ATARI OWNER VIDEO LINK - NEW YEAR 2021

Yep I'm up for it.. Go for it Al.
I better try clearing some space coz I've made even more mess that there was last Sunday
Hey wonder if I can get some space for my new Oric Atmos to run

 

I just started reading this thread, I sort of ignored it until now, as I haven't gotten around to setting up a camera and mic with my PC yet, etc., even though I have them already. Plus, I recently lost a couple of front teeth in a mishap and don't feel like showing my now ugly mug on camera until I get around to a dentist. For the moment I look like a genuine Okie redneck hick, which just won't do to share with the world for this college educated bloke!

But I read about @Graham giving a tour of his workshop, and now I'm dying to see what I have to compete with once I build my own shop...how about some pics Graham?

 

Meeting link for tomorrow at 3pm GMT guys

https://meet.google.com/ybo-cqnu-prt

 

Join in without a camera, as long as you have a microphone that is fine

 

Link for tomorrow, Sunday 10th January https://meet.google.com/ybo-cqnu-prt

 

Well I'm rather embarassed about the mess its in , I have all my shooting stuff stored, multiple computers i'm working on, two work benches (if you can call them that, and stuff piled all over the floor.
Guys only got a brief show, as I moved the webcam around by accident ..
Matt you have nothing to worry about, your command centre is great

Matt please join in fella, AL was on only on Microphone last time round. appreciate you might not want to show off your busted teeth..

Thanks AL are we on for video this time round ?

 

I'm going to see if I can beg borrow or steal a camera tomorrow before the meet

 

The more, the merrier, Matt.

None of us are that photogenic.

When we're out walking, even the cat disowns me.

 

Ok, I will try. Let's see, I think that means about 9 a.m. for me here, so that shouldn't be a problem, but I've never ever even used my mic and camera to my PC and tried something like this, I don't even know if I'll need to install a driver or not for my mic (or camera) or not, or if I'll be able to find them online if I do, as if they came with driver software, I've no idea where they would be, I've had these non-used items since I bought the PC about 10 years ago! If I can figure it all out in time, I'll join in.

 

No worries, Matt.

Bonus if we hear from you but, if it's a pain, hopefully we'll see you another time.

I;m the same when I try and get online using the better laptop we have here that Bev normally uses - there's no telling, when I try something new like log on with these retronauts, what will/won't play ball so it is a total lottery, mate, whereas if it were retro kit with an SIO cable on the end of it, it would just be a case of booting up our XLs and disk drives and we'd soon be in action! (The pixellated images might be a bit of a problem though and god knows what the sound would be like!! ;-) )

You cannot win and IF these "bugger bastard ping pong machines" detect that you need anything doing in a hurry.... well, you betcha they'll screw you around even more and that's when Murphy's Law, Sod's Law and a whole lot of others will kick in too - just to add a bit more salt to the wound!!

 

Sorry guys, I haven't gotten the mic to be recognized or work yet, it's going to take more time for me to figure it out. I've never used a mic or camera attached to my PC before, so I'm a completely lost noob with it, but I will look into it and hopefully get it figured out for the next time there is a video chat. I'm not even sure if it would work for me if I get them working as my internet connection right now is shite for speed, and not reliable since it's a phone hotspot with a very weak signal out here. It seems to work OK when just using my phone, not so much when using my PC except for browsing and downloading (streaming sucks)

 

Hello?
Al? You around to start-up the link, mate?
Graham's just called to say that there's no-one around to let us join... I'm getting the same too.
You busy, fella?

 

Hi Matt
That's a shame, but the way things are going the chat's not going ahead, not sure why but was waiting at the door so to speak and no one to let us in.

 

I'm guessing that Al has got tied up?

 

If I can't figure it out, maybe I can learn to join in via my phone next time?

 

Hi all,

great to speak to you all via the video link. I'm really looking forward to the next time.

Stay safe

Regards

Andy

 

Aye,it was indeed, Andy.

We all enjoyed the meet up and once more the wide range of devices, projects and components that Graham has got on the go has to be SEEN to be truly appreciated!

Was also good to hear from Al and his efforts to get his mitts on an Amstrad CPC6128 and now...

AN ORIC ATMOS!

Yes, you heard it first here, folks.

Al wants an Oric to nail to his toilet door.

To ward off evil spirits and Spectrums etc.

I will do my best to produce the meeting minutes later as I'm presently washing, cleaning up after making the evening meal and next ironing (my face).


TOP TIP: Don't ring Baz whilst he's ironing...

 

OK, listen-up goggle-eyes, a few of the Atari Owner members got together online again today (15:00 GMT) and it was a BIG HELLO to our latest new kid on the block, none other than: Andy Vulcanman Black joining us on the old gogglebox. So, after a false start when Big Al Nysavant was busy adjusting his horizontal hold (he had me and Graham knocking on his virtual door but he thought he still had time for an Irn Bru and a lie down listening to the pipes), Graham rebooted the goggle confabulation and issued a new link-up address whereby, these four entities were suddenly thrust into each others' chambers:



Much hilarity was had when Al (middle bottom) suddenly appeared on his webcam dressed as an Amstrad salesperson. At least that's who we think he was disguised as? Answers on a CPC6128 next time, please, folks as that is what Al seeks more than any other piece of hardware at the moment (other than an Atmos to staple to his toilet door).

