GlowingGhoul Posted April 11, 2015 Share Posted April 11, 2015 (edited) I just received 3 of these beauties and want to say how thoroughly impressed I am by this hardware. The only thing that distinguishes it from most commercially produced boards is the higher quality soldering job and high quality components used in it's construction! Socket is a machine pin type, wires are generously proportioned and pre-stripped and the PS/2 bulkhead connector is superior to what one would normally find on a PC. No corners cut anywhere. Thanks to Stephen and Ken! http://www.realdos.net/ILS-Keyboard.html The site says "sold out" now, which means there are no PS/2 interfaces left for the 8-bit since the Transkey and AKI are not being produced any more either. Edited April 11, 2015 by GlowingGhoul Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+mytek Posted May 30, 2015 Share Posted May 30, 2015 (edited) Hi GlowingGhoul Just curious, to your knowledge (or anyone else on this forum) did anyone ever make a USB keyboard -to- Atari 8-Bit interface adapter? Specifically one that would interface to the Pokey and not require any special drivers? BTW; those boards look real sweet Edited May 30, 2015 by mytekcontrols Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+MacRorie Posted May 30, 2015 Share Posted May 30, 2015 USB interface: http://www.atarimax.com/usbcart/documentation/ Not sure if it meets your requirements, but thought it might be of interest. If ANYONE wants to sell one of those KLH interfaces, I would buy it in a heartbeat. That has been a dream of mine for along time and I am saddened buy the fact that I missed it by so little. I already emailed about them and confirmed they are out of stock. But, if anyone has one, an extra perhaps, that will sell to some one who is going to use it on a "daily driver," I would appreciate it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+mytek Posted May 30, 2015 Share Posted May 30, 2015 Thanks for the quick reply MacRorie, and the suggested product.. Although that AtariMax USB Cartridge looks intriguing, and appears to be able to support keyboards, I was really thinking of something completely transparent to the OS (hence the specification of direct POKEY interface). Also I was thinking that something that doesn't hog and/or interfere with any of the existing cart slots, PBI, or any other I/O ports would be a big plus. So basically an internal upgrade like the ILS HRH would be great, but doing that with a USB interface also introduces the possibility of plugging in a Bluetooth dongle, allowing for wireless keyboards and no need to mount a keyboard jack in the case. Perhaps this could be turned into an open source project. Hmm... I'll have to think about that. Thanks again 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+David_P Posted May 30, 2015 Share Posted May 30, 2015 Arduino Pro Mini clones are available from eBay for under $3, and should be able to do the translation from PS/2 to POKEY - add a USB to PS/2 adapter and it should work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+bob1200xl Posted May 31, 2015 Share Posted May 31, 2015 Hi GlowingGhoul Just curious, to your knowledge (or anyone else on this forum) did anyone ever make a USB keyboard -to- Atari 8-Bit interface adapter? Specifically one that would interface to the Pokey and not require any special drivers? BTW; those boards look real sweet Michael !! Long time ! For those of you who don't recognize Mytec, this is the guy that made the first IBM to Atari keyboard adaptor. And, some pretty cool video hacks. Glad to see you up here, Big Guy ! Bob Woolley in Alameda... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+mytek Posted May 31, 2015 Share Posted May 31, 2015 (edited) Hi Bob ! Great to see that you're still in the Atari biz !! Of course I always knew you would be (gotta make use out of all the magic stuff in your attic). My problem is that I moved around so much over the years, that I had to let go of nearly everything that I had acquired. My last 8-Bit computer (800XL) disappeared mysteriously some time last year. It was the one I couldn't let go of nearly 12 years ago, for that just in case "I need to test something out" moment. Anyway the funny thing is about 4 days ago I came across a youtube video about Curt and his 800 page novel about Atari, and suddenly I got this yearning to come back and check out what had been going on in the world of all things Atari, and boy was I amazed (an RGB video board with a Blitter, Compact Disk based solid state drives, Flash ROM carts, ect.). So now I'm thinking about getting back into it, only this time strictly as a hobby, since I do fine making money elsewhere. Anyway it looks like a new more modern USB keyboard adapter might be a fun project. So how the heck have you been? Still