AC1
| AC1 | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer |
 depending on the components used
|
| Type | Home computers |
| publication | 1983 |
| End of production | 1990 |
| processor | U880 @ 0.6 MHz - 2 MHz |
| random access memory | 2 kB |
| graphic | 64 × 16 characters |
| Sound | - |
| Disk | Cassette, floppy disk |
| operating system | Monitor V3.1 |
The AC1 (abbreviation for "Amateur Computer 1") was a home computer kit project that was overseen by the house of the GDR radio club . The description of the 8-bit computer kit was first published in 1983 in the GDR magazine “ Funkamateur ”.
history
The AC1 was developed by the Technology Department of the Presidium of the Radio Club of the GDR in the early 1980s . The proposal for the basic structure of the computer came from Frank Heyder, whose concept was based on the U880 processor . The computer's first operating system also came from him .
Despite the scarcity of the corresponding components for the computer, the rush for the kit could be managed through the cooperation of various companies and private individuals , so that up to 5,000 devices were copied. In 1988 a version of the CP / M operating system was even released for the computer , which significantly increased the software selection for this computer. The majority of the replicas could not get a kit, but had to procure the components on their own initiative. The motherboard had to be plated through by hand.
In addition, the computer was copied by radio amateurs in particular , as it handled applications such as radio telex , telegraphy and log bookkeeping at amateur radio contests. The greatest upswing in replica came when the operating mode packet radio (based on the X.25 protocol; see AX.25 protocol) emerged among radio amateurs. The device was later expanded to include a full graphics system and floppy disk operation with a 256 KByte RAM card.
In terms of software, the LLC2 was largely compatible with the AC1.
Technology (1984)
- 64-K-DRAM
- 2-K character generator with pseudograph
- 2-K frame buffer
- 32 lines of 64 characters
- Magnetic tape connector, typewriter keyboard
literature
- Frank Heyder: Radio amateurs develop amateur computers AC 1. In: Radio amateurs, continuation series from issue 12/1983; ISSN 0016-2833 .