Would it be possible to build a micr processor controlled simulator for a coin line payphone? I mean to do what the CO would have done? I imagine it would be costly. Or should one just live with a COCOT board?
There are circuits available that do it with some transistors, a couple of relays and and a handful of resistors and capacitors. However, you need to start with a complete payphone that includes the coin relay.
Some circuits are simple and simply always collect or refund the coin when the phone is hung up. Others contain a timing circuit that simulate the action, and will collect a coin if the duration of the call is greater than about 20 seconds or return the coin if under that time. The reason for the timing circuit and the simulation is because these days there is no supervisory signal on a regular phone line that signals when the called party has answered. Pay phones used to be connected to a special pay phone line at the central office that was made especially for pay phones. These days we can only simulate.
Why not use an analogue telephone adapter that has either polarity reversal on answer or metering pulse generation to provide answer detection? Also if you have a postpay phone all it needs is polarity reversal on answer, ie it dose not need the ability to collect or return coins.
Also many phone companies (at least in the USA) still provide "coin lines" for dumb pay phones although that can be somewhat expensive, and i'm not sure if they would provide it to a residential customer
It is not easy to get the signal telling the controller what to do, and when. It is some on the market, controlled by timers, sometimes by line reversal etc. My home-made unit detects polarity reversal from the ATA, and collects or return on hangup depending on callee did answer or not. Still, I have no time limit, and you may call any number not blocked by my dial plan on the PAP2T. (I have put up a maximum call timer at the Callcentric account)
For North America I just have used this dial plan: All numbers are dialed 1+10 digits, and I believe this setup excludes the expensive numbers.
(12[1-3,5]xxxxxxxxS0|124[0,8,9]xxxxxxxS0|126[2,7,9]xxxxxxxS0|127xxxxxxxxS0|128[1,3,9]xxxxxxxS0|13[0,1-3,6-9]xxxxxxxS0|134[0,3,6,7]xxxxxxxS0|135[1,2]xxxxxxxS0|14[0,1-3]xxxxxxxxS0|144[0,2,3,7]xxxxxxxS0|1450xxxxxxxS0|1458xxxxxxxS0|14(6-8]xxxxxxxxS0|15[0,1,2]xxxxxxxxS0|153[0,1,4,9]xxxxxxxS0|154[0,1,8]xxxxxxxS0|155[1,7,9]xxxxxxxS0|156[1-4,7]xxxxxxxS0|157xxxxxxxxS0|158[0,1,5-7]xxxxxxxS0|16[0,1-3]xxxxxxxxS0|164[6,7]xxxxxxxS0|165[0,7,9]xxxxxxxS0|166[0,1,2,7,9]xxxxxxxS0|167[0,1,8,9]xxxxxxxS0|168xxxxxxxxS0|17[0,1]xxxxxxxxS0|172[0,4-7]xxxxxxxS0|173[0,1,2,4,7]xxxxxxxS0|174[0,7]xxxxxxxS0|176[0,2,3,5,9]xxxxxxxS0|177xxxxxxxxS0|178[0,1,2,5-7]xxxxxxxS0|180[0,2-9]xxxxxxxS0|182[5,8]xxxxxxxS0|183[0,1,2]xxxxxxxS0|184[3,5,7,8]xxxxxxxS0|185[0,6,6-9]xxxxxxxS0|186[0,2-5,7]xxxxxxxS0|187[0,2,3,8]xxxxxxxS0|19[0,1-4]xxxxxxxxS0|195[1-9]xxxxxxxS0|19[7-9]xxxxxxxxS0)
http://tinyurl.com/o964d3b
dsk
Stan (Gray-Western) has a newer coin controller check it out...
http://www.ebay.com/itm/A-Coin-Controller-For-Your-Antique-3-Slot-Payphone-/301451041227?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item462fe1d9cb
Don't be scared by the price it's worth the money and made very professionally.
JohnnyJT 8)
Maybe he should double his line and come up with a reliable pulse to tone converter. Shouldn't be too hard for him, I wouldn't think.
Quote from: johnnyjt on December 24, 2014, 01:41:55 PM
Stan (Gray-Western) has a newer coin controller check it out...
http://www.ebay.com/itm/A-Coin-Controller-For-Your-Antique-3-Slot-Payphone-/301451041227?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item462fe1d9cb
Don't be scared by the price it's worth the money and made very professionally.
