{"id":425,"date":"2025-07-18T14:20:19","date_gmt":"2025-07-18T04:20:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/trs-80.com.au\/?page_id=425"},"modified":"2026-08-12T13:32:29","modified_gmt":"2026-08-12T03:32:29","slug":"trs8bit-articles","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/trs-80.com.au\/index.php\/trs8bit-articles\/","title":{"rendered":"TRS8BIT Articles"},"content":{"rendered":"

TRS8Bit is a quarterly newsletter by Dusty from www.trs-80.org.uk<\/a> which I now write for.\u00a0\u00a0Here are the articles I have written thus far:<\/p>\r\n\r\n \n

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\n March 2022<\/a> <\/h2>\n
\n by<\/span> admin<\/a><\/span><\/span> <\/div>\n <\/header>\n\n \n \n
\n \n I talk about the power supplies which came with the Model III and 4 computers, why they were chosen by Tandy, and which ones are good and worth keeping and which are just not worth wasting time with.\n \n <\/div>\n\n \n \n<\/article>\n\n
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\n December 2021<\/a> <\/h2>\n
\n by<\/span> admin<\/a><\/span><\/span> <\/div>\n <\/header>\n\n \n \n
\n \n I do a quick repair and restoration of a Model 4 system supplied by a customer in only a couple of days, and I talk about repro Model III\/4 floppy controllers and serial interfaces I am now making, as well as the white-cable renew kits for Model III and Model…\n \n <\/div>\n\n \n \n<\/article>\n\n
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\n September 2021<\/a> <\/h2>\n
\n by<\/span> admin<\/a><\/span><\/span> <\/div>\n <\/header>\n\n \n \n
\n \n I talk about bus connector fatigue which affects some Model I\/III\/4\/P\/D computers and what can be done about it.\u00a0\u00a0I talk about a problem with my Model I heavy-duty power supply kits and how to fix it to operate properly. I also finish the Super-Micro II.\n \n <\/div>\n\n \n \n<\/article>\n\n
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\n June 2021<\/a> <\/h2>\n
\n by<\/span> admin<\/a><\/span><\/span> <\/div>\n <\/header>\n\n \n \n
\n \n I talk about how to fix video non-synchronisation problem which afflicts some Model 4 and 4P Non-Gate Array computers, Part 2 of Building the Super-Micro II, and adding extra floppy drives to a two-drive Model III or 4 which had a hard drive or FreHD.\n \n <\/div>\n\n \n \n<\/article>\n\n
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\n March 2021<\/a> <\/h2>\n
\n by<\/span> admin<\/a><\/span><\/span> <\/div>\n <\/header>\n\n \n \n
\n \n I start Building the Super-Micro II, a Model 4D with 4cellerator, hi-res graphics, and 3.5in disk drives.\u00a0\u00a0I talk about the Type-II HDA, the card needed to connect F48 to an 8in TRS-80, which is also needed to connect a primary hard drive to the same computers.\n \n <\/div>\n\n \n \n<\/article>\n\n
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\n December 2020<\/a> <\/h2>\n
\n by<\/span> admin<\/a><\/span><\/span> <\/div>\n <\/header>\n\n \n \n
\n \n I talk about new products for 2021: Alpha-Thing joystick interface for Model I, Goldplug-80 repro for the Model I, and F48 for the 8in TRS-80s, and RFI shield for 4cellerator.\u00a0\u00a0Part 5 (the last part) of the Model 4 mouse project.\n \n <\/div>\n\n \n \n<\/article>\n\n
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\n September 2020<\/a> <\/h2>\n
\n by<\/span> admin<\/a><\/span><\/span> <\/div>\n <\/header>\n\n \n \n
\n \n I talk about the 4cellerator I make and sell, it’s the repro of the XLR8er processor upgrade for the Model 4, and Part 4 of the Model 4 mouse project.\n \n <\/div>\n\n \n \n<\/article>\n\n
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\n June 2020<\/a> <\/h2>\n
\n by<\/span> admin<\/a><\/span><\/span> <\/div>\n <\/header>\n\n \n \n
