Rare Commodore Systems Found at Electronics Recycler
The 8-Bit Guy・20 minutes read
The narrator embarks on a road trip to Oklahoma City, discovering a variety of vintage electronics, including a Vic-20 and rare computing pieces like the KIM-1, sparking nostalgic memories and plans for donation and auction to benefit charity.
Insights
- The road trip from Fort Worth to Oklahoma City involves discovering various vintage electronics, including a Chem 1 similar to the Apple 1, showcasing a wide array of historically significant items.
- The narrator's journey not only involves finding and restoring vintage electronics but also highlights the importance of preserving technological artifacts through donations to museums and charity auctions, emphasizing the historical and educational value of these devices.
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Recent questions
What is the significance of the Vic-20 in industrial control systems?
The Vic-20 was commonly used in industrial control systems due to its affordability and suitability for such applications.
What sparked the narrator's interest in the VIC-20 device?
The narrator's interest in the VIC-20 was sparked by a childhood book featuring Commodore products, including the VIC-20.
What was the narrator's plan for the VIC-20s and the KIM-1 after the trip?
The narrator planned to donate the VIC-20s to museums and collections, with the KIM-1 going to a computer museum in Austin, while the rest would be auctioned off for a cancer charity.
What were some of the notable electronics discovered at Oklahoma Electronics Recycling?
Notable electronics found included a Wise keyboard, old MacBooks, iBooks, a Chem 1, a Hazeltine system, and Mauser Electronics bags.
What challenges did the narrator face when fitting the electronics into the car for the journey back to Texas?
The narrator encountered concerns about space and the squeaky styrofoam when fitting the electronics into the car for the return trip to Texas.
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Summary
00:00
"Road trip uncovers vintage electronics treasures"
- The road trip from Fort Worth to Oklahoma City is 221 miles, taking over three hours each way.
- Along the way, notable sights include a wind farm and multiple casinos, with gambling legal on Native American reservations.
- At Oklahoma Electronics Recycling, a variety of electronics are showcased, including synthesizer-related circuit boards and vintage keyboards.
- Among the finds are a Wise keyboard, old MacBooks, and iBooks now considered scrap.
- A Chem 1, akin to the Apple 1 of Commodore systems, is discovered, along with a Hazeltine system and Mauser Electronics bags.
- The journey back to Texas involves fitting the electronics into the car, with concerns about space and the squeaky styrofoam.
- Upon cleaning a Vic-20, yellowing is revealed, typical of aging plastic, but a significant improvement is made.
- The Vic-20 was commonly used for industrial control systems due to its affordability and suitability for such applications.
- A Vic-20 from an abandoned building in Oklahoma City, possibly used for audio editing, is powered on and found to be in stock condition.
- Various accessories and peripherals, including an EPROM programmer and audio interfaces, are discovered among the electronics.
13:52
"Childhood book inspires VIC-20 restoration"
- The narrator recalls a book from their childhood that featured Commodore products, including the VIC-20, sparking their interest in the device.
- They test two VIC-20 boards, finding one dead due to missing RAM chips, but successfully getting the other to work by adding spare RAM chips.
- The narrator discusses a rare computing piece, the KIM-1, expressing uncertainty about its functionality and considering whether it's worth restoring.
- They plan to donate the VIC-20s to various museums and collections, with the KIM-1 going to a computer museum in Austin, while the rest will be auctioned off for a cancer charity.
