6 replies to this topic

[Rob Mitchell]

I have wired an interface box to connect my 2600 Keyboard (also 2600 Video Touchpad, 2600 Kids Controller) to the 5200! It works great! (Although it does require a minor modification to the keyboard: See Below.)

I used the Wico Y splitter cable for connection to the console. I built a simple adapter to switch the pins. On top of the adapter I mounted three pushbuttons for START, PAUSE, RESET.

The adapter has a 15 pin male socket (for Wico cable) and 9 pin female socket (for 2600 Keyboard Controller).

Here is how the adapter is wired:

9F -> 15M
1 -> 7
2 -> 6
3 -> 5
4 -> 8
5 -> 3
6 -> 1
7 nc
8 nc
9 -> 2

Pushbuttons:
START, PAUSE, RESET common to 15M pin 4
START free end to 15M pin 7
PAUSE free end to 15M pin 6
RESET free end to 15M pin 5

There is one minor modification that needs to be done to the 2600 Keyboard to keep pins 5 and 9 from interfering with eachother. Open the controller. Lift the resistor that connects to the white wire (P9). Clip that one end or desolder and let it rest to the side of the PCB. Reassemble.

Make sure you label / mark your 2600 Keyboard as a 5200 controller! You cannot use it to play 2600 Codebreaker (Mastermind) anymore!

Funny thing is that the 2600 Keyboard does accommodate the 5200 overlays! All you have to do is set the lower tabs of the overlay into the bottom slots and secure the top in place with a small piece of tape and you are set! This makes me think that Atari engineers were using the 2600 keyboard initially with the 5200 console when they were working through controller options.

I'm thinking of making these with the PC adapter interface included if anyone wants one. PM me.

Rob Mitchell, Atlanta, GA

[IceCold]

Sounds very cool! Not something I'll be doing anytime soon, but still very cool. Do you have any pics of the adaptor?

[Rob Mitchell]

IceCold said:

Sounds very cool!  Not something I'll be doing anytime soon, but still very cool.  Do you have any pics of the adaptor?

Nope .. just a black plastic box with three buttons on top .. 2 ports for input and two ports for output. WICO Y cable connects to the console.

Rob Mitchell, Atlanta, GA

[IceCold]

Rob Mitchell said:

IceCold said:

Sounds very cool!  Not something I'll be doing anytime soon, but still very cool.  Do you have any pics of the adaptor?

Nope .. just a black plastic box with three buttons on top .. 2 ports for input and two ports for output. WICO Y cable connects to the console.

Rob Mitchell, Atlanta, GA

Yeah, I just love seeing pics of other people's works/creations, even if they do look very simple(just a plastic box).

[jsoper]

Wow, that's a good idea idea Rob. I installed a 4x4 keypad in the last couple master-play type adapters I made, but never thought of using 2600 keypads for that. Congrats.

[Rob Mitchell]

jsoper said:

Wow, that's a good idea idea Rob.  I installed a 4x4 keypad in the last couple master-play type adapters I made, but never thought of using 2600 keypads for that.  Congrats.

Yeah .. I like the 2600 Keyboards .. They're Atari so they work for me. I've put 4x4 keypads in two adapters also .. but the effect is not the same.

Rob Mitchell, Atlanta, GA

[bohoki]

ah ha the solution