https://blog.jgc.org/2023/11/my-1976-kim-1.html
John Graham-Cumming's blog
2023-11-06
My 1976 KIM-1
Some years ago I wrote about programming a KIM-1 in 1985. By that
time the KIM-1 was old, and definitely not state of the art. After
all, it was released in 1976.
[img100]
But it's a machine I enjoyed programming (which required punching in
code via the hex keypad, or, if you were lucky, connecting a terminal
(via a 20mA current loop designed to talk to an actual Teletype) to
it and using the very basic monitor program). The KIM-1 could also
interface to a paper-tape reader/punch and a cassette for storing and
loading programs.
[kim-1-1]
I have a tiny collection of machines that matter in my personal
computing history: a Sharp MZ-80K, a Research Machines 380Z, a
Research Machines 480Z, my original BBC Micro and a KIM-1 (that's a
picture of my machine above). The (fully working) KIM-1 was made in
1976 and is serial number 2,793. It's still sitting in its original
packaging:
[kim-1-5]
[kim-1-6]
(I added the protective perspex case)
You can just make out that it's described for customs' purposes as a
"KIM-1 System" with a value of $245 (about $1,315 today; roughly the
cost of a current MacBook Air 15" laptop). Postage was $4.75 from the
US to Europe.
[kim-1-2]
The serial number is on both the PCB and the box. The box notes that
it was checked on July 27, 1976 and the almost illegible post code
seems to indicate it was posted two days later.
[kim-1-7]
[kim-1-3]
The date codes on the MOS chips are as follows: 2776 (week 27 of
1976) on the 6502 processor, 1776 (week 17) on one of the 6530s and
1876 (week 18) on the other. The week number for the 6502 is
important because apparently 6502s made up to week 26 had faults!
(It's also the case that week 27 of 1976 ended July 4, 1976... the
200 year anniversary of the US Declaration of Independence).
It's also interesting to see how tight MOS' supply chain was. They
made the 6502 chip in week 27 of 1976 and shipped the complete
computer in week 31.
[kim-1-1]
The machine came with a set of manuals and a handy circuit diagram.
The circuit diagram is poster size.
[kim1-9]
The three manuals cover the hardware (including the whole MCS650X
family of chips and specifics of interfacing to the KIM-1 from
devices like a Teletype), using the KIM-1 (including debugging
hardware faults, interfacing a paper-tape reader and cassette and use
of the built in monitor program) and programming the KIM-1 (this
manual is a complete reference to 6502 programming). One goal of the
KIM-1 was to introduce the 6502 and related chips and to make sure
that everyone could understand and use them (and design them into
their own products).
[kim1-10]
[kim1-11]
[kim1-12]
In my personal computing history both the Z80 and the 6502 loom
large. The Z80 in the Research Machines' computers and Sharp MZ-80K,
and the 6502 in the KIM-1 and the BBC Micro. I never programmed the
6809.
There's also a nifty flyer about the system itself:
[kim1-13]
[kim1-14]
[kim1-15]
And finally there's the warranty. Unfortunately, I've passed the 90
day limit by 17,178 days.
[kim1-16]
[kim1-17]
at November 06, 2023
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