DigicoolThings Forum

epaell wrote: Thu Nov 06, 2025 6:36 am Awesome - can't wait for the movie to come out on the big screen! Sounds like you had quite the adventure

LOL. Yep, this has been a really awesome project. Full of nostalgia and lots of hardware (both analog & digital), and coding challenges.

It's taken me a little while, but (as regards MECB), it is also the sort of project that is exactly what MECB is all about!

In some ways, just like your current 68008 journey. The challenge and fun of re-creating retro computing platforms.

LOL, I'm really tempted to adapt (with due credit) your implementation of the tape I/O for the 68008 to allow a means to save/load software I was shocked to find out that many of those devices were no longer available or crazy expensive. Tutor did have an interface for tape I/O on the original Motorola MECB (I thought it was kind of apt that it had the same acronym but in this case it is the MC68000 Educational Computer Board) I really miss those data sounds - I'm sure it'll take me back to my youth!

epaell wrote: Thu Nov 06, 2025 8:06 am LOL, I'm really tempted to adapt (with due credit) your implementation of the tape I/O for the 68008 to allow a means to save/load software

Sounds like a plan!

I can say that my new Kansas City 300 baud Tape interface (with currently available components), is working extremely well.

EDIT: Actually, the whole Keypad / Tape interface module that I’ve made, would be ideal for any other retro creation that wants a hexadecimal keypad (with key press beep feedback and 4 custom keys), and a tape interface. i.e. Not just the DREAM re-creation.

Sweet! I’m really looking forward to the video!

epaell wrote: Thu Nov 06, 2025 9:16 am Sweet! I’m really looking forward to the video!

Just noting that my project documentation and resource sharing is now complete!

I've just updated this topic's initial post for the Part 2 video / blog link, that was published this morning.

So, my DREAM 6800 (6809) re-Creation project, is now (finally) complete.

Great video, couldn't wait to get started so hacked something together: Next time I'm in NZ i'll buy one of your proper keypads.
Thanks for your efforts, much appreciated, David.

djrm wrote: Fri Nov 14, 2025 10:45 pm Great video, couldn't wait to get started so hacked something together:

Hi David. That's really awesome to see! It's great to see someone else is also experiencing the DREAM!

I assume you found the CHIPOS code / ROM images on Github?

Have you managed to get DREAM Invaders up and running yet?

I included a S19 file on Github, so if using the 6309 PLCC CPU you can (like I did), just transfer the already assembled program across, then switch back to the CHIPOS ROM bank to run it.

Hi Greg, it's not working properly yet. I've got the bittons row and columns jumbled, it's late now and I'm busy tomorrow so it will have to wait. I'm using an old 6809 board but can add a switched ROM later maybe to load the game. David.

djrm wrote: Sat Nov 15, 2025 12:34 am Hi Greg, it's not working properly yet. I've got the bittons row and columns jumbled, it's late now and I'm busy tomorrow so it will have to wait. I'm using an old 6809 board but can add a switched ROM later maybe to load the game. David.

Understood. I know you'll get there. And of course, the more the challenge, the more rewarding the working result.

Looking forward to hearing more.

Now I have a little switch connected to the rom a14 line to select either cpu a14 or ground, this toggles the bottom half of the rom in or out of the top half of address space allowing either Assist09 or DREAM6809 run after reset. Everything which could be wrong was wrong with the button pad, row/columns swapped, left/right, and up/down out of sequence. Now sorted and I'm able to enter programs and even load and run invaders using Assis09, bit tricky to play with the tiny buttons though. What a sweet little system There is probably scope for building Assis09 directly into the dream binary with some small modifications, but probably not really necessary.
Best regards, David.
edit: the orange wire is there because I'm using a different ram chip from standard