Subj : RetroShield for Arduino
To   : All
From : Jeff
Date : Mon Jan 10 2022 09:48:38

Hi all,

8bitforce.com created some PCB designs for several variations of their
RetroShield, which is a shield for the Arduino Mega (or pin-wise equivalent)
allowing it to interface with various 8-bit microprocessors. The Arduino is
then responsible for driving the microprocessor's clock, servicing memory
requests, etc., providing a cheap, easy way to explore the workings of these
processors.

I received the 6502 and Z80 variations in a subscription box (no longer
available) and decided to order more*, plus a variation for the RCA 1802
microprocessor. I had to buy in multiples of 5, and 10 costs the same as 5,
so I ordered 10 of each: 6502, Z80, and 1802. The total cost was $35.99, $24
of which was shipping.

I ordered from NextPCB.com and submitted the gerber files located here:
https://gitlab.com/8bitforce/retroshield-hw/-/tree/master/manufacturing (the
gerber files are in a zip file within each processor-specific directory).

I'll let you know how the final boards turn out, if anyone is interested in
doing the same. Assembly of the boards does require acquiring and soldering a
few smd components (resistors and capacitors), as well as a
processor-appropriate socket (if desired), an LED, an 18x2 male header, and
of course a processor chip.

More info on the boards can be found here:
http://www.8bitforce.com/projects/retroshield/

Jeff.

* The 6502 and Z80 chips that came with the kit were vintage chips pulled
from who-knows-where. The 6502 board has a pair of solder pads that need to
be bridged for older chips, but left unbridged for modern 6502s. Since the
chip I had was an older one, I bridged them. However, the modern chips are
better in a number of respects (including being more tolerant of Silly User
Mistakes) so I'd like to use that. I also have a few spare 1802s since I had
to buy 5 to get the 1 I needed for another project. So that's how I came to
order 30 PCBs.

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A46 2020/08/26 (Raspberry Pi/32)
 * Origin: Cold War Computing BBS (21:1/180)

.