When I closed my Tindie store, I took all the USB keyboard posts offline. Even if I wanted to build more, I couldn't get the microcontrollers at the time, so I thought it was a time to finish those off.
Later on, I had a bit of a tidy up and went through the stock of complete and partially complete boards, I realised I had quite a few left, so I listed those on my SellMyRetro store
Those were all listed as "these are the last stocks of the xyz USB keyboard controller", because at the time, that was the plan were.
And slowly, they sold, but I did get requests for ones that had sold out, or ones that I didn't have any left of anyway, so I was not able to help.
Roll on 2023, the microcontrollers started to appear back in stock, intermittently, as they would often sell out pretty quickly due to either big users of them or scalpers hoping to make a quick buck.
So I was able to bring a few of them back.
Now I have been able to put most of them back into stock, so I guess it is time to reactivate all the old posts and update all the links.
Remember, please use these ethically. They were initially designed to use up cases from broken machines, or to test keyboards.
And to be clear, these allow you to use or test the keyboards from various old computers as USB keyboards on a modern PC, and not the other way around (e.g. A USB keyboard plugged into a ZX Spectrum).
All listings should now offer shipping to the UK, USA and Europe, let me know if I have missed any of them. Be aware that I am not able to collect VAT on international orders, so they will be sent as normal parcels via Royal Mail, and you may have to pay import duties or handling changes on arrival. There may also be delays, but there is not much I can do about that, I don't send the volume of parcels to be to setup all the EU IOSS type stuff.
ZX81
I suppose I should start with the one that started it all, the ZX81. I have been through quite a few revisions of these boards, and now have two versions available, one for a ZX81 case, and an alternative to use a ZX81 membrane in your own case. (the reason for the difference is the orientation of the controller to the membrane, in the ZX81 case, it is upside down)
Posts
- http://blog.tynemouthsoftware.co.uk/2015/12/day1-original-zx81-usb-keyboard.html
- http://blog.tynemouthsoftware.co.uk/2012/02/arduino-based-zx81-usb-keyboard.html
Listings
Amstrad CPC 464/6128
These are only suitable for keyboards with the white and green ribbons, there are a few variations in earlier CPC464s, but I think most of them are this type. Be sure to check before ordering.
I have also added stickers to make it clear which way around they connect.
Posts
- http://blog.tynemouthsoftware.co.uk/2015/12/day-5-amstrad-cpc464-usb-keyboard.html
- http://blog.tynemouthsoftware.co.uk/2016/02/amstrad-cpc6128-usb-keyboard.html
Listings
VIC20 / Commodore 64
These have been various versions of these. I don't have all of them listed, but will be adding the USB keyboard with dual joystick version when I build the next batch of boards, as well as those for the Commodore 16, plus/4 and Commodore 128 if there is any interest in any of those.
For the moment, I have two listings, one with vertical pins that can be mounted at the back of the case, and also has a mode switch to select VICE positional or desktop mode, and one with right angled pin header for mounting on the back of the keyboard (or in tight spaces). I no longer supply the LED with the mode switch version as not many people appeared to use them, and the cable length and LED shape depends on the case you have and the position of the board. The pin header is still there if you wish to fit your own tricolour LED.
Posts
- http://blog.tynemouthsoftware.co.uk/2014/08/commodore-64-usb-keyboard-with-mode.html
- http://blog.tynemouthsoftware.co.uk/2015/05/commodore-64-usb-keyboard-kits.html
- http://blog.tynemouthsoftware.co.uk/2015/12/day-9-pic20-vic20-usb-keyboard-with.html
- http://blog.tynemouthsoftware.co.uk/2015/12/day-23-vic20-usb-keyboard-with-usb-hub.html
- http://blog.tynemouthsoftware.co.uk/2016/03/commodore-64-usb-keyboard-with.html
- http://blog.tynemouthsoftware.co.uk/2016/08/commodore-64c-usb-keyboard-kits.html
Listings
Commodore PET
I originally had three versions of this, one with just the pin header, one with just a 25 way D for the 80xx-SK PETs, and one with both. I have not listed the 25 way D only version, just the pin header and universal versions.
Posts
- http://blog.tynemouthsoftware.co.uk/2020/02/commodore-pet-usb-keyboard.html
- http://blog.tynemouthsoftware.co.uk/2015/06/commodore-pet-usb-keyboard.html
Listings
BBC Micro
These come in two versions, one with a piezo sounder to make the double beep power on sound. The other has a small audio amplifier to drive the original BBC speaker to make that sound.
