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Mounting the Keyboard

A project log for Sol-20 Reproduction

I am making a full sized Sol-20 reproduction, the first fully assembled microcomputer with a built-in keyboard and television output.

michael-gardiMichael Gardi 11/08/2021 at 21:320 Comments

I wired the keyboard up to the Raspberry Pi 4 I will be using to run the Sol-20 emulator. I did enough testing to ensure that all of the keys are working as expected. At first some of the keys were not responding, but with Dave's help I discovered I had missed installing a couple of jumpers and also I found a solder bridge that shouldn't have been there. When I was satisfied all was well I installed all of the keycaps. 

Using the finished keyboard I was able to refine the measurements for the keyboard cutouts in the front panel. I reprinted the panel with the changes in the "new" light blue filament and reinforced it as I had the first one.

I added some 1/2" x 1/2" wooded supports for the keyboard on the side frame positioned about 2mm below the top edge that the front panel will be resting on.

Using the printed front panel as a guide, I positioned the keyboard and locked it in place with four #6 x 5/8 inch wood screws.

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