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Re: PCBs received

Posted: Fri Feb 16, 2024 2:23 pm
by guibrush
Small question: what cable do you use to connect the controller to the Sorcerer?

EDIT
I just saw in another forum here this:
That’s correct. There is the write pre compensation setting which is only needed for 8” disks so not required to be set (WD test pad).

The data separator pulse duration (TG43 test pad) and VCO Frequency (DIRC test pad) need to be set with an oscilloscope.

Something like a PC based Hantek should be sufficient.
https://forum.vcfed.org/index.php?threa ... b.1246424/

I'm not sure to understand. Do I need to do some calibration if I use a gotek too?

Re: PCBs received

Posted: Sun Feb 18, 2024 12:29 am
by johnhalk
With the bill of materials spreadsheet on the file repository and GitHub - highly recommend that you also add IC sockets for all the ICs.
Removing soldered ICs for testing or replacement can be difficult so use IC sockets !

I have updated the bill of material in the file repository to include IC sockets.

http://exidysorcerer.net/?r=/download&p ... Lnhsc3g%3D


John Halk

Re: PCBs received

Posted: Sun Feb 18, 2024 12:34 am
by johnhalk
You need to crimp (small vice) 50 pin female edge (sorcerer) connector to 50 pin male idc header (Dreamdisk) using 50 pin ribbon cable.

The gotek is emulating a floppy drive so yes you still must perform the wd2793 calibration.
guibrush wrote: Fri Feb 16, 2024 2:23 pm Small question: what cable do you use to connect the controller to the Sorcerer?

EDIT
I just saw in another forum here this:
That’s correct. There is the write pre compensation setting which is only needed for 8” disks so not required to be set (WD test pad).

The data separator pulse duration (TG43 test pad) and VCO Frequency (DIRC test pad) need to be set with an oscilloscope.

Something like a PC based Hantek should be sufficient.
https://forum.vcfed.org/index.php?threa ... b.1246424/

I'm not sure to understand. Do I need to do some calibration if I use a gotek too?

Re: PCBs received

Posted: Sun Feb 18, 2024 3:05 pm
by guibrush
ouch, as I don't have an oscilloscope, it's out of my range unfortunately then. I'm afraid I will have to wait until a finished product is offered.

Re: PCBs received

Posted: Mon Feb 19, 2024 6:38 am
by johnhalk
guibrush wrote: Sun Feb 18, 2024 3:05 pm ouch, as I don't have an oscilloscope, it's out of my range unfortunately then. I'm afraid I will have to wait until a finished product is offered.

Hantek 6022BE

https://www.amazon.com.au/Hantek-Digita ... B07MLVY7DJ

Re: PCBs received

Posted: Mon Feb 19, 2024 10:15 am
by guibrush
yeah, but it doesn't come with the ability to use it :-) I'm not so skilled. I will se what I can do with some help here.

Re: PCBs received

Posted: Sat Feb 24, 2024 10:33 pm
by jltursan
If it helps, I learned to use an oscilloscope (Unit-T UT81B) calibrating WD2797 ICs. Not easy the first half hour, after that much easier... ;)

Re: PCBs received

Posted: Sun Feb 25, 2024 7:51 pm
by Abzman
Does the difference between the WD2797 and WD2793 matter for this build? I have one spare WD2797 is why I ask.

Re: PCBs received

Posted: Mon Feb 26, 2024 12:44 am
by johnhalk
I am not sure - you would need to test - but have a WD2793 on hand.

Re: PCBs received

Posted: Tue Mar 05, 2024 10:40 pm
by johnhalk
There is a good detailed write up in the stringy floppy manual on how to install and jumper 2716 EPROMs (for Scuamon FDC Dreamdisk) to replace standard monitor proms.

http://filebrowser.exidysorcerer.net/?r ... 51YWwucGRm