mastodon 4.8.0-nightly.2026-10-06Retro computing, mostly KIM-1 and clones like PAL-1
MICROCALCULATOR MODEL-85
A board that serves as a calculator accessible via a parallel 8 bit port, e.g. from a KIM-1. Send commands and read the calculated results.
Made by Artisan Electronics in 1977.
Acquired August 2026, as built in a KIM-1 with KIMSI system
With a system with a KIM-1 and a KIMSI I acquired came a board that I do not recognize.
The board is connected to the Application connector of the KIM-1.
IT has the markings microcalculator model-85. The display is made by HP 7447632K 14 digits. Besides the recognizable CMOS based logic ICs from the 74C and CD range there are some unidentified ICs, 1CA-85, 1CD-85A.
And some ITT IC's like 7708 500N and 501-5N
Any clue?
With thanks to Jonathan Chapman of Glitchworks who found a Jolt system, here images of a Jolt with 4K memory, an experimenters board and the power supply.
Here the images:
http://retro.hansotten.nl/6502-sbc/jolt-and-super-jolt/jolt/jolt-with-4k-and-power-supply/
Found a scan of 'Microprocessor programming and applications
for scientists and engineers (Richard R. Smardzewski'
Aimed at the 6502 with AIM 65 examples.
http://retro.hansotten.nl/microprocessor-programming/
A boxed VIM-1 acquired in August 2026.
The early SYM-1, the rename due to a naming conflict.
Forethought Systems produced a motherboard, the KIMSI, for the KIM-1 in 1977 that enables to add 8 S-100 boards to a KIM-1.
The S-100 standard, developed for the IMSAI and such 8080/Z80 systems, was a huge success that made affordable standardized systems available, mostly with CP/M as operating system.
I acquired a KIMSI in August 2026.
Photos and a high quality scan of manual and sales brochure at:
http://retro.hansotten.nl/6502-sbc/apple-1/replica-1-briel/replica-1-pal-version/
A PAL version of the (now open source hardware) Apple 1 Replica by Vince Briel, great work by ExPLIT
In August 2026 I acquired an boxed engineering SYM-2 prototype. It comes with two large circuit diagrams illustrating the design.
KB-9 or MOS TECH 6502 BASIC V1.1, a 9 digit BASIC for the KIM-1
The same BASIC as in the first PET , OSI, Applesoft.
One of the first products of MICRO-SOFT as it was called then.
Telephone support was given by Bill Gates and Paul Allen!
Updated, improved and enhanced information and downloads at:
http://retro.hansotten.nl/6502-sbc/kim-1-manuals-and-software/kim-1-software/microsoft-kb-9-basic/
My new Jolt!
A bug in the KIM-1 monitor.
I continued my pages on the KIM Explained and found a bug in the KIM-1 monitor:
KIM
0200 A9 ;;
00BB 00 ::
00AA 00 ????
FFFF 1C
The KIM-1 accepts ':'– '?', $3A .. $3F as valid hex characters A ..F!
The answer lies in the PACK routine, where an incomplete check for a valid hex character is made. Read more about this in one of the many pages in KIM-1 Explained .
http://retro.hansotten.nl/6502-sbc/kim-1-manuals-and-software/the-kim-1-monitor-explained/getbyt-and-pack/
A deep dive into the TIM 6530-004 Jolt Superjolt Demon software.
1K 6502 code from 1975. The Jolt was maybe the first 6502 based computer, before the KIM-1 and nearly a year before the Apple 1
http://retro.hansotten.nl/6502-sbc/jolt-and-super-jolt/jolt-tim-demon-explained/
R65 – A late seventies computer built with a KIM-1 by Rene Richarz.
An amazing showcase of how far a KIM-1 and Pascal as programming language can go!
All information on the R65 and the emulator of this computer on the github archive of Rene Richarz, a work in progress!
Including sources and full documentation.
https://github.com/rricharz/R65
White KIM-1 cleanup
This one is a Rev D with a ‘white’ PCB. The KIM-1 is working as you can see.
The previous owner did some horrible work on it.
The biggest crime is the keyboard that was handmade on experimenters board.
With the DIY keypad method based upon the work of Eduardo Casino and Pete (peo2000)I replaced the keyboard with an acceptable replica.
With a replica keyboard, wires and solder removed and a good clean with alcohol and a brush the white KIM-1 may join my collection
Wanted a case for a KIM-1? Options in the 80ties were available. Here an example, suitable for educational purposes.
