weeks. The interfaces, on the other hand, will be available in mid-January. Their prices range from $49.50 to $69.50 Mail orders to:
Sinclair Research, Ltd.
50 Staniford Street,
Boston, MA 02114
Or call: (203) 265-9171