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SINC-LINK IS A PUBLICATION OF
THE TORONTO TIMEX-SINCLA IR USERS
CLUB AND IS ISSUED 6 TIMES A
YEAR. COPIES OF THE NEWSLETTER
ARE $1.50 EACH FOR NON-MEMBERS.
CLUB MEMBERS RECEIVE FREE COPIES
AS PART OF THE $20. 00 ANNUAL
MEMBERSHIP FEE. A NEWSLETTER
SUBSCRIPTION ONLY IS AVAILABLE
FOR $12.00.

NEWSLETTERS ARE EXCHANGED, FREE

OF CHARGE, WITH OTHER

TIMEX-SINCLAIR USERS GROUPS.

PLEASE CREDIT THIS PUBLICATION
AND THE AUTHOR IF YOU COPY
MATERIAL.

THE CLUB MEETS ON THE FIRST
WEDNESDAY OF EACH MONTH AT
FOREST HILLS COLLEGIATE
INSTITUTE, 7 JO EGLINTON AVE. W. ,
TORONTO.

SEND CORRESPONDANCE TO:

Attention: SINC-LINK EDITOR
TORONTO TIMEX-SINCLAIR USERS
CLUB, 14 RICHOME COURT,
SCARBOROUGH, ONTARIO,
CANADA M1K 2Y1

Z288/ZS81

TS1888/I588

PC8388

TS2868

SPECTHIH

LABEES 1/1

iiiMii

T0R0IT0 TIHX-SIICLAIB

USEES CLUB

ENORHOUS WINTER ISSUE

THIS ISSUE CONTAINS ARTICLES ON
MODEMS, RS232 I/F's, MIDI I/F's,
RLE GRAPHICS, GAMES, PROGRAMS
FOR ZX81, TS2068, SPECTRUM ft QL
USERS PLUS SO MUCH MORE THAT WE
CAN'T LIST IT ALL HERE!

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS:

PRESIDENT,
TREASURER
SECRETARY
ACTIVITIES:
TAPE LIBRARIAN ZX81:
TAPE LIBRARIAN 2068:
TAPE LIBRARIAN QL:
PAPER LIBRARIAN:
NEWSLETTER:
LIAISON OFFICER:
( Out-of-town members )

JEFF TAYLOR ( 244-6583 )
BILL LAWSON ( 444-8772 )
GEORGE CHAMBERS ( 751-7559 )

RENE BRUNEAU ( 531-9749 )

it ii M

RENATO ZANNESE ( 635-6536 )

HUGH HOWIE ( 634-4929 )

GREG ROBINS ( 920-7747 )

JEFF TAYLOR ( 244-8583 )

GEORGE CHAMBERS , 14 RICHOME COURT,

SCARBOROUGH, ONTARIO, M1K 2Y1

( 416-751-7559 )

TORONTO TIMEX-SINCLAIR USERS CLUB

14 RICHOME COURT, SCARBOROUGH, ONTARIO, CANADA M1K 2Y1

Editorial

I should threaten you readers
with my prose more often! Last
issue I warned that you would be
forced to read lots of my stuff
if I didn't get a few articles
from you, the readers. Well, the
thought of more of of my wit in
print seems to have struck fear
in the hearts of quite a few
writers. I have never seen so
much new material available at
one time!

Of course, you readers are the
beneficiaries of these writers'
efforts because this is the
largest Sine-Link produced in at
least the last three years. To
the writers, thanks and keep up
the good work. This doesn't let
anyone off the hook, though, I
still want more material and if
I don't get it, you will !

QLers Rejoice!

I am happy to announce that
our club has a QL librarian
again! It seems Hugh Howie took
exception to a comment that QL
interest was all but dead in the
club. He protested vigorously
and for his efforts George and
I asked if he would take over
the QL side of the club. Hugh
accepted and has many new ideas
for the QL group. To this end
Hugh has started a regular
column in this issue called
QLips. He has also written a
special questionnaire which is
found on the last two pages of
this issue. Take the time to
fill it out and mail it in.
Welcome Hugh.

Newsletter Format

Several people have asked how
I would like articles to be
submitted. Ideally I would
prefer two columns per page
similar to this page. If you
cannot supply two columns, just
send one and I will do the
cutting and pasting. As I have

the board and copying
facilities, it would be better
if I do it than for you to try
it at the kitchen table and risk
ruining your work ( let me ruin
it! ).

If you do not have a printer
but would still like to send
material then why not send it on
tape or Larken disk? We are
familiar with &oth Tasword and
Mscript word-processors so you
could just send your article as
a text file. In-town members can
use their modems to transmit
text files.

Lastly, if you have neither
printer or word-processor, write
out your article longhand and we
will type it.

All material submitted at
least seven days prior to issue
will be published ( though the
entire article may not appear in
that issue ) .

The purpose of all this is to
make the issue a little easier
to read and to make it appear
more uniform. I'm only trying to
make Sine-Link the best
Timex-Sinclair newsletter
available. I'm not asking for
too much am I? ( What a snob,
eh? ) .

Tidbits

We are no longer being charged
a fee to use the classroom at
Forest Hills Collegiate for our
meetings. The group governing
non-profit community clubs felt
that we should be allowed to use
the room for free. I won't
argue .

TTSUC members voted at the
February meeting to take out a
club membership with the
Sinclair NorthAmerican Users
Group (SNUG) . For more info
about SNUG read George's blurb
in this issue.

Keep those cards and letters

coming ... or else! 'Nuff said.

J.T.

SINC-LINK

SOB'S NOTEBOOK

If you use a disk drive with your TS2068, you will probably
-ady use disk menus to facilitate accessing the files on -your
disks. However, there is often a need or an opportunity tc add a
'Status Report' to such menus to display current disk or prograa
information.

In this article, I shall describe some ways of gathering
snd displaying such data for programs in general and for the
Larken Disk Drive system in particular.

These will include the following:

1) Printer Status On/Off Wide/2040

2) Printer Driver On/Off

3) Printer Driver Settings: Margin, Width, Line Feed

4) Drive Selected

5) File Norn Loaded

6) Byte Length k Tracks Used

7) Disk/Tape Mode

PRINTERS, PRINTER DRIVER AND SETTINGS AND SELECTED DRIVE

this and note the results? do this again with the 2040 turned
on. Repeat the process for your wide printer changing 251 to

Tansider the following extract f-ra a

M5DU. .hl3 'dill

:he aoove categories.

Etrve to illustrate the first four oi
TS2040 ON Wide Printer ON
PD 0FFLL=64LM=QLF ON ERV=2

Here are the program lines that procuceo this data display:

<INT PAPER 1{ INK 9? AT 17,2;,TS204Q VCON" AND IN 25K
i26)+(,0FF, AND IN 251>=126)?" Wide Printer ' ? ("ON" AND
IN 127=237)+ ("OFF' AND IN 1270237) ?TAB30

16 PRINT AT 18,2? PAPER 6;'PD 'JCON ' AND lpdJ+COFF" AND NOT
Ipd?

17 PRINT 14: POKE 8200,16090: LET b=USR 110
13 PRINT 'LL=';b+l?

19 PRINT 14: POKE 8200,16094: LET b=USR HQ
_:o PRINT PAPER 6?'ui=,;b;

21 PRINT #4: POKE 3200,16092: LET b=t*SR 110

22 PRINT 'LF 'jCON' AND b)+C0FP AND NOT b)

23 PRINT #4: POKE 8200,8195: LET b=USR 110

24 LET b=<4 AND b=12S)+UNT (SQR (b-2) AND b<128);
PRINT AT 18,25? INVERSE i;"DRV="?b

feed

Reefed

And here's the explanation:

15 Print on blue PAPER with contrasting INK at line 17 col 2
<JS2Q40> followed by <0N> if IN 251 gives a value less than
126 or <0FF> if it gives a value greater than or equal to
126! then <Uide Printer> followed by <0N> if IN 127 equals
237 or <0FF> if it does not give 237; TAB over to col 30 to
complete the colour arrangement. One caveat here: I aa told
that all TS2068s do not give the same values for these IN
coarands so try yours out and if necessary substitute the
:ues you find to be correct. Here's how: turn off your
=2040 and TYPE (FOR i=l TO 100: PRINT IN 251: NEXT i>? run

127 in the FOR.... NEXT
values:

loop, fly 2068 gave the following

2040
wide

58 or 59

-237-

OFF
126

-333-

229 ZV6

16 Print at line 18, col 2 on Yelloa PAPER <PD> for Printer
Driver; followed by <0N> if Ipd is 1 (or higher) or <0FF> if
Ipd is equal to zero. The variable <lpd> for Larken Printer
Driver is changed elsewhere in the program to the value 1 if
it is turned ON and to 0 if it is turned off. I have shown
the routine for controlling the Printer Driver at the end of
this sect ion.

17-22 These lines do the following: Using a Larken extended
BASIC coanand, an address in the LKDOS cartridge is poked
into LKDOS address 8200 and a Larken routine returns the
value in that address as the variable <b>. The first case
gives the line length (ie, width) currently set either on
power up default or as changed elsewhere in the program. The
second case does the same for Left Margin setting and finally
the status of Line Feed is PEEKED and presented? (in the last
one, if the variable <b> is zero then the Line Feed is OF,
else it is ON).

23-24 This routine is similar to the previous three and using
the same Larken command gets the value of variable <b> and
changes it to <4> if b=128, to the integer of the square root
of b-2 if b is less than 123. This calculation is required to
decode the number of the drive currently selected froa the
value stored in LKDOS address 3195 (ie, drive 0=2? drive 1=4;
drive 2=8? drive 3=16 and drive 4 (raadisk)=128).

The arrangeaent of colours in screen line 18 is necessary to
allow all the data to be presented on the one line and still be
readable.

The Larken Printer Driver can be turned on and off and its
settings altered using the following program lines.
240 IMPUT "1=0N 0=0FF 'ilpd: IF NOT Ipd THEN PRINT #4: CLOSE #
3: GO TO 40

PRINT #4: OPEN 13, '1p'

OUT 127,18: INPUT 'line length? ';a: PRINT #4: POKE 16090:
a-i: INPUT 'linefeed (0=no: 10=yes) '?a: PRINT #4: POKE
16092,a: INPUT 'left margin? *;a: PRINT #4: POKE 16094,a
IF a+l>79 THEN OUT 127, 15
LPRINT: GO TO 40

CONT.

241
242

243

244

SINC-LINK

Explanation:

240 You are prompted to turn the printer driver ON or OFF. By
the way, this is very useful if the printer driver is ON
and you wish to print to the TS204Q; you simply enter <0>
and Larken channel 3 is closed. Then the 2040 will
function. 60 TO 40 is just my may of going back to the disk-
menu. In all these examples you will put in your cut line
numbers to suit.

141 So if Ipd is not zero then the Larken Channel 2 is opened
to the large printer, le, <lp>.

242 OUT 127,13 resets the Centronics dot matrix printer I use
to noriai PICA size printing. This may not suit your
printer but it should work with most. Then there is a
series of prompts to tailor the printer driver settings.
Remember to sake the line length exactly what you want. The
routine will poke in a value one less than that, which is
the way the Larken command works. Line feed is straight
forward; C for no line feed and 10 for one line feed. It is
usual to use 10. Left Margin is also straight forward; but
member to make the sum of the left margin setting and the
line length a value not greater than the printer maximum
iiidth (for the print size selected).

_+3 However, with a dot matrix printer you can usually go to
condensed print allowing a line length in excess of 120
characters. If your lone length is greater than SO then
this line switches over to condensed print.

244 This line does an LPRINT to clear the printer buffer and
then returns action to the menu.

FILE LOADED, BYTE LENGTH AND TRACKS USED AND DISK/TAPE MODE

I have added some information to the Tasword menu which gives
the name of the currently loaded file and its byte length and
tracks used. Here are the lines to add or change to do this:

28 PRINT "save text8' TAB t;s[s;a;e bytes ]8;TAB thi's'

■'? PRINT TAB ti't'1 INT (a/5D90)+l!' tracks]'

30 DIM n$(6): FOR i=l TO bi LET n$(i)=CHR$ PEEK ( 1+33279): NEXT

32 PRINT "load text now*)*; INVERSE l;n$i INVERSE 0?TAB

th?'l"

Explanations:

28 The variable <a> is already used by Tasword and is updated
constantly as the text length is altered.

2? The variable ia> is divided by 5090 (the length of a Larken
track); <1> is added to the integer of the result.

30 An array n$(6) is created and is filled with the contents of
the first six bytes of the Tasword text area. This me'
that you should enter the file name as the first line of ■
text of each file and it can be anything up to six
characters in length. In this example, I have entered the
file name inane*.

32 The current file name is printed in INVERSE characters.

The affected menu lines should lock something like this:

save text [7744 bytes! s

[2 tracks]

load text noa=>name 1

My disk index program has a menu with some status reports:

The loader (for the TIMACHINE compiled version) indicates
whether it is in the DISK or TAPE mace for loading and saving,
'his choice was added when I decided to isaice tape back-ups; if
you do that sort of thing, snow the current status on your
menus. In the case of index, it was cone this way:

Index called for pressing <6> to toggle between DISK ana TAPE
mode. The variable 'sS> was initialized as <4> early in the
loader and pressing <6> activated the following line: <IF d$=,6'
THEN LET 5= ABS (s-6)>.

So, if s=4i then it becomes 2 and vice versa. The ABS cancels
out the resulting negative sign in each case. Then variable 's>
is used with the SAVE and LOAD commands to direct action }
either the ROM or LKD0S SAVE or LOAD routines, eg; <PRINT #Si
SAVE n$C0DE 29000,28066).

If s=2, then the line does a TAPE SAVE because PRINT #2 is
the same as it not being there and the normal TS2Q68 ROM routine
is called.

