P.O. BOX 10281
NORFOLK, VIRGINIA
23513
MARCH/APPIL 1979
PUBLISHED ON-PAINY'SHEEKEWDS
Hello,
We got to play with the. new Voice Synthesizer (26-1180)
that is a little high at S399. But it works surprisingly
well and programming it doesn't appear to be too hard to
learn. Each phoneme . is .programmed separately and a simple
word like "zero" tlas as many" a i six phonemes: sss eee' ah
eh are oh. Combined'Thto-a word- i-t sounds very realistic
and complete sentences are -almost natural, not as halting
as expected.... The'mimeric keypad is now standard on new
TRS-80 's and older units can be upgraded with this
feature by ordering 26-1103 for $89. We added our own
last summer for only $7 and we will tell you how if you
send an SASE.... The Telephone Interface II (26-1171) is
a full answer and originate acoustic coupler for $199 and
we've seen it in action with a terminal program talking
to a big computer at a college.,.. We understand that new
Expansion Interfaces are being designed with a different
printed circuit board layout. They will include the
buffers added with the "pregnant" interface cable so it
will no longer be needed and the new layout yill reduce
other glitches discovered in the existing units.
Also from Radio Shack is a factory-authorized
modification to eliminate' cassette loading problems.
Incoming data pulses set a flip-flop which is reset by a
delayed count from the computer's timing chain. This
chops off the incoming data pulses into 150 nanosecond
slices that are automatically synchronized to the
computer and is immune to noise, distortion or amplitude
variations caused toy ground loops or dropouts due to
inconsistant oxide deposits on tape. It is a small
printed circuit board about one inch square containing
two IC's, two diodes and a resistor plus six flying leads
to connect to the main computer board. We have it
installed in one of our units and it works perfectly. We
have both Level I and Level II in our.. computer and almost
any tape can be loaded with any volume setting between 4
and 10 on our CTR-41. So we just leave it on 7 and forget
it. Ask for XRX-III and your local Radio Shack will have
it installed for $13. It's well worth it.
If any of you find errors in ANY Radio Shack manuals let
us know so we can spread the word. Even if it has already
been reported widely, we are compiling a list that will
be made available to anyone upon request and many newer
owners are unaware of errors reported before they bought
their units. The lates£*.j/e ' have is on page 75 of the
Editor Assembler manual (26-2002). In the left column at
RR(IY+d) change 00011110 IE to read 11111101 FD. We
confirmed that with the Zilog Z-80 Assembly Language
Programming Manual on page 187. The member who caught it
has been working on improvements to Editor Assembler that
can be made by changing a few bytes here and there. For
example, if you ever used "B" to exit to BASIC and then
tried to jump back you discovered it didn't work right
and had to be reloaded from tape. A 30-byte change
remedies this. Another 20-byte change allows you to jump
back and forth between Editor Assembler and a high memory
version of TBUG. For a copy of these changes" and more
send $1 for duplication .and postage.
We got one of the first TRS-80 ELECTRIC PENCIL'S (we're
using it for this letter) and think it's great. On the
tape following the .main-, program we recorded a short
dictionary of the words we have the most trouble spelling
like: peripheral, preferred, incidentally, and
exaggerated. Then, after loading the PENCIL, we just read
in the dictionary if we think we are going to need it.
For those of 'you waiting for ELECTRIC PENCIL on disk, it
is now available for $158 fro Michael Shrayef'Software,
1253 Vista Superba Drive, Glendale, CA 91205. It uses
some TRSDOS 2.1 routines; and comes on cassette which you
transfer to disk ,Th£ best %ewe is reglsieced owners of
the <ion-disk version can trade it in for an *8$f=crefcit
toward purchase of the disk version.... Small,, System
Software, Box 366, Newbury Park, CA 91320 also sells
ELECTRlCTENCtL'Vseve'ral machine language monitors, and
now, the famous-CP/M Operating System for $145.... CP/M
is also available for TRS-80's at $150 from FMG Corp.,
Box 16020, Ft. Worth, TX 76133 (817) 738-0251. Their ad
also mentions information about FOPTRAN and COBOL...,
TRS-80- FORTRAN and Z-80 development software is now
available for $350 from the same people who developed our
Level n BASIC. For a free overview write Microsoft,
1S*00 NE Eighth, Suite 819, Bellevue, WA 98004....
Percom, 318 Barnes, Garland, TX 75042 (800) 527-1592
(tpll free) sells a disk drive compatible with the TRS-80
for $399. One of our members who already had a Radio
Shack disk drive bought a/ Percom unit as a second drive.
He reports they work well together and the Percom seems
to be faster and quieter. It also allows the use of both
sides of the disk. However, he had to -buy an extender
cable because the electronics are in a different location
and the Radio Shack cable was too short to reach the plug
without leaving the cover off.