Posts
- http://blog.tynemouthsoftware.co.uk/2014/09/bbc-micro-usb-keyboard.html
- http://blog.tynemouthsoftware.co.uk/2015/12/day-19-bbc-micro-usb-keyboard-kit.html
Listings
Acorn Electron
The Electron keyboard is available mapped for normal desktop use, but also for use with Risc OS Pico, where the keys are mapped so that the keyword expansion works (i.e. press Func+F and F O R is typed as it would be on an Electron.
Posts
- http://blog.tynemouthsoftware.co.uk/2015/12/day-2-acorn-electron-usb-keyboard.html
- http://blog.tynemouthsoftware.co.uk/2015/12/day-6-acorn-electron-with-raspberry-pi.html
- http://blog.tynemouthsoftware.co.uk/2016/10/acorn-electron-risc-os-pico.html
Listings
TI99/4A
Posts
- http://blog.tynemouthsoftware.co.uk/2014/02/texas-instruments-ti994a-usb-keyboard.html
- http://blog.tynemouthsoftware.co.uk/2016/05/ti-99-4a-usb-keyboard-kit.html
Listings
Oric 1 / Atmos
Posts
Listings
Atari ST
Not sure how I ended up with so many posts on the ST, but here it is
Posts
- http://blog.tynemouthsoftware.co.uk/2018/08/atari-st-usb-keyboard-conversion-kit.html
- http://blog.tynemouthsoftware.co.uk/2015/08/atari-st-usb-keyboard.html
- http://blog.tynemouthsoftware.co.uk/2015/12/day-21-atari-st-usb-keyboard-kit.html
- http://blog.tynemouthsoftware.co.uk/2015/12/day-24-atari-st-pc-with-intel-i7.html
Listings
Amiga 500
There are three versions of the Amiga 500 USB and dual joystick controller boards. One has the USB socket on the pack panel for an external USB cable. The other two have an internal connection for a Raspberry Pi etc. One of those also has audio jacks that can pass through the output from a 3.5mm audio output. Note the version in the older blog posts with the DC-DC converter is no longer available.
There was even a blog post where I fitted an A500 mini into an A500 case with one of these controllers.
Posts
- http://blog.tynemouthsoftware.co.uk/2022/04/amiga-500-usb-keyboard-and-dual-joystick.html
- http://blog.tynemouthsoftware.co.uk/2018/06/amiga-500-usb-keyboard-with-raspberry-pi3.html
- http://blog.tynemouthsoftware.co.uk/2015/12/day-15-commodore-amiga-500-pi2.html
Listings
- https://www.sellmyretro.com/offer/details/62010
- https://www.sellmyretro.com/offer/details/62107
- https://www.sellmyretro.com/offer/details/62011
Amiga 600/1200
Posts
Listings
ZX Spectrum +2
This one has also been through many variations. I now have custom boards for the black Spectrum +2 A/B and for the grey Spectrum +2.
Posts
- http://blog.tynemouthsoftware.co.uk/2014/02/zx-spectrum-2a-raspberry-pi-case-mod.html
- http://blog.tynemouthsoftware.co.uk/2014/07/zx-spectrum-2-usb-keyboards.html
- http://blog.tynemouthsoftware.co.uk/2015/12/day-10-spectrum-2-usb-keyboard-usb-hub.html
- http://blog.tynemouthsoftware.co.uk/2015/12/day-7-zx-spectrum-2-pi-with-usb-joystick.html
Listings
ZX Spectrum / ZX Spectrum +
I have left these until last as things are a bit complicated. I designed custom membranes for both the ZX Spectrum and ZX Spectrum+, and matching controllers.
I have no more of those membranes, and they were ridiculously expensive, so I don't think I would be able to get any more made. As such, I don't have a solution for the ZX Spectrum at the moment.
What about x, y, z?
Yes, I did produce quite a lot of others, some one offs, some larger runs. I may build more of the ones not currently listed, but will see how things go. Let me know if you are interested in any particular item.
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Sell My Retro
As if this post was not already full of adverts, I suppose I should mention my SellMyRetro store also has a range of Minstrel 2, 3, 4th and Mini PET boards, kits and built units:
Patreon
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