If s=4, then the command is preceded by PRINT 14 and this
activates the LARKEN DOS and does s DISK SAVE. This technique
can be used in many other programs, of course, and really speeds
up the switching back and forth between the two modes. Your
program must have activated channel 4 for the Larken command
PRINT #4 to work, ie, (RANDOMIZE USR 100: OPEN #Vdd'>.

The way ABS is used in this example can be adapted to other
uses, too. For example, if you want to toggle between a black
and a white PAPER screen, <LET s=7> and use <IF d$='A' THEN LET
s= ABS (s-7): PRINT PAPER s; AT etc.... You can see that if s=7
(which will print on white PAPER), it changes to 0 which will
make the PAPER black. Of course, make INK 9 for contrast.

-30-

SINC-LINK

LARKEN LINES
by Rod Gowan
(excerpts from Rod's column)
HI spoke with Larry Kenny on May 22, and he
answered a few questions that have been brought to my
attention by many users. I win try to relay the
answers so that more folks can be 1n on them.

These are the most often asked questions:
QUESTION: Why did LARKEN decide not to include the
FORMAT and MOVE commands in the DOS Eprom and put 1n
EXBasIc Instead?

ANSWER: "I looked at MS-DOS and other 'BIG' computer
operating systems and found that they all are set up
with a FORMAT and COPY program on disk and
non-resident. I figured this was the best way to go
and 1t would leave the space free for the extra
commands that I had 1n mind for the system, I could
possibly have put the MOVE command In the Eprom but
decided against 1t 1t 1n favor of the other commands.
I had one other thing 1n mind; the various systems and
making mine compatible with all of them would have
been ten times more difficult 1f not impossible 1f I
had tried to Incorporate It Into the Eprom. I
recommend that the user take that box of 10 or 15
disks that they buy and Immediately sit down and load
FORMAT and proceed to do all of them at once, and then
not have to do 1t again until the next box. I might
also point out that 1f you look REAL close at LKDOS
and compare it to the OUger DOS, you will find that I
did In 4K what John OUger took 8K to do, and he
STILL has an Incomplete DOS. ,

QUESTION: When will the new SEQUENTIAL FILING DISK

be ready?

ANSWER: To tell the truth, we are 1n the middle of the
planting season on the farm and I have not had much
time to work on 1t. I do not want to make any promises
that I cannot keep. I will let you know the moment I
get 1t finished.

QUESTION: Do you have anything new 1n the works?

ANSWER: "Not much. Just trying to get caught up with
what I have going now. I may, possibly at some future
date, re-do the Aerco cartridge Eprom to get rid of
the 'bug' that 1s in that Eprom. It does not currently
allow one to save anything to the buffer and then
bring 1t back. I may try to fix It and 1f I do I will
recall all known owners and let them get an upgrade."

In the next Issue of the same newsletter Rod
has some more LARKEN Info. Here it Is:::

Gowan

"Larry Kenny phoned me a few days ago and said that
he had just about completed what he hoped would be
Version 3.0, AND the LAST version of Ms LKDOS EPROM.
One new feature will be a mini -sequential filing
command that will allow the user to LLIST and CAT to
the disk. The new EPROM will also have some
improvements on the Aerco and Tasman Printer Drivers
that are built-in.

"ALERT!! be aware that 1f you use your LKDOS system
with an A&J printer I/F, you must REMOVE the A&J I/F
before you can SAVE to cassette. Otherwise the system
will only crash if you try to do 1t without removing
1t. No fix for this problem 1s expected.

I lifted this material from a column called LARKEN
LINES by Rod Gowan which 1s published in the CCAT/S
User Group newsletter, THE PLOTTER.,

Rod Gowan 1s the proprietor of RMG Enterprises, a
T1mex dealer, who carry the Larken product line. We
have an RMG catalogue 1n the club, for anyone to see.

Prepared by G. Chambers.

LARKEN NOTES
by G. Chambers

Sometimes there is an unawareness of the
flexibility available with the Larken Print
Control commands, or maybe we should say, how
to make best use of them.

We have found that the best way to handle
this matter is to assign the large printer to
channel #5* That is to say, use the command
PRINT USR 100 i OPEN #5,"lp", to open a channel
to the large printer.

With this in place it is possible to direct
an output to either the screen, the TS2040
printer, or to a large printer, simply by
using the appropriate command in the program.
If flexibility to select the output within the
program is required then the printer command
should incorporate a variable in the command.
For example, use the command 'PRINT # pr*
where the variable pr represents the chosen
output. If a screen output is desired then
make the variable 'pr' equal to 2 s for a
TS2040 output let 'pr' equal 3; for a large
printer let 'pr' equal 5. Your program would
then have a line in it much like thisi

200 INPUT "Choose Output screen(2) 2040(3)
large (5) Press a key-jpr
400 PRINT # prs-text to be printed"

The following table will make the options
more obvious.

PRINT "TEST"
PRINT #2 ; "test"
PRINT #3s "test"
PRINT #5 i "test"

LPRINT "test"
LPRINT #2} "test"
LPRINT #3 i "test*
LPRINT #5 J "test1

comes out on the screen

comes out on the TS2040

comes out on large printer

comes out on the TS2040
comes out on the screen
comes out on the TS2040
comes out on large printer

We have made use of the #5 channel because
the channel #4 is reserved for use by the
Larken system as optional to the PRINT USR 100
command.

*»♦♦*♦*#*»#*♦***

SINC-LINK

Another of our members, Steven Gunhouse,_
has some interesting stuff in a couple of his
letters which could prove interesting to some
of our members. I shall quote selectively from
his letter:

Topic JOYSTICKS:

" I was rooting through my old stuff, and

noticed you talking about the 2068 joysticks.
The TS2068 technical manual does discuss the
joystick, and says that it is connected to the
I/O port of the sound chip. That means that if
you want to read it without using the STICK
function, you must do a few things. If you are
in the Spectrum mode, and possibly if you
aren't, you should make sure the sound chip
knows that the I/O port is to be used for
Input. This takes two steps, as does any
access to the sound chip. In BASIC, it is OUT
245,7: OUT 246,63. Then reading the joystick
port is OUT 245,14: PRINT IN (246+256 * P),
where P is the player number. Of course, all
of the OUTs could be placed at the beginning
of the program. The values for the directions
of the joysticks are in the 2068 manual, the
FIRE button has a value of 128 (nothing like
the Kempston, I'm afraid).

Topic - Disk Drive definitions

I had mentioned in a letter to Steven that
I had had some problems with high-jdensity
disks on my 80-track drive, which I referred
to as a "quad density drive". This is Steven's
response. GFC

".....As another note, quad density does
not mean twice as many tracks. If it did, you
could use a standard disk in a quad-density
drive with little trouble. Quadrdensity refers
to the density of information on the track,
not specifically the number of tracks. True,
most high-density drives are both quad density
and twice as many tracks. Then again, it is
not the quad density which causes the problem
using these drives...."

Topic - Conserving memory:

"....Oh, a few hints on my own in regard to
conserving space in listings using variables
and such. For numbers with values between 32
and 255, yon could use CODE of the
corresponding ASCII character or token.
Actually, I would not recommend it for codes
above 127, as they may be impossible to read.
For example, GRAPHIC 8 is code 128, but it is
impossible to distinguish from a space by
sight. When using variables, it might be
easier to identify 2-?character variable names
with numbers if the second character were a
number. Using a two-letter variable for 0 or 3
is redundant - use NOT PI for 0, and PI or INT
PI (if it has to be exact) for 3. Come to
think about it SGN PI is 1 as well. I know,
COS PI is -1, but using a trancendental
function may slow things down (if you are not
a mathamatician, a trancendental function is
anything that can't be written as a
combination of fixed powers, like a"x, LN,
EXP, or any trig functions. Actually, from a
computer standpoint SQR is one as well, though
mathamatically" it isn ' t ) .

Topic - Plotting Functions:

"...You know, that's one thing I really lik
about the 2068. Some people may complain about
it's non-standard BASIC, but name one other
computer where you could write a program to
graph an arbitrary function in about 5 lines.
All other current computers will only take the
VAL of a numeric string (such as "32.1456"),
whereas we can get away with VAL (X + Y) - as
long as X and Y exist.

My five-line program to plot functions? It
looks like this:

10 INPUT **f(x) - "i LINE fS

20 LET x = -10: LET yO = VAL f$: LET xO = x

30 FOR x = 9.9 TO 10 STEP .1: LET y = VAL f$

40 IF y > -8.5 AND y < 8.5 THEN PLOT 10 * xO

+ 128, 10 * yO + 88t DRAW 1, 10 * (y = yO)
50 LET xO = x: LET yO = y: NEXT x

Oh, I did leave out one thing. I checked to
make sure y was on the screen in LINE 40 j I
should have checked yO as well.

Also, there is no error checking, so don't-
try to PLOT functions where you divide by the
variable, or take powers or roots. To plot a
parabola, such as y = x 2, use y = x * x.
(Yes, the Sinclair and Timex will not take any
power of a negative number).

Anyone interested might write to:
Steven Gunhouse
28746 Five Mile Road,
Livonia, Michigan, 48154

G . Chambers

INTERNATIONAL POST OFFICE MONEY ORDERS

A plea to all out-of-town members who live
in foreign parts ! ! Our banks charge us on all
cheques made out to non-rCanadian banks. When a
cheque is received for two or three dollars we
find that the bank charges can exceed this
amount. Recently, with the mention of our
newsletter in the TS UPDATE magazine we have
been receiving cheques for $2 (for a sample of
our newsletter). We have had to return the
cheques for the above reason. We also get
small cheques reimbursing us for postage
costs since club members who live in the USA
cannot send stamps (I mean, we can't use them)

The solution is to send either cash, or if
that does not appeal to you, get an Internat-
ional POST OFFICE Money Order. We can cash
these at any of our post offices with no
problem. Notice that I emphasize Post Office.
Many countries belong to the International
Postal Union. The International Postal Union
has an arrangement whereby they will cash this
sort of money order between signatory
countries with no fuss or bother. Our post
office will cash money orders made out in U
funds, or the currency of any of the signal
countries.

G.F. Chambers

SINC-LINK

HACKER * S HAVEN PRESENTS :

ZX-81 MIDI INTERFACE PROJECT by LOU CHAMPAGNE

In the next -few issues I will be describing the design and construction
of a ZX-81 computer inter-face to connect to MIDI equipped musical
equipment. Hope-fully some members will become involved in developing
software and applications for this project.

I-f your using your ZX-81 for a doorstop, and you have a MIDI equipped
music keyboard { or any MIDI device that is ), let's make a MIDI
inter-face and start making music.

MIDI < Musical Instrument Digital Inter-face ) equipped keyboards and
devices have been around -for quite some time now. These devices are
characterized by the presence o-f MIDI IN and OUT ( usually accompanied
by MIDI THRU ) jacks using a standard D.I.N. 5 pin -female chassis
connector. The idea behind these jacks is that different manufacturers
of electronic musical equipment have standardized on an information
exchange format. This allows you to connect a K0R6 synth keyboard to
a YAMAHA keyboard and the note values played on the KORG will activate
the YAMAHA.

This by all means is barely scratching the surface of what's possible.
The MIDI standard allows for much more than simple note data exchange,
it also is used to synch up drum machines and sequencers to play stored
rythm patterms and music previously entered. These devices are all
microprocessor based and connecting a computer up to them reveals the
ultimate music system, the possibility of total control. Facilities
exist in the software protocol that standardize parameters for control
of the sounds the synthesizers produce as well as dumping this data to
store it somewhere else ( or load it for that matter ). Some manufactur-
ers have hinted that around the corner are MIDI light shows and special
effect units such as lasers and MIDI mixers.

Some might say that the ZX-81 is not suitable for this application due
to several disadvantages such as memory and speed constraints. Expanded
to 64k and running ML software will yield a system at least as powerful
as the 64k APPLE system I've been using for years. Even unexpanded units
would offer at least a MIDI scratchpad to write small sequences or send
specific MIDI information < such as program editors for synth voice
creat ion ) .

The interface protoco? as described in the MIDI specification 1.0 is an
optically isolated, serial ( 31.2kBAUD ) format, 8 bit data ( 1 start
bit, 1 stop bit ) connected as shown in diagram 1. The MIDI OUT jack has
pin 2 (note the odd pin numbering used on D.I.N, connectors) connected
to ground; the shielded twisted pair cable used for interconnection has
its shield connected to this pin. Pin 2 on the MIDI IN jack has no
connection to this pin, and since the interface is optically isolated
this provides protection against ground loops that plagued earlier-
systems of musical data exchange. Pin 4 is always most positive and pin
5 most negative. No connections are made to the other pins. The current
is limited to a maximum of 20 mA. All these specs are part of the MIDI
standard document 1.0 agreed upon by all the major manufacturers.

SINC-LINK

0/)TA , SCOT

Til hi , .

\oosu

3l° 0J' wiiOi ou.r

MIDI IN 3(0 °) 1

Lr dfisrni tter receiver-
Diagram 1 : Electrical I/O requirements of MIDI inter-face

^WAn /WWH f^LSOH

Dl #-

070-

/ J A.

A3> o—
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/47°-

WR 0-

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Diagram 2 : The MIDI inter-face using the 6850 chip

SINC-LINK

Obviously, the control system of any one of the instruments ( or data
nfo^1*1*8' °r Slave synths &tc. ) would have to be microprocessor driven
UARTs or ACIAs < chips that convert the parallel data -from the CPU to
the serial data in the MIDI -format ). I have chosen to use the popular
Motorola 6850 ACIA which will give us a send and receive port ( MIDI IN
MIDI OUT ). The circuit is shown in diagram 2,

The board can be assembled on traditional perfboard and wire-wrap is
recommended in this case, or more elegant and sturdy, a pc board could
be constructed. I hope to present in a future issue a PCB lavout -for
this project.

On the software side the board appears as a Z30 I/O port with the

CONTROL register at address 9F hex or 159 decimal. As the software boo
it must reset the ACIA by writing a number with the two least significant
bits high as 3 ( hex or decimal > then initialize the chip by writing a
56 hex or 36 decimal to this location < this sets the byte size and clock
d i vi sor ) .

