17-08-2020, 02:01 PM
Yes, it was the 80186. Available for the B via an external box, but in the form of an internal PCB for the Master. Masters sold with this pre-installed were called "Master 512". We had one where I used to work, and it was offered to me before being thrown away, but I turned it down as I already had far too many BBC computers! With hindsight, I regret that from the collecting point of view, but it's not something I would have made much use of.
When I visited Lindos Electronics about a decade ago, they were still using a BBC Master to calibrate their LA100 audio analyser. There's still a lot of those around, despite being more than 35 years old, and indeed, Lindos still make them. The calibrate constants for each unit are held in EPROM along with the firmware, and the BBC Master is part of a jig that tests them. I don't know if they've moved to a PC-based system, but while the Master still works, and there's no short of them second-hand, then I guess there's nothing wrong with hanging on to the setup. The LA100 is based on a 6502, and the larger on-screen font is very much like the BBC's font. The serial port was originally on a 5-pin DIN socket, just like the BBC. You definitely get the impression they were fans of the BBC Micro.
I wonder if there are any others still in active service like that?
When I visited Lindos Electronics about a decade ago, they were still using a BBC Master to calibrate their LA100 audio analyser. There's still a lot of those around, despite being more than 35 years old, and indeed, Lindos still make them. The calibrate constants for each unit are held in EPROM along with the firmware, and the BBC Master is part of a jig that tests them. I don't know if they've moved to a PC-based system, but while the Master still works, and there's no short of them second-hand, then I guess there's nothing wrong with hanging on to the setup. The LA100 is based on a 6502, and the larger on-screen font is very much like the BBC's font. The serial port was originally on a 5-pin DIN socket, just like the BBC. You definitely get the impression they were fans of the BBC Micro.
I wonder if there are any others still in active service like that?