living in the big mansion? How many 1200XL's do you have now? Michael St. Pierre in Santa Rosa... Edited May 31, 2015 by mytekcontrols 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+MacRorie Posted May 31, 2015 Share Posted May 31, 2015 So basically an internal upgrade like the ILS HRH would be great, but doing that with a USB interface also introduces the possibility of plugging in a Bluetooth dongle, allowing for wireless keyboards and no need to mount a keyboard jack in the case. THAT, good sir, would be AWESOME. No, seriously, I would love to be able to build, buy, borrow, or beg that off of anyone. If there is anything I can do to help make that a reality, I am all for it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+mytek Posted May 31, 2015 Share Posted May 31, 2015 Arduino Pro Mini clones are available from eBay for under $3, and should be able to do the translation from PS/2 to POKEY - add a USB to PS/2 adapter and it should work. Hi David. Yep that would certainly work, but I'm a PIC guy, so that'll most likely be my embedded processor of choice (just because I'm used to it, and have an investment in the programming tools). There are a couple of smaller PICs that also have the USB peripheral function built-in, so one of those should work well. However thanks for the tip Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+mytek Posted May 31, 2015 Share Posted May 31, 2015 THAT, good sir, would be AWESOME. No, seriously, I would love to be able to build, buy, borrow, or beg that off of anyone. If there is anything I can do to help make that a reality, I am all for it! Thanks, I'll keep that in mind. But first I'll have to get set-up with a couple of Atari's to tinker with. I was thinking the XEGS would be nice, not that I want the separate keyboard it comes with, but the fact that it never had an internal keyboard makes it a good prospect. Obviously taking the POKEY connection approach means any 8-Bit Atari will work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+bob1200xl Posted May 31, 2015 Share Posted May 31, 2015 Hi Bob ! Great to see that you're still in the Atari biz !! Of course I always knew you would be (gotta make use out of all the magic stuff in your attic). My problem is that I moved around so much over the years, that I had to let go of nearly everything that I had acquired. My last 8-Bit computer (800XL) disappeared mysteriously some time last year. It was the one I couldn't let go of nearly 12 years ago, for that just in case "I need to test something out" moment. Anyway the funny thing is about 4 days ago I came across a youtube video about Curt and his 800 page novel about Atari, and suddenly I got this yearning to come back and check out what had been going on in the world of all things Atari, and boy was I amazed (an RGB video board with a Blitter, Compact Disk based solid state drives, Flash ROM carts, ect.). So now I'm thinking about getting back into it, only this time strictly as a hobby, since I do fine making money elsewhere. Anyway it looks like a new more modern USB keyboard adapter might be a fun project. So how the heck have you been? Still living in the big mansion? How many 1200XL's do you have now? Michael St. Pierre in Santa Rosa... Same place - less stuff... I see 'many' 1200XLs. I see a whole bunch of IBM PS2 keyboards, too. Time to re-cycle them? Bob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+mytek Posted May 31, 2015 Share Posted May 31, 2015 Same place - less stuff... I see 'many' 1200XLs. I see a whole bunch of IBM PS2 keyboards, too. Time to re-cycle them? Bob LOL too 'many' 1200XLs to count. I'm sure you have modified the heck out of a bunch of them. Yeah I had a closet full of various older IBM keyboards that ended up going to the computer recyclers a while back. Had some real oldies, like a few original 'AT' types built to survive an atomic blast. But in the end, I just couldn't justify hanging on to something that in all likelyhood would never get used. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen J. Carden Posted June 2, 2015 Share Posted June 2, 2015 Michael !! Long time ! For those of you who don't recognize Mytec, this is the guy that made the first IBM to Atari keyboard adaptor. And, some pretty cool video hacks. Glad to see you up here, Big Guy ! Bob Woolley in Alameda... I am using a KRH with a USB keyboard right now. Stephen J. Carden Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen J. Carden Posted June 2, 2015 Share Posted June 2, 2015 I just received 3 of these beauties and want to say how thoroughly impressed I am by this hardware. The only thing that distinguishes it from most commercially produced boards is the higher quality soldering job and high quality components used in it's construction! Socket is a machine pin type, wires are