The data are sent at address BF hex or 191 decimal and received data are

^l!,tble at address FF he* °r 255 decimal. In addition there is an ACIA

STATUS register that is at address DF hex or 223 decimal. A chart in

diagram 3 shows what should be expected at each register-.

DATA

BUS

LINE

RECV
AND
XMIT
DATA

REG

CONTROL
REG
WRITE

ONLY-

STATUS REG
READ ONLY

BIT

CLOCK DIV 1

RECEIVE REG IS FULL

BIT

CLOCK DIV 2

TRANSMIT REG IS EMPTY

BIT

WORD/PARITY

DCD

BIT

WORD/PARITY

CTS

BIT

WORD/PARITY

FRAMING ERROR

BIT

XMIT CONTROL

RECEIVE REG OVERRUN

BIT

XMIT CONTROL

PARITY ERROR

BIT

RECEIVE INT

INT REQUEST

Diagram 3 : ACIA register contents

SINC-LINK

As can be seen by examining the chart the transmit and receive registers
are pretty straight-forward but one might be confused looking at the
other two lists. First of ai i , the CONTROL registers parameters -for MIDI
use have but one possible setting as described previously so understanding
this list is not necessary. However some use might be gotten out of the
STATUS register, -for instance it can be checked for a "1" at DO to see
if a data byte is ready to be read into the CPU. Likewise a "1" at Di
indicates that the transmit register can be loaded with another byte as
the previous one has now been sucess-fully transmitted. The rest o-f the
STATUS register can be ignored < perhaps the framing error can be of some
use but probably only in more sophisticated software >.

Since the 2X-81 has no IN or OUT commands, two short machine code
routines will have to be written to access the interface from Basic.
Also Basic is far too slow for serious work with the unit as a dat«*
recorder so most of the real work will have to be done in ML anyway.
I hope to have the interface working with the Larken Disk System to
save and load MIDI files, I also figure I'll need to use a 64K ram
to have enough room to do serious work with the system ( such as MIDI
multitrack orchestration etc. ) the data can simply be written into
the upper 32k area and read by the program running in the "normal
16k block with the Larken interface inhabiting the 12-16k area. Perhaps
a 4k scratch pad ram could be allowed for medium res graphics for
music editing ?

In the next installment of this series I will describe the MIDI data
protocol and present some short ML test routines that run from basic.
Till then, I encourage the interested parties to obtain the necessary
parts and try to wire-wrap a prototype. I don't suggest making a board
yet because the addressing may change if it interacts with the Larken
boards.

TILL NEXT TIME HACKER'S HAVEN LOGGING OFF BYE

SINC-LINK

RLE GRAPHICS by Jeff Taylor

As promised last issue, I will
attempt to show how you can
obtain Run Length Encoded
graphic pictures on the TS2068.

First, you need a modem and a
software package which supports
Xmodem protocols ( Specterm-64
and Larken's MAXCOM to name a
couple ) .

Second, you must find a
bulletin board which has an RLE

nan/

boards have these. Once you are
connected it is a simple feat to
download and save one of the
files as long as you do not
exceed your available buffer
space. The BBS file section will
inform you of each files'
length .

Third. you require an RLE
decoder program which first
appeared in the Jan. -Feb. '87
issue of Time Designs. Not to
worry though, this program is
available to club members from
the disk or tape library.

Now the fun begins. Load the
decoder program and when
requested, load in your RLE
file. Your picture will smoothly
fill your screen. Now you have
the options of inverting the
picture ( ie. like a
negative ) , copying to
TS2040 printer or saving
image as a SCREENS . It's
simple .

More RLE pictures next issue

film
the
the

that

LARKEN DISK LIBRARY
by G. Chambers

In the last newsletter I described Disk #1
in the Larken disk library. I also mentioned
the programs had been placed on singlessided
42atrack disks. Well, life is not quite so
simple as that. The second disk in our
library, "OMNIBUS" , illustrates this.

OMNIBUS was designed quite specifically for
use with an 80otrackBaper3side drive. Of
course, the programs could be lifted from the
disk and used independently, but then the
intent of the disk is missed.

So, disk #2 in the library, "OMNIBUS", is an
80 TPS disk. I can supply it also in the form
of 2 DSDD disks, if you specify it. But it is
not practical to supply it in SS format.

Another thing has become apparent. In the
case of the TS2068 tape library, once a tape
had been made up it was impractical to revise
programs on the tape. With disks as the
vehicle, it is so easy to incorporate
revisions to a program , or to ssodify a disk
make9up, that a' new set of problems arise,
namely, how to cope with program revisions.

How to handle it? I have not really thought
this one out. Possibly, since the disk's
"author" has the most interest in it, he/she
would assume primary responsibility/interest
for any revisions to the library disk. Say, by
supplying an upgraded copy when it was deemed
desirable. Anyone with suggestions for program
improvements could propose them to the author.

I mention this because Bob Mitchell has
supplied me with an updated copy of OMNIBUS
for the library which now has 81 files on it,
occupying 122 tracks! My thought is to simply
replace the existing version with the new one.
Any comments. . . .by the "authors, perhaps?

Anyway, to get back to the OMNIBUS disk. The
simplest way to describe this disk will be to
lift a short section out of the disk's "help"

file. Here it isi

, <

"OMNIBUS is designed to work with RAMDISK and
a DSQD (quad) drive. As such, it appears on
RAMDISK as an AUTOSTART file and on QUAD disks
as AUTOSTART and <ombus.Bl> files. As
provided, this disk will require RAMDISK to be
equipped with four SRAM chips for a total of
24 tracks. . .

The version on this disk is a special
collection for general use by club members who
have a quad drive with/without a RAMDISK. As
presented, the disk will work well without a
RAMDISK but the menus will not appear on the
screen as fast.

The main Omnibus file comprises three menus
and the details below are therefore divided
into those three sections.

The RAMDISK files should include the three
menus <rdl.Cl>, <rd2.Cl> and *rd3.Cl>, each of
which is compressed to below 5000 bytes by the
use of a picture compression/expansion program
called <pico.Bl> with its code <pico.Cl>i the
last two programs are contained in the Omnibus
collection. Actually, on this disk, the
compression and expansion code is located in a
REM statement in line 1 and is called from
several locations including line 9000. By
compressing the SCREEN? , only three tracks are
used but the RAMDISK memory so used is well
spent since the menus appear much faster than
they would if left in BASIC. In addition,
there is a substantial saving in memory space
in the BASIC program.

The RAMDISK also contains two domestic
programs which I call "datebook" and "address
book" i these are identified on the disk as
<datebk.C9> and <dir.Cc>. The first one takes
up three tracks each while the latter uses
four. There are still some nine of 24 tracks
open for future use.

SINC-LINK

WORDS QUARE

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AMSTRAD

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BASIC

MODEM

CABLE

MOUSE

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MSCRIPT

CASSETTE

MTERMII

CATALOG

NEWSLETTER

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CLIVE

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PASCAL

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DISK

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RAMDISK

EMULATOR

RAMTOP

FORMAT

RECORDER

FORTH

ROM

GRAPHICS

SINCLAIR

INK

SOFTWARE

INPUT

SPECTRUM

INTERFACE

SPREADSHEET

JOYSTICK

STOP

KEYS

TAPE

LANGUAGE

TASWORD

LARKEN

TERMINAL

LKDOS

TIMACHINE

LOGO

VARIABLES

MACHINE

WORDPROCESSOR

WORDSQUARE
by George Chambers

The wordsquare puzzle on this page
was prepared with a program from
tape #61 in our club 2068 tape
library. I mention this because many
club members are unaware of the many
good programs that the tape library
contains.

I customized the program to work
with my particular printer, however
it will work with most any printer
that has settings for 6 lines per
inch and 12 characters per inch.

The program will handle a maximum
of 60 words, the actual number "~
dependant to a large extent on the
set of words entered into the
puzzle. If too many words are
lengthy the program will have
trouble finding positions for them,
and it will hang. However, as you
can see with this puzzle, it can do
a pretty good job of fitting them
in.

•a-***-**********

WORDS QUARE ANSWERS

dOXWVHSdH3VaSH33I
1WiaW0HaiSMHIA3 3W

aiaovnoNviaN av

IQHd WN SAIIOHHaiOO
dOOH0OJOA3HV0IOOM30H
3SI0VHH M SIVfllMSWai

advoauiHsiiibosiNON

H01H1 H33S0d H V 3 V V 3

3 h n v 3 o a J. a h n a >i UHiS

ViWWVHiLOlAliHcI 3dVI0HI
W 3W03TV VHSHI 33 3N
1 I 0 I Ji W0d3iLSIHH 10

via diaovnasivvoMi

0HISNVI30MD9HJWMIMVIV
S INHSSHI TVWSHIOIOI
V0 X 31 S I H 0 II I I 0 3 i fl V I H

dwaaowda saHMUoms

NOHVdHIDSWVVHWSSOV
H31HM00Am 009

avHiswvasnowHiaoj

SINC-LINK

For some time I have been looking for a
small utility that would give me a hard copy
of my mdv cartridges, no one seemed to have
one, or could ever remember hearing of one,
until at the last club meeting I mentioned my
quest to Bill Lawson the Club Treasurer, and
he let me have a few lines which would do the
job. Thanks Bill.

So I took those few lines and gussied them
up a bit, and the enclosed programme is the
result. We hope that it will be of some use to
someone somewhere sometime.

Not everyone will want a hard copy of the
contents of a cartridge, but if you consider
the advantages, you will see that a small
utility of this kind can be of great value
when it is rquired.

For instance, all the small bits of this
and that are sent to a file somewhere so that
they may available as and when required. Later
you decide that this particular file or
cartridge is overloaded, and that you may not
require all the contents. The problem is which
to keep.

The print-out gives you something to lay
aside and think about, rather than staring at
a screen. With a print-out, you can take time
to edit that which is required and that which
can be edited. You mark the hard copy
accordingly. When you start to edit/delete,
you can go ahead in one continuous operation
rather than having to re-list every time you
do something.

When you load and run the programme , you
are asked for the TITLE of the cartridge. Then
the DATE. RUN it, and you have a list of the
contents.

Oh! Make sure your printer is loaded !

Hugh H.Howie

ALIGNING NUMBERS
Mel Richardson

The output of any program
involving lists of numbers is
usually easier to read and
better looking if the numbers
are lined up from a common
point. This is sometimes
accomplished in other Basic
dialects by the "PRINT USING
XXXX.XXXX" function.

Doing this in 2X81 Sinclair
Basic can get pretty tangled.
The book "CONVERTING to T/S
BASIC " by Stuart Bird uses a
subroutine and becomes ponderous
for short programs. An easier
way, I have found, is to use the
"STR*" function to convert
numbers to "STRINGS" and employ
the excellent string handling
ability of our computers to
control printing.

An example is this -fragment of a
program that outputs a
"continued fraction" from a
decimal input. Four numbers are
pr intedlF, Dl ,D tc R and we wish
to align the fraction " D 1 / D M
so • • •

QL Cartridge Print-out

Here is a small utility which may be of value
to someone sometime. It gives a print-out of
the contents of a cartridge, with the date it
was made.

Bill Lawson gave me a few lines to do the job,
and I gussied them up a bit.

We all, I am sure, keep a cartridge with all
sorts of things on it, some of which are
never required, and this cartridge can hold a
couple of dozen items , taking up valuable
space. To edit this on the screen can be
tiresome, but if you have a print-out, it
makes the task easier.

When you load and run the programme, you are
asked for the TITLE of the cartridge. Then the
DATE. Thats it, and you have a list of the
contents.

Try it,.

H.H.H.

10 CLS

20 REMark by Hugh Howie/Bill Lawson
3 0 PRINT, "Print _Pir JList" \\

40 PRINT "This programme sends the Dir_List "
50 PRINT " of the cartridge in MDV1_"
60 PRINT, "to the printer" \\\

80 OPEN^tf11* Cartridge to be listed in MDV1"\\\

90 INPUT "Cartridge Title ? ";b$\\\

100 INPUT "Date ? " ; a$

110 PRINT #3,b$

120 PRINT #3,a$

130 DIR #3,mdvl_

140 CLOSE #3

240 LET N$=3TR* Dl

250 PRINT F | TAB 11-LEN N*|N*|

"/"ID! TAB 20JR

and the output is shown below

3. 1415927

15
1

292

3/1

O -"3 -■

333/105
355/113
10399 3/33102
203341/65317

3. 1423571
3 - 1415094
3 . 1415929
3 . 1415927
3 . 1415927

The "TAB 11" is the key which
indicates the point in this
example to have the numbers
lined up at. -LEN N* tells the
machine where to start and the
"/" will be at TAB 12.

This example demonstrates how
easily strings are manipulated
compared to numbers and
variations of string handling
and slicing should solve most
situations like this.

SINC-LINK

EASY KEYBOARD FIX
by Dick F. Wagner

The TS2068 computer has a poorly designed
space bar, as usually the rightrhand end does
not produce a space when pressed. I have^
explained to users about how to make a fix by
disassembling the keyboard and inserting
spacers between the hinge arms and the case to
slightly lower the space bar and reduce it's
travel. This is not easy to accomplish and
requires removing the plastic keyboard
overlay.

Here is an extremely easy solution to the
problem that does not require entering the
case, or even disconnecting the cables or
plugnins. One needs only a bright light,
scissors, some notepaper in weight like 3M
adhesive notes, and tweezers or needler?nosed
pliers.

Inspect the space bar arrangement with a
bright light and see how it moves. With the
computer on, try pressing slightly on the left
end and at the same time press the right end.
The REPEAT should come on. Turn off the
computer and note the gap between the space
bar and the case, and see the two parts about
1/8 inch wide and 5/8 inch from each end that
move within the slots. This is where the
improvement is made. The arms are hinged about
1 inch back of the space bar.

