Jump to content
IGNORED

A new low-priced "Masterplay Clone" for Sega & A2600 joystick compatibility


ave1

Recommended Posts

This is way over my head, but I would like to point out that every masterplay clone that I ve used had pots to adjust for center. Even the Wico sticks had adjustments on the bottom. Most 5200's have some wander in them, meaning that if I set my wico for center on one 5200, it has a different adjustment for center than my other 5200.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 9/2/2019 at 11:26 PM, john_q_atari said:

A little labor over the labor day weekend:

 

20190901_211613_1142x720.thumb.jpg.7efb9808a47cb090e38182c4c8754359.jpg

 

I have gotten the design to work with some modifications. I've been communicating with ikonsgr so I feel it is safe to say that the project is advancing.

Confirmed! ;-) I just sent the new revised board for check to Jeremiah and we are ready to order a small batch of boards for final pcb board tests:

 

newpcb.thumb.png.5de7f68a2398300b843e8ce08f7c57c9.png

 

 This new version has an extra pin header for adding a keypad controller (by plugging this cable adapter,which i could also provide for a couple of $ too...) , and a small switch for "Start"!  

  • Like 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 9/6/2019 at 12:07 PM, ikonsgr said:

Confirmed! ;-) I just sent the new revised board for check to Jeremiah and we are ready to order a small batch of boards for final pcb board tests:

 

newpcb.thumb.png.5de7f68a2398300b843e8ce08f7c57c9.png

 

 This new version has an extra pin header for adding a keypad controller (by plugging this cable adapter,which i could also provide for a couple of $ too...) , and a small switch for "Start"!  

 

Adding the keypad header is awesome news.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...
  • 2 weeks later...

For the moment, we wait until john_q_atari receive the board for final tests, and if all goes well, 4-5 boards could be directly available.

More will become available after a month or so, as i need to order new parts and pcbs.

As for the price, i estimate ~10-11 euros + ~6euros for registered/tracked postage to US.  

Edited by ikonsgr
  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I have received the prototype adapter from ikonsgr for testing on my 4-port. Initial tests of the base functionality with a 2600 compatible controller and a Sega Genesis 3 button controller are looking good. I have verified I am still not very good at Defender. ? I will test the 6 button controller and some other 9 pin controllers I have as well. I have encountered one issue with using the pass-through 15-pin plug in connector for the keypad.  One row and one column is not being read. I have plenty of schematics, prototype joysticks with keypads, and test equipment so it should be a relatively straight-forward issue to diagnose and resolve. (I am also not intending to start a discussion or look for feedback on that issue. I'm just sharing the information on where things currently stand.)

 

In summary, things are looking good. Stay tuned!

 

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

3 hours ago, john_q_atari said:

I have received the prototype adapter from ikonsgr for testing on my 4-port. Initial tests of the base functionality with a 2600 compatible controller and a Sega Genesis 3 button controller are looking good. I have verified I am still not very good at Defender. ? I will test the 6 button controller and some other 9 pin controllers I have as well. I have encountered one issue with using the pass-through 15-pin plug in connector for the keypad.  One row and one column is not being read. I have plenty of schematics, prototype joysticks with keypads, and test equipment so it should be a relatively straight-forward issue to diagnose and resolve. (I am also not intending to start a discussion or look for feedback on that issue. I'm just sharing the information on where things currently stand.)

 

In summary, things are looking good. Stay tuned!

 

Thanks for doing this much appreciated work.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Keyboard problem is solved. Turns out its a known problem with the console 5 extension cables:

 

https://atariage.com/forums/topic/281530-my-homemade-5200-controller/?do=findComment&comment=4239134

 

Turns out that person's solution was to cut down the connector a bit:

 

https://atariage.com/forums/topic/281530-my-homemade-5200-controller/?do=findComment&comment=4239255

 

Now I just need to test more games. Especially ones using both fire buttons or needing precise firing response (and not just frantic mashing of the fire button).

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

10 hours ago, john_q_atari said:

Keyboard problem is solved. Turns out its a known problem with the console 5 extension cables:

 

https://atariage.com/forums/topic/281530-my-homemade-5200-controller/?do=findComment&comment=4239134

 

Turns out that person's solution was to cut down the connector a bit:

 

https://atariage.com/forums/topic/281530-my-homemade-5200-controller/?do=findComment&comment=4239255

 

Now I just need to test more games. Especially ones using both fire buttons or needing precise firing response (and not just frantic mashing of the fire button).

