2023 Update
USB Keyboard Controller Kits are available from my Sell My Retro store:
Sunday 13 July 2014
ZX Spectrum +2 USB Keyboards
I've made a few ZX Spectrum +2 USB keyboards by request in the past, another has come in, so I thought I'd add them to the store. This one was one of the gray +2 models.
As such, this has the same 8x5 keyboard matrix as the original Spectrum, and like the Spectrum+ and the Spectrum+ 128K, this cheats extra keys by pressing two at once (i,e. Delete is really just caps shift + 0). It does mean it can use the same PCB.
Although the membrane tails are reversed, so the connectors are fitted in the reverse of the ZX81. Either way around, I still put 'tynemouth software' in a bad place on the silk screen.
Previous builds have also used my USB Joystick board, so I can offer that as well.
This together with the keyboard means two USB devices, and a USB hub would need to be fitted inside. There is plenty of space to do that, but I'm working on a new board which will do both without the need for a hub.
When doing just a USB keyboard, I leave the tape deck in place, not connected to anything. A couple of options here, it could probably be converted to play audio cassettes if you really wanted, or removed to make space for something like a Raspberry Pi - read the article about building the Spectrum Pi.
Did I mention, it is also available in black?
Although the look the same, internally the redesigned black +2A / +2B has a different keyboard, as can be seen from the membrane tails, so all of the keys can be mapped on that version (no multi-key magic).
The Spectrum +2 USB Keyboards are available from the Etsy store now.