The reason for the poor key action is that
there are two contacts under the space bar
that are too close together, plus the
flexibility of the arms that do not force the
key to move fully no matter where pressed. The
-springs under the keys are just rubber dimples
that "turn inside out" when pressed. A hard
button on the top of each makes the actual
switch contact. This is all a one piece rubber
assembly that seals the contacts from dirt.

The fix is simple ... just lower the space
bar about 15 thousands of an inch. Cut some
1/8 inch wide strips from the notepaper,
which is about 0.004 inch thick don't use the
adhesive end if 3M paper is used). Cut 2
lengths of about 3/4 inch long and two lengths
aboSt 3/8 inch long. Fold the longer strips at
the midlength in a tight fold. Insert a short
piece in each folded strip. At the folded end
bend the three layer paper pieces in a right
ancle bend 1/8 inch from the fold. At the
loose end bend very slightly in the same
direction at a point about 1/1 6 inch from the
end.

With a good light on, press the space bar
fully and gripping the paper spacer (open end
down and the right angle bent away from you)
insert it between the space bar and the case,
directly over an arm. The slight bend on the
end is to make it easier to slide the paper
between the arm and the case. Slide the paper
down to the bend point, leaving the folded end
protruding slightly higher than the case
proper. This makes it easier to retrieve the
spacers, if necessary. The right angle bend in
the spacer keeps the spacer from slipping too
far and it also keeps it from sliding
sideways. If the paper ever does slip inside
the case no damage can occur as all contacts
are sealed.

Warning m As the rubber "springs" are not
powerful, try not to bend the open end of the
paper spacer very much, as the spacer may not
flatten properly and the spacer will
effectively be too thick.

Test and see the improvement. If you space
bar is not fully fixed and requires excessive
pressure on the end, remove the strips and add
another 3/8 inch insert. It would be better to
make a new set than to try to work with the
old set, because of the bends. One user of
this fix found that 4 thicknesses worked
better than 3. There are differences in
hardware so try a combination that works. It
takes only a few minutes.

From the Clackamas County Area T/S Users Group

Retyped by G. Chambers

LARKEN-A TIP ON DISK DRIVES
by G. Chambers

Recently I have been adding disk drives to
my Larken system. I came across an unusual
condition which seems worth sharing with
others who might encounter the same situation.

In the beginning, when I purchased my first
DS 40-track drive (a new one) I looked for the
terminating resistor that all instructions
said should be installed on the endrmost
drive. I could not find the resistor, nor any
place to install one. Upon inquiring I was
told that modem drives do not need this
resistor j that they function quite well
without one. The story becomes interesting
because I subsequently forgot that fact.

Later, I added an DS 80-track drive, then
another DS UOrtrack. Finally I bought still
another DS 40-track drive. This drive
was a used one, and it had a terminating
resistor installed. I decided to install it as
the second drive in my system (drive 1). I
left my original drive, the one I mentioned
as not needing the terminating resistor, as
drive 0. Upon trying the system I found that
I was unable to FORMAT a disk successfully in
any drive. There followed a great deal of
shuffling of drives from position to position.
Eventually I found that everything worked if I
made the most recently acquired drive, #o,
with the terninating resistor installed, and
made the original drive, #1.

This still puzzled me until I spoke to
another club member, Ian Robertson, who
reminded me about new drives not needing the
terminating resistor. The answer is that while
the newer drives may not need it, if you have
even one other drive in your system that
requires the presence of a terminating
resistor, then you will have to arrange your
configuration so the end drive IS equipped
with a terminating resistor.

Note that when we say the end drive we mean
the drive that is connected to the end of the
ribbon cable furthest from the Larken
interface board. Also note that drive
designation (i.e. drive #0, drive #1, etc.) is
done by means of pins installed on the drive
Circuit board, not by it's relative position
along the ribbon cable.

SINC-LINK

SINCLAIR NORTHAMERICAN USERS GROUP

At our last club meeting it was proposed
and accepted that we should take our club
-'lould take a membership in the above group.

p.U.G. is a new group that has been in the
^ ocess of forming an umbrella group to serve
the Timex community.

Coincident with this action, we received a
latter from S.N.U.G., advising us on what
progress has been made by the group. Following
is a retyped copy of the letter.

S . N . U . G .
Sinclair Northamerica Users Group
7515 Arbordale Drive

Port Riehey, Florida 3^668
(813) 863 - 5552

This is a short update to let all of you
know what has happened since last you heard
from us. Since our last Press Release we haws
received 58 individual memberships, and an
additional 15 memberships from User
Groups, (which represents about 27% of the
known users groups in the North American
continent). We have also received memberships
from Australia and Great Britian. We would be
extremely pleased if we could establish groups
to expand outside the continent!

So what have we been doing all this time?
Plenty! ! Firstly, we drafted a charter that
was designed to allow for most provisions
including expansion. This was a very time-
consuming task. The Charter has been sent to

jt Florida State Secretary of State, and was
^proved on Dec. 27th 1988. All funds up to
now have been held and were deposited into a
checking account on Dec 31, 1988.

We have with the help of the library
committee established a format to work with
the Public Domain Software Library. We
currently have set up Librarians for the

following machines and formats!

Head Librarian. . .Frank Davis
Assistant Head Librarian. . .Tim Ward

ZX81. TS1000. TS1500
Cassette, Larken DOS Tim Ward, Tony Wiling

Spectrum. TS2068
Cassette n Frank Davis
A&J Microdrive, Wafadrive
Frank Davis, Andy Hradesky

Larken - To be Announced

Oliger DOS

Paul Holmgren, Willie Jones, Gary Lessenbury
Portugal Timex, Zebra sj To be announced
C/PM 3 Paul Stoddard

We are currently assessing what programs
qualify for Public Domain and we are gathering
programs at this time. We cannot give an
accurate number of programs available, but we
have conservatively estimated to have on hand
approximately 850 Spectrum and TS2068 programs
and 240 ZX81 and TS1000 programs as of Jan 1,
1989. We have been advised that several
Commercial programs have been released into
thr Public Domain. Once all details are
arranged, an announcement will be made.

We have also been trying to put together a
Publication committee to determine how our
Magazine will look, and it's contents. Several
of our respondents expressed interest in
writing articles, so we should have several
first:? time writers with some new applications.

Included is the Official Membership Listing.
All members or the list are Charter members,
and as such are elegible for becoming
officers. All Users Groups that are members
need to select a contact person. That person
will act as directed by their membership to
vote accordingly. All Users Groups have only
one vote.

We are requesting that the membership
respond with the names of three individuals
for each of the offices listed. The deadline
for nominations is Feb 25. 1989. The responses
will be tabulated and official Ballots will be
mailed on Feb 27th, 1989* The results of the
elections will be announced on Mar 25 > 1989*

The current officers aret
Mel Nathanson a Acting Chairperson, Prootem
Paul Holmgren « Acting V/Chairperson, Prontem
John "JC" Cushran 9 Acting Treasurer, Pro0tem

The offices that will be voted on consist of 1
President

1st Vice-President
2nd Vice-President
Secretary
Treasurer

There is something special about a person
willing to take a chance of an idea that has
nothing immediately tangible to be had for
their hard-earned money. It takes a person
with vision, courage, and some money they
don't need right away! Ideas with as much
scope as the one we're attempting are
difficult enough to pull off without
individuals such as the Charter members and
without your help, I really don't think this
much could have been accomplished. Be proud 3
there are not many of you out there. We thank
you.

We hope that this announcement has proved
that we have been working towards the goals
outlined. With the increased voluntary help
that we anticipate, thr organization will
thrive and grow.

Ramex SPDOS -> To be announced

Quantum Leap (QL) Microdrive. Floppy Disk
Tim Stoddard

Cambridge Z88 Software. EPROM
To be announced

(Signed by) Mel Nathanson

SINC-LINK

SNODGITS and the Larken System

(Saving to disk) g< k

by George Chambers

SNODGITS is a whodunit mystery game. It
seems that a number of crimes have been
committed in several mansions owned by Lord and
Lady Snodger. You are assisting Benton, the
butler, to solve them. The game requires that
you move from mansion to mansion. There are 5
different mansions, or "houses", as I called
them. Every time that you opt to move to a new
house requires loading in a section of code,
from tape of course.

Modifying this program to run on the Larken
system requires that it be modified so as to
call up the "house" data from disk. I shall
first describe how I went about it.

The program was easily broken into after
loading from tape by use of tha NMI button, and
pressing the A key. This is not always the
case. By changing the INK colour to black I was
able to list a short Basic program. It showed
that there was a CLEAR 24200 instruction, and
that the program would start with a RANDOMIZE
USR 24663.

The "house" code that was to be called up was
in the form of headerless files. This meant
that the program did not access the Spectrum
LOAD routine in the ROM at address 1 366 j that
the LOAD routine was in the body of the program
itself. Looking at the "house" code with a copy
program (0MNIR2) showed each of the blocks of
code to be to be 608 bytes long.

With the program in the computer and "broken
into", a FOR/NEXT loop was used to search for a
value of 608. That is to sayf I was looking for
a pair of addresses corresponding to the code
length. The first address would contain a 96
and the second, a 2 (96+2*256=608).

Several locations turned up and were noted.
Inspection with a disassembler turned up an
interesting sequence starting at address
30691. Sure enough, a RANDOMIZE USR 30691
brought up a LOAD routine. Another thing, the
disassembly showed that the code was loaded
starting at address 30758.

Now that I know the starting address and
length of each of the "house" code blocks I
loaded the "house" codes from tape, into the
computer in turn, using a made up header,
saving them to disk with the name series
"housel", "house2", "house3". etc.

I next wrote a short m/c routine which would
call up the disk drive and load a block of code
called "housel. CI". I searched for, and found a
block of empty addresses at 5923° and placed
the subroutine there. ;

Since the subroutine was constructed to load
a file called "housel. CI", and I wanted to be
able to load all 5 "houses", the m/c subroutine
was instructed to increment the file name by 1.
That is to say, if "housel" was loaded, it
should then increment the file name so that
"house2" would be the next "house" loaded.

Next thing to do was to POKE some addresses
at 30691 to divert the program from it's tape
load routine to my new disk load subroutine.
This called for some POKES starting at address
30691.

THere was finally one more thing to do.
Delete the instructions re tape loading, that
appeared on the screen. These were removed
with a bit of POKEing.

3. Without turning off the computer , Load tne
SNODGITS program from tape, and break into
it with the NMI button, and the A key.

4. Enter the following POKES 1 on
pokp 10691 205i POKE 30692,94i POKE 30693.231

POKE 30698 ,0 i POKE 30699.0, POKE 30700,0

k TTntfty the following POKE sequences!
5P0R N =io3oii5 31518. POKE N.32s NEXT N
FOR N =31617 TO 31640, POKE N,32« NEXT N
FOR N = 31666 TO 31673, POKE N.32, NEXT N
fSr N = 31682 TO 31695« POKE N.32. NEXT N
(Removes the tape instructions)

6 Finally enter the command RANDOMIZE USR
24663, press the SPACE BAR to get a screen
display^ and press the NMI to save the
program. This SAVEs the main program.

7 Now to save the "house" codes. Make up a
7 "false" header, as follows. Save to a blank

tape the first part of the following SAVE.
SAVE "house" CODE 30758,608
Then load this header into the computer,
followed by the first "house" code on the
SNODGITS tape. Save to disk with the

PRINT^^loO, SAVE "housel. CI" CODE 30758,608
Do the same with the next 4 code locks,
except save them to disk as house2, house3,
etc. That's it, you are finished!!

Now stepjjbynstep instructions for doing
job, c

1. Get into the Spectrum mode.

2. Load the Basic lisiting shown here

run it.

the

and

59230

59231
59232
59233
59234
59237
59240
59243
59246
59248
59250
59253
59256
59259
59262
59265
59268
59271
59274
59277
59278
59281
59282
59283
59284

59285
59286
59287
59288
59289
59290
59291
59292
59295

F3
00
00
00

CD6200

2197E7

112220

010A00

EDBO

3E0B

320220

CDC600

212678

223320

216002

223120

CDC900

3A6400

3A9CE7

329CE7

312E43
312000

DI
NOP
NOP
NOP

CALL 98
LD HL, 59287
DE.8226
BC.10

LD
LD

LDIR
LD

A, 11

(8194), A
CALL 198
LD HL, 30758
(8243), HL
HL.608
(824l),HL
CALL 201
LD A, (100)
LD A, (59292)
INC A
J±D L59.292),A

TeT

LD
LD
LD

2.5 \

NOP

L.B
L, A
( HL ) , L
(HL) ,E
H,L

SP, 17198
SP.32

10 RESTORE 100, FOR n=59230 TO 59299
20 READ a, POKE n,a, NEXT n
30 STOP

100 DATA 243,0,0,0,205.98,0,33,151.231.17.34,3
^ 1 0 1 ^ DATA 0,237.176,62,11,50.2,32,205.198,0,33.
3?022DATA" 51.32,33.96,2,34,49,32.205.201,0,58.1

°io3'data 156,231.60,50,156,231.201,75.97.0,
' io4* data* 115, 101, 49, 46, 67, 49 .32 .0,0, 0,0, 0,0,0,

SINC-LINK

RS232 INTERFACE BRUNEAU

LARKEN "MAXCOMM- BBS SOFTWARE

What is an RS232 interface7

What is the difference between serial and parallel
ports

What is a Centronics port?
What does Asynchronous mean?

Questions, questions, questions. I often wonder how
many people listen to our discussions and are
completly lost by the slang ( computerese ) that we
use. If they do ask questions how often are the
answers clear? To answer the questions above it is
necessary to give a bit of background information.

RS232 is a specification that was developed in 1969
by the Electronic Industries Association. It is a
standard that establishes how computers (data
terminal equipment -DTE— ) can communicate with
modems and serial printers (data communications
equipment -DCE- ). Over the years many modifications
and manufacturers preferances have made the standard
confusing but the basis remains the same.

