[Techtoolslist] Old test equipment kits...Alpha's IC tester.

[John Robertson]

John Robertson wrote:

> Dave Caroline wrote:

>> On Fri, Sep 7, 2012 at 9:03 PM, John Robertson <jrr at flippers.com> wrote:

>>  

>>> John Robertson wrote:

>>>    

>>>> I just received an interesting piece of late 80's technology. An

>>>> in-circuit Digital IC tester (kit). Made by Alpha it is a Z80 based 

>>>> tester

>>>> that clips over the IC in question and lets you know if it is working

>>>> correctly. I suspect it is not unlike the Bug-Trap (HP) Logic 

>>>> Comparator.

>>>> You need to key in the logic table for each IC that you wish to 

>>>> test (up to

>>>> 24 pin), and it stores these in non-volatile RAM.

>>>>

>>>> Seems to work and I shall post the manual, Eprom, and stored RAM 

>>>> (Dallas)

>>>> eventually to TTL's FTP.

>>>>

>>>> Originally published in Radio-Electronics in November and December 

>>>> 1987 as

>>>>       

>>

>> One has to ask, was the source in the article :)

>>

>> Dave Caroline

>>

>>   

>

> Ah, no, that would be 'easy' - the code was only in the battery backed 

> up RAM. (background sound of person kicking self around the room)

>

> It also appears that Mr. Green may have died - am checking with 

> another author who mentions a Bill Green from Radio-Electronics and 

> Popular Electronics as the 'late Bill Green'.

>

> John :-#(#

>

Unfortunately it has now been confirmed that Bill Green has died. I just 
received the following note in response to asking about Bill:

/Yep.. Bill is no longer with us.
I would be the only keeper of the grail...
However, I don't have one of those or the code./


So, now to find one of these machines that still works...right...

John :-#(#