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1:3 Scale VT100 with working keyboard

I've made many retrocomputer miniatures but this is the most complex.

trevor-flowersTrevor Flowers
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The DEC VT100 is an iconic computer terminal from the 1970s and many influential software applications like VI were written on them.

So, to continue my smol retrocomputer series I decided to make this project a bit hard by giving it a working keyboard that looks, feels, and sounds as much like the original as I can manage.

I also post regular build updates on Mastodon: https://machines.social/@trevorflowers

I'm using FreeCAD to model the case parts and then 3D print them in Polylite PLA or PLA+.

I'm using KiCAD to make the custom circuit board for the small keyboard. I wish I had a LumenPNP to fab the boards but until I get one I'm using a Chinese fab house.

The case is sized to fit a single board computer like the RPi 4 or similar.

I've ordered but not yet tested a 3.5" diagonal TFT display that is 640x480 pixels and takes HDMI input. That would give it enough resolution to display the orginals' 80x24 character mode.

There are a few good emulators for the VT100 so I'm hoping that with the working keyboard and a serial port on the back it can be a handy portable terminal to use with old big iron like an IBM System/360 or the excellent PiDP/11.

  • PCBs on their way

    Trevor Flowers • a day ago • 0 comments

    PCBWay is sponsoring a round of PCBs for the 1:3 scale VT100 keyboard! 🎉

    Their assembly engineer (who didn't know about the sponsorship) gave me advice about the design and component choice which is a level of service that I haven't received from other fab houses. The order is in so we'll see how they look in a week.

    In the meantime I'll to make a handful of switch parts so that when the boards arrive I can validate the entire assembly and code before making a bigger board order.

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svofski wrote 18 hours ago • point

I'm a huge fan of mini versions of working keyboards. Would love to see more about your VT100 variant.

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