\n \n I talk about the numerical keypads on the Model I, Part 3 of the Model 4 mouse project, and I talk about some complex upgrade projects.\n \n <\/div>\n\n \n \n<\/article>\n\n
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\n March 2020<\/a> <\/h2>\n
\n by<\/span> admin<\/a><\/span><\/span> <\/div>\n <\/header>\n\n \n \n
\n \n I continue my series on connecting a serial mouse to the Model 4\/4P, introduce a new Speed Up modification for the Model III “Sprinter III”, and I also release an Orchestra-85 music synthesizer for the Model I.\u00a0\u00a0I also get the Orchestra-90 working on a Model 4 with a FreHD.\n \n <\/div>\n\n \n \n<\/article>\n\n
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\n December 2019<\/a> <\/h2>\n
\n by<\/span> admin<\/a><\/span><\/span> <\/div>\n <\/header>\n\n \n \n
\n \n I talk about my visit to Tandy Assembly 2019, I review game software released in 2019 by Cat Mantra,\u00a0Nickolas\u00a0Marentes, Peter Cetinski and Jim McClellan, and I start a series on connecting a serial mouse to a Model 4.\n \n <\/div>\n\n \n \n<\/article>\n\n
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\n September 2019<\/a> <\/h2>\n
\n by<\/span> admin<\/a><\/span><\/span> <\/div>\n <\/header>\n\n \n \n
\n \n I talk about what I’ll be doing at Tandy Assembly 2019, introduce a new Speed Up modification for the Model I “Sprinter”, and I have a look back at the\u00a0Norcom\u00a0TC-III, which was a Model III upgrade for the Model I.\n \n <\/div>\n\n \n \n<\/article>\n\n
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\n June 2019<\/a> <\/h2>\n
\n by<\/span> admin<\/a><\/span><\/span> <\/div>\n <\/header>\n\n \n \n
\n \n I write about Tandy’s low-end and oddball printers like the Quick Printer I and II, Screen Printer, and TP-10.\u00a0\u00a0I release a Coco RS232 Pak repro, and discuss what is\/was NewDOS\/86 and NewDOS\/90.\n \n <\/div>\n\n \n \n<\/article>\n\n
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\n March 2019<\/a> <\/h2>\n
\n by<\/span> admin<\/a><\/span><\/span> <\/div>\n <\/header>\n\n \n \n
\n \n I write about Tandy’s early Colour printers like the CGP-115 and CGP-220, I explain how to build the 2019 Model I PSU, and I talk about F48 (FreHD) for the 8in TRS-80s.\n \n <\/div>\n\n \n \n<\/article>\n\n
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\n December 2018<\/a> <\/h2>\n
\n by<\/span> admin<\/a><\/span><\/span> <\/div>\n <\/header>\n\n \n \n
\n \n I write about my visit to Tandy Assembly 2018, TRS-80 Daisy Wheel printers, I update the 2013 Model I PSU project, and announce new products: M1 RS232 Kit, Orch-90 kit for the Model III\/4, and CC3 HDA.\n \n <\/div>\n\n \n \n<\/article>\n\n
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\n September 2018<\/a> <\/h2>\n
\n by<\/span> admin<\/a><\/span><\/span> <\/div>\n <\/header>\n\n \n \n
\n \n I write about the Line Printer VIII\/DMP-120\/DMP-200 printers, the DOM Card for the 8in TRS-80s, Extender cards for the 8in TRS-80s, and I talk about my up and coming visit to Tandy Assembly 2018.\n \n <\/div>\n\n \n \n<\/article>\n\n
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\n June 2018<\/a> <\/h2>\n
\n by<\/span> admin<\/a><\/span><\/span> <\/div>\n <\/header>\n\n \n \n
\n \n I write about the Line Printer VII\/DMP-100, talk about some new products like the Hans-05 and Bare Naked FreHD, and explain and help out with Model I screen wiggle.\n \n <\/div>\n\n \n \n<\/article>\n\n
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\n March 2018<\/a> <\/h2>\n
\n by<\/span> admin<\/a><\/span><\/span> <\/div>\n <\/header>\n\n \n \n
\n \n I write about using Coco disk drives on the Model I\/III\/4, Agriculture and the TRS-80 Model III\/4, and talk about the Line Printer VI\/DMP-400\/420.\n \n <\/div>\n\n \n \n<\/article>\n\n