The RS232 Interface actually consists of two items;

1. The Asynchronous Communications Adapter (the
circui try )

2. The Serial Port (the connector where you plug
the cable into. )

A character (8 bits) is transmitted to the adaptor
by the computer all at the same time (parallel data
transfer) and are captured by the adaptor. These 8
bits are then transmitted one at a time by the async
adaptor. The parallel data has been converted to a
serial stream of bits. The process can take any
amount of time and is not governed by a clock rate
nense the word asynchronous.

Larry Kenny has brought out a new
telecommunications software package for the
Larken Disk system, called MAXCOMM. It is a
dual^f unction utility. That is, it can be used
on your computer in a simple terminal mode, or
you can use it to set up your own Bulletin
Board system.

We have not been able to review it properly
for this issue of the newsletter, due to other
pressing matters. Lacking a review, we shall
quote from the Clackamas County T/S User Group
newsletter, THE PLOTTER.

"...this should be a great new addition to
the list of available telecommunications
software. According to Larry this will operate
as either a BBS or a standard terminal s/w. If
you are running a BBS with it and someone
wants to "chat", you press a key and you are
in FULL TERM mode. It will operate at both 300
and 1200 baud (with an RS232 and Hayes
compatible modem) and will not drop charaters
at the 1200 baud rate. It will have direct
"dump to disk" downloading

"......It will be available from Larken,

Ed Grey Enterprises, and RMG Enterprises. At a
price of only $25 (US), plus shipping. It will
be hard to beat. KEEP WATCHING!...."

end of quote

We'll try to have a proper review next
issue.

G.F. Chambers

At the receiving end, another async adapter
reconstructs the character by reversing the process.
Serial data is converted back to parallel data.
Serial data can be transmitted over long distances
without detenation of the data.

A Parallel port simply presents all S bits at its
output and these are picked up by the receiving
device at its parallel port. The data present is
affected by attenuation over long distances and
therefore is not suitable for communication over
long distances. By the way, one of the first
companies to provide parallel interfacing to the
consumer was called Centronic and they set the
standard that is still being recognized today.

CHECK IT OUT

WANTED! WANTED! WANTED !

MEM0TEXT, High or Low memory
BUGBYTE 64K memory w/"gold" memory chips only
Interfaces, MEM0TECH Ser. or Par. ZX81/TS1000
BUGBYTE MD-,2

ROM or ULA Chips, for ZX/TS
Printer, 2040, for ZX/TS, with paper
Printer, Star Gemini, 10X or 15X

All must be in working order with
instructions, and reasonably priced. State
price including postage. Write toi

John G. Thomas,
271 Coral Ave.,
San Antonio, TX 78223 USA

How would you like to have 256k of banked-swi tched
memory and do it with three or four chips ? You can
do it with a static ram chip that has 128k of
memory. The chip is housed in a 32 pin package and
contains four 32k memory modules and and a decoder
chip.

P662Q4L

1 MES (128k x 8) i P66304-U

| (lime* - ia»K*6)

what's the catch? ...it retails at $141.96 Canadian.
That's a lot of green stuff going up in smoke if you
Plug it in backwards!

FOR SALE! FOR SALE! FOR SALE!

-r ZX81 with DKTRONICS case/keyboard

- 16K Memotech RAMpack
r? TS2040 Printer

- Sound Generator, ZONIX^Sl by
BIPAK, uses a G.I. AY8912 chip.

r, AGF Joystick interface for ZX81
s Hunter Board w/full complement
n Ribbon connector
n Loads of good ZX81 software

Best offers
Write, or call Ricard Gonzales,
Apt 6 16... 77 Howard Street,
Toronto, Ont. M4X 1J9
Tel. (416) 921 9580 or 921 3450

SINC-LINK

QLips
by Hugh Howie

Recently I was working with ABACUS, and as
so often in the past, I was unable to get the
complete printout of the document on one
page. I have been left with the last column
being printed on the second sheet, and then
having to paste the two sheets together to get
a readable document. This time I was deter-
mined to beat the system.

I knew that with QUILL it was possible to
go 'way past the 80 column and on up to about
115 or 120, so I felt sure there must be a way
for ABACUS to work better for me.

I printed the document I was working on,
and sure enough there was a column missing, so
I adjusted the width of the various columns,
this was OK. I then wanted to put a line down
between the columns to make them easier to
read, this put me back to square one. Try
printing 'Condensed', half the page not used.

Went to the 'Design •command, and there it
was right in front of me at the bottom of the
menu 1- Paper Width (charac tar) 80. I changed
this to 100, but did not get the requirement I
wanted, but I was interested by this time to
see what would happen if I made this 200. To
assist me in my experiment, I put in a few
more columns in the document, right up to 'X'.
Back to printer which I set at 'Condensed 20'.
Printed the document, and Presto. . .complete. . .
right up to 'X' .

There you have it,

Alter 'Paper Width' to what you want.
Adjust printer to condensed.
You're in business.

Got to admit, all my columns are not full
width, most at 6 or 7 with every other set at
1 to print the symbol ' ' between columns to
give me separation between columns. But I am
now a lot happier than I was.

Try it!

H.H.H.

A tip in a letter from another one of our
members, Hugh Howie. It concerns keeping track
of magazine clippings. Here it is, slightly
•dittedi

"...How often have you removed a page from a
magazine or newsletter file, and when you go
to replace the page, find the file been turned
over, and you don't know where it goes. Now,
if you keep the articles in a binder, you have
to go through all the pages to find the right
spot for your page.

A simple solution I found was to MARK the
pages of any given date. The problem was that
in an issue of many pages it was a
timeconsuming job.

Some time ago I invested in a Three Ring
Punch. I punched the holes in the pages of
course * but the real treat is to punch a
couple of holes along the TOP of the page. Now
I know that the Three Hole Punch will not
register all three holes, but you will get
two, and that's all you need to handle many
documents.

Each time you use the punch, you make a mark
with a pencil or tape, as to where you placed
the LAST document, move the paper one mark
over, press, and you can mark a number of
pages at a time. When you put them all
together you have a Hole-Coded page. Match the
page in your hand to the holes along the top,
and you have the issue. You will find that the
number of combinations of hole positions are
so varied, it is almost impossible to get an
exact duplicate.

If necessary, you only need to use ONE hole,
to mark a document.

OF INTEREST TO QL OWNERS
A new regulator for your QL

one of our members, Schennelly Stoughton,
writes about several items of interest to QL
owners. I have selected parts of his letter to
place in the newsletter:

, I have some good news for QL owners.

Pirsti I found a 5-Volt 2 Amp. voltage
regulator that runs cooler than the original
regulator. You have to do some hardware mods,
but it works great. Enclosed is a diagram for
anyone interested. The regulator is a 3052V.
Any of the 3052 series will work if wired
correctly.

Second 1 Any hackers interested in good prices
should check out ACTIVE SURPLUS ANNEX, at 347
Queen Street W. (a block or so east of
Spadina). Phone 416-593 0967

Third: Finally I can offer limited service for
QL owners. I am doing my own business and can
spend some time servicing our club members. I
get the feeling from some suppliers of Ql
hardware and software that things are looking
bad for us Sinclair buffs, but I will do what
I can to help with any problem that arises.

The hardware mod for the regulator is as
follows.

Remove old regulator
£c heat sink. Remove
fins on either side
of old regulator.

Remove enough aluminum from body of heat sink
to allow legs of the regulator to fit where
old regulator legs turned down. Cut legs of
new regulator to approx. 3/8th of an inch.
Remove plastic plug, but leave metal con. on
wires. Replace heat sink, install insulating
hardware (mica insulator) and heat sink
compound. Install regulator and solder wires
to appropriate legs of regulator. An ECG 1934
regulator can be used or any of the 3°52
series if wired correctly. Wiring for ECG 1934
is as follows. ..."

Shennelly the goes on to say that the ECG
1934 regulator sells for $18.84, but that he
feels that we should be able to do better
than that. He will advise later.

Schennelly Stoughton
191 William Str. N.
Lindsay, Ont. K9V 4B8

Schennelly does servicing of satellite TV
receivers as an occupation. Feel free to call
him. 1-705-324 4792 should do the trick.

George Chambers.

SINC-LINK

QL 9L QL SL QL QL 9L QL QL QL QL QL QL QL QL QL QL QL QL QL QL QL QL QL

AT THE JANUARY CLUB MEETING IT WAS ANNOUNCED, AMONG OTHER ITEMS, THAT
' ACTIVE SURPLUS' WAS SELLING RGB MONITORS UNCASED O E Ms FOR A HUNDRED
AND FORTY FIVE BUCKS. MY EARS PERKED UP. WOULD THIS MONITOR WORK WITH A
QL?, SURE, IT MIGHT REQUIRE A LITTLE MODIFICATION, (SOUND FAMILIAR?) .
WHAT * S AN 'OEM' ?. ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT MANUFACTURE, I WAS ADVISED.

GEORGE CHAMBERS WAS GIVING ME A RIDE HOME AND I PICKED HIS BRAINS ON THIS

APPARENT FANTASTIC BUY.

THE NEXT MORNING I GOT MARG, THE MRS., TO RESEARCH THE PHONE NUMBER. ACTIVE
SURPLUS SAID THEY HAD FOUR UNITS LEFT. PUT MY NAME ON ONE AND I'LL BE IN
LATER TODAY. DID I WANT A UNIT WITH ' CGA* OR * IGA' . WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE?
HE DIDN'T KNOW. I THOUGHT OF ALL THE PEOPLE IN THE CLUB I COULD CALL, WHO
MIGHT BE AT HOME, AND COULD ANSWER THE QUESTION. NO ONE. I CALLED AN OLD
COHORT AT THE CNIB (CANADIAN NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR THE BLIND) WHO IS IN
CHARGE OF ASSISTIVE DEVICES, FOR THE VISUALLY HANDICAPPED. GEOFF EDEN.
WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT SINCLAIR QL COMPUTERS AND RGB MONITORS. TRY ME! WAS
THE RESPONSE. I AM ABOUT TO BUY A 14 INCH RGB MONITOR MADE BY MITSUBISHI
AND THE DEALER ASKED IF MY QL WORKED ON CGA OR IGA, AND I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT
HE WAS TALKING ABOUT. GEOFF SAID, THE TERM REFERRED TO THE NUMBER OF PIXELS
ON THE SCREEN AND THAT IT WAS HIGHLY UNLIKELY THAT THAT SET WOULD BE
EQUIPPED WITH 'IGA' HOW RIGHT HE WAS. THE MANUFACTURE DATE ON THE SET IS
NOV. 1983.

THERE IT WAS, ENCASED IN A PLASTIC HOUSING, I'D FORGOTTEN THAT ONE OF THE
FELLOWS AT THE CLUB HAD MENTIONED THAT THE DISPLAY UNIT WAS IN PLEXIGLASS,
THE UNIT WAS DISPLAYING ALL OF ITS COLOURS IN AN ELONGATED RECTANGLE FROM
CENTER SCREEN OUT. AS MY GRANDSON WOULD SAY 'AWESOME'. THE COUNTER WAS
QUITE BUSY. WHEN MY TURN CAME, "I'D LIKE ONE OF THOSE MONITORS". I SAID. IT
TOOK A WHILE BUT I FINALLY GOT TO TAKE MY 'FANTASTIC BUY' HOME.

I CALLED GEORGE. "GUESS WHAT! I BOUGHT AN RGB MONITOR". "WOULD YOU LIKE
SOME HELP IN GETTING IT GOING?" SAID GEORGE. I THOUGHT YOU'D NEVER ASK. I
REALLY MUST DIGRESS, TO SAY HOW MUCH THE FELLOWS IN THE CLUB HAVE HELPED ME
IN SO MANY WAYS IN THE FOUR YEARS I HAVE BEEN A MEMBER, I COULD NOT HAVE
MAINTAINED MY INTEREST IN COMPUTING WITHOUT THE CLUB MEMBERS AND THE
ASSISTANCE RECEIVED FROM ARTICLES IN NEWS LETTERS FROM OTHER SINCLAIR USER
GROUPS. I TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO SAY THANKS TO ALL OF YOU.

AS I AM RUNNING OUT OF SPACE I'LL TELL YOU THE BAD NEWS. SO FAR, WITH THE
ASSISTANCE OF GEORGE CHAMBERS AND RENE BRUNEAU, WHOSE EXPERTISE IMPRESSES
ALL OF US, THE 'RGB' IS NOT COMPATIBLE WITH MY QL. I HAVE WRITTEN TO MITSU
BISHI IN CALIFORNIA FOR A SCHEMATIC, HOPEFULLY I CAN WRITE OF GOOD NEWS IN
THE NEXT ISSUE.

W K (BILL) LAWSON.

SINC-LINK

Dear George Chambers,

I just got a news letter and from reading it, I got the
impression that maybe I COULD offer something that some of oar
members don't know already.

In the process of writeing, re-writeing and fiddling around
with a word processing program, I've come across a few things
tnat may be of interest to some. The following is a list of
these things*.

1 By useing "PAUSE 0" instead of "IF INKEY* = "" THEN....." I
not only saved memory, but found out that it makes use of all
thl computer's normal keying characteristics! repeat delay
before repeating , . . . . a VERY powerful command ! > I don t know
why° I just happened to discover this by my endless fiddling.

2 "IF CODE I* = 6 THEN POKE 23658, (8 AND PEEK 23658 = 0)»
enables the caps lock key within the program, (this one took
sCme research to figure out how to accomplish useing little
memory)

3 I used all 22 lines for the display in my program. Later I
found that to prompt an input, I would HAVE to use an INPUT
statement which would require keying "ENTER" after inputing the
Sotce? Thi. was bothersome, so in trying to solve this problem
I came up with a way to use the INKEY* function in conjunction
with an INPUT statement. This allowed the printing of a prompt
at the bottom of the screen while the computer was waiting for
INKEY*!

