Category Archives: The Family

Sharp PC-1500 serial 100xxxxY one of the first ?

Just after Christmas my friend CGH was at home for a “PC-1500 day”.
We have talked, tinkered and exchanged some machines.
I’m proud to present you this one : the oldest PC-1500 i know !
(Except his one with a lower serial number)

Externally there is no change, it’s a PC-1500.
PC-1500-A01-1001_003 PC-1500-A01-1001_002

And on the back the only difference is the serial number :
PC-1500-A01-1001_001

But let’s opening the machine :
It’s strapped like a A01 ROM. Uh… these straps are white ! The first time i see one like this.
PC-1500-A01-1001_004

We can see on the SC613128 IC that it’s a A01 ROM.
The biggest white strap is mine, to repair a memory access problem.
Do you see the diodes on straps ? First time too…
PC-1500-A01-1001_006
PC-1500-A01-1001_005

Ok, more ?
The display board version is F2025, the oldest i know.
PC-1500-A01-1001_008

And the mode exciting, the CPU board !
There is no board revision !!!
PC-1500-A01-1001_007

If some of you have similar PC-1500, please, contact me to compare boards versions. 😉
And if you don’t have… this is a new quest !

BMC : The MC-12 (Part I)

This is MC-12A’s little brother in size and expandability.
It’s more compact and feel more robust.
BMC_MC-12_003

And it can be stored and used in the CE-150 case
BMC_MC-12_002

As you can see it’s not designed to be used without the CE-150. The main I/O are present.
BMC_MC-12_001
BMC_MC-12_004 BMC_MC-12_005
BMC_MC-12_006 BMC_MC-12_007

But there is no other I/O connectors except power ones.
BMC_MC-12_008

No V24 or digital I/O expansion port.
BMC_MC-12_009

Next time we will open the case 😉

BMC : The MC-12A (Part III)

Let’s go for the technical view.

You can first download this advert in german language :
BMC_MC-12A-Advert
Download advert

Data acquisition unit combined with BASIC pocket computer
• Comfortable operating system, so easy to program
• Standard programs for numerous applications
• Manufacturer support for new special programs
• Universally applicable (network and battery)
• Simultaneous data acquisition and conversion on 5 channels
• Multiple data processing and analysis
• Sturdy case with integrated system components (6.5 kg)
• Steel box or Standard 19″ case for stationary use
• Extremely cost-effective overall system

FunctionsInput/OutpusStorage
Digital Multimeter
Data recorder
Transient recorder
Functions generator
Data analyzer
Regulation / control unit
5 input channels
2 analog outputs
4 CMOS switch
2 output relays
24 pol. l / O port
V.24 interface
LCD display
Printer / Plotter
Oscilloscope
8 KB of internal RAM
32KB (max) prog
360KB tape

BMC : The MC-12A (Part II)

The BMC’s ROM is copyrighted RVS, Rasso Von Schlichtegroll !
This is a very good surprise, isn’t it ?

Then we have a very nice software to drive the BMC hardware.
The system brings us these new instructions :
MC-12A Basic instructions and codes

AUTORANGE (E384)INFUNCTION (E399)SCREEN (E381)
BUFFER (E363)LOADBUFFER (E3A6)SELECT (E3A9)
BUFLEN (E350)MCON (E38A)SETCOM (E3AF)
BUFINIT (E3A1)MCOFF (E38B)SETRANGE (E389)
BUFNUM (E351)MULTIMETER (E39B)SETTRIGGER (E395)
BUFREAD (E3A3)OUTCHA (E382)SETSCANTIME (E396)
BUFOPEN (E3A4)OUTSCREEN (E393)SETPREHIST (E397)
BUFWRITE (E3A5)PREHIST (E355)SETFUNCTION (E398)
BUFRANGE (E364)POSITION (E356)SLEEP (E39E)
CHA (E361)PLOT (E39A)TRIGGER (E354)
COM (E3AERANGE (E362)TRANSREC (E39C)
DBUFINIT (E3AB)RELAY (E39D)POSTLOAD (F0DC)
INCHA (E386)ROM# (E357)RVSLOAD (F0FB)
INIT (E390)SWITCH (E380)
INSCAN (E3AA)SCANTIME (E353)
Do you have the user manual ? This would help me a lot 😉