JohnnyJT 8)
JohnnyJT ,
I agree with you. I have bought two of Stan's controllers for my Western Electric 236G's within the past few months. They work great, are easy to hook up and Stan is fantastic to deal with. I leave mine plugged in all the time and they work like a charm. I definitely will be purchasing more from Stan in the near future.
Omniphone payphone controller.
Looks like a payphone controller was actually made for use by psp's I assume this is what you mean by omniphone payphone controller? The question is where would you acquire one
http://web.archive.org/web/20070527181352/http://www.omniphoneinc.com/Download.html
On the page that I linked click "save like as" to get the product information as a pdf
I have some new old stock,I have them stored, I need to break one out and see if they fire up in some kind of default mode. I also need to look around for the software. I know some foks that used to run these things. They were really cool they could be used on a rotary or TT payphone,they read coin tones and did the whole reverse battery thing. They worked just like a Bell CO coin trunk. They could also be programmed to provide service for a charge-A-call and take credit cards. I was able upon closing out of CBT's payphone department to buy up a lot of there remaining payphone stuff. I have it stored in shipping containers. The phone company I own still provides payphone service but the core phone business is inmate phones. I run protel payphones now. W/E type and GTE type. Protel 8000,7000,310 And 2000. I also managed to acquire protel Acension.
If you could get them working I would like to purchase one.
Extremely interesting, I would like one too.
I guess I already are the only one i the entire Norway who has an AE 120B (http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=11846.0)payphone who collects money the right way, but only once, If this will work it may collect more on longer calls. ;D
dsk
Here are pictures of the controller.
More Pics
It requires software and rate file.
Very interesting! Please, tell us more, as time permits.
Best regards!
I have found the payphone controller software for omniphone payphone controller. I still have to pick it up and see if it works. It is called Phone tracker. Jim
My Omniphone Coin Pro and software arrived yesterday from Jim. Certainly looks interesting.
According to the software manual it appears that a rate table can be developed using the software, I haven't been able to run the software yet, as it requires not only an older computer with an RS-232 portand a modem, but also Win XP, and enough space to install both Windows .NET 1.1 and the management software itself. It looks as though whatever machine i use will need to have at least 100 megabytes of disk space.
I did try one laptop I have yesterday, but with both the .NET and the software installed, it wouldn't have had enough disk space. It may be a while before I get a chance t set it up, but I will report on it as I do!
Jim, don't forget to let me know what I owe you for postage. I will al so need your PP address to send it!
Update 2:
Update 2! I found another Toshiba laptop here with XP, a good size HD on it, and today set up first, Microsoft .NET Framework 1.1, then SQL Server on it, and finally got Phonetracker running. I will have to learn how to use the program, but it looks as though it will be a success - once I wade through the tone of information in the manual!
One of the tricky things about the installation, is it exits the setup program several times, first when it detects that it needs Net 1.1, and you need to download and install NET 1.1. Then, restarting the install program, Windows installs the SQL Server, once again exiting setup. Once that is done, you re-enter setup, and confirm that the SQL server is up and running, and finally it goes through all the other steps of the installation. You then have to create a database for the CoinPro setup.
Great work, Dave!
Thanks for being out there on the cutting edge, blazing a trail for me!(and others)
Am looking forward to see how it works, it's already the start of a great tutorial that is sticky-worthy.
Hope all is well there in PEI for you both, best regards from KS!
PS: Of steadily increasing value to me, since my payphone collection just gained a 3rd from ePay! ;D More on My Collection page, hopefully later tonight... ;)
Bonedaddy
Quote from: Mr. Bones on November 19, 2015, 09:11:21 PM
Great work, Dave!
Thanks for being out there on the cutting edge, blazing a trail for me!(and others)
Am looking forward to see how it works, it's already the start of a great tutorial that is sticky-worthy.
It will take a while to get familiar with the program, and to set up the correct files for the coin pro. The program manual is over 400 pages, but the bulk of the information on CoinPro programming is in section 10 of the manual, showing how to set up data files, SMDR, etc. etc. and other options.