generously proportioned and pre-stripped and the PS/2 bulkhead connector is superior to what one would normally find on a PC. No corners cut anywhere. Thanks to Stephen and Ken! http://www.realdos.net/ILS-Keyboard.html The site says "sold out" now, which means there are no PS/2 interfaces left for the 8-bit since the Transkey and AKI are not being produced any more either. Everyone wants one now that we are sold out. I would be willing to do another run provided I had them pre sold. Ken and I did this run so we would have KRH for our use. I am glad you like my soldering. Yes I hand soldered every one of the KRH's. I still have a few blank boards that are one my work bench that are slated to go into the PAL Atari's I have. I took Great care soldering every KRH myself. I also tested everyone before they were shipped. But you can build your own AKI from the doc's on the internet. You only need one PIC Chip few parts. The parts will be less than $20 dollars. The interconnects are expensive which is why the new design we have does not use them. The KRH-II when we get around to doing a PCB is meant for use with the Stereo Pokey Upgrade. Stephen J. Carden http://www.RealDos.net Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen J. Carden Posted June 2, 2015 Share Posted June 2, 2015 Hi GlowingGhoul Just curious, to your knowledge (or anyone else on this forum) did anyone ever make a USB keyboard -to- Atari 8-Bit interface adapter? Specifically one that would interface to the Pokey and not require any special drivers? BTW; those boards look real sweet I use a USB Keyboard with my KRH-II all the time. Stephen J. Carden Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen J. Carden Posted June 2, 2015 Share Posted June 2, 2015 THAT, good sir, would be AWESOME. No, seriously, I would love to be able to build, buy, borrow, or beg that off of anyone. If there is anything I can do to help make that a reality, I am all for it! I have been working with USB Keyboards and my KRH for over a year. The problem is most of the USB keyboards including wireless require a driver to be loaded. Right now I have 3 different USB keyboards working with my KRH-II. I too want a Keyboard interface that will give me wireless USB Keyboard access. So I keep working on the hardware. Stephen J. Carden http://www.RealDos.net 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+MacRorie Posted June 2, 2015 Share Posted June 2, 2015 Right now, I would take any interface that allowed me to use a separate keyboard. It would allow me to use the 8bit without being physically directly in front of it. A regular PC keyboard (PS/2) would allow me to use a MUCH longer cable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+mytek Posted June 2, 2015 Share Posted June 2, 2015 (edited) I use a USB Keyboard with my KRH-II all the time. Stephen J. Carden Hi Stephen, I'm assuming you are using a passive USB -to- PS2 adapter to make that possible. Problem is the USB to PS2 protocol switching must be supported by the keyboard's internal electronics, and when it comes to wireless keyboards this probably isn't always the case, since it must transition through a wireless dongle that likely wasn't designed to switch protocols. Not saying that all wireless keyboards wont work, but it will be a challenge to find ones that will. And as you pointed out the combo wireless keyboard/mouse makes this even more problematic. So what I am proposing, is to use a true USB connection and keyboard communication protocol. Also at the same time, it will be in the interest of compatibility that this new version also support a standard mouse in some fashion (maybe have it translate the mouse movement into Atari 'CTRL' arrow key strokes, the left key click as a 'RETURN' key, right click as ???). My ultimate goal for this project would be to have this work with any wireless IBM compatible keyboard and/or mouse combination. What you have done with the KRH-II is very impressive. And I do not wish to diminish its value. So in my project I will simply target basic keyboard translation only, and not have any other bells and whistles such as savable macros which the KRH does support. Edit: At least that will be the initial goal, not to say a later firmware version wont support macros. However I will never be in the business of producing the hardware, so any one including yourself will be able to step in and do this aspect, since the code will be Open Source. Michael Edited June 2, 2015 by mytekcontrols Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+MacRorie Posted June 2, 2015 Share Posted June 2, 2015 Everyone wants one now that we are sold out. I would be willing to do another run provided I had them pre sold. Ken and I did this run so we would have KRH for our use. But you can build your own AKI from the doc's on the internet. You only need one PIC Chip few parts. The parts will be less than $20 dollars. The interconnects are expensive which is why the new design we have does not use them. The KRH-II when we get around to doing a PCB is meant for use with the Stereo Pokey Upgrade. Stephen J. Carden http://www.RealDos.net How many would need to be pre-sold for the run to commence? IS there a schematic somewhere? I would love to see it and put it together. