Pong is Alive

RE: Pong is Alive

HDCase — Sun, 04 Feb 2024 13:12:27 GMT

Hi Ralphjy, I'm trying to revive a commercial implementation of the same pong chip. I've never worked with Zener diodes before and this console has 6! Aside from the voltage, can you tell me the specs of your diodes. And do you know if there is tolerance in using the wrong ones?

RE: Pong is Alive

shabaz — Mon, 08 Jun 2020 13:10:26 GMT

Hi Ralph,

Interesting project! It will be great to see that AY.. chip operating again.

Incidentally, if those DIP sockets are very old, then there's a risk of them not making good contact. Even high quality connectors and sockets can make poor contact after a few decades of oxidisation.

It looks like you're getting outputs so maybe you're fine, but if you see any unexpected behavior, then it may be worthwhile checking each pin contact on the sockets with an ohmmeter.

RE: Pong is Alive

dubbie — Mon, 08 Jun 2020 09:42:06 GMT

It is encouraging to see that technology this old can still be brought back to life. I was intrigued by the wire wrap as I started in my design days using wire wrap, mainly because it didn't use a soldering iron or PCB. I made an 8088 based microcomputer using wirewrap and it worked, although sadly I no longer have it as it went to the great scrap heap in the sky when 8088s were replaced by PICs. You might struggle to find a composite monitor as most CRT based system seem to have been scrapped.

Dubbie

RE: Pong is Alive

jw0752 — Mon, 08 Jun 2020 03:00:37 GMT

Hi Ralph,

This looks like fun. Another cause of the blackening might have been storage. Some papers and other materials will have a small amount of sulfur compounds which can cause blackening. Even if the monitor proves to be a little challenge at least you have the key ingredient needed, someone who still knows how to play pong.

John