Cloudscout ,
@Cloudscout@oldbytes.space avatar

Cleaned up the Micro-Term ACT-1 serial terminal tonight and made the modification that allows it to transmit lowercase characters (although it still displays everything in UPPERCASE).

Cloudscout OP ,
@Cloudscout@oldbytes.space avatar

Back in 1977, you couldn't necessarily count on standardized connectors. Video output uses a PL-259 connector and RS-232 is via a pair of 1/4" phono plugs.

elb ,
@elb@social.sdf.org avatar

@Cloudscout Huh, I would expect dual 1/4" phone to be a current loop interface. Does it also support current loop signaling?

Cloudscout OP ,
@Cloudscout@oldbytes.space avatar

@elb yes, the manual says that a modification can be made to support current loop.

brouhaha ,
@brouhaha@mastodon.social avatar

@Cloudscout The SO-239/PL-259 connectors were the most common connectors for CCTV when the ACT-I was designed, and the video monitor market at that time was almost exclusively studio/broadcast (expensive) and CCTV (less expensive).
The use of phono jacks for serial was because there the ACT-I supported both current loop and RS-232, current loop was more popular (due to prevalence of Teletypes), and there was no standard connector for current loop.

RTFirefly ,
@RTFirefly@mastodon.social avatar

@Cloudscout
Would a useful modification like this reduce your computer’s value to collectors?

Cloudscout OP ,
@Cloudscout@oldbytes.space avatar

@RTFirefly Nope. In fact, instructions for the modification were in the original manual. It's also 100% reversible.

4.7. LOWER CASE TRANSMISSION Your ACT-I keyboard can be enabled to transmit lower case alphabetic characters by clipping out the short blue wire which is soldered across the caps lock key. To gain access to the blue wire, unplug the ACT-I and carefully separate the cabinet halves as previously described. The blue jumper wire will be apparent on the back of the printed circuit board to which the keys are attached. The ACT-I will still transmit in an upper case only mode whenever the 'CAPS LOCK' switch is engaged.
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    • RTFirefly ,
    @RTFirefly@mastodon.social avatar

    @Cloudscout
    Apparently, computer
    collectors are far more rational than guitar collectors.

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