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DIY F18a alternative

Posted: Mon May 01, 2023 3:57 am
by RenderEng
My little project is to add an affordable 80-column F18 alternative to the NABU. The GitHub repo is here: https://github.com/lfantoniosi/tn9k_f18a


Re: DIY F18a alternative

Posted: Mon May 01, 2023 4:35 am
by DJ Sures
Excellent - the world finally gets to see the project! I'm super happy everything came together nicely. The Cloud CPM BIOS supports it as of today as well: viewtopic.php?p=450

Most importantly, I'm happy to see your project is affordable. It hopefully will remind more people that this is a hobby, not a business. If people need to get paid for their time to make something that contributes to retro hobbyists, then they're not hobbyists. You proved that point well! I'm sure you will influence others to have the same mindset :D
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Re: DIY F18a alternative

Posted: Mon May 01, 2023 5:35 am
by c1ph3rpunk
And another one in the list.. Looks quite easy to do and stay affordable, excellent!

I’ll have to check the BOM for US stock though, I’ve had even crappier luck on parts lately, LS244 and 245’s out of stock.

JLPCB here we come…

Re: DIY F18a alternative

Posted: Mon May 01, 2023 7:53 am
by RenderEng
The 74LVC245 are pretty affordable and everywhere, I checked the US supply.

It's the non-level shifter 74LS245 that is becoming rare.

Re: DIY F18a alternative

Posted: Mon May 01, 2023 12:52 pm
by productiondave
Super cool! I have ordered a couple. All said and done, it's probably costing about the same to have an f18a made or to buy the parts, boards and fpga units for this design and have them sent to NZ. BUT It fits into the nabu and I will be able to bend that ground pin back to it's normal upright position. Which will be nice.

Re: DIY F18a alternative

Posted: Mon May 01, 2023 1:25 pm
by tastypies
This looks great, thank you for sharing!

D. :)

Re: DIY F18a alternative

Posted: Mon May 01, 2023 4:21 pm
by superbenk
Whoa! Awesome!

Re: DIY F18a alternative

Posted: Tue May 02, 2023 12:56 am
by LeoBinkowski
Cool. I bought two of those Tang Nano 9K FPGAs, but like anything from Ali, I won't hold my breath for a couple of months.

I already have the F18A, but I have many NABUs. Plus, I want to take a closer look at those Tang Nano 9K RISC-V units.

Re: DIY F18a alternative

Posted: Tue May 02, 2023 2:28 am
by superbenk
I found them on Amazon too. About $25 here in the States. Not sure what they were on Ali.


Re: DIY F18a alternative

Posted: Tue May 02, 2023 3:30 am
by RenderEng
about the same price as aliexpress with shipping.