LOAD-IT datassette reverse engineered.

e5frog

A guy at the Swedish forum commodore64.se had a hard time finding a Load-It datassette so I checked the interface out and drew it up so it can be built from scratch. Why not make all those datassettes more useful?

I checked eBay for parts and the LEDbar, and two IC:s can be found for about $10, if you're a home-tinker you may have most parts already.

Pictures of the LED-interface, holes in the case etc:
http://postimage.org/gallery/i4xf4to/9211f949/

Even if you don't make the knob (rod with threaded top and brass stopper ring) it can be handy with an indicator with the signal strength if you use a well fitting screw driver.
+5V, GND and signal are taken off the quad op amp AN6564 as can be seen here (red +5V, black GND, blue Signal):

Here's the little bugger:

Here's the mask if you want to make PCB:s at home (1200dpi), size is 42x37mm:

EagleCAD 6.2.0 drawing and schematic files can be supplied upon request, as I can't upload it here.

Rendered:

hedning · Mikie Joined: 31 Jan 2011 Age: 43 Posts: 579

Just great!

Mogwai · Posted: Wed Jul 18, 2012 8:15 am Post subject:

Wow. Very nice indeed... I am sorely tempted to convert a couple of datasettes.
Components/soldering/drilling are no problem for me, just have to find a way to make the (a!) PCB.
[edit] after taking a 2nd look, methinks using some off the shelf experiment board is a good alternative...

e5frog · Posted: Wed Jul 18, 2012 8:22 am Post subject:

Yes, experiment board will probably work fine if you just want to make one for yourself - and have alot of free time. Wink

There are a lot of places you can order a small PCB but it's a matter of cost of course.

Mogwai · Posted: Wed Jul 18, 2012 9:31 am Post subject:

Just did a quick search. When I order 10 PCB's drilled, greenmasked, they'll cost me about 6 euro's each including P&P.
Not a bad price, and the time saved will make up for the costs I guess!
[Edit]When going to a non-dutch provider I can get 100 boards for 70 euro. Guess I'll go there instead!

Oge_user · Posted: Wed Jul 18, 2012 9:43 am Post subject:

Thank you for sharing. The Load-IT would have helped me a lot back in the day as I was unable to perform Azimuth alignment back then.. Smile

Cheers,
Oge
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TNT · Posted: Wed Jul 18, 2012 9:54 am Post subject:

The strongest signal doesn't automatically mean the best signal, as we found out with many tapes during our turbotape dumping sessions.

e5frog · Posted: Wed Jul 18, 2012 9:58 am Post subject:

Nope, not always but the indicator is good to be able to decide which level you have though.

A datassette with a fixed head, never touched can also be a good alternative, with a LOAD-IT it's hard not to touch that knob every time you want to load something.

Send me a PM if you want the data files for EagleCAD or maybe even the Gerber files to send to the manufacturer.

d0c · Jumpman Joined: 12 Mar 2004 Posts: 3170 Location: Norway

awesome job! Cool

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commodore64.se

enthusi · Posted: Wed Jul 18, 2012 11:37 am Post subject:

Nicely done but graphical control on c64 via recorder justage or minimal head align is way superior in almost all aspects and should be the method of preference imho.
Only drawback, you need to launch such a tool on your c64 for alignment.
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groepaz · Usagi Yojimbo Joined: 13 Oct 2004 Posts: 6236

Quote:

graphical control on c64 via recorder justage or minimal head align is way superior in almost all aspects and should be the method of preference

word. i'd go even further and say that generally when you see a hardware thingy as the one above, you know that the guy doesnt really need it anyway =P once you really need to align a datasette properly, you'll be using one of the software solutions Smile

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?FORMULA TOO COMPLEX ERROR
READY.

Mogwai · Posted: Wed Jul 18, 2012 12:21 pm Post subject:

Agreed, but it does look nice.

e5frog · Posted: Wed Jul 18, 2012 12:24 pm Post subject:

I agree - if you want the best chance of a perfect alignment, use for example enthusi's software - it's great, I use it myself sometimes, with the LOAD-IT datassette, if I have troubles loading. Loading the alignment program from the 1541U-II speeds up the process quite a lot. I think I have only been missing a zoom feature, to see the last little difference between perfect and almost perfect, I think there was a C64S program for the PC that had that functionality...

Anyway, it was a great thing to have back then and I'm very happy with mine still, even if it's not the final solution it's usually enough.

Enthusi's alignment software, if you don't like hardware hacking:
https://csdb.dk/release/?id=45413
https://csdb.dk/release/?id=92762

If anyone still wants to be able to make adjustments directly, go right ahead and build yourself a clone. Wink

Would be great if there were similar drawings for other stuff.

I understand if the 1337 can do without this accessory. Wink

groepaz · Usagi Yojimbo Joined: 13 Oct 2004 Posts: 6236

Quote:

I understand if the 1337 can do without this accessory.

is has zero to do with "1337" - the software solution is easier and works better for *everyone* =P
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?FORMULA TOO COMPLEX ERROR
READY.

SkydivinGirl · Posted: Wed Jul 18, 2012 1:08 pm Post subject:

This is a neat little project! If you ever make boards then I would definitely like to get one or two. Smile

Heather