The last two (POSTLOAD, RVSLOAD) have special functions.
RVSLOAD loads a sample program originally stored in the ROM :
(Thanks to my new tools for the CE-158 with syntax highlighter)
RVSLOAD

But if you use POSTLOAD the program is bigger !
Download this program : MC-12A_Forth_Full.TXT

As a big bonus, here is the user manual for the FORTH language :
BMC_MC-12_Forth_001
Download this manual : BMC_MC-12_Forth.pdf

Next time we will discover the MC-12A technical side.
This will be a little boring but necessary.

CE-158 : Do you need some tool ?

Do you need some tool to use easily your CE-158 ?
My new software is now in BETA version and will be soon available.
COM158Beta0.1

Features ?
Communicate with your CE-158 using CSAVE, CSAVEM, CSAVEr, CSAVEa formats.
Application menu reflects your directories for .BAS and .BIN files.
Syntax editor with completion and code snippets.

Currently testing the BETA 0.1 and all works great.

Features to include ?
Data exchange with PRINT.
Basic decode routines when using CSAVE

Do you want some other features ?

BMC : The MC-12A (PartI)

The MC-12A, the most advanced acquisition tool.
As you can see, it fits perfectly with the PC-1500/CE-150 system.
BMC_MC-12A_002

What can this do ?
– Digital Multimeter -5V to +5V
– Data logger
– Transient
– Fonctions generator
– Data analyzer
– Regulation/Control unit

How can it communicate ?
– 5 input channels
– 2 analog outputs
– 4 CMOS switch
– 2 output relays
– 24 pol. l / O port
– V.24 interface
– 60 pins connector to PC-1500 or CE-150

It’s a strong tool, isn’t it ? It’s as wide as the CE-150.
BMC_MC-12A_001
BMC_MC-12A_004 BMC_MC-12A_005

The power supply adapter EA-150 is plugged directly in the MC-12A and is transferred to the CE-150 with a grey cable.
A very nice idea !
BMC_MC-12A_006

Removing the CE-150 is not really easy. You have to remove 2 screws and move the printer to separate it.
BMC_MC-12A_008 BMC_MC-12A_007

DO you see the white tube on the metal plate ? It goes directly to a hole under the CE-150.
BMC_MC-12A_009

Here is the CE-150 connector :
BMC_MC-12A_010

Now let’s opening the MC-12A and see inside.
There are some options installed. A really good thing ? All the ICs are on sockets ! Easy repairing…
BMC_MC-12A_011
There is a place on the left with corroded marks. It’s the battery.
The whole system can be used out of 110/220v ! You can take it and go on site.
BMC_MC-12A_017

Let’s open a bit more… there is a RAM and a ROM. Two sockets are unused for future extension.
BMC_MC-12A_012

The ROM IC will give you a really good surprise… stay tuned…

Sharp CE-158 : a few ones for sale

I have some of the rare CE-158 for sale.

Description :
– Used item.
– Last hardware version and clean boards.
– New battery pack 720mA/h (directly soldered because the connector was corroded)
– New power adapter 9v 1A, positive outside.
– New RS232C cable 9F/25M as described in my previous article
– Documentation can be downloaded here.
– No metal plates.

Prices :
With some light marks : 99 euro (must add shipping costs) (4 left)
– With some marks or scratches on the cover : 89 euro (must add shipping costs) (3 left)
With some lot of marks on the cover : 79 euro (must add shipping costs) (0 left)

Use the contact form…

Pictures of one with light marks :
EMI_1918

EMI_1917

EMI_1916

EMI_1915

EMI_1914