Then one has to call into the telephone and the CoinPro unit via the model to update the information in the controller. So, as I discover more, I will share it both here, and on my Museum FB page. Hopefully, we will come up with a "magic" combination which will work for everyone. But for now, lots of reading, setting up rate tables, etc., something I have never done before.
But a major obstacle is now out of the way, getting the software operational!
Dave
Hey Dave,
Have you made any breakthroughs with the Omniphone Coin Pro unit? The "COCOT in a box" functionality to couple with dumb phones is quite intriguing.
Sorry, nothing new!
Quote from: mentalstampede on May 25, 2017, 03:19:33 PM
Hey Dave,
Have you made any breakthroughs with the Omniphone Coin Pro unit? The "COCOT in a box" functionality to couple with dumb phones is quite intriguing.
I have one of these Omniphone Coin Pro units but didn't know how it worked as I have no manual. Is there one available?
Quote from: Stubbypylon on May 25, 2017, 06:01:46 PM
I have one of these Omniphone Coin Pro units but didn't know how it worked as I have no manual. Is there one available?
CoinPro field installation guide:
Quote from: DavePEI on May 25, 2017, 08:08:32 PM
CoinPro field installation guide:
What about the software to set it up? Where is that available?
Quote from: Alex G. Bell on May 25, 2017, 11:39:32 PM
What about the software to set it up? Where is that available?
Ahh, therein lies the problem. The original software was very well copy protected, and each copy had its own serial number is keyed to the individual CD. Rate tables are no longer available for it, so despite how great the features are/were, there appears to be no where to get it working.
Dave
Quote from: DavePEI on May 26, 2017, 12:01:53 AM
Ahh, therein lies the problem. The original software was very well copy protected, and each copy had its own serial number is keyed to the individual CD. Rate tables are no longer available for it, so despite how great the features are/were, there appears to be no where to get it working.
Dave
How about without rate tables as just a simple controller to enforce a deposit and dispose of the coin at the end of the call?
How many are there in private hands (Jim's stock) available for potential use by hobbyists? I wonder whether there are enough to justify the effort of trying to hack the firmware. What CPU/MCU runs it? How much EPROM is there?
Quote from: Alex G. Bell on May 26, 2017, 12:15:07 AM
How about without rate tables as just a simple controller to enforce a deposit and dispose of the coin at the end of the call?
How many are there in private hands (Jim's stock) available for potential use by hobbyists? I wonder whether there are enough to justify the effort of trying to hack the firmware. What CPU/MCU runs it? How much EPROM is there?
It would still require a rate table for even that use. That portion of its programming is controlled by the rate table. Alas, we can't even find a copy of any old rate table for it to be able to disassemble it to modify it. One needs to have the correct format before much can be done.
Yes, if one had the ability to read the code in the eprom, one might be able to come up with a kluge which would allow it to work. How many are around? You would have to ask Jim. I still hope to get mine running, if I ever get the time.
Dave
Quote from: DavePEI on May 26, 2017, 12:34:26 AM
It would still require a rate table for even that use. That portion of its programming is controlled by the rate table. Alas, we can't even find a copy of any old rate table for it to be able to disassemble it to modify it. One needs to have the correct format before much can be done.
Yes, if one had the ability to read the code in the eprom, one might be able to come up with a kluge which would allow it to work. How many are around? You would have to ask Jim. I still hope to get mine running, if I ever get the time.
Dave
Maybe Jim will see this and reply.
What EPROM and CPU/MCU are in it?
Quote from: Alex G. Bell on May 26, 2017, 12:44:13 AM
Maybe Jim will see this and reply.
What EPROM and CPU/MCU are in it?
I would have told you, but I can't. I have not opened up the unit yet and don't intend to (at least not yet) I do not want to take any chance of damaging it. I have been hoping to find a rate table for any area at all to see if I can customize it and do it the correct way.
Dave
Quote from: DavePEI on May 26, 2017, 12:50:12 AM
I would have told you, but I can't. I have not opened up the unit yet and don't intend to (at least not yet) I do not want to take any chance of damaging it. I have been hoping to find a rate table for any area at all to see if I can customize it and do it the correct way.
Dave
Got it. If you had said that I would not have asked a second time.
Thank you Dave for the installation guide!