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\n December 2017<\/a> <\/h2>\n
\n by<\/span> admin<\/a><\/span><\/span> <\/div>\n <\/header>\n\n \n \n
\n \n I write about my visit to Tandy Assembly, Part 2 of my article on lowercase on the Model I, Agriculture and the TRS-80 Model II, and talk about the Line Printer III\/V\/DMP-500.\n \n <\/div>\n\n \n \n<\/article>\n\n
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\n September 2017<\/a> <\/h2>\n
\n by<\/span> admin<\/a><\/span><\/span> <\/div>\n <\/header>\n\n \n \n
\n \n I write about lowercase characters on the Model I and mention a potential problem with U3 when building FreHD Kit Bs.\n \n <\/div>\n\n \n \n<\/article>\n\n
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\n June 2017<\/a> <\/h2>\n
\n by<\/span> admin<\/a><\/span><\/span> <\/div>\n <\/header>\n\n \n \n
\n \n I write about the PMC 50\/40 Interface used for connecting a System-80 to a Radio Shack Expansion Interface, how to repair a Model III or 4 keyboard which has been damaged in transit, and talk about the Line Printer II.\n \n <\/div>\n\n \n \n<\/article>\n\n
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\n March 2017<\/a> <\/h2>\n
\n by<\/span> admin<\/a><\/span><\/span> <\/div>\n <\/header>\n\n \n \n
\n \n I write about how to make a Printer Cable for the Model I\/III\/4\/4D\/4P\/1000, discuss making Mappa-1 work with the RS Double Density Adapter, and talk about the Line Printer I.\n \n <\/div>\n\n \n \n<\/article>\n\n
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\n December 2016<\/a> <\/h2>\n
\n by<\/span> admin<\/a><\/span><\/span> <\/div>\n <\/header>\n\n \n \n
\n \n I write about\u00a0Color\u00a0Computer disk drives, SOLE for the Model I and the\u00a0New_PERC\u00a0doubler, and how to install a FreHD Auto Boot\u00a0Eprom\u00a0into the Model 4P portable computer.\n \n <\/div>\n\n \n \n<\/article>\n\n
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\n September 2016<\/a> <\/h2>\n
\n by<\/span> admin<\/a><\/span><\/span> <\/div>\n <\/header>\n\n \n \n
\n \n I write about the long white-case\u00a0Color\u00a0Computers, how to repair your Model III\/4\/4P Serial port, and how to upgrade Model 4 Gate-Array and 4D computers with the Auto-boot FreHD\u00a0Eprom.\n \n <\/div>\n\n \n \n<\/article>\n\n
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\n June 2016<\/a> <\/h2>\n
\n by<\/span> admin<\/a><\/span><\/span> <\/div>\n <\/header>\n\n \n \n
\n \n I write about the Japanese Model Is, and talk about the new FreHD Clearly Superior series, I also update people on the biz.\n \n <\/div>\n\n \n \n<\/article>\n\n
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\n March 2016<\/a> <\/h2>\n
\n by<\/span> admin<\/a><\/span><\/span> <\/div>\n <\/header>\n\n \n \n
\n \n I write about Coco disk drive power transformers, Expansion Interfaces (part 1 of 2), the Mappa-1 CP\/M research tool for the Model I, and discuss facets of the business.\n \n <\/div>\n\n \n \n<\/article>\n\n
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\n December 2015<\/a> <\/h2>\n
\n by<\/span> admin<\/a><\/span><\/span> <\/div>\n <\/header>\n\n \n \n
\n \n I write about SOLE double density booting on the Model I, as well as discuss various high resolution programs for the Model 4, and talk about hi-res articles and program in 80micro magazine in the 80s.\n \n <\/div>\n\n \n \n<\/article>\n\n
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\n September 2015<\/a> <\/h2>\n
\n by<\/span> admin<\/a><\/span><\/span> <\/div>\n <\/header>\n\n \n \n
\n \n I write about the\u00a0Grafyx\u00a0Solution Hi-Res graphics boards for the Model III, 4 and 4P, and my new improved HRG boards available for purchase today.\n \n <\/div>\n\n \n \n<\/article>\n\n
