We talked about helping Asa Gordon transcribe and validate his original NASA-era satellite position programs written for the Timex Sinclair 2068. These pre-GPS calculations represent an interesting piece of computing history.
David Baulch talked to us about the The Data Expansion, the newsletter of the Timex/Sinclair Users Group of Fort Worth, Texas. Ryan Gray was a member of the group in his youth and several of his programs are preserved on one of the user group’s tapes.
Hardware Projects
Several members shared updates on their hardware projects. The ZX81NU board drew positive feedback as a modern upgrade that adds 128K RAM, USB loading capabilities, and digital video output. Other projects in development include the Mahjongg Plus-38 boards with joystick ports, and a “Super 1000” prototype featuring expanded RAM, improved video output, and sound capabilities. Members also discussed practical considerations like finding compatible micro-SD cards (older Class 4 cards seem more reliable than newer Class 10 ones for some Pico-based projects).
Upcoming Shows
We spent some time coordinating attendance at VCF Midwest in Chicago. Our plan is to cluster the Timex/Sinclair tables together and rotate coverage so everyone can explore the shows.
Technical Tips and Tools
We talked about development tools, including BASIC compilers that convert programs to machine code for better performance. We also discussed modern alternatives to cassette tape loading, with many now using tablets and audio apps to load programs into their vintage machines.