Keelan Lightfoot wrote:
>
> For quite some time now I have been designing a computer that looks like a
> mainframe from the early 70s -- Many toggle switches and lamps,

snip---

> 2) Where could I get toggle switches with wide, long, flat actuators, like
> those used on the PDP/8? I am looking for switches that will line up nicley
> in a horizontal row. I would need to have switches that support ON/OFF,
> MOMENTARY/OFF and MOMENTARY/OFF/MOMENTARY positons. I would prefer switches
> with a contact for the OFF position too, so that I can use a flip-flop for
> debouncing, rather than loading down the PIC with debounce timing.

We threw out a PDP-8 front panel only about two years ago, you may find
these around still.
(or am I kidding myself, it may be like finding an intel 4004)

The PDP-40 is a rather nice front panel from a point of view of
imitating the flashing Address and Data bus of the 70's. I think this
would suit your needs if you can find one.

I have one, but I have it hooked up to a Z80 doing an imitation LED Data
and Address bus ripple, in much the same fashion as I dare say you wish
to do. I also would like to convert it to a single chip micro such as a
PICmicro, as my old z80 needs a bit of a kick start, 8255's and all that
on an old PCB.

I understand your preference for incandescent lamps, so the LED's would
be of much use anyway, but I think the switches should do the trick.

Don McKenzie  mailto:don@dontronics.com http://www.dontronics.com

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