Tim Swenson told us about a Zoom meeting organized by Martin Hill for the Sinclair QL community. The meeting brought together enthusiasts from across the globe—from Romania to the United States—to explore the Sinclair network technology and its potential in modern retro computing projects.
The Sinclair network, originally designed to link multiple QLs, uses a UART-based, low-CPU-overhead protocol allowing up to 63 devices to daisy-chain and communicate. Martin Hill’s work focuses on extending this capability to connect ZX Spectrum machines, QLs, and even emulators, creating a unified physical network.
Tim is particularly interested in how this network could be incorporated into new hardware developments for the Timex Sinclair 2068.
ZXZine
Tim also provided an update on ZXZine, his magazine dedicated to Timex Sinclair systems. The next issue is nearly ready for layout. Tim wrote most of the articles, with one submission from another contributor.
Forth Programming Language
Jeff Kuhlmann shared his experience working with Forth on the Timex Sinclair 2068, particularly in the context of his ongoing joystick interface project.. Forth is a stack-based programming language favored by some retro enthusiasts for its efficiency and compactness.
Forth was the language of choice for the Jupiter Ace, a unique ZX Spectrum-era machine, and various implementations exist for other systems as well. Jeff discussed different Forth variants, including TreeForth (originally called PluriForth), Hog Wild Forth, and Articsoft’s Spectrum-oriented Forth. Each has its nuances, with manuals ranging from concise to extensive, such as the three-quarter-inch-thick TreeForth manual.
Jeff’s project involves creating a cartridge that allows the 2068 to interface with joysticks and sound chips using Forth vocabulary words. This ambitious undertaking showcases Forth’s flexibility and the enduring appeal of low-level programming on these classic machines.
ZX Spectrum Next
The ZX Spectrum Next, a modern FPGA-based recreation of the original Spectrum, continues to generate excitement. The community is gearing up for the third Kickstarter campaign, which promises new features and cores, including a rumored Commodore 64 core and a Sinclair QL core.
Some attendees shared their experiences with the Next, praising its faithful emulation and expanded capabilities but noting minor quirks such as keyboard layout and missing tactile feedback on keycaps. For example, the absence of bumps on the F and J keys complicates touch typing, and the keyboard’s left-shifted position can cause hand fatigue.
Timex Sinclair 1000 Manual
The group’s “Book Nook” featured the Timex Sinclair 1000 manual, sparking a rich discussion on early programming experiences and the variations in BASIC dialects across different systems.
Ryan shared his journey of learning programming starting with the TRS-80 Model I in junior high, then acquiring a TS1000. He reflected on the similarities and differences between Sinclair BASIC and other dialects like AppleSoft BASIC, highlighting how the unique five-byte floating point implementation in the 2068 and Apple II affected program behavior and precision.
Paul Anderson recounted his personal history with the Timex Sinclair 2068 during the 1980s, emphasizing his use of word processing software and printer interfacing. He described how he connected his 2068 to an IBM Pro Printer 2 using a custom expansion board and managed printing at 64 columns.
Ryan also mentioned using Tasword 2 on his 2068 for basic word processing, though printing was limited by his TS2040 printer, leading him to retype documents on a typewriter for final submissions.