Upgrades for RC2014 Classic

There are many ways to upgrade the RC2014 Classic (formerly known as Full Monty) and the more recent RC2014 Classic ][.

Below are a range of upgrades available using the 40 pin RCBus (RC2014 Standard bus) with modules in the low profile format to match the RC2014 Classic ][.

Alternatively, you can use the larger modules and backplanes designed for RC2014 and RCBus, such as the SC600 series.

Larger backplanes

The RC2014 Classic is supplied with an eight slot backplane. An expanded system may require more module slots.

SC141 – 12 vertical slots +1 horizontal slot
SC133 – 11 vertical slots + 1 horizontal slot with 8 to15 volt power input
CP/M upgrade

To upgrade to CP/M both the RAM and ROM modules need to be replaced with SC150 and SC151 respectively. Also, a Compact Flash storage module needs to be added.

SC150 – Paged RAM module (128kB)
SC151 – Paged ROM module (128kB)
SC145 – Compact Flash storage module
Add-on modules

These can be added to any system that has sufficient spare bus sockets (or “slots”) on the backplane. These have configurable addresses allowing several of each to be added to a single system.

SC134 – Eight LED outputs
SC135 – Eight digital outputs
SC136 – Eight digital inputs
SC137 – I2C bus master
Alternatives to RC2014 Classic modules

These modules may be worthwhile alternatives to the modules included with the RC2014 Classic.

SC139 – Serial 68B50 ACIA module

SC139 is a serial port based on the 68B50 ACIA. It has its own clock source making it independent of the processor speed. It also has a configurable address allowing several to be included in a single system.

SC149 – A CPU module with clock oscillator

SC149 is a Z80 CPU module. It includes an oscillator which could be built with a faster CPU by simply changing the crystal. The SC149 kit generally includes a CPU rated at 10 MHz, but the supplied crystal is 7.3728 MHz to ensure compatibility with standard RC2014 modules.

SC143 – 128kB Flash ROM divided into four 32k banks

SC143 is a 128k byte Flash ROM module. The memory is divided into four 32k byte banks, selected with jumpers. This allows larger firmware images to be installed.

Power supplies

The RC2014 Classic can be powered from the serial module or the backplane. An alternative approach is to have a dedicated power supply module. These modules also include a voltage supervisor and reset device to provide reliable power on reset.

SC142 – Power supply module with 8 to 15 volt input
SC148 – Power supply module with 5 volt input
Complete systems

The above range can be used to create a complete system. This can be a very basic system like the RC2014 Classic and Classic ][, or a fully functional CP/M system.

A basic system could be built with the following parts:

  • SC147 – Backplane with 6 vertical sockets and 1 horizontal socket
  • SC148 – Power supply module with voltage supervisor and reset
  • SC149 – Z80 CPU module with clock oscillator
  • SC150 – Paged RAM module (128k bytes)
  • SC151 – Paged ROM module (128k bytes)
  • SC139 – Serial module (68B50 ACIA)

To run CP/M you need to add:

  • SC145 – Compact Flash interface module
  • Compact Flash card (128MB is optimum)

Slight variants to the above list are:

  • SC141 – Backplane with more slots to replace SC147
  • SC133 – Backplane with PSU to replace SC147 and SC148
  • SC148 – Power supply with 8 to 15 volt input to replace SC148

To add extra functionality you could include:

Alternatively, you could start with a motherboard and add extra functionality with some of the above modules and backplanes.

  • SC114 – Z80 SBC/motherboard
  • SC130 – Z180 SBC/motherboard

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