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\n June 2015<\/a> <\/h2>\n
\n by<\/span> admin<\/a><\/span><\/span> <\/div>\n <\/header>\n\n \n \n
\n \n I write about using DSK\/DCT to make real floppy disks and discuss Radio Shack Hi-res boards for the TRS-80 Model II, III and 4.\n \n <\/div>\n\n \n \n<\/article>\n\n
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\n March 2015<\/a> <\/h2>\n
\n by<\/span> admin<\/a><\/span><\/span> <\/div>\n <\/header>\n\n \n \n
\n \n I write about making a small neat box for the FreHD to reside in, restore a TRS-80 Model 16B microcomputer, and answer questions about the Tandy TRS-80 Model 2000 Personal Computer.\n \n <\/div>\n\n \n \n<\/article>\n\n
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\n December 2014<\/a> <\/h2>\n
\n by<\/span> admin<\/a><\/span><\/span> <\/div>\n <\/header>\n\n \n \n
\n \n I write about setting up FreHD auto boot on the Model III and 4NGA, talk about the Model 4P Gate-Array motherboard, answer questions on the Model 4D, and install a Model III hi-res graphics board into a Model 4.\n \n <\/div>\n\n \n \n<\/article>\n\n
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\n September 2014<\/a> <\/h2>\n
\n by<\/span> admin<\/a><\/span><\/span> <\/div>\n <\/header>\n\n \n \n
\n \n I write about setting up FreHD auto boot on the Model I, talk about the Model 4 Gate-Array motherboard, present a Screen Saver for the Model 4, and answer questions on the Model 4P.\n \n <\/div>\n\n \n \n<\/article>\n\n
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\n June 2014<\/a> <\/h2>\n
\n by<\/span> admin<\/a><\/span><\/span> <\/div>\n <\/header>\n\n \n \n
\n \n I write about making a composite video cable for the Model I, how to install FreHD into a TRS-80 hard drive case, write new title graphics for the Dr Who Adventure, and answer questions on the Model I.\n \n <\/div>\n\n \n \n<\/article>\n\n
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\n March 2014<\/a> <\/h2>\n
\n by<\/span> admin<\/a><\/span><\/span> <\/div>\n <\/header>\n\n \n \n
\n \n I talk about building the FreHD Kit B, installing the FreHD into an external disk drive enclosure for the Model 1, write about the Dr Who Adventure game, and answer questions on the Model III.\n \n <\/div>\n\n \n \n<\/article>\n\n
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\n December 2013<\/a> <\/h2>\n
\n by<\/span> admin<\/a><\/span><\/span> <\/div>\n <\/header>\n\n \n \n
\n \n I talk about adding a Hard drive or FreHD to a Model 1, repair and answer questions on the Model 4.\n \n <\/div>\n\n \n \n<\/article>\n\n
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\n June 2013<\/a> <\/h2>\n
\n by<\/span> admin<\/a><\/span><\/span> <\/div>\n <\/header>\n\n \n \n
\n \n I talk about upgrading the hard drive with a newer, bigger MFM hard drive, and I discuss the Tandy TRS-80 Model 2000.\n \n <\/div>\n\n \n \n<\/article>\n\n
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\n March 2013<\/a> <\/h2>\n
\n by<\/span> admin<\/a><\/span><\/span> <\/div>\n <\/header>\n\n \n \n
\n \n I talk about how to set up your hard drive partitions using\u00a0RSHARDx, and I talk about fixing Model I RS232 boards.\n \n <\/div>\n\n \n \n<\/article>\n\n
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\n December 2012<\/a> <\/h2>\n
\n by<\/span> admin<\/a><\/span><\/span> <\/div>\n <\/header>\n\n \n \n
\n \n I talk about getting 5Mb and 15Mb hard drives ready for use again on TRS-80 Model III and 4.\n \n <\/div>\n\n \n \n<\/article>\n\n
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\n September 2012<\/a> <\/h2>\n
\n by<\/span> admin<\/a><\/span><\/span> <\/div>\n <\/header>\n\n \n \n
