Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Path: utzoo!mnetor!seismo!rutgers!ucla-cs!sdcrdcf!burdvax!bpa!cbmvax!grr
From: grr@cbmvax.cbm.UUCP (George Robbins)
Newsgroups: comp.periphs,comp.sys.amiga
Subject: Re: Extending Amiga Keyboard Cable
Message-ID: <1221@cbmvax.cbmvax.cbm.UUCP>
Date: Sat, 10-Jan-87 19:12:44 EST
Article-I.D.: cbmvax.1221
Posted: Sat Jan 10 19:12:44 1987
Date-Received: Sun, 11-Jan-87 09:36:02 EST
References: <3692@sdcc3.ucsd.EDU> <1969@batcomputer.tn.cornell.edu>
Reply-To: grr@cbmvax.UUCP (George Robbins)
Organization: Commodore Technology, West Chester, PA
Lines: 37
Keywords: Keyboard
Xref: mnetor comp.periphs:129 comp.sys.amiga:1374

In article <1969@batcomputer.tn.cornell.edu> kagle@batcomputer.UUCP (Jonathan C. Kagle) writes:
>In article <3692@sdcc3.ucsd.EDU> ee173way@sdcc3.ucsd.edu.UUCP (John Schultz) writes:
>>Why can't I use a longer handset cable with my keyboard? 
>>I've tried 25 feet, then 12, haven't tried 6 yet.  Anyway, RKM says it
>>can be done, but using 25, or even 12 foot cables, the keyboard is
>
>	When I tried to do the same thing with my early-vintage Amiga, I had
>the same problem.  When I tried a colleague's Amiga keyboard with my Amiga
>and extended cable, everything worked.  On closer, inspection, there are at
>least three release versions of the Amiga keyboard- the two newest ones seem
>to work with extended cables.
>
>I am not sure that these external features would always correspond to the
>internal circuitry; perhaps someone at Commodore could enlighten us as to the
>exact serial numbers which had the old electronics?
>
>Jon

Well, there are only two significantly different keyboards for the Amiga.
The original is a little funny when multiple characters are pressed.  The
later version has improved pseudo rollover, and a deadman timer to reset
the keyboard if it hangs up due to static electricity or other distress.

Actually, I would guess that the older ones would be more tolerant of lower
voltages, but who knows!

Anyway, the big trick is to make sure that the cable you use has stranded
wire in it.  Real Bell telephone spiral cords, especially the handset ones
use a tinsel conductor that doesn't conduct power all that well.

The radio shack modular cable that comes in a real contains stranded wire,
but I've never tried it on an Amiga so no promises...

-- 
George Robbins - now working for,	uucp: {ihnp4|seismo|rutgers}!cbmvax!grr
but no way officially representing	arpa: cbmvax!grr@seismo.css.GOV
Commodore, Engineering Department	fone: 215-431-9255 (only by moonlite)