The latest project I have completed is a full ASCII Upper/Lower case keyboard that can be used on an Apple 1 or Apple II or other computer requiring a parallel interface. Key features are:
All 128 ASCII characters can be generated including Upper and Lower case.
The keyboard has true N-Key rollover with no diodes since each key goes directly to an FPGA
Every key is auto-repeat, after any key is held for 1 sec the repeat starts. This can be disabled on the daughter board.
A jumper block option allows the output connector to map directly to either Apple 1 or Apple II
The keyboard outline is compatible with the Apple II and Apple II+
The key switches are Cherry MX switches which are widely used, all parts are new and modern parts.
Series resistors and zener diodes are used to protect the circuits if there is incorrect insertion of the 16 pin cable in the DIP header.
The Power light is replaced by a Caps Lock toggle key that is lighted Green for Caps Lock and Yellow for no Caps Lock
Custom double-shot keycaps are used.
A description with pictures is at
www.apple1notes.com/old_apple/Peripheral_Boards_files/Keyboard%20Note.pdf
wsander
Great work Wendell. Hopefully you can partner with someone to have boards produced for the Apple community. This project will go a long way to prevent people from scavenging Keyboards from Apple II plus machines for their Apple-1 replicas and to replace damaged or missing keyboards in Apple II plus systems where they are needed.
Cheers,
Corey
+1 to what Corey wrote.
Any time frame on when you might have something available?
Len
Hi Wendell, do you have any more details on the keyboard released, I would really like to build one.
Hi All,
I'm looking to create a retro style keyboard for a personal project. Since I like to cut costs by sharing extra PCBs, I'll be making a batch of them.
There is a good chance I'll leverage significant parts of Wendell's design, though I do have an alternative Cherry keyboard design that I started on a number of years ago. This may become a bit of merge of my old design and Wendell's. I have been in touch with Wendell and he has been very open about sharing his design with me.
I have a few of requirements that I'll be working against, most of which have been addressed already by Wendell.
1) Apple 1 compatible
2) Apple 2 compatible
3) Cherry MX style key switches
4) Separate programable keyboard encoder - my personal project demands a non-latched keyboard, which requires some changes to the encoder circuit as compared to an Apple 1 or 2. I also want to make this keyboard useful for other retro computer designs which may have unforeseen requirements.
5) Retro style key cap set - I figure I'll add some extra caps to Wendell set, so that in combination with keyboard encoder changes, it could be useful for additional retro applications.
Is there anything else that people might want on this keyboard?
regards,
Mike Willegal
I forgot to mention one thing - based on Wendell's BOM costs, a keyboard or kit is likely to cost you around $200. This is similar to the estimate I made several years ago, which is why I put my version on hold. However, since that time, the eBay selling price of Apple II keyboards has gone up considerably, which might make this a more feasible project these days.
regards,
Mike Willegal
I'm revising my thinking a little. I'm looking at making a keyboard with a separate encoder, compatible with two piece versions of the Apple II and II plus keyboards. That way, if you just want an Apple II replacement keyboard and your encoder is good, you will be able to reuse your existing encoder. Also by replacing or reprogramming the encoder board, you will be able to create a custom keyboard for your application. I plan on making keycaps sets, with a variety of 'extra' keys with additional legends. One example would be adding clear screen and rub out functions for Apple 1s. I will also provide mounting points for the extra keys found on a Datanetics, rev D. One of my motivations is that I need a non-latching keyboard like the early Don Lancaster TV typewriter keyboards, for my SCELBI project. This approach will allow me to create that keyboard and still satisfy Apple 1 and Apple II users that need keyboards.
One little problem is that I don't currently have an Apple II or II plus with a two piece keyboard, though I do have a spare encoder board. Can anyone provide good details and images of how the encoder connector is set up on the main keyboard PCB and spacing between the two PCBs?
regards,
Mike Willegal
Mike,
I think I can send you a spare PCB from an RFI Apple II keyboard. I use it for spare plunger parts so you can keep the PCB. I take a look for it when I get a chance.
Cheers,
Corey
Mike-
I'm always in the market for a good retro keyboard. Especially one with a reprogrammable encoder (Atmel?)
Dave...
Hello Mike,
I've been waiting for alaunch of a order link since announcement of last
datanetics keyboard.... I need at least 4 PCB's
speedyG
In developing an Apple 1 keyboard I built an encoder board to replace the Apple II encoder board then I built a Cherry Keyboard that used my adapter board. The keyboard is close to what you are talking about in that it matches the Apple II Keyboard Outline and the connector is compatible, even the mounting holes. You can plug an Apple II encoder board into the keyboard and it will work except there is no Right Arrow key. The connector on the original Apple II 2 piece keyboard was a Molex part that was the same kind of part that caused all the reliability grief on the very early Apple ///'s as it is a single wipe connector. A better connector is the Samtec SSM-125-S-SV that is dual wipe and compatible with the encoder board.
