---
title: "Timex/Sinclair Online User Group Meeting January 5, 2026"
id: 62235
type: "video"
slug: "timex-sinclair-online-user-group-meeting-january-5-2026"
url: "http://localhost/video/timex-sinclair-online-user-group-meeting-january-5-2026/"
markdown_url: "http://localhost/video/timex-sinclair-online-user-group-meeting-january-5-2026.md"
published_at: "2026-01-13T11:09:18+00:00"
modified_at: "2026-01-13T11:09:18+00:00"
author: "David Anderson"
featured_image:
  url: "http://localhost/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/tsug-01-05-26.jpg"
excerpt: "We discussed VCF event planning, ham radio technology, Spectrum Next FPGA replicas, Jupiter Ace computers, retro computing alternatives, and Eastern Bloc computer history."
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  - name: "Timex/Sinclair 2068"
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  - name: "Adam Trionfo"
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  - name: "Carl Miles"
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  - name: "David Anderson"
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  - name: "David Solly"
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  - name: "Gustavo Pane"
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  - name: "Jack DeLisle"
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  - name: "Jeff Fetta"
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  - name: "Joe Vandezande"
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  - name: "Josef Jelinek"
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  - name: "Larry Lorenson"
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  - name: "Michael Kutzner"
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  - name: "Mowgli Assor"
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  - name: "Paul Anderson"
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  - name: "Paul Holmgren"
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  - name: "Robert Fischer"
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  - name: "Ryan Gray"
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video_date: "20260105"
---

# Timex/Sinclair Online User Group Meeting January 5, 2026

David Anderson discussed plans for VCF Midwest and East events, encouraging email responses about 2026 attendance. If you’re planning to attend a vintage computer fest in 2026, please help us coordinate via this poll: [https://forms.gle/2F9HonyY2VMapygy6](https://forms.gle/2F9HonyY2VMapygy6)

Jack DeLisle shared his ZX81 and Timex Sinclair history. Jack recently donated a significant collection of magazines and newsletters for archiving, including early issues of QZX, a newsletter for amateur radio enthusiasts and Sinclair/Timex users.

David, who aims to get his ham license in 2026, gave a brief overview ham radio’s technical aspects, including low-powered devices, repeaters, and communication via voice, Morse code, and digital data, plus fox hunts. Gustavo Pane, who got his license at 15, detailed his packet radio experience using a TNC to exchange programs with friends in pre-Internet Argentina.

### Spectrum Next

We discussed this FPGA-based ZX Spectrum replica with Wi-Fi and multiple emulation “personalities.” Adam shared his experience; Carl explained its design history with Rick Dickinson. They noted limited production, high cost, and acquisition challenges. We also talked about X-Berry Pi and other ZX Spectrum Next clones.

### Jupiter Ace

Jeff Fetta told us about this rare 1980s computer, designed by two of the people involved in designing the ZX81. Jeff plans to build a Forth simulator before creating hardware. Topics included its memory decoding, calculator-style keyboard, and lack of system compatibility.

### Eastern Bloc ZX Spectrum Clones

Josef Jelinek discussed the Didactic series of computers, reverse-engineered clones of the ZX Spectrum. He described hardware differences and Yugoslav computing culture (1980s-90s), evolution with Soviet/Eastern European manufacturing changes.