Dave/Jim,
I pulled out my Omnipro which has been boxed and shelved for many years. Regarding the software and rate tables, I have three discs:
1) a CD PhoneTracker version 1.07
2) a CD Documentation and Utilities version 1.04 (which does not seem to contain any files for CoinPro but instead other Omnitronix devices)
3) a floppy disc Miscellaneous Files for PhoneTracker
I can't view #1 & #3. Do you think they might have the rate tables?
I have not looked at Omniphone controller software for years but if it is like a lot of others in regards to rate files, if the frame work exist in the program you just have to populate the area codes and exchanges.
As to the question of smart payphone programs or controllers they will not operate without a rate file. To make this simple a program has to know who it is and who it is calling to work. The rate file is part on the brain. You have to have your whole brain to function.
Some programs do have default setting in the phone that will run but are fixed. Others will do nothing. The Omniphone needs the rate file to run. so all that said I am pursuing getting a PC set up to make this happen. I called a old friend that may still have a PC that has Omniphone software running on it. I also know of a company still using the stuff. So as I get time I will start to move this ball forward. If I can make this happen I would have maybe 40 of these available. They would have to be downloaded before they were sent to the end user. They would operate a 1C or 1D W/E set as if being run buy the central office. They are really cool. In order for a Coinpro to work you must have the license code. Thanks Jim
Thanks Jim. I'd love to see high res. photos of both sides of all boards when you can take the time if you have one you don't mind opening.
Didn't you have some of the software running at one time, Dave? I seem to recall seeing some screenshots. Is that not able to build a rate file?
Quote from: Payphone installer on May 26, 2017, 12:33:31 PM
They are really cool. In order for a Coinpro to work you must have the license code.
Does the software require the associated / keyed CD to be in the drive during runtime?
Meaning, when does the license check occur?
Does the software just run happily after the install is complete? or does it require the CD or a dongle to cross check its security each time it's started?
I believe it runs happy when complete,it is similar to expressnet the disks load the PC then you connect a cable to the controller and download it. You insert the key in the software in the site record as I recall. I will try and fire up the PC that has the program on it this weekend if time permits and also I may be the disks also. The rate file is what I need to fine I think. If it s still on the PC I think it is on it will have a rate file. I guess I could image the PC?
Quote from: Payphone installer on January 11, 2018, 10:01:41 PM
I believe it runs happy when complete,it is similar to expressnet the disks load the PC then you connect a cable to the controller and download it. You insert the key in the software in the site record as I recall. I will try and fire up the PC that has the program on it this weekend if time permits and also I may be the disks also. The rate file is what I need to fine I think. If it s still on the PC I think it is on it will have a rate file. I guess I could image the PC?
Yep sure can.
We can go over the details on how with one of the tools I have already sent you.
Quote from: DavePEI on May 26, 2017, 12:34:26 AM
It would still require a rate table for even that use. That portion of its programming is controlled by the rate table. Alas, we can't even find a copy of any old rate table for it to be able to disassemble it to modify it. One needs to have the correct format before much can be done.
Yes, if one had the ability to read the code in the eprom, one might be able to come up with a kluge which would allow it to work. How many are around? You would have to ask Jim. I still hope to get mine running, if I ever get the time.
Dave
You can create new rate files with the Phone Tracker Menu application (the one you have a photo of in this thread) the only limitation I see right now is the ability to create a "Band" file.
Keep in mind that I still need the installation software to set up the backend but I think I'm making headway in the PhoneTracker revival process.
Ok gang time for an update on this project.
Today I have updated the PhoneTracker VM from Beta 1.04 to 2.01.
Everything seems to be running pretty well, The sql server is happy, The Serial Port can be piped through to the host (timing still needs to be tested), and all of the editor options are working including the OPTEditor patch update.
I still need to locate a sample "BAND" file ( *.bnd) before I can try to push any updates to the CoinPro.
<begging> If anyone has PhoneTracker running on any machine, Please send me a copy of your band file(s). </begging>
Your band files are stored in the (default) "C:\PhoneTrackerData\Files" folder.
Please note:
If you are running PhoneTracker in a workstation / server configuration the files would be in the "C:\PhoneTrackerData\Files" folder of the server.
After that I would like to start working on eliminating the software key tied to the devices.
Update:
Band files are in.
Next step is to connect to some hardware and see if I can get the pixies to talk to one another.
Awesome! I would love to have one of these to hook my phones up to.
