
Built
Up Kit - Configured for the Apple II
ASCII to
PS/2 Keyboard Adapter
This
board converts either a PS/2 keyboard
input or RS232 input into a ASCII keyboard interface. It has been
tested with the Apple 1 and Apple II models, but other vintage
computers that take a parallel ASCII keyboard interface should work.
Apple IIe and later Apple computers will not work with this
interface. See
my blog or video podcast
for more information.
Pricing
Read the
Manual before ordering
(currently version is 2.2).
You must supply keyboard and/or cable for
computer's RS232 interface.
Price for a keyboard adapter kit is $35, postage is $5 within USA, $10
elsewhere
I can assemble kits for an additional charge of $25. (specify either
Apple 1 or Apple II - I can not build
kits for other types of computers because I cannot test them)
Send
mike@willegal.net an email for payment information.
Features:
- Use
a regular PS/2 keyboard on Apple II or other vintage computer that
accepts ASCII keyboard input
- Upper and lower case
support
- Support PS/2 numeric keypad (numeric mode
only - cursor controls will not work)
- Use PC
terminal program (hyperterm) running on modern PC, for vintage computer
input device
- Echos PS/2 keyboard input to RS232 TX
for input logging purposes
- cntrl-R - cntrl-S -
cntrl-T reset sequence pre-programmed
- You
can use
terminal programs on a PC to send scripts of commands to
target computer keyboard input interface. This is an easy way to
load programs into vintage computers that otherwise must rely upon
unreliable media, such as a cassette interface.
- Can be
adapted to other vintage micro-computers by rewiring connection to
target PC
- Operates from +5 volt supply (amperage
requirements to be determined shortly)
- RS232 runs
at 9600 baud
- Shift
lock support - sending commands to change
the LED status on the keyboard is trickier than one might imagine, but
I finally have it working
- Arrow mapping to Apple esc-char cursor
movement (Apple II specific)
- Cntl-Alt-Del reset support
- Easily jumperable keyboard 16 pin socket pinout - will allow
apple 1 and other vintage
computers with DIP16 header connections to use straight through ribbon
cable connection
- Clear screen strobe support using cntrl-C cntrl-L contrl-R
sequence (intended for apple 1)
- Optional automatic reset and clear screen after power up
This Project was Inspired by
Other Peoples Work

First Prototype Adapter Hooked Up to
an Apple II on One End - a PS/2 Keyboard and a PC via RS232 on the Other
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Hobby Home Page