 

 

You can test the simultaneous button press with Scramble ROM or Super Cobra cart.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 10/13/2019 at 10:45 AM, ikonsgr said:

Finally the first pcb board of the new design is ready for testing:

pcb.thumb.JPG.4004c9eb50df18f053340860f096e458.JPG

 

 

My only recommendation would be to add a Vcc power line for pin 7 to the open side of the pcb like you did for the Amstrad CPC rapid fire adapter and like there also is on this Smallymouse2 adapter for added amperage for certain controllers and adapters, since the 5200 Vcc does not provide much current. 

  https://www.ebay.com/itm/SmallyMouse2-USB-mouse-adapter-for-Amiga-and-Atari-ST/233183863028?_trkparms=aid%3D111001%26algo%3DREC.SEED%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20160908105057%26meid%3D95db094a92ae430a990dd7bb0d798181%26pid%3D100675%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D15%26sd%3D233183863028%26itm%3D233183863028%26pmt%3D0%26noa%3D1%26pg%3D2380057&_trksid=p2380057.c100675.m4236&_trkparms=pageci%3A8faeaeb7-f6ee-11e9-be6f-74dbd180b53b|parentrq%3A018c64dd16e0abd8ec6a308cfff61329|iid%3A1

Link to comment
Share on other sites

This is something that should have happened third party right after this console released. This console in my opinion was a falure from release date because of the garbage controllers. I have always viewed the 5200 as nothing more then a collectors item and its so large why would anyone want a fuctional collectors item they do not use because 90% of all controllers break and those that might have held up cramp the hands so badly it turns the whole thing into 100% useless and so it ahocks me that there is a dedicated community that praises this system. This console came out with paddle games ported for joystick and never had a connectable paddle controller. In short this adapter can save this sad console and turn it into what it always should have been even though the cartridges are unessaily uselessly huge for propriatary reasons only. Oh this is exactually why Atari went broke. Bad decisions like this console. It is also why it baffles me when big corperations try to follow in the same foot steps Atari did and when they start to crumble their list as to what they did wrong.

  • Sad 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

6 hours ago, Swami said:

My only recommendation would be to add a Vcc power line for pin 7 to the open side of the pcb like you did for the Amstrad CPC rapid fire adapter and like there also is on this Smallymouse2 adapter for added amperage for certain controllers and adapters, since the 5200 Vcc does not provide much current. 

  https://www.ebay.com/itm/SmallyMouse2-USB-mouse-adapter-for-Amiga-and-Atari-ST/233183863028?_trkparms=aid%3D111001%26algo%3DREC.SEED%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20160908105057%26meid%3D95db094a92ae430a990dd7bb0d798181%26pid%3D100675%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D15%26sd%3D233183863028%26itm%3D233183863028%26pmt%3D0%26noa%3D1%26pg%3D2380057&_trksid=p2380057.c100675.m4236&_trkparms=pageci%3A8faeaeb7-f6ee-11e9-be6f-74dbd180b53b|parentrq%3A018c64dd16e0abd8ec6a308cfff61329|iid%3A1

Actually Vcc power line is pin12 and it is not used at all! Instead, i use "pot common" (pin9) as Vcc (even for PIC supply) because pin12 doesn't seem to work right (i try to use it in the initial design but proved to be non working). And i'm pretty sure that adding an external Vcc to pin9 will mess things up!

Indeed, Atari 5200 joystick port is very "weird" (nothing like atari 2600 or even pc 15pin D game ports)... :-s 

Edited by ikonsgr
Link to comment
Share on other sites

6 minutes ago, ikonsgr said:

Actually Vcc power line is pin12 and it is not used at all! Instead, i use "pot common" (pin9) as Vcc (even for PIC supply) because pin12 doesn't seem to work right (i try to use it in the initial design but proved to be non working). And i'm pretty sure that adding an external Vcc to pin9 will mess things up!

Indeed, Atari 5200 joystick port is very "weird" (nothing like atari 2600 or even pc 15pin D game ports)... :-s 

Sorry, I meant pin 7 on the controller side, for the controller's pin 7

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Well, practically it's the same ,since pin7 of DB9 connector is directly connected to  pin12 of atari 15pin D gameport. I don't know how much current Atari 5200 joyports can provide, but i doubt that a small timer circuit for autofire (the only active component you can find on old 2600 joysticks) could exceed that.

Btw, the 5v power supply connector on Amstrad CPC rapid fire adapter you mention , which i also designed, is not for providing extra power using external supply, BUT it's mandatory, because  Amstrad CPC  9pin D joy connector, doesn't provide 5v power supply on any pin!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...