The marketing of TRS-80 compatible peripherals has been
slow while manufacturers have waited to see what standard
bus Radio Shack would use or develop. Well, they don't
seem tq be using or developing one. Their Expansion
Interface does not contain a motherboard and is merely a
universal interface of different kinds of connectors for
their own printers and disks plus sockets for memory and
an RS-232 board. It has a floppy disk controller and dual
cassette relays whether you want those features or not
and there is no room for anything else internal. Any
further expansion must be plugged into the single
expansion connector like the one on the back of the
keyboard unit.
So now several companies are developing true expansion
units with motherboards of common sockets. Some will use
the S-100 bus and others are developing a new bus. We
have the pin designations for a 44-pin bus that will be
used by at least three manufacturers which we will send
you upon request. You can expect to see more TPS-80
add-ons that will fit in these units pretty soon.
CREATIVE COMPUTING now has a monthly column devoted to
the TRS-80 and is an excellent source for new products.
Their March issue contains a good review of the TRS-80
floppy disk system compared to the MITS system....
KILOBAUD continues to have good TRS-80 articles. The
February issue has a nice index for the Level II
reference manual and the January and April issues have
articles on tape controllers including an automatic dual
cassette interface for Level I computers.... The third
issue of TRS-80 COMPUTING ($15 for 12 issues from CIE,
Box 158, San Luis Rey, CA 92068) received this week has 5
whole pages of TRS-80 software titles and sources
reprinted from Robert Elliot Purser's Reference List....
CHICATRUG is a dandy new newsletter with some good
programming hints from the Chicago TRS-80 User Group.
It's available for $9 a year from Emmanual B. Garcia t
Assoc, Apt. 2310, 3950 N. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL
60613.
Here we are in the new year and it is ooing so fast we
find ourselves oetting behind already. Our croup has
grown so large we've had to do Borne deep tKinking about
what new direction, if any, to proceed in. As
individuals, we can't afford the costs of mailing our
letters as we have been doing in the past and we don't
feel the world is ready for another TRS-80 newsletter to
subscribe to. So, finding some new volunteer help in the
local user group, we have decided to continue on a FREE
membership basis as long as there is an interest.
To help keep costs down we need to control our
circulation so we are asking you to become a "member" of
TCS by returning the enclosed registration form. That way
we are sure only TRS-80 owners INTERESTED in receiving
our free letters are on our list. There is no cost or
obligation and your name won't be sold to anyone else
unless you authorize it on the form. If you have been
receiving our letters but fail to return the form we will
keep your name but at the bottom of our list and you
won't hear from us nearly as often.
One of the ways we pay our costs is by mailing flyers for
companies selling TRS-80 related products. That's why we
need as many "members" as possible so we urge you to *make
copies of our registration form for your friends or just
send us their names and addresses so we can send them
one. Also, if you buy any of these products be sure to
let them know you got their flyer from TCS.
We are compiling a list of local and national user groups
that is updated monthly and is free upon request. Please
send us information on your group including the name and
address of a representative, meeting location, times and
dates, dues, etc. Inform your members about us and send
us a roster with addresses if possible. If your group
has a newsletter, feel free to reprint any information in
our letters that you wish. If you can include us on your
mailing list it would be appreciated. We'll make sure you
get all our letters and mention you frequently which
should be good for business.
Anyone writing for additional information should at least
send a self-addressed stamped envelope or, preferrably, a
dollar bill which would pay for a stamp and help pay
duplication costs. Thank you and have a nice day.
If TCS is new to you, let us introduce ourselves....
TCS MEMBER'S BULLETIN BOARD
We are small groups of TRS-80 users who have become r
larger group by establishing a network of communication.
We would like you to join us, either as a user group or
as an individual. We like to think that TCS stands for
TRS-80 COMPUTER SOCIETY but actually it is the acronym of
a computer services organization which supports our
goals, contributes to our efforts, and allows us the use
of their facillities.
We communicate with local user groups across the country
and share information. We support all the national
newsletters and user groups and encourage membership in
as many as you can afford. However, we feel there should
be at least one FREE group that has no purpose other than
serving the basic informational needs of most TPF-80
users without seriously competing with any other group.
It is our intention to:
* inform you of TPS-80 articles in computer
magazines so you can go buy the issue if
you didn't already see it
* comment on contents of user group newsletters
so you can tell what you're missing if you
don't subscribe to all of them
* inform you of sources of new products and
accessories available for the TRS-80
* inform you of errors in manuals and POP's
* provide whatever assistance we can, through
personal letters, in applications, programming
problems or interfacing
You will notice we do a lot of reporting without going
into "details" of things like hardware modifications and
software fixes. That can take up a lot of space which we
can't afford so we leave the bulk of it to user group
newsletters and outfits like TPS-80 COMPUTING and
SOETSIDE who can do a better job. But we will let you
know what they are doing and can provide details of some
things for those of you who want it and will send SASF's.
We are working on summaries of things like errors in
Radio Shack operating manuals, ROM's, modifications,
etc., and we'll announce them as they become available.
