Announcing and interest check: Integrated AirTalk for PowerBook 100 series

[twelvetone12]

I'm making progress in building all 5 units if people want to give them a try for the moment it works perfectly on the PowerBook 100 but not on the 150.

 

[okto]

This repo contains all my work until now: https://bitbucket.org/twelvetone12/portable_airtalk/ , and I'm attaching the current schematic. I'm working on the PCB layout so hopefully I can have a prototype soon.

Put this on GitHub so folks can find and collaborate on it more easily.

 

[twelvetone12]

yes! I'm planning to migrate all my stuff there.

 

[croissantking]

I’ll be interested in trying one of these in my PB165. I’m currently experimenting with the AirTalks that @cheesestraws gave me at the UK meetup.

 

[twelvetone12]

Super! I can send you one of the prototypes when I finish mounting it, but it will take a couple weeks as I will be travelling

 

[croissantking]

Super! I can send you one of the prototypes when I finish mounting it, but it will take a couple weeks as I will be travelling

Keep me posted!

 

[LaPorta]

How is this coming along?

Also, do you have a reference that gives the pinout of the slot that you are placing this into on the PB100? I want to try and compare it with the Portable modem slot.

 

[twelvetone12]

I made a google doc for easy reference since in the PB1xx app note the layout is all over the place: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1StBZ9lbX2UYzhX-RYuGAkNRwnrXkxBbJBdJ4ACP6s84/edit?usp=sharing
Then I found the same list here, page 493 (portable) and 502 (PB100) https://www.vintageapple.org/inside...for_the_Macintosh_Family_3rd_Edition_1992.pdf
The portable IIRC has the same connector but 18 vs 20 pin.
The board seems to work pretty well on my PB100, but my PB150 refuses to do localtalk on the modem port. I wanted to do some current measurements since somebody in another thread pointed out that the ESP can use up to 500mA (!!), and the numbers for current consumption I found on the internet are kinda all over the place, and I don't want to blow anybody's power regulation circuit

 

[micheledipaola]

I am specially interested in a Portable conversion

 

[twelvetone12]

I can try to make one for the portable (the pinout is basically the same) but you guys will need to test it as I don't have a portable!

 

[cheesestraws]

I can try to make one for the portable (the pinout is basically the same) but you guys will need to test it as I don't have a portable!

I do not think you will have trouble finding testing volunteers for this, somehow...

 

[twelvetone12]

Haha well I can surely make a board with the form factor and connector for the portable and see! It will just take me some time as I'm travelling in the next months, but since the schematic works it is only a question of remaking the layout.
I think I will move all the projects to github too, so it should be easier for people interested to look at them.

 

[micheledipaola]

I do not think you will have trouble finding testing volunteers for this, somehow...

Indeed!

 

[micheledipaola]

Haha well I can surely make a board with the form factor and connector for the portable and see! It will just take me some time as I'm travelling in the next months, but since the schematic works it is only a question of remaking the layout.
I think I will move all the projects to github too, so it should be easier for people interested to look at them.

Italy Milan area here, so if you are traveling south we might even meet and test it in person.

 

[LaPorta]

Yes, I will always happily "test" Portable cards

 

[twelvetone12]

Well I often go to Bologna so a stop in Milano is absolutely possible!

 

[twelvetone12]

Waiting for my new LT2USB boards to arrive, I had a bit of fun trying with the dimensions of a Portable card.
Is there anybody that has a read modem card to see if the dimensions are correct? The documentation is missing some, in particular the cutout at the bottom, and where the GND pads on the top should go.

 

[LaPorta]

I have a Portable modem card in storage....that is what you are looking for?

 

[twelvetone12]

Yes it is that! If I gave you a 1:1 drawing of the board, would you be able to see if the dimensions are right? Like connector position and cutout at the bottom.

 

[LaPorta]

Absolutely. If you send it over, I can check when I get a chance.