I will send you some pictures and can send you a keyboard if that would help.
Wendell
I was curious, does the Apple II key caps fit on the Cherry Keyboard? The Cherry MX key switches almost look similar.
The Apple II and Cherry switch keycaps do not fit on each other. Keycaps that fit each are available but I have not seen any that match the Apple II keycap shape well enough to mix them on the same keyboard. Datanetics and later The Keyboard Company made their own keycaps so there was no tooling made by outside vendors at the time. Color matching should be possible as the Keycap Vendors generally do custom colors.
Wendell
Could some key-stem adapter be made so they would be compatible?
Update,
After sharing some keyboard ideas with one of the engineers at Paul Allen's Living History Museum, I'm considering going back to the single board solution that I was working on in 2014. This will be very close to an original Datanetics, rev D., except with Cherry key switches and an AVR for an encoder. It still should be usable as an Apple II keyboard replacement, through omitting the extra keys. I figure it will be just as easy to reprogram the AVR for unique applications, as add a special encoder card, plus will be less expensive and the look of a single card implementation will be superior.
This project is going to take some time to work through the design and implementation, but it will happen. Except for making some SCELBI front panels, that I owe a few people, it is tops on my retro priority list.
regards,
Mike Willegal
Hello there. Any updates on this? I would love to build one.
Thanks.
[quote=Mike WIllegal]Hi All, I'm looking to create a retro style keyboard for a personal project. Since I like to cut costs by sharing extra PCBs, I'll be making a batch of them. There is a good chance I'll leverage significant parts of Wendell's design, though I do have an alternative Cherry keyboard design that I started on a number of years ago. This may become a bit of merge of my old design and Wendell's. I have been in touch with Wendell and he has been very open about sharing his design with me. I have a few of requirements that I'll be working against, most of which have been addressed already by Wendell. 1) Apple 1 compatible 2) Apple 2 compatible 3) Cherry MX style key switches 4) Separate programable keyboard encoder - my personal project demands a non-latched keyboard, which requires some changes to the encoder circuit as compared to an Apple 1 or 2. I also want to make this keyboard useful for other retro computer designs which may have unforeseen requirements. 5) Retro style key cap set - I figure I'll add some extra caps to Wendell set, so that in combination with keyboard encoder changes, it could be useful for additional retro applications. Is there anything else that people might want on this keyboard? regards, Mike Willegal[/quote]
I have been working on a keyboard with exactly these features. It has Apple 1 and Apple 2 connectors, and it can fit in an Apple II. It can be populated with more keys for a layout similar to the ADM-3A, or fitted with a different controller and operate in an OSI computer. I've put the design files and firmware up on Github, if anyone is interested.
I still have to add apple II compatible mounting holes and could use suggestions about the keycaps before placing an order.
Dave
Here's a photo of the keyboard (populated for an ADM-3A style layout). I know that the power light/key is in the wrong spot. I've already moved it to be flush left with the shift key.
The keyboard can take Cherry keys, or Futaba MD4PCS (George Risk KBM-01-01) keys. This prototype is using the Futaba keys.
keyboard_test.jpg
A version that was plug n play compatible with a ][ or ][+ would be awesome. Lots of people would be interested in that.
So far, this one is. But I could use some help in makeing sure the mounting arrangement is correct, and also deciding things like, is are the "Bell-G" and "^-N" caps really necessary.
For the power button, my plan is to use a lighted key with a translucent white keycap, but could include an option to anchor in a 3D-printed cap like the later models and solder the LED directly. Also, it would be good figuring out what features Apple users might want to be configurable.
I guess this forum doesn't allow editing of typos in our posts.
Anyway, for the Apple II, the rightmost 2 columns of keys (The 8 rigthmost keys on the keyboard) would not be populated, and the left lower key would be populated, probably used as a Caps Lock with a light.
Also, what keyboard macros might be useful? For example, any programs such as BASIC that might be nice to load with a key sequence (e.g., ctrl-1)? Also, since there is a serial port on board, it may be possible to load programs as if typed through the serial port. The current interface puts the serial port two of the ASCII keyboard lines, but with a low enough data rate it should be possible to send keys between bytes.
[quote=dfnr2]
So far, this one is. But I could use some help in makeing sure the mounting arrangement is correct, and also deciding things like, is are the "Bell-G" and "^-N" caps really necessary.