\n \n I talk about fitting hi-res graphics, RS232 and a simple speed up, and a hard drive to the Model 4 Super Micro.\n \n <\/div>\n\n \n \n<\/article>\n\n
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\n June 2012<\/a> <\/h2>\n
\n by<\/span> admin<\/a><\/span><\/span> <\/div>\n <\/header>\n\n \n \n
\n \n I talk about making 80-track bootable disks for LS-DOS, LDOS, and NEWDOS\/80 to boot on the Super Micro, and I also talk about TRS-80 Model I\/III\/4\/4P\/4D CRT tubes.\n \n <\/div>\n\n \n \n<\/article>\n\n
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\n March 2012<\/a> <\/h2>\n
\n by<\/span> admin<\/a><\/span><\/span> <\/div>\n <\/header>\n\n \n \n
\n \n I talk about adding 4 internal disk drives into the super micro, how I restored the Yass Service Station Model I and a solution to the problem of yellowed keys.\n \n <\/div>\n\n \n \n<\/article>\n\n
\n
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\n December 2011<\/a> <\/h2>\n
\n by<\/span> admin<\/a><\/span><\/span> <\/div>\n <\/header>\n\n \n \n
\n \n I talk about building the Model 4 “Super Micro”, and talk about a solution to the white cable dilemma with Model\u00a0IIIs\u00a0and 4s.\n \n <\/div>\n\n \n \n<\/article>\n\n
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\n September 2011<\/a> <\/h2>\n
\n by<\/span> admin<\/a><\/span><\/span> <\/div>\n <\/header>\n\n \n \n
\n \n I talk about fixing Model I computers  \n \n <\/div>\n\n \n \n<\/article>\n\n <\/div>\n<\/div> <\/div>\n \n \r\n\r\n\r\n

<\/p>\r\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

TRS8Bit is a quarterly newsletter by Dusty from www.trs-80.org.uk which I now write for.\u00a0\u00a0Here are the articles I have written thus far:<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_citadela_hide_page_title":"","_citadela_remove_header_space":"","_citadela_custom_class":"","_citadela_half_map_provider":"","_citadela_half_map_theme":"","_citadela_half_map_themeOSM":"","_citadela_half_map_customTheme":"","_citadela_half_map_dataType":"","_citadela_half_map_dynamicTrack":false,"_citadela_half_map_trackColor":"","_citadela_half_map_trackEndpointsColor":"","_citadela_half_map_filterCategory":"","_citadela_half_map_filterLocation":"","_citadela_half_map_filterFeatured":false,"_citadela_half_map_noDataBehavior":"empty-map","_citadela_half_map_noDataText":"","_citadela_half_map_clusterGridSize":80,"_citadela_header":false,"_citadela_header_over_content":false,"_citadela_header_text_color":"","_citadela_header_logo":[],"_citadela_header_bg_image":[],"_citadela_header_bg_position":[],"_citadela_header_bg_size":"","_citadela_header_bg_repeat":"","_citadela_header_bg_fixed":false,"_citadela_header_bg_color":"","_citadela_header_bg_image_overlay":"","_citadela_header_transparent_bg":false,"_citadela_content_width":"","_citadela_half_layout_position":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-425","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/trs-80.com.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/425","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/trs-80.com.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/trs-80.com.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/trs-80.com.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/trs-80.com.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=425"}],"version-history":[{"count":12,"href":"https:\/\/trs-80.com.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/425\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":919,"href":"https:\/\/trs-80.com.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/425\/revisions\/919"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/trs-80.com.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=425"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}