The following are the program lines that allow this:

m tf INKEY* = "" THEN INPUT "E-DIT/N-EXT PAGE/P-RIOR PAGE
(SPACES TO FILL IN THE REST OF ONE LINE AND NO MORE)": GO TO 10.

20 LET I* = INKEY*.

Notice that there is no variable in the INPUT statement! For
some reason, this syntax is accepted!

What this does is print the INPUT statement if no key is being
pressed; immediately erase it since there is no variable to
inputs then loop back around. When the computer detects a key
being pressed, instead of re-printing the INPUT statement, it
assigns the value of INKEY* to I*.

So what you get is a very rapidly blinking prompt to an INKEY*
function.

Now, back to narrative...

As always I've got a question, tip #3 is only good for short
prompts. The longer the written prompt, the harder the end is
read since the first characters remain on the screen longer than
the last. Does anyone know of a better way of accomplishing this
by way of pokes or a machine code routine? My program was
written to be used with the OS-64, so my prompt is almost a
whole line long. (64 characters per line)

Well, that's about it.

Until I hear from you again,

John Vander Stel
502 MI CO, 2ACR
APO NY 09093

John Vander Stel
BOX 535

NEWAYGO, MI 49337

SINC-LINK

TECHNICIAN TED and the LARKEN
by George Chambers

The Spectrum game Technician Ted has been
around for some time. It has been a difficult
program to break into because of a combination
of double speed loading, some complex M/C
loading procedures, and the habit of crashing
when any attempt was made to gain access to it.
There have not been many game POKEs published
for it for this reason. These notes describe
how it was accessed, using the Larken NMI
button, to permit games POKEs to be made. This
same procedure is applicable to any Larken
NMI-saved Spectrum program.

Some times it is possible to break into a
program by trying an NMI-type save to a
protected disk. This will produce a Disk Full
error report, and if youare lucky you will
find yourself in the BASIC mode, it is then a
simple matter to save the code to disk. I
suggest a save as follows i
PRINT USR 100iSAVE"prognm.Cl"C0DE 24000,41535

In many cases this"save to a protected disk"
routine results in a system crash. Probably
because the program poked a different number
into addresses 23613 and/or 23659. The first
address contains the stack pointer address,
while the second address contains the number
of lines on the screen. Tampering with these
numbers will produce a system crash.

What we need is simple. We want a block of
code that contains all the code to play the^
game. Also, equally important, we need to find
the starting address of the program. Finding the
starting address is probably the hardest part.
We shall get into that later. The first thing is
to obtain the requisite block of code.

My first attempt at this was unsuccessful. My
thought was to delete the first track of the
NMI-saved program, in the disk Directory. This
was not successful. The LOAD itself was
succeessful but at the end of the loading
process, some Larken NMI code appeared at the
bottom of the screen, and the computer remained
locked up.

I then took a different tack. I saved each
track in turn to tape (curiously, saving to
tape, while a longer process, is simpler), and
then loaded them back into the computer, and
all was well. There is actually more to it than
that, and I shall go into the details.

Firstly, your NMInsaved program should be a
9rrtrack SAVE. That is to say, the saved code
starts at address 22490. Secondly, I used the
"doctor. Bl" program, which will move a selected
track into the computer starting at address
50000.

With "doctor. Bl", determine which tracks the
Null program (Tech Ted, in this case) is located.
Makev a note of them. Then, again using "doctor.
Bl", load the highest numbered track into the
computer. Then save the block of code 50024,
5090. This represents the actual program code,
with the Larken data removed. Do this sav to
tape. Then load the next track (the one
immediately below the just^saved one), and save
it to tape. Continue this way until you have
saved 8 tracks. You will have to name eack save
to tape and I suggest that each SAVE name
include the track number, as an aid to keeping
track of things when you are reloading the
tape. For example SAVE "ted 45" CODE 50024,
5090; SAVE "ted 44" CODE 50024,5090, etc.

The last track to be saved has to be treated
in a special way. The track contains the first
part of the NMI program starting at address
22490. We want to save to tape only the part of
this track that starts above the "start of
BASIC" address of 23755 (Spectrum mode).
Actually we will want to save somewhat above
this address. There is a trade-off here. We
want to capture all of the code that is
necessary for program operation, but we don't
really know where this code starts. From
experimenting it appears that a good address to
start the code from is address 24000.

This is as low as one can place RAMtop, and
still leave a bit of room for entering a few
BASIC program lines (very few, to be sure). I
have found that just about every games program
has a few lines of BASIC in them, so the code
generally starts above the address 24000 that I
suggest.. , —

What this is leading up to is this. The last
track to be saved to tape, i.e. the one that
starts at address 22490, must be saved with a
starting address of 51534. and a length of
3580.

Now that the code has been saved to tape it
is time to load it back into the computer, and
this time to save the whole block to disk.

First enter the direct command CLEAR 23999.
Then, starting with the first program on the
tape, enter the command LOAD "" CODE 63210.
This will load the first block of code into
the right location in the computer. Follow this
by loading the next code with the command LOAD
"" CODE 58120, and so on. You will see the
merit of including the track numbers in the
filename as suggested earlier.

Here are the correct loading addresses in
full:

1. . .63210
2. . .58120
3. ..53030
4. . .479^0
5... 42850
6... 37760
7. ..32670
8... 27580
9. . .24000

Note that the last one to be loaded is a
smaller block of code, and it's starting
address corresponds to the shorter SAVE
treatment that we gave it earlier.

Now that you have all the code loaded you may
save it. Use the command:

PRINT USR 1 00 1 SAVE "prognm. C 1 "CODE 24000,41535

Having saved the code is one thing. The next
thing is to look for the correct starting
address. That is to say, what RAND USR number
will start the program.

This is the part where a good deal of
ingenuity will be required. If you are into
disassemblers you can load one into high memory
and search for some unconditional JUMPS. List
them and try them out systematically. Sometimes
you will strike it lucky that way. Or you can
try breaking into the BASIC of the original
urogram to find a RAND USR number. Sometimes
the BASIC loader installs some M/C used to load
the main body of code, and it will be necessary
to locate it and disassemble it.

If you are not into disassemblers and don t
mind some bullr,work then try this. Install the
game code. Then write a simple FOR/NEXT loop as
follows, cmJm

SINC-LINK

10 FOR N = 23950 TO 65535

20 IF PEEK N = 195 THEN PRINT N, PEEK N

30 NEXT N

Run this and you will get several addresses
that contain a value of 195. This is a M/C
unconditional JUMP command, and is a good place
to start. After you have a list of maybe a
dozen or so numbers, terminate the FOR/NEXT
program, and start entering the command
RANDOMIZE USR xxxxx, where xxxxx is one of the
numbers in your list.

Sometimes the command will bring you back to
BASIC, sometimes it will get you into some
obscure part of the program (often followed by
a system crash!). Mostly you will get a system
crash. Simply persevere, reload, and continue
with the next number. One of them will start
the game at the proper place. Usually the
number is in the lowere part of the code.

Incidentally, the program "doctor. Bl"
mentioned above is one of several utilities
available for Larken disk repair. Any utility
that will place a track into memory will do the
same task, though the SAVE/LOAD addresses given
above would necessarily have to be changed.
RANDOMIZE USR 31^90 will start Technician Ted!

MISMATCH... A terrific read

A new book is now In the bookstores which
could be of interest to club members. It is
called MISMATCH. To quote from a newspaper
review t

"...Lloyd Pye is the author of one of the
latest forays into the teehnosthriller field,
a thriller called "Mismatch" (Dell, $3.95).
Mismatch takes as it's technological
foundation computer "hacking" and phone
"phreaking" (tapping into Ma Bell's lines
illegally) • The novel's plot hinges on the
possibilities for chaos inherent in a
situation in which an extremely talented
individual proficient in both areas is capable
of bringing national communications networks
to a standstill.'*

The author appears to have written to a
number of computer clubs, including ours,
promoting his book. We received his missive
this week. To quote from his letters

"...I wrote it primarily for people like us,
people who relish the lore and legend of all
aspects of computer/high technology.

"....Believe me when I say thist If you do
make the effort to alert your group, you won't
be doing me a favor alone. MISMATCH is an
absolutely terrific read, which I'm not saying
just because I wrote it.... So trust me, if you
read it you'll be doing yourself a favor t and
if you urge your group to read it as well,
you'll be doing them a favor, too."

The author's letter also contained two pages
of reviews of the book, which made it sound
very readable. Interesting enough that I went
looking for it. I have not been able to find
it yet, but I shall keep looking. For $4.95
Can., it seems worth taking a look at. If you
come across it, let us know where you found
it. You may need to order it. The author says
that it has gone into 2nd printing.

G. Chambers

SYSTEM 15000 on the Larken Disk System
by George Chambers

System 15000 is a an unusual sort of
program, in which you, a computer hacker, are
trying to break into a large computer system
to retrieve money.

The program description can be paraphrased
as follows 1

"Richard's company COMDATA has been ripped
off by REALCO to the tune of $1.5 million on
his American order. The only way to put things
right is to transfer the money back to
COMDATA' s bank (MIDMINSTER) , by getting into
the appropriate computer. Start by going to
KINGSDOWN Polytechnic 672 3427. The special
code list is SL312 e look for L.T.Perry &
Son. "

Needless to say, this game will take several
sessions to complete. It has a SAVE/LOAD
routine so that one can save the key data of a
game in progress. Problem is that the save and
load is to tape. What we are going to do is
break into the program to change the commands
to enable a save to disk.

Break into the program by attempting an
NMIosave to a protected disk. This will. give _
you a DISK PROTECTED error, and you will find
that you can now list the program. The
SAVE/LOAD routine starts at line 330. Changes
will be required in lines 338, 372, and 390,
as followst

338 RANDOMIZE USR 100« GOTO Ot RANDOMIZE
USR 100i LOAD "sysdat.Al" DATA s()

372 RANDOMIZE USR 100 1 GOTO Oi RANDOMIZE
USR lOOi SAVE "sysdat.Al" DATA s()

390 PRINT AT 12, 6 i "PLACE DISK IN DRIVE
0""" PRESS <ENTER> WHEN READY"

(You may use a different drive number if you
anticipate saving an interrupted game to
another drive)

Install an unprotected disk in your chosen
drive, point the Larken DOS to it (if
necessary) with PRINT USR 100« GOTO (chosen
drive number). To save a running program,
enter GOTO 5. The screen will go dark for a
few seconds, then the program logo will
appear. Press the NMI button to save the
modified program.

The program has several copy protection
devices in it which are worth a note.

The first line consists of a couple of
pokes which are designed to corrupt line 3. so
that the program will not list properly. Also,
the first line is line 0, making it impossible
to list. To make it listable, change the line
number by entering as a direct command, POKE
23756,1. This will change it to line 1. You
might be wise to delete this line altogether.

i:ou will also notice that the screen listing
is only partially visible. This is because
several of the lines have "buried" colour
codes in them. Eliminate these codes by using
the EDIT function to bring a line down to edit
it. Move the cursor slowly across the line
being editted until the cursor disappears.
Then DELETE (slowly) until the invisible
section of the line reappears. Personally I
find it easiest to continue the ERASE function
until I have erased the first character to the
left of the cursor 1 then I retype it back in.
You will find this program has quite a few
"buried" colour characters in it. Aside from
"copy protection" reasons, you will find these »
codes are also used to put colour onto the
screen. Look at line 330 as an example.

SINC-LINK

EMY Extnbasic Multitasking

This machine code program
provides 10 new commands for
Spectrum Basic. The program
is 1413 bytes long. The program
has been saved under Larken
Disk Commands. To load the
program type:

CLEAR 63000: PRINT #4:
LOAD "emy.Cl" CODE <enter>

Once loaded you will have 10
new commands :

AFTER, EVERY , DISABLE, ENABLE,
DROP, ON ERROR GOTO, ON BREAK
STOP, ON BREAK GOSUB , IGNORE
BREAK, RESUME

Ail commands use a REM
statement to pass commands,
ex. 100 RANDOMIZE USR 63866

110 REM IGNORE BREAK

120 GOTO 130

Command Functions:

AFTER time, GOSUB line
EVERY time, GOSUM line
time represents seconds
( 1 sec = 60 )
DISABLE and ENABLE turns on
and off "time" in EVERY and
AFTER

DROP lowers the stack on the
spect rum

ON ERROR GOTO ex.

1000 DEF FN v(a;=USR 63872:
RANDOMIZE USR 6 3 866
110 0 REM ON ERROR GOTO 99 0 0
1200 etc ,,,,,,

9900 PRINT "Error " ; CHR$ FN
v(10);"in line " ; FN v (8) ; " : "
; FN v (9)

9901 PRINT: LIST FN v (8)
ON BREAK STOP will stop the
program when BREAK is pressed.
ex.'lOO RANDOMIZE USR 63866

110 REM ON BREAK STOP

j. 2 u etc,,,,, i

999 GOTO 110
ON BREAK GOSUB xxxx will cause
a jump to xxxx when BREAK is
attempted .

ON BREAK IGNORE will ignore the
BREAK attempt.