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen J. Carden Posted June 3, 2015 Share Posted June 3, 2015 How many would need to be pre-sold for the run to commence? IS there a schematic somewhere? I would love to see it and put it together. Thanks! I am not going to do a board run for less than 50 PCB's. 50 PCB is where we get a price break on the cost of a board. Send me a private e-mail the link is on my web site. Stephen J. Carden Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen J. Carden Posted June 3, 2015 Share Posted June 3, 2015 Hi Stephen, I'm assuming you are using a passive USB -to- PS2 adapter to make that possible. Problem is the USB to PS2 protocol switching must be supported by the keyboard's internal electronics, and when it comes to wireless keyboards this probably isn't always the case, since it must transition through a wireless dongle that likely wasn't designed to switch protocols. Not saying that all wireless keyboards wont work, but it will be a challenge to find ones that will. And as you pointed out the combo wireless keyboard/mouse makes this even more problematic. So what I am proposing, is to use a true USB connection and keyboard communication protocol. Also at the same time, it will be in the interest of compatibility that this new version also support a standard mouse in some fashion (maybe have it translate the mouse movement into Atari 'CTRL' arrow key strokes, the left key click as a 'RETURN' key, right click as ???). My ultimate goal for this project would be to have this work with any wireless IBM compatible keyboard and/or mouse combination. What you have done with the KRH-II is very impressive. And I do not wish to diminish its value. So in my project I will simply target basic keyboard translation only, and not have any other bells and whistles such as savable macros which the KRH does support. Edit: At least that will be the initial goal, not to say a later firmware version wont support macros. However I will never be in the business of producing the hardware, so any one including yourself will be able to step in and do this aspect, since the code will be Open Source. Michael Hi Michael! Long time. I would think that the KRH is half way there. There is not code in the pic chip to init the keyboard so I would agree it is passive but it does work. I like the transkey better. Bit a single pic driving a keyboard is a plus. This keyboard interface would not be necessary if Atari had design the keyboard right in the first place. I would like to chat with you in regular e-mail. So please e-mail me RealDos "At" bellsouth.net Stephen J. Carden Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+MacRorie Posted June 3, 2015 Share Posted June 3, 2015 I am not going to do a board run for less than 50 PCB's. 50 PCB is where we get a price break on the cost of a board. Send me a private e-mail the link is on my web site. Stephen J. Carden Fair enough. I would commit to buying 5-10 if it makes the difference for a run happening. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen J. Carden Posted June 3, 2015 Share Posted June 3, 2015 Fair enough. I would commit to buying 5-10 if it makes the difference for a run happening. This is a little know fact unless you ship to Europe all the time but it cost $24.75 to mail a small flat rate shipping box that is less than 4 pounds. So unless someone in Europe get 12 or more I do not see very many orders from Europe. Stephen J. Carden Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+mytek Posted June 22, 2015 Share Posted June 22, 2015 (edited) Just curious. Does the AKI or KRH support the keyboard's Caps, Num, and or Scroll leds in some fashion? I can't seem to find any information covering this aspect. When I designed the TransKey board, led control was implemented. Edit: I'm not looking to evaluate the pros and cons between the various designs in relation to led control, since this plays a very small role in what is truly important, that being reliable key translation. Edited June 22, 2015 by mytekcontrols Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GlowingGhoul Posted June 23, 2015 Author Share Posted June 23, 2015 I'm willing to commit, and pay in advance for, up to 20 of these interfaces to move production forward. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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