G80-1306 ANSI/VMS DEC LK201/LK401 compatible keyboard

[urbancamo]

Just a few pics of my keyboard...
It is compatible with a range of VAX processor based DEC workstations such as the VAXstation 4000/90 it's plugged into at the moment, and some of the earlier DEC Alpha based workstations/servers such as the DEC 3000/600 - 3000/900 series. It also works with VT300 series terminals and VT400 series. Eventually it was replaced by the LK461 and compatible keyboards that use a PS/2 mode 3 protocol, introduced around the 2nd generation Alpha workstations and the VT500 series of terminals.

'I don't know', 'I do know'


VMS Specific Editing Cluster


Compose key for creating characters not on the keyboard. For example the key sequence Compose L - produces the sterling character £


Keyboard and Mouse Breakout box. This cable has a DB15 connector which plugs in at the back of the box and provides a socket for both keyboard and mouse at the front of the VAX.


Hooked up to a VAXstation 4000/90

[scottc]

Beautiful keyboard. I recently got one and traded it to a friend so that he could use it in his VT320.

And nice VAXstation!

[Findecanor]

Nice keyboard.

Are there are any other keyboards made by Cherry that has a inverse-T arrow cluster on those rows? I think that it is more ergonomic to have them there than one row down as in the IBM Model M layout.

[scottc]

In this instance at least, it's just a straight copy of what DEC had on their LK201 and other terminal keyboards:



Not sure about any others with the cursor keys like that, though!

[urbancamo]

Nice keyboard.

Are there are any other keyboards made by Cherry that has a inverse-T arrow cluster on those rows? I think that it is more ergonomic to have them there than one row down as in the IBM Model M layout.

Do you know, crazy as it sounds, I've never noticed that row shift. I had to turn around and look at the 'keyboard wall' to check. I have a mixture of PC and DEC keyboards in 'the wall' and I was like, 'oh yeah, you're right'

Can't answer your question however...

[Muirium]

That row higher cursor cluster was quite common for a while. Wasn't the inverted T block DEC's invention? I agree it's a nicer place for it. Then along came IBM…

[nourathar]

that board seems to be in great shape for its age; I guess it must rather old ?

[urbancamo]

That row higher cursor cluster was quite common for a while. Wasn't the inverted T block DEC's invention? I agree it's a nicer place for it. Then along came IBM…

Yes, it was: http://www.wickensonline.co.uk/retro/ha ... ssues.html

[urbancamo]

that board seems to be in great shape for its age; I guess it must rather old ?

I don't know the exact age, but it's unlikely that it was made after 1990, and possibly a few years before. There were a few that came up BNIB in a group by a couple of years ago, but as desirable as they are the interface is non standard so I was able to get one new. I intend to thoroughly use it from this point on however!

Mark.

[dorkvader]

In this instance at least, it's just a straight copy of what DEC had on their LK201 and other terminal keyboards:
Not sure about any others with the cursor keys like that, though!

The cherry amiga 2000 kb had them:
http://deskthority.net/wiki/Cherry_G80-0904

[Findecanor]

The cherry amiga 2000 kb had them:
http://deskthority.net/wiki/Cherry_G80-0904

Thanks. I was an Amiga user but I forgot about that...

BTW. The rest of the full-sized Amiga keyboards did too.
The Atari ST keyboard had them one row even higher, inside a 3×3 cluster.

[Ascaii]

I've got something to contribute

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Ive actually got a NIB Cherry with a close layout as well, but i have yet to unpack the box with my NIBs from my move in December. Ill post those in here as well.

[urbancamo]

Hmmm... very nice - what sort of connector/protocol does this one handle?

[pasph]

[Ascaii]

Hmmm... very nice - what sort of connector/protocol does this one handle?

same as above, i think.

[Ascaii]

So I got something interesting today that is relevant:

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Anyone want to play a game and guess the switch and how the legends are made?

[Ascaii]

tektronik_2.jpg (338.04 KiB) Viewed 5350 times

Solution (someone in IRC guessed it)

Spoiler:

tektronik_3.jpg (215.72 KiB) Viewed 5350 times

[Daniel Beardsmore]

That's only half a solution ;-) The keycaps look dye sublimated to me, but it's hard to tell without getting a closer look to see how well-defined the edges are. Cherry also do pad printing with top surface coating that looks exactly like that.

The switch fits with existing discovered parameters, which is always reassuring. I was hoping someone would post this keyboard, as I knew it existed, but forgot to bookmark it and note down the details. Could I trouble you please with a rear label shot with the product details, so that I can add a stub page to the wiki about it and add it to the category I've been waiting to add this keyboard to for months? (I don't think it's quite the keyboard I remember, but it's the same switch series and the same layout.) Also, what manufacturer details are on the PCB?

[Ascaii]

Ill see if i can squeeze in the time for disassembly and more pics this week. Worst case send me a message to remind me in a few days

As for the printing...im not entirely sure myself. They look like dyesubs, even close up, but on some caps there seems to be residue that reminds me of pad printing process leftovers.

[Daniel Beardsmore]

Just a rear label shot on this page is all I need at the moment, to use as a reference; I'll leave the rest to you.