[Coco] An open letter to the coco community

[CoCoList for Color Computer Enthusiasts]

As I said to you before, we can get the cost of the parts down to a 
point that you will not have to do any of this.

You still could build the converters for less than $50 each with my 
sources.  I just did a small run of 50 PC boards of 10 by 5 cm in size 
and it only cost $1.80 each.  That includes shipping. Most of the other 
parts would have the same savings.
Steve

On 5/7/2014 6:36 PM, CoCoList for Color Computer Enthusiasts wrote:
> Friends,
> I am writing this  letter to address the problem of the cost
> of producing my  converter.   Since I have retired I have the time
> to accommodate  everyone.  Also my full pension kicked in this
> month so I don't need the  money.
>
>
> The cost to build the units is  approximately $120 USD.
> Isn't that ridiculous?    So this is  my proposal.    I am going
> to ask $200 per unit for my  converter to those who can EASILY
> afford it.   But if you can't, I  will accept any amount you can
> comfortably manage, even if is  nothing.   What is the reason
> for this policy  change?    Because the old low frequency
> CRT''s are  disappearing fast.   I have fixed enough of the older
> TV's in my  time to realize they have a fatal design flaw and
> Gene can probably back me  up on this.    The deflection
> yoke coils are driven by the  horizontal and vertical oscillators
> They are heavily stressed by high energy  magnetic fields.
> This causes excessive vibration and heat in  the
> coils.   I have found that this combination carbonizes  and
> removes the enamel insulating the wire of the coils causing the  coils
> impedance and resistance components to drop which
> overloads the  H.O.T. (horizontal output transistor) leading
> to catastrophic  failure.   If you just replace the H.O.T. it
> immediately fails and  usually you cant see the problem because
> the damage occurs on the inside of  the coil where it makes
> sharp turns in direction.   Since the TV is  old good luck
> finding another yoke coil which is a shame because the  rest
> of the unit is in pretty good shape for its  age.
>
> Soooo.......it is imperative  something be done to address
> this problem and I am in a unique position to  invest the time
> and up front money to make a modern LCD monitor  available
> to every CoCo enthusiast.
>
> Now my converter isn't perfect.   It  actually does too good
> of a job rendering the signal.    There  is broadband noise coming
> out of the GIME chip.    The green  signal is perfect.   The red
> signal is slightly off and the pure  blue signal is so out of line
> as to make the text difficult to  read.   The old slow CRT's did
> a lot of natural filtering and of  course Radio Shack took full advantage
> of this by ending development when it  was just good enough for
> the CM-8.  I have addressed the problem  somewhat by adding both
> input and output low pass filters to the  unit.   Its not a perfect
> solution but it does help  a  lot.
>
> Anyway , I figure with the caliber of  people in this group I will probably
> break even or close to  it.
>
> I also figure I can turn out 3 units a week  working at a leasurely
> pace.
>
> So there  it is friends.   My life's mission is set before me.
> I probably  won't get bored anytime soon.  :)))
>
> Roy
>
>
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