Foote Interface Fix

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 drive the printer. The Seikosha SP-1000A (ond possibly others) needs a HIGH on the STROBE line so BUSY will go LOW to accept DATA. I found this wasn’t so from the interface. It is supposed to INITIALize the printer on computer power on. But it didn’t on mine. So by cutting the trace going to pin 1 of the connector on bottom of the board then connecting pin 1 of the connector to pin 4 of the 74LS02 which is HIGH allows BUSY to go Low and accept DATA. The printer works properly with this Mod. I would like to know if any others had this problem. I talked with Joe Williamson of FOOTE SOFTWARE and he said he only had a problem with 1 other printer (still unsolved when I talked to him).