Ok today's update...So far...
I have found that the Software Key may not be that big of a deal or even a hurdle to begin with....for collectors that is..
So the home gamers can catch up, every OmniPhone device has a serial number. They also have a software serial key that is paired to the device.
When you configure the PhoneTracker software for use you create a site record and with this site record you assign the serial number and type of device you are putting there.
in this record set there are also rates, and options, and bands, and a whole pile of other information that goes along with it.. and one of those things is the software key.
Up until now I thought that this would be a hurdle for those that may acquire a used device from the wild or NOS or whatever, because without the original packaging, you wouldn't have the factory assigned software key.
Well, I was poking around today and while reading some of the manuals I stumbled upon an interesting tidbit..
As I have learned, the PhoneTracker Polling utility will fail to communicate if the software key for the device it's calling does not jive with the one the device is expecting to receive and this failure would cause the PhoneTracker polling tool to quit and never poll again until it was forced to do so.
However I also found that there is a selection box that you can clear that seems to make it 'ok' to have transacted with an invalid key?
This may be simply to unlock certain upgraded features but it may also be part of the security scheme that works with the admin passcode.
Which features or upgrades? I have no clue.. I know the Serial port on the device was touted to be there for future enhancements.. maybe they never came out.
FWIW, This device does use an admin access code just like used on Protel controllers to prevent rival operators or hackers from accessing and reprogramming the unit.
I do hope to have some solid programming results as early as tonight.
Enjoy the rest of your day!
Thanks for the update (and PM), Sigmaz!
Ok the time came to give the CoinPro a good programming test.
I opened up the carton, removed the unit and it's power supply and plopped it onto the bench.
I plugged in an extension from my 616 to line 1 and a crappy touch tone phone for preliminary testing.
(http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=13218.0;attach=183158)
When I picked p the handset I was greeted with loud hissing and crackling.
The unit appeared to be DOA.. I removed the top cover and had a look inside for obvious component failure.. none found.
I checked the power rails and found the 5V rail ok, 48V rail ok, and even the coin relay power supply was putting out an 166V (no load).
I found the coin cell battery that is used to retain the volatile ram and the little supercap that is supposed to back it up.. with the power on I pulled the coin cell and tested it. a little shy of 3v..
killed the power and read the voltage at the battery holder to see if the cap is in parallel with the coin cell. ~1v
Looked like the cap wasnt charging/charged. I shorted the coin cell terminals to totally discharge the cap, reinstalled the coin cell and reapplied power..
when I picked up the handset I heard a little hiss and then the relays clicked!.
I was then presented with a dial tone.
I tried to dial my cell phone but was told by the DSP that the call was not permitted. I then called 800 directory and was asked for 75 cents..
Since the totalizer in my 1C1 is not working properly I used this crap phone and a tone generator app and Phreaked the coinpro into thinking I paid.. the call was then processed.
Other 800 numbers went straight through but for some reason directory assistance toll free or not is preprogrammed to charge 75 cents.
These units also have the ability to push a quick advertising quip before the call is processed, such as " Thanks to eating at Joe's Truck Stop" .. this one says in a two part recording, "Thank you for using... Cincinnati Bell"
https://youtu.be/bXvS5tLTSSo
Here are some photos of the inside for those who are interested.
(http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=13218.0;attach=183160)
Everything is stored in that dandy Intel Flash chip. I see what appears to be a JTAG header and a flash enable jumper..
I connected the CoinPro to ext26 of my 616 and my lab PC modem to 11 and asked PhoneTracker to poll the modem and push programming to it.
The controller answered on the first ring and illuminated its green line LED indicating that Line 1 was in use.
(http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=13218.0;attach=183162)
I created a sample site and gave the unit a fake location and whatnot..
Anyway, here is a screenshot of my first attempt at making contact.
(http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=13218.0;attach=183166)
The software is looking for the connect string to be very basic. The modem I am running has enhanced Verbose result codes and they were messing with it.
(CONNECT 2400 NOEc was the default connect result string, I had to send an ATW0 to switch them off and back to the simple CONNECT 2400.)
There are a few issues I need to figure out but it did say Hello world.. That's progress...right?
Great update! Did you remove the EEPROM, or is that socket just unused?
