TashTalk USB

[Bolacore]

Based on Tashtari's Pi Hat I've put together a USB-to-TashTalk board based on a CP2102N and a full-duplex transceiver so it works with or without a LocalTalk dongle.

The goal of this is to make it trivial to plug in and transfer files between any classic Mac with a LocalTalk port and a modern Mac/Linux/Windows machine via the software stack I've been developing here: https://68kmla.org/bb/threads/fun-with-userspace-appletalk.51616/. It should also work with any existing TashTalk software as well since it uses an unmodified TashTalk firmware.


The schematics and board files are available on GitHub here: https://github.com/FeralFirmware/TailTalk/tree/main/TashTalkUSB, along with the software I am making for it.

I have a little GUI for controlling the server now that is just about ready for trials for Linux and Mac users too. Windows will come a bit later as well. It can serve up an AFP 1.0 - 2.1 compatible file share via EtherTalk or LocalTalk via TashTalk based on a chosen folder of your machine.



I have one more board run I need to do for the final version as I had a silly mistake on this first run (It works, but required some trace cutting and bodges since I failed to check the DIN-8 pinout properly), but the first 10 I will be fixing up and handing out for people to try. Let me know if you are interested!

 

[akator70]

Count me in, please.

 

[Iesca]

Yes please!

 

[slomacuser]

I am interested too

 

[admkenshin]

I am also interested!

 

[GondolinOnMyMind]

And my axe! Well not, but I’m interested. This is very neat idea and I wonder why it has not been thought before.

 

[CptnCodon]

Neat! I'd be interested too.

 

[Bolacore]

Perfect then! I should have most of the boards modded this weekend and ready for the post next week, for those who dont mind a bit of bodge wire and hot glue on their Rev 0 boards And will be doing another run here after these ones run out.

 

[Bolacore]

First 3 modded ones are tested and ready to go in the post. Shoot me a DM if you’re up for the prototype ones! Will be ordering the next (bodge free) round this week as well.

 

[fatbits]

I saw your post for the USB-AppleTalk board over on Reddit and I am soooo interested!

 

[jdabney]

I also saw your post of Reddit and I am also very interested!

 

[Durosity]

Very cool! Definitely something of interest!

 

[Dijital]

Count me in!

 

[canuckclassicii]

I’d happy purchase 10 units… I’ve been looking for something like this…

 

[Bolacore]

Whoa, glad to see the interest! The first run was ~$36 per board at cost, so I’m hoping with a bigger run of 20-30 and some better component choices I can get it closer to $25. Probably 2-ish weeks for them to come in.

 

[NJRoadfan]

I don't need another TashTalk per se, but I could use one for development purposes for A2SERVER. Any dev info, like the type of device it appears as helps.

 

[Bolacore]

The full schematics are available here if you were curious: https://github.com/FeralFirmware/TailTalk/tree/main/TashTalkUSB

But it uses a CP2102N so should appear like a regular serial port on every OS (I think all the major ones have support for it OOTB). Only note is it needs CTS enabled just like a regular TashTalk.

 

[RetroViator]

This is a great idea. I’d love one when you’re ready.

 

[Bolacore]

Sorry for the delay to all who messaged me - Lost a well loved pet at the start of the week so haven't come back to this til now. Fixed revision should be going off to fab tomorrow and is looking to be closer to $14 at cost for a run of 30 which is quite a nice drop in price. Will be getting the prototype ones shipped off tomorrow/Saturday.