TRS80 Keyboard

[Blue Ghost]

I've got an old Radio Shack TRS80 keyboard that I've uncovered from my garage. It's got a serial port (obviously), so my question is if I get a USB converter for it, will it still talk to newer motherboards?

Can I still use it, is the basic question.

 

[BytePro]

For what?!? is the more basic question! o:

Haven't seen or used a Trash 80 in decades. However, recall they came in several 'Models' and most had integrated keyboards. The Model 2 I think had a separate cabled version - but even if it is serial, it will not match a PC keyboard for purposes of use as a primary keyboard (maybe useful as a special input device).

Model 1 probably had no serial port - that came later. It was more like the Commodore Pet. IIRC, it had a monitor, tape and expansion ports - no serial.

Brings back some memories though. I programmed the later Model (III?) in assembly language to support custom made devices for physics experiments and for driving a large flat bed plotter and even a massive high speed (also high decibel and high Richter scale!) workstation printer. Think they had 'serial' ports, but not of the standard pin-outs we have today (well, I might have just used them differently?)...

 

[DaveChase]

Parallax boards are just a bit more powerful than the old trash 80 but if you are into hobby robotics, the trash should work wonders for you.



Dave Chase

 

[BytePro]

Ha - I do remember interfacing a Trash 80 to a Hero, Jr... don't recall what for, though the Jr. had sensors I might have wanted to interface with?

 

[Blue Ghost]

LOL, Yes, the Trash 80. Some guy gave it to me, and I thought I might use it for Robot Wars in the late 90s, but the thing was antiquated THEN, so I tossed nearly all of it, save for the CRT and keyboard.

I've just had bad luck with keyboards over the last 30 years, and I never really got a chance to use it. But, if it uses machine or assembly, then I guess it's a no brainer to toss it.

Thanks

 

[BytePro]

Oh, it had a version of BASIC and all the normal smattering of languages (depending on Model - the TRS-80 line included a lot of variants) - in fact my first C with Classes (predecessor of C++) was on a Trash 80, and I also did FORTRAN and several others on it. I'm sure its ports were programmable in BASIC or the like (with some type of PEEK/POKE commands) - I had to use assembly for speed (and possibly unusual use of lines - serial 'standards' in the day typically included 'extra' lines).

DaveChase indicated some folks might have a use for them...

 

[Shonner]

You'll need a conversion kit. Normally, people go the other way (connect a 101-key keyboard to a TRS-80).