[Coco] Multipak redesign/replacement

[Al Hartman]

Because adding all that stuff and writing drives is non-trivial, and will 
add over a year to the development as each part is protoyped, tested, and 
coded for...

Cloning a Multi-Pak is easier, and faster, and will give folks like me who 
don't have one, a chance to get one.

If you'd like one like that, you are welcome to make one.

-[ Al ]-

-----Original Message----- 
From: Nick Marentes
Sent: Sunday, February 22, 2015 3:10 PM
To: CoCoList for Color Computer Enthusiasts
Subject: Re: [Coco] Multipak redesign/replacement

Rather than "cloning" the multi-pak, why not redesign it?

I figure that most people who have all manner of hardware connected
already have a multipak so why no design it for those who don't have one
already but wish to have the ability to use their SDC or FD controller,
an RS-232 pack, S/SC cart etc.

Why not add RS-232 as part of the multi-pak board? Maybe also include a
sound chip? The TI SN76489 sound chip, a clone of that used in the S/SC
is available on ebay for under $3.

Imagine the Tandy Multi-Pak if it had built-in RS-232 and the connectors
were at the back of the multi-pak where it could be connected out of
sight instead of suspended up in the air as the current multi-pak does.

The multi-pak could still have the 4 slots although if the mainboard
already contains some of the additional hardware that would normally
plug in by cartridge, we could reduce the number of slots, maybe just 2?
That would also make it more compact.

Power could come from a laptop style power "brick". These are easy to
find from a used laptop.

And to top it off, a custom 3D printer plastic case to finish it off!

Nicj

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