Wow, I didn't know that. I miss Radio Shack. I used to comb through their catalogs as a kid dreaming about what stuff I would buy when I grew up.
I miss DAK catalogs, too. On Wed, Aug 8, 2018 at 10:52 AM, Nathan Misner <shicky...@gmail.com> wrote: > Sharp actually continued making the PC series of pocket computers into the > early 2000s. The last model (the PC-G850VS) can show bitmapped graphics, is > programmable in BASIC, C, and Z80 assembly, and has an 8-bit parallel user > port. > > On Wed, Aug 8, 2018 at 9:31 AM, Jeff Gonzales <gonzobra...@gmail.com> > wrote: > >> I have a PC-6 which I used in high school. It was such a cool >> "calculator" for the time. I liked the earlier ones more, however, as they >> had more cool accessories. >> >> "Ready P0" >> >> haha. >> >> On Wed, Aug 8, 2018 at 8:59 AM, Kevin Becker <ke...@kevinbecker.org> >> wrote: >> >>> I'm a pocket computer fan too. My original was a PC-3 that I used >>> through high school. At some point it died and I got a PC-7 which I used >>> through college and early career. In the mean time the PC-3 had been >>> repaired by a friend but the PC-7 was a better calculator for my needs at >>> that time. >>> >>> Not long ago I dug them out and started messing around with them again. >>> The keys on the cover of the PC-7 no longer work. I suspect the ribbon >>> cable is broken and there probably isn't an easy way to repair it without >>> destroying it in the process. >>> >>> The PC-3 mostly worked but the run/program/power switch was flakey. I >>> took it apart and cleaned it an bent the contacts a bit to make a better >>> connection and it is good to go. I also replaced the nicad pack in the >>> printer. >>> >>> Since then I picked up another PC-3a and printer that needed the same >>> repair. It has some bleed on the LCD but not too bad. I also acquired a >>> PC-4 which is working great with no refurbishment. Most recently I got a >>> PC-2 and a Sharp PC1500 that are also in great shape. I have a Sharp >>> CE-150 printer for it but I actually haven't tested it out yet but it seems >>> to have been unused, with unopened pens included. Ron Lauzon was nice >>> enough to sell me some memory modules for them and I'm looking forward to >>> doing some more advance programming on them soon. >>> >>> >>> >>> On Wed, Aug 8, 2018 at 7:39 AM, Jim Toth <jt...@localnet.com> wrote: >>> >>>> I'll keep that in mind. But so far, so good. >>>> >>>> >>>> ----- Original Message ----- >>>> *From:* you got me <ven...@hotmail.com> >>>> *To:* m...@bitchin100.com >>>> *Sent:* Wednesday, August 08, 2018 1:26 AM >>>> *Subject:* Re: [M100] TRS-80/Tandy Pocket Computer >>>> >>>> be careful about the pc-2 and printing. You can always make or refill >>>> your own pens.... but the MAJOR problem is a plastic cog within the >>>> printing mechanism itself. Over time these things would crack and then you >>>> would have abnormal printing operations. A brass or 3d printed version of >>>> that cog would revitalize 98% of those ancient pc-2 printers. (that, and >>>> changing the ni-cad batteries with ni-mh ones). >>>> ------------------------------ >>>> *From:* M100 <m100-boun...@lists.bitchin100.com> on behalf of Jim Toth >>>> <jt...@localnet.com> >>>> *Sent:* Wednesday, August 8, 2018 2:08:03 AM >>>> *To:* m...@bitchin100.com >>>> *Subject:* Re: [M100] TRS-80/Tandy Pocket Computer >>>> >>>> You can still purchase PC-2 printer pens? Excellent. Where? >>>> >>>> >>>> ----- Original Message ----- >>>> From: "Ron Lauzon" <rlau...@gmail.com> >>>> To: <m...@bitchin100.com> >>>> Sent: Tuesday, August 07, 2018 9:46 PM >>>> Subject: Re: [M100] TRS-80/Tandy Pocket Computer >>>> >>>> >>>> My PC-4 was my constant companion through college and into my first >>>> job. I picked up a PC-2 at the Tandy Corporate auction and got bit by >>>> the pocket computer bug. >>>> >>>> What I've put together is this: >>>> + PC-1 - usually had bad screens over time. >>>> + PC-2 - frequently people left the AA batteries in them when they >>>> stopped using them. The batteries leaked. So always check the >>>> battery compartment before buying one. Leaky batteries can cause a >>>> great deal of damage. >>>> The printer/cassette interface is where the flaws are. The printer >>>> gears tended to wear out. Also the rechargeable battery packs are >>>> shot by now and are leaking. >>>> There are some people who refurbish the printers (new batteries and >>>> new gears), but they will be more expensive. Surprisingly, you can >>>> still purchase the pens. >>>> + PC-3 - Not much that I know of. I only have 1 in my collection and >>>> it has no problems. The printer even works. >>>> + PC-4 - No problems with the pocket computer itself that I know of. >>>> The printer batteries are shot by now. Usually they don't leak, but >>>> the batteries are not meant to be replaced. But with some work, the >>>> printers can be made to work with an AC-adapter. >>>> >>>> On Tue, Aug 7, 2018 at 8:01 PM megarat <mega...@yahoo.com> wrote: >>>> > >>>> > Hey folks, a recent thread here highlighted my interest in the old >>>> > TRS-80/Tandy Pocket Computers (rebadged from existing Casio and Sharp >>>> > models). I always had a fascination with these things as a kid, and >>>> I was >>>> > lucky enough to own one of them for a while (a PC-5), so I'm >>>> entertaining >>>> > the possibility of hunting some of them down. >>>> > >>>> > I'm concerned, however, with how well these models age. Specifically >>>> the >>>> > electrolytics (and how easy are they to replace?), the LCD display >>>> (do >>>> > they have a tendency to fade/bleed?), and the keypad (do those little >>>> > chicklet keyboards still hold up years later?). >>>> > >>>> > Are there any PC collectors on this list that can offer me some >>>> > advice/guidance? Thanks. >>>> > >>>> > /CAM >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> -- >>>> Ron Lauzon - rlauzon at acm dot org >>>> Homepage: http://webpages.charter.net/rlauzon/ >>>> Weblog: http://ronsapartment.blogspot.com/ >>>> >>>> TRS-80 Pocket Computer 2 - TRS-80 Pocket Computer 4 - TRS-80 Model >>>> 100/102 >>>> Some people like to work on old cars. But old computers are cheaper >>>> and don't require a big garage. >>>> >>>> >>> >> >
