Electronics - RC2014Z80/RC2014 GitHub Wiki
Electronics
This page gives short context for RC2014 hardware. Buy kits and modules from the official shops; this wiki does not replace the product catalogue.
Where to buy
| Source | What you get |
|---|---|
| z80kits.com | Main store for RC2014 kits, modules, PCBs, and related stock |
| Tindie — Semachthemonkey | Spencer’s Tindie store (also used for RC2014 sales) |
| rc2014.co.uk — Modules | Module list, notes, and links to guides |
Stock and names change. Use the shops for price, availability, and current variants.
Kits (context)
z80kits.com groups products roughly as:
| Category | Role |
|---|---|
| Base kits | Complete or near-complete machines (for example Mini, Micro, Classic II, Pro, Zed lines) |
| Orton 3C and special editions | Named system packages |
| Core modules | CPU, clock, ROM, RAM, serial — the usual minimal computer |
| Expansion modules | Storage, video, sound, network, extra I/O |
| Backplanes and enclosures | Bus boards and cases |
| Bare PCBs / components | Build-your-own and spare parts |
| Tools and programmers | ROM writers and helpers |
Typical base systems are solder-it-yourself kits with through-hole parts. A simple machine might be clock + CPU + ROM + RAM + serial on a small backplane. Larger kits add pageable ROM, more RAM, CF/IDE, dual serial, and CP/M or RomWBW-ready layouts.
For marketing photos, BOM, and ordering, open z80kits.com or the Tindie store.
Modules (context)
Modules plug into the RC2014 backplane and share the bus. Common families (see the modules index for the live list):
| Family | Examples of function |
|---|---|
| CPU / clock | Z80 CPU, dual clock and reset |
| Memory | 32k/64k RAM, pageable ROM, 512k ROM + 512k RAM |
| Serial | ACIA 68B50, SIO/2, 16C550 / dual UART |
| Storage | Compact Flash, IDE hard drive, CH375 USB, SD-related modules |
| Video / terminal | Pi Pico / RP2040 VGA terminal, LCD driver |
| I/O and sound | Digital I/O, SID-Ulator / sound modules, prototype board |
| Support | TTL logic probe, RomWriter for flash ROMs |
Retired modules still appear in docs. Prefer the current modules index and shop before you design a build.
Design rules (short)
- 5 V TTL-style signalling on the standard bus
- 0.1″ headers for stacking modules
- Many boards expose jumpers and spare pads for options
- You can design your own boards with the public bus (see Appendix — module template)