Date   : Tue, 05 Nov 2002 17:45:57 +0000
From   : Mike Tomlinson <mike@...>
Subject: Re: Econet circuitry

In article <8F55B1918087D4118BCB00508B0CCEBB04888CD4@...>,
Saddler, Chris <chris.saddler@...> writes

>Is it feasible to consider upgrading an existing Model B mainboard by adding
>the components which make up the econet interface?

Yes.  Acorn's official Econet Upgrade kit included the instructions and
all the parts required to do this. It also contained the details of
modifications required to the earlier issue boards to make the kit work.
Not the most fun job to do (you had to be very careful you were fitting
the right resistors into the right places.)

I had a look at Mark Usher's Beeb Documentation Project site at
www.bbcdocs.com to see if the upgrade fitting kit manual is there, but
it doesn't seem to be.  Perhaps someone will jump in with an offer.

>Are all of the components
>easily available

Would have thought you'd find the 68B54 ADLC and the 75159 line driver
hard to get hold of now.  I don't think they have been in production for
several years.  If you do go ahead, be sure to fit a socket for the line
driver chip, as the failure rate of this component is high.

There must be loads of Beebs still around with Econet fitted.  I'd
suggest it would be easier to find one with the kit already fitted.

Mike

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