By the way, we need inputs for these.
We've provided personal assistance to fellow users since
late 1977 but, becoming aware of a continuing need, ve
have only formalized and intensified our efforts in the
past few months. Essentially, our service is FRFF. Ml
we ask is that you register with us so we know you want
to receive our letters. If you belono to a local user
group please send us a roster or make copies of our
registration form for your members so we can include them
in our mailings. This goes for anyone else you know of
who has a TRS-80.
SOFTWARE
SATTRK
An amateur radio operator satellite tracking program for
Oscar 7 and Oscar 8 adapted to the TRS-80. Level II 16K,
$5.00 - John Blair, 122 Dumont Pt., Norfolk, VA 23505
PRINT
A 225 byte machine language printer driver utility routine
that allows you to select number of characters per line,
lines per page, spaces between lines, head delay for
certain printers and generate form-feeds, if desired, when
using Level II printer commands. Specify 4K, 16K, 32K or
48K version, $5.00 - John Blair, 122 Dumont St., Norfolk
VA 23505
* DICE
A craps game demonstrates this sophisticated graphics
routine of rolling dice which can be incorporated into
your own game programs. Level I or II, 4K. $5.00 - TCS
* HAPPY
Single alphanumeric characters selected at random are
displayed in large block form for young children. When
matching key is pressed acknowledgement is given by
appearance of large, winking "happy face". Level II 16 K
$5.00 - TCS
* DOODLE P
First letters of commands left, right, up, down and angle
plus numerical length draws graphic patterns on display to
quickly evaluate ideas or entertain kids. Level I or II,
4K. Three versions included for $5.00 - TCS
* GRAPH
Utility subroutine that accepts keyboard entry of data and
displays 12 month vertical bar graph with scale
automatically calculated or selected by preset inputs. A
second version displays 24 months by offsetting two 12
month periods for comparisons. Starts with any month.
Level I or II, 4K. Both versions included for $5.00 -
TCS
* DEMO
A full lbK demonstrator to show off TRS-80 to friends.
Includes guessing game, random math problems with
automatic grading, price/quantity comparison for shopping,
and cost analysis using home insulation as example. Level
I or II, 16K, $5.00 - TCS
* WATER
Of interest to water systems engineers. Calculates open
channel flow (trapazoidal or circular cross-section) ,
normal flow, critical flow, normal depth, critical depth,
backwater or drawdown by direct step method, pressure pipe
flow (Darcy Weisbach) and multiple reservoir flow from or
to single junction. In 3 parts for Level I, 4K systems.
$5.00 - TCS
We can't afford to include everyone in every mailing so,
unless you represent a group, we rotate the names on our
list. We are attempting to reach more people each time
by raising additional money for printing and postage with
sales of software and cooperative mailing with
manufacturers. If you sell any TPS-80 related product or
service, please inform us so we can include you in an
index we are preparing. If you advertise by direct mail,
we can save you money mailing your flyers first class-.
Write for details and next mailing date. If you buy from
advertisements we send you please let them know TCS was
responsible.
In the next column of this sheet you will find individual
member's ads, a new service which we welcome anyone to
participate in. There is no charge for placina an ad.
If any sales result we would appreciate a small
percentage (you determine the amount) as a commission to
help pay future printing costs for this space. But
you're not obligated so send in a short ad for some
program or subroutine and see if anybody needs it.
You've got nothing to lose. If you need something, we
accept "want ads" also.
Almost all of the ads this time are from local people to
help kick off the ad column but next time we want to see
some from other people. If no address is given just
order through TCS. Pome items are ours and some we will
just take orders for. If more than one item marked with
an asterisk (*) is ordered, it will be contained on a
single cassette and their combined price may be reduced
25%.
If you have any questions, write. We'll answer.
CALENDAR
Creates 1979 wall calander on a printer having 10
characters/inch and 6 lines/inch. Features nude girl 28"
high formed by standard typewriter symbols. Level II 16K,
$10.00 - TCS
* BOWLAVG
Stores bowling scores on data tape and displays entire
season graphically. Also calculates series required to
increase average by one pin. Level II 4K, $5.00 - TCS
HARDWARE
BUFFER BOX ,
Connects in series with cassette recorder to prevent relay
failures in computer due to high current load. Also
provides pushbutton override control of recorder. $20 +
$2 postage - Art Bosshart, c/o TCS
PLUGS
Expansion port connectors for keyboard unit will accept
40-wire ribbon cable, $7.50 - TCS
RS-232 INTERFACE SCHEMATICS
For use without expansion unit. Indicate equipment to be
used. $5.00 - TCS
LEVEL I ROM'S
For those who wish tjhey had kept their ROM's when they had
Level II installed and now want both I and II in their
computer. $20.00 when available. Write TCS to put your
name on the waiting list. If you want to sell your ROM's,
let us know and we'll send you the name of a buyer. Please
indicate whether it is a one-chip or two-chip ROM set.