RESUME is used with ON ERROR
GOTO command

R . Zannese Oct. ,23,1988

lOOO REM

EMY *
+: Ex tnbas I c Mul t i task*

* By L . Cal 1 sgar i ~A

* Spectrum * V 1,1 *

* 7/87 *

1002 REM

* Mod i f i ed By *

* R. Zannese 10/38*

r- -+: * * * * * * * :+: * * * * :

1010 RESTORE : INK 9: PAPER 6: C

LEAR 62000: LET ad =63366: POKE 2

3609,22: BORDER 2: POKE 23692.-0

1020 LET a=10: LET b=ll: LET c=l

2: LET d=13: LET e=14: LET f =15

1030 FOR j=7000 TO 7036

1040 LET ck=0: READ a$,ch

1050 LET by=VAL a* ( 2 > + 1 6* VAL a$ <

1 ) : LET a£=a$ (3 TO )

1060 LET ch=ch-by: POKE ad.- by

1070 LET ad=ad+l

1080 IF a$
1090 IF c h
in line : ; ;
1100 PRINT
": NEXT j
1110 CLS
1120 INPUT
;a*
1130
R I NT
000
1 140

>"" THEN
>0 THEN
j : STOP
TAB 9; "Li ne

GO TO 1050 —
PRINT "Error

; j s ,! Ok

Save Program (Y/N)

IF a$="y!
#4? SAVE

OR a$="Y"
emygen .Bf '

THEN
LINE

INPUT "Save Code (Y/N) " ; a$

at="y
SAVE

OR a$="Y" THEN F
"emy.Cl "CODE 63S66

1150 IF
RINT #4
, 1417

1160 BTOP : STOP

7000 DATA " C32 1 FDC3 I AFDC32 1 FBDFC
D882C3 020CD8D2C3808CD3B2DCD99 1 ED
FC9237EFE0D230FFE2C280BFE" , 4783

7001 DATA "21 3SF2CD382C38EBCF0BC
DB2283S0623CDB433 1 8DBCF0 1 DF 1 AE67
F4F7E23FE2038FAF620B9200A" , 4577

7002 DATA " 1 A131730EC225D5C37C91
A 1 3 1 730FBB7C96 1 667465F29DFC65766
572F9A2FC64697361626CE5E2" , 4820

7003 DATA "FB656E61626CE51CFC726
573756DE54CFC6F6E206572726F72206
76F74EF7FFC6F6E2062726561 " , 4837

7004 DATA " 6B2073746FF05EFA6F6E2
06272656 1 6B20676F7375E272FA69676
E6F72652062726561EB6DFA64" ? 4633

7005 DATA "726FF0E5FE00676F7375E
211 D9F9CDB8F93808 13131 AA720F5CF0
BEB5E2356EBE92 1 00FF220BFF " , 5037

7006 DATA "FDCB7656C0220DFFC9210
0FE18EFCD83F9FE0DC2A9F969601 1 102
7B7ED52 1 938DCCF0AE7CDBF 16" , 531 1

7007 DATA "FD340DDF0600FE0D282EF
E3A28EE2 1 B5F AE54FE779FEEA2858FEF
A2862FEFECA56FBFEE8CAD0FD" ? 6070

SINC-LINK

""008 > DA 7 A "C3441BCDOAFEBFFEOD280
-FE3A28C6CF0B2A555C3EC0A62302CFF
- AFFE01CE0056235EED53455C" , 4333
7009 DA7A !!235E2356EE192322555CE
B223D5C37 1 E00FD360AFF 1 3FD720D289
7 i 4CD8B 1 928BECF 1 6DFFE2A20 " , 3386
"010 DATA !l 03E i 1 8BFFE0DC3C34SFAC
D82 1 CDFFECBC23A 1 CC 1 EF0233EBC DE93
■iDAC3FAC337FA2A0B5C2323CD " , 5708
~011 DATA B433CD94 1 EFEOB3802CFO
-FE0830 i 94F3737379 1 6F2600 1 1 OFFF 1
-• F34E2746FB23CB46C80 1 0000 M , 3765
""012 DA7A " C9FE093005ED4B03FFC9F
70 A30073A02FF4F0600C93A0 1 FFC631F
33A38F3C60713EFFFF5C5D5E5n , 4987
"013 DA7A " FDCB7646202D060S2 1 OFF
F E55E235623CB46200E7AB3230A 1 B2B7
12B737 AB3CC ADFB 1 1 0700E 1 19% 3732
^014 DATA " 10E2FDCB007E2004FDCB7
.-. C 6 E 1 D 1 C 1F1 C92323E5235E2356D52A0
-"FFED3B07FFB7ED521 10F00ED" ,5130
~: 17 lATA !! 32D 1 3S0A2A09FF722B732
22209FFE1CS4EC3E52323235E2356E12
': " 123 77C 9DFFE0D23 1 DCD 1 2FC " : 4306
""016 DATA "FE03302C4F7BFE0DC2A9F
-798737379 16F26001 1 1 1FF19C3C6C90
: 0321 11FF11 0700CBC6 191 OFB " , 4207
""017 DATA !!C9CD33F95F73A779C3CF0
ADFFE0D2S 1 DCD 1 2FCFE0330F24F7BFE0
DC2A9F979373737916F26001 1 " ? 5210
TO 18 DATA "11FF19CB86C906032111F
F 1 1 0700CB36 1 9 1 0FBC9FDCB764E2002C
F06DFFE0D23 1 3CD33F9FE0DC2 " , 4502

7019 DATA "A9F9210F27B7ED4233B1A
F 1 307EB4B03FF3A02FFFDCB768EED434
25C32445CC9CD83F9FE0BC2A9" ? 51 19

7020 DATA "F9210F27B7ED42333BED4
703FF 1 1 8BFD2A3D5C732372C9DD2E00 1
E03DB2E02CB83F9FE2C2302CF" , 4345
70T1 DATA M 0BE7C5 1 1 43FACDB8F93E0
033 1 9CB 1 2FCFE03D2 1 AFCF57BFE2CC2A
9F9E71 143FACDB8F930DAFlF5n ? 6012
-022 DATA "CD33F9FE0DC2A9F9210F2
737ED42D A 1 AFCF 1 5F378737936F2600 1
1 OFFF 1 9E56960CD6E 1 9EBE 1 36 " ,5166

7023 DATA "0023360023DD7DCB8EB67
72373237223D 1 7323722B2B2B2B2BF37
02B~r3FBC9ED7B3D5CC3B8FAFD" , 4500

7024 DATA " 3676002 1 70FB22FFFE2 1 O
-FFi 1 10FF0137003600EBB03EFEED47E
-5E2AB25C232207FF2179F922" , 4260
"025 DATA " 09FF2100FF220BFF220DF
- 1 3C4ED7B3D5CBDE 1 D 1 7 AFE3E2005D5D
DE5CF06CB7A20 1 23BF 1 DDE5ED " , 5255

7026 DATA "733D5CED53425C32445CC
3B5FACBB AFDCB76962A0BFF220DFF 1 8E
OFDCB764EC203133A3A5C3201 !! , 4680

7027 DATA !! FFFD3600FFFDCB76S6FDC

: 16218BFDE52A455C2203FF3A!! , 4731

7023 DATA !! 475C3202FF2A05FF22425
CFB360A00C3B5FAED5B07FF2AB25C23B
7ED522002CF06EBCD05FEED53" ,4612

7029 DATA "335CCD05FEED53345CCD0
5FEED537D5CCD05FEEB53425C2B7E324
45C2207FFC92B562B5EC9FDCB" , 4973

7030 DATA !! 7656204D2A0DFF7CFEFE2
S45FEFF2007CD54 1 F3S3CCF 1 4CD54 1 F3
335ED7B3D5CDDE 1 ED5B455C3A " ,4510

7031 DATA "475C3CFDCB0A7E2007ED5
B425C3A445CF533CEFAD5DDE5ED733D5
C22425CFD360A00FDCB76D621 !! , 4805

7032 DATA !! B8FAE52179F9B7F3ED5B0
9FFED52235AEB235E23562209FFFBED4
B07FFB7ED42C5010F00ED42C1 !! , 5336

7033 DATA M 334 1 ED7B3D5C6 9 6 0 ED4B4
55C3A475C3CFDCE0A7E2007ED4B425C3
A445C77CDBFFEED4B7D5CCDBF !! ? 4602

7034 DATA " FEED4B845CCDBFFEED4B8
35C-CDBFFE232207FFEBC3C6FA237 1 237
OC9FBFDCBOA7EC02A425CCD6E" 7 5885

7035 DATA " 1 93A443C230C A7C2EC 1 34
77EE6C078C2B0 1 BC 1 C3CEFA2AB25CED5
307FF23B7ED522002CF0BEB1 1 " - 4844

7036 DATA " 090037ED522207FFC9000
00000000000000000000000000000000
0000000000000000000000000" ? 1003

ONE CHIP MOD FOR THE 2Q5Q MODEM R. BRUNEAU

In the May /June 1987 issue of the SINCUS NEWS
article was written about adding a RS232 port to the
TIMEX 2050 modem card. The integrated circuits used
were the MC148S Driver and the MC1489 Receiver which
provide a conversion from RS232 voltage levels (+15
to -15) to TTL levels (0 to +5). To generate the
negative voltage a 9volt battery was used. Both IC's
have been around for many years and are quite cheap.

Recently* a new chip has come into the market which
provides the RS232 voltage levels from the
computer's 5volt power supply. The chip is made by
MAXIM and is called the MAX232. It contains two
voltage converters to generate +10V and -lOv. the
chip is available from Active Components for *5.97
Canadian. The figure below shows how to connect the
circuit. In the next issue of SINK-LINK we will
attempt to publish a printed curcuit to convert the
2050 modem.

+5v

SINC-LINK

DEAR TIMEX/SINCLAIR ENTHUSIAST:

WE WOULD LIKE TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO INVITE YOU TO ATTEND THE UP-
COMING CAPITAL AREA TIMEX/SINCLAIR CAPITALFEST ON MAY 6 AND MAY 7, 1989.
BANQUET FRIDAY NIGHT, MAY 5, 1989.

FEST TO BE HELD AT THE HOWARD JOHNSON INN, ROUTE 450 AND THE BELTWAY (EAST-
SIDE), NEW CARROLLTON, MD .

HOWARD JOHNSON'S IS CONVENIENTLY LOCATED FOR EASY ACCESS BY ROAD, SUBWAY
(NEW CARROLLTON, MD. STOP), AMTRAK FROM NEW YORK AND BOSTON TO THE NORTH
AND ALL POINTS SOUTH, AND BY AIR INTO WASHINGTON NATIONAL AND BALTIMORE —
WASHINGTON INTERNATIONAL.

CATS, OUR USERS GROUP, CURRENTLY WITH OVER 100 MEMBERS WILL BE HOSTING
THIS AFFAIR.

SHARP'S, ZEBRA, AND MANY OTHER VENDORS WILL BE SPONSORING AND ATTENDING.
SEMINARS, DOOR PRIZES, AND MANY SURPRISES AWAIT YOU.

THIS CAPITALFEST WILL BE FULLY ADVERTISED WITH THOUSANDS OF FLYERS BEING
SENT ALL OVER THE COUNTRY.

HOTEL ROOM RATE IS $62.00 A NIGHT ALONG WITH ONE FREE ADMISSION TO SHOW.
BANQUET, FRIDAY NIGHT WILL RUN AROUND $17.00.
TABLES WILL BE $25.00 EACH.

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE LET US KNOW.

GET THE DETAILS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!*!!

LOVE TO HAVE YOU AT THE FEST.

C.A.T.S. CAPITALFEST
P. 0. BOX 24

Barrett park, Maryland 20896-0024

301-439-8756

SINC-LINK

CAPITAL AREA TIMEX SINCLAIR
USERS GROUP

C • A • T • S •

CAPITOLFEST

NAME:

ADDRESS:
PHONE:

VENDOR:

USERS GROUP:
BANQUET:

$17.00 EACH DINNER. LIMITED SEATING

TABLES: $25.00 EACH

ADVANCE ADMISSION:
$7.00---2 DAYS
$5.00 — -1 DAY

ALL TICKETS FOR ADMISSION MUST BE BOUGHT BEFORE 4/1/89.

AT DOOR:

$10.00 — 2 DAYS
$7.00 — -1 DAY

HOTEL: $62.00 A NIGHT WITH 1 FREE ADMISSION

PLEASE MAKE RESERVATIONS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

SINC-LINK

S PES HDL SPESHDL QL ers HEAR THIS HEAR THIS QL ers S PES HDL SPESHOL

In the Jan/Feb 1989 issue of SINC-LINK, it was stated at the end of the
History of the Toronto Timex Sinclair Osers Group, that "Only the QL section
seemed moribund". This chance remark was jumped on by Yours Truly, and I wrote
a letter saying that I did not think the QL section was moribund. The subject
was brought up at the meeting on February 1st, and to cut a long story short, it
was agreed that something should be done.

My name is Hugh H. Howie, my Address is 586 Oneida Dr, Burlington. Ont. L7T
3V3. and I have been asked to try and do something to enliven interest in the QL

section. I am the something that was DONE Shows it pays to keep your mouth

shut. Anyway, here goes.

It is suggested that we try and build a QL library within the Club, and
that we ask all members to give us support, by articles to the NewsLetter, and
by items for the library.

If you have been keeping in touch with some of the developments South of the
Border, you will know that there appears to be, at the very least, more than
just a MINOR resurgence in the QL. Many Magazines and Newsletters are starting
beginners courses on the QL. There appears to be a lot of software being
produced for this section. In fact the QL section is NOT MORIBDND, it just needs
a little bit of a prod to come forward. Perhaps that little remark in the
News-Letter was all that was needed. Since that remark was made, we have had
one renewal from the Hamilton area, and George Chambers has received a PHONE
CALL from NEWFODNDLAND. Now if all this is not an indication of an ALIVE
section, what is?.

OK. Enough of back- ground. What do we do?

First of all, we should start a QL Library, but how to do it, and what form
it should take. Many QLers do not have disc, as a matter of fact, who needs it?
we have a perfectly good medium of storage available, which not every computer
has. But it is felt that we should ask the members what they would like, and to
start the nucleus of the library on that precept. In fact, why not have both?
The point is, as a QLer, which would you PREFER? Drive?, or Disc?,. We will
try to accomadate both. But a preference would be welcomed.

At the back of this Newsletter is a tear-out page, with some questions on
it. ALL members, QLers or others are asked to contribute. Answer the questions,
make suggestions, and send it back to us. To tear out the page will not destroy
any part of the Newsletter, as of itself. But please take the time to answer the
questions and make your suggestions. ALL SUGGESTIONS ARE WELCOME. You need not
put your name or address on the form if you desire not to. Purely Voluntary.
(But we do like to know those things, from members or non-members of the Club)

By filling in this form you are not, definately NOT, going to win some
fantabulous amount of money to keep you in Computer Luxury for the rest of your
life. But you will have an opportunity to assist in the formation of a Library,
a Library which is dedicated to give Y00, as QL members, access to much more
information than would be possible if you were working on your own. But we do
need your assistance.