For the power button, my plan is to use a lighted key with a translucent white keycap, but could include an option to anchor in a 3D-printed cap like the later models and solder the LED directly. Also, it would be good figuring out what features Apple users might want to be configurable.
[/quote]
Do you have a ][ or ][+ to test with?
I do have an Apple II+. It's packed away at the moment, and I've been testing with a Replica 1 and a logic analyzer.
would love to see this pcb available for other apple 1 owners.
[quote=toddmp]
would love to see this pcb available for other apple 1 owners.
[/quote]
The PCB design files and firmware are available on Github:
https://github.com/osiweb/unified_retro_keyboard
The firmware works, but I'm waiting for the latest rev to put the finishing touches on it, such as DIP-switch configuration to select keymaps, etc. Also, I am about to place an order for some key sets, which will take about 3 months to manufacture.
[quote=toddmp]
would love to see this pcb available for other apple 1 owners.
[/quote]
The PCB design files and firmware are available on Github:
https://github.com/osiweb/unified_retro_keyboard
The firmware works great, but I'm waiting for the latest rev to put the finishing touches on it, such as DIP-switch configuration to select keymaps, etc. Also, I am about to place an order for some key sets, which will take about 3 months to manufacture.
I've just put together your Rev.1.3 Keyboard layout and a early version of your Controller PCB using Cherry MX Blue switches. I can finally put back Apple II Plus keyboard back in it's computer case.I can say I'm very happy with the results and it works great with my Newton 1 computer. The Clear Screen button on the keyboard and Reset "CTRL + BREAK" is a very nice touch. I think I'll be ordering a couple of Keycap sets from you when they become available so I can build up another using the latest Revison when you have the DIP-switch configuration to selct other key maps. I can see a real use for this as i was hoping to put together an OSI system which means I already have a keyboard.
Apple.1-keyboard.jpg
opps
I fogot to say while I was puttting back my Apple II Plus keyboard in its case I connected up the Keyboard using the Apple II connector on the PCB board and as you can see also works great. This would be a great replacement for anyone that has a Apple II computer and no keyboard. Or just on the test bench.
Apple-II-Plus-test.jpg
Looks nice!
Hi!
I am looking for description about all keys of the A1-keyboard.
For example - we have information about base characters (please, see signetics 2513). But we need in Return, Shift and etc. non-printed characters.
Do you know the sites with info about all characters for A1 keyboard?
Apple I does not support Shift, Caps only. There are only two special keys beside on the keyboard matrix and that is Enter and Rubb-out. Reset and Clear Screen are separate to the matrix.
Rub out is coded as 0x5F.
Shift is of cause used for the double use of the number keys.
https://github.com/osiweb/unified_retro_keyboard/tree/main/hardware/interface-ascii
Here you can find all details to recreate a keyboard.
WOZ monitor checks for rub out character $5F keystroke (actually $DF because dataline 7 is set to +5V)
Congratulation Wendell!
You told me about it last time I visited you and I can't wait to use your keyboard design!
Thnk you so much for your efforts. Now there are enough options for keyboards to use with an Apple-1. And no reason to destroy Apple II's anymore.
Hello,
I'm trying a different route initially, but I think I'd like to try this option too.
What I can't find is the firmware to burn into the ATMega.
Any hint will be welcome?
Also, if there's a way to buy this as a kit, at least the daughter board, I'd be interested.
Txs.
The firmware is here: https://github.com/osiweb/unified_retro_keyboard/tree/main/firmware/asdf
To build it, you will need some unix tools. Specifically, bash, cmake (a recent one > v19), and the avr-gcc tool chain (tested with v5.31 and up), plus make or ninja. It will build under
- Linux (make sure your cmake is up-to-date. )
- Windows (you need a unix command-line environment like git-bash devel tools, cygwin, or wsl, with cmake and the avr-gcc tool chain).
- Macos (use homebrew or macports to install an up-to-date cmake an the avr-gcc tool chain and libc.
I will work on setting up an automated build so you can download the binaries from github. But in the meanwhile, if you need a binary, let me know which processor (atmega328P if you have the through-hole encoder; atmega2560 if you have the SMT encoder) and I will send you a copy.
I did have a bunch of PCBs, but have run out and have not yet stocked up. Also, the lead times for keycaps have gone way up, as have the prices that Signature Plastics is charging. Hopefully this is only temporary due to the supply chain and labor disruptions, but who knows.
Henry Courbis at ReActiveMicro has a few kits that I sent him. I think he may make them available to buy at some point in the near future.
But everything needed for hardware and software is on github, for those who are interested.
Dave
Thanks I'm more used to PlatformIO and the Arduino IDE to program the ATMegas, but I guess this would be doable.
I got my keyboard boards, key switches and key caps today. I will probably start assembling soon.