So, the afternoon was full of toilet humour, was it Baz? Well, not exactly, as you'll "sea" what I mean shortly.



Graham showed us some beautiful boards he'd been working on (through the night, by the sounds of it as he related a conversation he'd been having with Matt til 4am). Apparently these are PIA boards of his very own construction and designed to fit the Atari 800.



Graham discussed the software he uses to design these PCBs (you'll have to ask him about it, I think it's called
KiCad(?) but it is a freebie) and then showed us the track layouts above. Have a look here if you're interested in this type of software too: https://kicad.org/


3D viewer here allows us to see a version of the PIA he's made for the 800XL which allows for "overlap".



Talk then switched to other work Graham has been carrying out trying to get this "maxed out to the hilt" 800XL motherboard working with all the add-ons that Brenski can throw at it.
Apparently, it won't play ball at the moment due, possibly, to some over-long (read/write) wires which might need paring back a little.
Graham talked us through the "extras" this beast has onboard (the kitchen sink goes in next).
I kid ye not, I did not manage to note down all of the additions it has but certainly you can tick these off:

• x2 SIO ports
• PC2SIO
• Stereo Pokey
• Ram upgrade
• and tripler clone OS board (Ramrod XL?) which I think Graham mentioned was built by that other legend in Atari h/ware circles, Leonora?

You'll have to get confirmation from Graham on that but basically this thing has so many add-ons, I lost count and Graham's got a bit of a headache trying to get the lot to talk to each other without a red screen of death...

BEEBs next got a mention and Graham (owning four of these beasts) showed us more of his "extensive" stock as regards replacements caps and parts to fix those all too pesky "Smokey Joe" BBC power supplies:





We were then treated to some more hardware hidden up Graham's "sleeves" - Amstrad CPC sideways ROM expansion cards (left) and a MIDI board (right) for the Atari XL/XE classic.

Graham had MORE to show?

You betcha - a parcel had arrived just this week from Vyper Richie containing some Oric goodies so these were shown together with a replacement 3" drive which we all hope Graham will get going with Baz's Atmos as Graham now has a working Atmos of his own to test the brute on...





... and two hours had passed and the sun started to go down on the Scarborough beach (correctly spotted by Al) where Baz had been seated sunning himself all afternoon. He's been kidding you lot on that he's been home in Ull looking after his poorly missus but clearly - as you can SEA for yourself - the retrogeek has been hoodwinking you all and is basically lounging about on a lounger, loafing by the surf.

It's alright for some, eh?

Anyway, once more we must thank Graham for setting up the link and once more razzle-dazzling us with his extensive mancave/retro service depot (I won't even begin to describe his oscilloscopes, solder stations and Star Wars laser defence systems he keeps cloaked in the 4th dimension on/under/within his workbench as I've had to sign the Mattel Aquarius official secrets act of 1645). Thanks also to Andy Vulcanman Black for joining us and giving us an amazing account of the day at RAF Waddingham when he and a team of flight engineer guys actually flicked the switches and did an engine "warm up" of Britain's famous cold war V bomber...



and



Big thumbs up to Al Nysavant who was due to host us but the Irn bru got the better of him. Would you please, guys, keep your retro radars switched on for any affordable (ie. under £130) Amstrad CPC6128s or an Oric Atmos (dead one fine).

The next live link-up may well be the week after next and this time an evening meet has been suggested to give folks a better chance of also being available for a natter.

Can other members please let us know if something like a Wednesday/Thursday night at say 20:00 GMT would be a better time to JOIN US?

 

Brilliant summary as always Andy

Graham has more electronic projects than a 1980's branch of Tandy that's for sure!

 

Hi Andy
Once again a great summation of what we got up to, Andy B also showed off his Signal generator he'd built, Al admitted he was from Glasgow, however since I could understand him, unlikely his just kidding us all, as usually speak so fast that they'd have to miss (sometimes vital) words out in conversation.. Hence my visiting Dial House on a few occations..
P.S. beware the underground carpark by dial house, especially at night as it's in the Red Light district.

P.S. It was 20-25 years ago, so likely the carparks been built on ..

 

I worked just along the street from Dial House and used to get propositioned by the local ladies on a nightly basis when finishing my shift.....

 

HeHe Yep that's how I found out !!

Although not as bad as down the Ramplas in Barcelona at night

 

LOL.

Maybe we should put a red light graphic on this thread(!!)

 

Dial House as in on the way to LittleHampton?

Which of course would be no use to the ladies of the night...Or so I'm told by Al...

Not so sure our Norfern folks will get the cockney rhyming slang of Little Hampton..

 

Looks like I missed a good natter, again my apologies, as people who have seen me on them know that I enjoy them immensely, its nothing personal, just a combination of the idiots above and how depressed it makes me feel...But as my daughter is going back today it gave us a chance to have a nice meal together as she can't come back for her birthday on the 23rd due to covin / uni rules...21 in a cramped room surrounded by teenage drunks / druggies, now that is how to celebrate

But we have had a nice time despite the people above..

Next time fella's.....You need a handsome chap like myself to give the chats a bit of sex appeal...

Just noticed out the window that we have a Kite circling the fields, nice to see in a built up area, hopefully he will sort out the rats around here..