Should we make use of the Quanta library? would you care to contribute to
the purchase of Quanta material for donation to the QL library?. What would you
like of us ? Are you considerating the purchase of a QL ? If you are , what
are you interested in? Those and a hundred questions require an answer, and Y00
are the only folks that know the answer. Let Toronto Timex-Sinclair Osers Club,
have your observations.

Please, take a few moments, spend a copper, let us know what you would
like.

Hugh H. Howie.

SINC-LINK

NAME

Address

City

Postal Code

Do you have a QL

List what you DO have

Would you be interested in a QL Library?

Would you contribute to a QL Library?

Would you be willing to contribute a cartridge
of your own choice, occasionally, from the
Quanta library, to this library?

Should this be on DISC or DRIVE?

Your Own Observations and Recommendations

Please take a few moments to fill out the above.

Your name may or may not be given.

ALL, not only QLers, are invited to reply.

Thank You from :-
Officers of Toronto Timex_3inclair Users Club

Mail Reply to:-

Hugh H. Howie
586 Oneida Dr
Burlington. Qnt

L7T 3V3

SINC-LINK

JAN/FEB 1989

Jan 8, 1989

Dear Out-rOf-Town Members,

I can't believe it's that time
again. So soon! ! I seem to have just got the
last letter off.

Well first off all, I shall go through some
old newsletters that we have received from
other clubs. They have a number of tidbits in
them which will be of interest. We don't seem
to get much gossip about Timex doings, into
our letter, for some reason.

Bill Heberlein, writing in the Sinclair
Milwaukee newsletter, reports that a Mr Tomex
Jr. has applied for bankruptcy and will be
free of debts after Feb 6th, 1989. His assets
are listed as .01 cent and debts as some $61
thousand. That will not mean much to most of
you. However for anyone who is waiting for an
order to be filled from Quantum Computing it
means bad news. That's really Quantum
Computing, a Timex dealer. Quantum Computing
were selling QL computers, among other things,
and if you have not received yours, you are
not likely to.

Anyway, if you have claim you can file it
with Jonathan Kohn, 1180 Raymond Blvd.,
Newark, NJ 07102-4107. Well, best forget it,
I'd say.

The Capitol Area Timex Sinclair club are
sponsoring a ComputerFest to be held on May
6th and 7th. Thats a Saturday and Sunday.
Actually it starts going with a Friday evening
banquet, I think. The Fest is being held in
Carrolton, Maryland. Admission is $5/one days
$7 for the two days. Accomodations are
possible at the Howard Johnson's at $62/day.

Some of you may remember the two dealers,
EZ KEY and F00TE SOFTWARE. They were strong
advertisers in the old SYNC magazine. I have
not heard much about them lately. However, RMG
ENTERPRISES have obtained the stock of these
two companies and will have the stuff ready
for sale as soon as they have inventoried it.
Anyone interesed might drop them a line. When
I look at old SYNC magazines I see that EZ KEY
specialized in keyboards for the TS1000, so
that might interest some of you. In looking at
some old TIME DESIGN magazines I see that
FOOTF wer*> offering printer interfaces, some
printers, some software, and copies of "The
Best of SUM" magazine compilation.

Another Timex dealer seems to have closed
shop. The Clackamas County newsletter, the
PLOTTER, reports that Knighted Computers was
sold to WMJ SYSTEMS, who will now have their
inventory. Knighted Computers offered quite a
large range of software and hardware, so there
may be things of interest at WMJ Systems, too.

WMJ DATA SYSTEMS
4 Butterfly Drive,
Hauppauge, N.Y. 11 788 USA

RMG ENTERPRISES
1419 1/2 7th Str.,
Oregon City, Oregon 97045
phone (503) 655 7^84

The same newsletter mentions that the
SINCWARE and QUANTUM LEVELS magazines have
combined and that a new issue is possibly in
the works.

Come to think about it, I have not seen a
TIME DESIGN magazine for months and months.
Does that mean that it is foundering also?

Tim Wood of the Vachon Island S/T club
reports that he has been appointed as the SNUG
LARKEN Disk PD librarian. Just recently we
received a request to exchange newsletters
with this group, so I shall inquire just what
this Larken library is about (I thought we had
the only Larken library!!)

I seem to have mentioned it once before
however I shall say it again. There is a BBS
in Toronto that has a Timex section on it. At
our last meeting One of our members mentioned
that he had uploaded some programs onto it. I
will have him upload some of the Larken
utilities that I have written. Any of you
modem enthusiasts might try it some time. It
is the PHOENIX. The phone number for this BBS
is (4l6) 458 5850. I must confess that I don't
have the information on how to access the
Timex section, but I suppose you old hands
will have no difficulty with that. You can ask
me for more information, I should have more
details later.

I ordered and have received some extra SRAM
chips for my RAMdisk. Say, the price on them
has shot up. Where a few months ago Bob
Mitchell bought some for his system for $13 US
and we thought the price was exorbitant the
price now is $18 US. Each, that is!!

To add to the aggravation I am going to have
to return them because they are not doing the
job. What I find is that they will not
reliably retain the programs when I shut off
the computer. I added a third AAA battery to
raise the voltage to 4 1/5 volts. This helped,
but I still get CRC errors after a day or so
when I do a Verify routine. Did I mention this
VERIFY routine before. It is an undocumented
routine in the Larken system. Enter the
command PRINT USR 100: VERIFY "" and the LKDOS
will work it's way through the drive you
happen to be pointing to, checking each track.
Any CRC errors it encounters will appear on
the screen.

I have started pondering how to remote my
keyboard from my computer. I think I would
like to get the computer proper and all it's
paraphernalia down under the desk, and have
just the keyboard on the top, along with the
monitor. Remoting the keyboard, I find is a
bit tricky. There does not seem to be much
written about this. I wonder why, is it not
practical. Should be though. I thought with
all this modern chip technology, anything was
possible. I mean easy!!

A local surplus store has been selling RGB
monitors off for $145. They are uncased, 14
inch size distributed in USA by Mitsubishi.
One of our members has bought one for use with
his QL. I have been helping him to get it
going. We have to make up an interconnect
cable. If we get it going, I must confess that

I am tempted to buy one for myself. Though why
I need a second one is beyond me. It's just
that I paid close to $600 in total for my
Sears RGB monitor several years ago, and I
cannot resist the bargain! ! Does that make
sense?

Had a bit of excitement around here a day
ago. A neighbour had a handbag stolen from he
car parked in the driveway. I am a
neighbourhood Watch block captian, so I
scouted around the area, talking to the
residents, and was able to recover most of the
money and some credit cards. The story of
course is much more involved than that, but
the culprit has been charged with the theft.
It was pleasing to have a satisfactory
outcome, I must say.

Now it * s back to mundane matters like
newsletters ! !

I bought an interesting item to hold my
Larken disks. It looks very much like an
oversized letter rack. About 5 1/2 by 4 1/2 by
8 1/2, I have placed it on top of my drive and
the disks rest vertically in the 'letter'
slots. It has 7 slots, each of them can hold
about 5 disks. It cost $6.75 at an office
stationary store. We know them in Toronto as
Grand & Toy. The disks are exposed to dust
etc., but I use the disks so much that it has
no real significance. Much handier than the
normal disk holders.

SAM's PhotoFacts has put out a set of
sheets on servicing the TS2068 computer. It is
identified as CC19 COMPUTERFACTS . I imagine
that the larger public libraries carry SAM's^
material and you can see it there. However, if
any of you are interested I can send it to
you. There are 17 large sheets to it. Some of
the more technically minded may be interested.

Am I up to date with my membership mailings.
I think I am. If you don't agree, drop a line
and let me know. I know I am behind in some of
my correspondance , but maybe I can get onto it
by the time I send out this newsletter.

I mentioned in the last letter that we
were discontinuing the club Box Number. Just a
reminder, it runs out sometime in March or
April. We are going to use my home address. It
got to be too much of a hassle going to pick
up the mail at a downtown Post Office.

Bill Harmer, a ZX81 enthusiast in Ottawa,
has sent me a preliminary draft of a document
he has been working on. It's subject is the
ZX81 and LARKEN. I deals with the ZX81 version
of the Larken disk system, and how to make
best use of it. I gave the copy to one of our
out of town members, Lou Champagne, to
critique. We shall return it to Bill Harmer
with our comments. I think it will be a
worthwhile manual for Larken enthusiasts of
the ZX81/TS100 stripe.

I received a postcard from a TOM PHILLIPS
2942 Christopher Road, Jacksonville, Florida
32217. He is offering a number of items for
sale on a first come, first serve basis. He
offers a QL, looks brand new, for $125i
plus $5. A TS2050 modem w/case, docs and
software, for $35. plus $3. A Mathewson
keyboard interface, and a 66-key Keytronics
keyboard. A TS2040 printer, 2 Tandon disk
drives, an 8K Hunter NVM board, a nine inch
monitor. And some other stuff. Drop him a
line, or you can call (904) 739 2580 after 6pm

I have inherited a copy of a portion of the
Spectrum manual. The part that I have seems to
cover a lot of the more advanced programming
possibilities of the Spectrum. More than was
covered in the TS2068 manual. There are 28
sheets, and I can get a copy for you if you
are interested in paying the postage, and the
copying cost of about 6 or 7 cents a page.

Also I have the same sort of a thing from
what is called the HACKER' s MANUAL. Full of
interesing but mostly useless tidbits of
information on hacking!!! Ask me if you are
interested.

Several clubs report that they have members
who have bought the Z88 computer, and there
have been how-to articles written in several
newsletters on it. If anyone is interested I
can make copies of these articles for you.

One of the items available commercially is
called a Z88 MacPack. It consists of a Z88
computer and a Z88 MacLink. It is said to be
an affordable way for Mackintosh owners to
transfer files from a Mackintosh so they can
be worked on in the Z88, then transferred back
to the Mac.

For you QL owners, one of our members is
prepared to repair the QL computer. Well, I
may a bit premature about this, but if you
have a problem why not drop him a line.
Schennelly Stoughton,
191 William St. , N.
Lindsay, Ont K9V 4B8.
This would be of particular interest to QL
owners living in Canada. Schennelly is
involved .workwise , in the installation &
servicing of satellite TV, and therefore seems
likely to be competent for this sort of work.

Members in the USA would probably prefer t
send defective units tot
Dan Elliott

Rt. //I Box 117
Cabool, MO 65689

Dan has been repairing all Timex units for
some time now, and I've heard no complaints,
and he seems reasonable.

I'll have to close off now. I've simply run
out of anything to say!! Don't say it!!

Sincerely ,

George Chambers

TORONTO TIMEXgSINCLAIR USERS CLUB
January 29, 1989

14 Richome Court
Scarborough, Ont.

Les Cottrell M1K 2Y1

108 River Heights Drive

Cocoa, FL 32922

Dear Les,

Received you disk the other day* I happened to have most
of the programs on the disk. But I did not have ALIEN 8* Also,
of course, the LOADER* BL program. Thank you very much for it.
Thank you also for the $10 which you sent to cover postage, etc.
I shall keep track of it.

I am enclosing a tape that has a great many games on it. in
addition to the games, on the far end of side B you will find a
program. I think I called "menu*.Bl", but I can't be sure. It is
a program which 1 have been working on recently* It is an
AUTOSTART menu program which would be very useful where there
are more programs on a disk than can be shown on a single menu
screen* It has quite a number of features, and I think I shall
publish it in our newsletter, so that I can go into more detail
about it's operation. But I think you could experiment with it
in the meantime..

I also enclose a list of other games tapes that I have, which
you can borrow, if you are into this sort of thing. 1 have a
great many others on disk, which are difficult to get onto tape*
'If this interests you I can send a list of them also.
1 guess you can see that my interest is not so much in playing
them as hacking them! !

Did I send you a copy of the utility called •bopeep.Bl"? 1
can't remember. It is a program which allows you to peek (and to
POKE) into NMI^type programs. Or any programs, for that matter*
Very useful to insert Game Pokes into Spectrum programs. Really
quite a novel approach, made possible by using the Larken
system. If you do not have it, let me know*

I am enclosing a version 3 LKDOS EPROM. You can use it while
you order one from Larry Kenny* It is an EPROM that Larry sent
initially, and we found a small bug in it. You will hardly
notice the bug* What it is is this; The LKDOS is supposed to
default to a ^character line, in fact, with this copy it
defaults to 65 lines. That means that if you want to print out a
TASWORD file, for example it will put 65?character lines out on
paper and look messy* Other than that, it works perfectly.
What you have to do is POKE the wanted 64 into the DOS. See the
instructions on making changes*

I do not really know how much Larry Kenny charges for his v3
LKDOS* I have seen figures in newsletters suggesting $10, others
mentioning $15* Without quoting me, try sending him a Postal
Money Order for $10, plus your old EPROM. I think that should do
»it. Well, maybe a couple of dollars extra for postage* Really,

it is a good thing and wall worth the money* You can return the
EPROM that I am sending you, when you get your copy back from
Larry* He may take some time to get back to you* Don't worry
about that, but when you do get it, 1 would appreciate a prompt
return so that some other member can use it in the same way*

Re your comments about the similarity of "doctor. Bl" and
Larry's Editor. They were developed independently* Funny though,
how you get used to your own way of doing things* i think mine
is the better one!!, and I'm sure Larry feels the same way about

his*

Actually, mine got it's start from a similar program written
for the ZX81 Larken interface, by a former club member* 1 took
the basic concept and adapted it to the 2068* THen I continued
to modify it with experience, so that by now there is very
little resemblance.

I see where you want to borrow a few tapes as well* 1 shall
put one or two in the package, so as to fill it up. Ask again,
in your next letter for more tapes*

Sincerely,

George Chambers

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