The RAMTOP Winter 1993
Date: Winter 1993
See all issues of The RAMTOP
Articles
| Title | Description | Computers |
|---|---|---|
| First Report: The QXL Card | First-impressions review of the QXL ISA card, which implements QL hardware on a standard PC expansion card. Covers speed, VGA/SuperVGA video output, parallel operation alongside DOS and Windows 3.1, a 63MB hard disk limit, 2MB memory, and notes several early bugs. An important early evaluation of this major QL upgrade product. | Sinclair QL |
| How to Have a Reliable QL | Describes a series of hardware modifications to improve QL reliability, including voltage regulator replacement, bypass capacitors at the 8301, 8302, and 8049 chips, a shunt resistor modification, and an EPROM ROM upgrade using Sharp’s MG ROM. Also covers replacing the Hermes 8749 chip to address common failure modes. An essential reference for QL hardware maintenance. | Sinclair QL |
| Packet Anyone? / Packet Radio Map | Lists amateur radio packet node stations in Ohio and the Pittsburgh area, with call signs and frequencies. Includes a regional map of node locations. A resource for club members interested in packet radio networking. | |
| Parallel Ports and Cables | Details the Centronics parallel interface pin-out and correct wiring for an IBM-compatible printer cable (DB25 to 36-pin Centronics). Also covers the LapLink 3 parallel cable configuration using 11 wires for nibble-mode data transfer. Includes an editorial note by Herb Carden. | |
| Public Telecomputing Network / Freenet Listings | Lists 14 NPTN Freenet node sites across North America with modem phone numbers and internet addresses. Contact information for the National Public Telecomputing Network (NPTN, PO Box 1987, Cleveland OH 44106) is provided. Useful for members seeking free public-access internet and BBS services. | |
| QL Serial Connections | Provides wiring diagrams for connecting the QL SER2 port to a modem and for a direct QL-to-PC serial cable. Includes a 10-line SuperBASIC program to establish a terminal connection from the QL to a PC via the serial port. Sourced via Timelinez and ZX Appeal. | Sinclair QL, Type-in program |
| Sinclair FIDO Nodes | Lists FidoNet BBS nodes operated by QL and Sinclair enthusiasts in the UK, Netherlands, Italy, Portugal, and Sweden. Provides node numbers and contact information for each site. A reference for QL users seeking to connect with like-minded hobbyists via FidoNet. | |
| Things to Come | The editor recaps the club’s Christmas meeting, including a Gold Card demonstration and a group purchase of VGA/IDE cards. Discusses plans for Spectrum emulation on PC hardware. A brief editorial note on club activities and upcoming interests. | |
| Turn Off Call Waiting | A brief tip explaining how to disable call waiting before placing modem calls to prevent connection drops: dial *70 for touch-tone lines or 1170 for pulse-dial lines. A short but practical note for BBS users. |