Quote from: timmerk on April 06, 2018, 09:15:39 AM
I spy a US Robotics modem (which is a good sign that it doesn't need a proprietary modem.) Also, did you remove the EEPROM, or is that socket just unused? What kind of microprocessor is that?
That is a USR V.92 but I didn't use that one to talk to it. I actually used a more common PCI winmodem that came with an HP desktop I had gutted a while back.
But the answer is "NO." You do not need a special modem to program a CoinPro.
The empty socket you see was unpopulated. I can only assume that was put there as part of the "Future Enhancements" program.
Surprisingly, this thing is a monster, it has is a 13mhz 80188 and a Ti TMS320LC549 DSP and I believe that is a 2MB Flash chip. (PA28F016S5 - 16Mbit (2Mbit x 8 ))
Did some research this morning and verified my suspicions.
Yep thats a JTAG port on the board next to the DSP.
Perhaps the Flash can be read/written to without pulling it from the board..
I has assumed they programmed it with the JTAG port and some proprietary software.. I just may be onto something.
(I forgot to add pin 87 -TRST to the drawing..)
Update for tonight.
After some work with the way back machine I was able to make contact with a person that used to manage the support department at OmniPhone.
He gave me some valuable information.
One thing is that the units are all pre programmed at the factory through the front serial port.
This is good and bad. Good, it's easy to get to and connect to...Bad, he doesn't have the software to do the job. It was in another department and all of the servers and databases were taken out over 10 years ago.
However, during my conversation with him there was a remarkable discovery made.
I was able to identify and reach out to the primary engineer that wrote the software for these marvelous devices.
I have a detailed message sitting in an inbox right now. All we need is for him to read it and reply.
If the stars align and the great scoutmaster in the sky smiles upon us, We will hopefully have all the info (and tools) we could ever need.
I don't want to cast false hope, and I will still be analyzing the flash chip as well as poke around in the DB9 serial port.
But if this lead comes through reverse engineering hopefully won't be necessary.
Wow! You're really making some awesome progress. I'll bet the ex-omniphone employee you contacted was surprised to get an inquiry about these! I'll keep my fingers crossed that you can get through to someone who has the necessary knowledge.
Yeah, he was pretty surprised to hear from me for sure.but I think he liked trying to help.
Anyway, I removed the board from the case to examine the other side with the hopes of finding something useful hidden there..
So much for the warranty.... :P
Nope, nothing useful... but here is a photo for those of you who are playing along at home.
One issue I keep running into is an "Invalid signature. Login failure" error.. I know I'm getting past the access code check because I deliberately entered an invalid access code and it failed with an error telling me it was wrong.
I think the original program files on-board are corrupt. remember the unit was hissing and popping when I first tried it...
portions of the volatile memory may have started to lose its data.
One indication of this can be seen in the string that is returned when the software queries the controller for its facility name.
To eliminate the possibility of the error being the fault of my configuration, I did a fresh install on a real xp machine. I then tried again to communicate using an external USR modem instead of a win modem through a virtualized port. The result was exactly the same.
I think that this can be cleared up if the unit was able to take a fresh copy of the .bin file.. however I dont have the correct version bin for the S/W code I have on hand, and if the unit refuses to login it wont get to the part where it would take the update.
I think the secret sauce for this unit here is to reload it as the factory did, from the front port.
I think I need to learn to be patient now.. the engineer hasn't read my message yet and assuming he one day will doesn't guarantee that he has the software handy.
Fingers crossed...
I hope the alert of an update to this thread didn't get you all too excited. I just wanted to let you guys know I have yet to hear back from Ken.
However, I'm still all in on getting this thing working properly.
This summer has been pretty busy for me so I haven't been too active but I do check in from time to time.
Fingers crossed gang, Fingers crossed...
So does that basically operate the same way a CO coinline does?
It is a CO and will deliver collect return voltage to a dumb payphone like a W/E 1C or 1D that is what it was used for. It made adumb set smart. It even simulated a live operator or routed to a AOSP meaning Alternative Operator Services Company. It also processed credit cards.
Wow that's neat. I'll have to keep my eye out for one on eBay. Hopefully you can get the software functioning
Thanks for taking the time to detail, photo and screenshot your progress Sigmaz.
I'm finding it all very interesting, some good info here. :)
Who has one they want to sell that works......