Sinclair QL - wanted one since 1984

Any 680x0 based information, repairs, images, upgrades and other cool stuff that is not Atari and Amiga based but based on the Motorola 68K range of processors
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stephen_usher
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Re: Sinclair QL - wanted one since 1984

Post by stephen_usher »

A Trump Card + vDrive + vMap would make a good basis. With the Trump card you get memory and a 720K floppy interface (standard Shugart ribbon cable). The vDrive +vMap will allow you to access the Microdrive images of applications and save stuff to the faster (less latency but lower peak data transfer rate) floppies.

The trouble is that, like everything else retro, the Trump Card etc. are going for silly money.
Intro retro computers since before they were retro...
ZX81->Spectrum->Memotech MTX->Sinclair QL->520STM->BBC Micro->TT030->PCs & Sun Workstations.
Added code to the MiNT kernel (still there the last time I checked) + put together MiNTOS.
Collection now with added Macs, Amigas, Suns and Acorns.
Wrangler
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Re: Sinclair QL - wanted one since 1984

Post by Wrangler »

QLs are pretty robust in my experience (surprising since it was a usual Sinclair bargain basement assembly thing). I reckon it might work OK once you give it some juice.

You've got a JM Rom in it which is not bad, not the latest but not one of the more buggy early versions but then again you may want to replace that later with a Minerva rom.
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rubber_jonnie
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Re: Sinclair QL - wanted one since 1984

Post by rubber_jonnie »

stephen_usher wrote: Thu Jun 09, 2022 8:19 pm
The trouble is that, like everything else retro, the Trump Card etc. are going for silly money.
Even before the current troubles with Russia, Trump cards etc were going for stupid prices on eBay, hence why I bought a GC from Tetroid.
Collector of many retro things!
800XL and 65XE both with Ultimate1MB,VBXL/XE & PokeyMax, SIDE3, SDrive Max, 2x 1010 cassette, 2x 1050 one with Happy mod, 3x 2600 Jr, 7800 and Lynx II
Approx 20 STs, including a 520 STM, 520 STFMs, 3x Mega ST, MSTE & 2x 32 Mhz boosted STEs
Plus the rest, totalling around 50 machines including a QL, 3x BBC Model B, Electron, Spectrums, ZX81 etc...
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PhilC
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Re: Sinclair QL - wanted one since 1984

Post by PhilC »

Wrangler wrote: Thu Jun 09, 2022 8:48 pm QLs are pretty robust in my experience (surprising since it was a usual Sinclair bargain basement assembly thing). I reckon it might work OK once you give it some juice.

You've got a JM Rom in it which is not bad, not the latest but not one of the more buggy early versions but then again you may want to replace that later with a Minerva rom.
Thanks for the info. I can burn roms when needed. Just got to make my psu and then we will test things.

I’ve located some parts to build my own psu, with the electronics likely costing about £15, then I’ll 3d print a case for it. Going to order the parts today and will be able to get cracking next week when they arrive.
If it ain't broke, test it to Destruction.
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rubber_jonnie
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Re: Sinclair QL - wanted one since 1984

Post by rubber_jonnie »

@PhilC FYI there is a user over at qlforum.co.uk called Chr$ who I got my Minerva ROM from, it being a small adapter board as per my previous post: https://www.exxosforum.co.uk/forum/viewt ... rva#p74105

Oddly he sold it through ebay.de, but might be worth registering on QL Forum and contacting him, IIRC it was under £20 and as you can see also includes TK2.

I did have a look on ebay.de and found this: https://www.ebay.de/itm/203963817499?ha ... Swk8pf7dPq

But I'm not 100% sure it's the same user, though the part looks identical to mine.
Collector of many retro things!
800XL and 65XE both with Ultimate1MB,VBXL/XE & PokeyMax, SIDE3, SDrive Max, 2x 1010 cassette, 2x 1050 one with Happy mod, 3x 2600 Jr, 7800 and Lynx II
Approx 20 STs, including a 520 STM, 520 STFMs, 3x Mega ST, MSTE & 2x 32 Mhz boosted STEs
Plus the rest, totalling around 50 machines including a QL, 3x BBC Model B, Electron, Spectrums, ZX81 etc...
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PhilC
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Re: Sinclair QL - wanted one since 1984

Post by PhilC »

@rubber_jonnie thanks, it’s going to be a couple of weeks before I even get to that bit.
If it ain't broke, test it to Destruction.
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Re: Sinclair QL - wanted one since 1984

Post by rubber_jonnie »

PhilC wrote: Fri Jun 10, 2022 11:23 am @rubber_jonnie thanks, it’s going to be a couple of weeks before I even get to that bit.
No worries, and good luck.

I would say that when I last looked at mine (To do the vDrive work) I had the same membrane problem and even though I trimmed it, IIRC (I may not) the membrane was still brittle and failed again, so a new one might still be needed.

Fingers crossed it won't!!
Collector of many retro things!
800XL and 65XE both with Ultimate1MB,VBXL/XE & PokeyMax, SIDE3, SDrive Max, 2x 1010 cassette, 2x 1050 one with Happy mod, 3x 2600 Jr, 7800 and Lynx II
Approx 20 STs, including a 520 STM, 520 STFMs, 3x Mega ST, MSTE & 2x 32 Mhz boosted STEs
Plus the rest, totalling around 50 machines including a QL, 3x BBC Model B, Electron, Spectrums, ZX81 etc...
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PhilC
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Re: Sinclair QL - wanted one since 1984

Post by PhilC »

Well that's the parts ordered for the PSU. I'll knock up a DIY circuit board when they arrive and see if it works.

I'm going to try and make a 3d printed plug to match the Power socket on the QL as well.

I've also gone and got some replacements for the 7805s that are in the case, so the large heat sinks can be dumped as well. I'll have to get a couple of micro drive tapes at some point to see if these work or not.
If it ain't broke, test it to Destruction.
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rubber_jonnie
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Re: Sinclair QL - wanted one since 1984

Post by rubber_jonnie »

PhilC wrote: Fri Jun 10, 2022 1:53 pm Well that's the parts ordered for the PSU. I'll knock up a DIY circuit board when they arrive and see if it works.

I'm going to try and make a 3d printed plug to match the Power socket on the QL as well.

I've also gone and got some replacements for the 7805s that are in the case, so the large heat sinks can be dumped as well. I'll have to get a couple of micro drive tapes at some point to see if these work or not.
I can probably send you a couple of MDV carts if you want, let me know.
Collector of many retro things!
800XL and 65XE both with Ultimate1MB,VBXL/XE & PokeyMax, SIDE3, SDrive Max, 2x 1010 cassette, 2x 1050 one with Happy mod, 3x 2600 Jr, 7800 and Lynx II
Approx 20 STs, including a 520 STM, 520 STFMs, 3x Mega ST, MSTE & 2x 32 Mhz boosted STEs
Plus the rest, totalling around 50 machines including a QL, 3x BBC Model B, Electron, Spectrums, ZX81 etc...
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PhilC
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Re: Sinclair QL - wanted one since 1984

Post by PhilC »

@rubber_jonnie yes please but no rush
If it ain't broke, test it to Destruction.
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