SBC6120-RC: The look-alike PDP-8/E Panel "Reduced Cost"

 After the great success of the SBC6120/FP6120 combo there was a great interest of a re-issue of the boards but cost was a problem. So Bob decided to design a new version where the SBC logic was integrated onto the panel board to simplify the design and lower the cost. The result in 2011 was the SBC6120-RC. Again a successful project, unfortunately long sold out too.

My SBC6120-RC Basic

When much later I was planning to use one more of my HD6120 chips, Bob Armstrong sent me one of his SBC6120-RC prototype boards left over from his work. No GALs or other parts and no support (understandably). Then I got started building it (easy) and programming the GALs (not so easy). Experimented with several small programmer's from China and was successful with a G540 but only when using LATTICE chips.

The board appeared to work and as I had no front panel I made one using the mechanical drawing and a picture editor to produce the result shown here. Just white paper glued on a cardboard backing - a kind of basic version of the -RC. It uses a +5VDC "wall-wart" supply and the optional VT-6 terminal kit (because I still had a spare).

SBC6120-RC Rear View
My SBC6120-RC with full memory and VT-6 terminal kit from the rear.

SBC6120-RC Front View
My SBC6120-RC "basic" with its paper front panel (new picture in the works).