TRS-80 Model I w/Numeric Keypad

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(Submitted May 1, 2008 12:02:06 by Gary H)

I ran a bbs for 2-3 years on a trs-80 model 1 (Horizon in the bay area if anyone remembers). I had 3 80 track double sided drives overtracked to 84 tracks running the newdos/80 operating system in addition to the 40 track ds drive used as the boot drive. It was one heck of a system back then. The only issues where the tin contacts which corroded and caused reboot/hang issues and the monitor which was intermitten. I would sometimes have to slap the monitor HARD to get it to display when it flickered off.

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(Submitted February 28, 2008 18:14:17 by Bob Whitney)

I purchased my TRS-80 in 1977. I eventually purchased an expansion interface (Not Tandy), 2 floppy drives (single sided) and an Epson MX-80 printer. I also found out that I could use both sides of the floppies by punching holes in the disks. I also used Electric Pencil and Visicalc along with a neat game , Taipan, which actually had graphics showing ships sinking. Looking back, it was quite an experience and it helped me to understand computing and helped me on the job.

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(Submitted August 26, 2007 23:17:45 by dean)

The different versions were called LEVELS *not* steps. Level 1 and Level 2.

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(Submitted January 27, 2007 19:31:32 by Todd)

I still have my TRS-80 from when I bought it new in 1978. Upgraded to 16k LII but could never afford the EI and disks as a high school student. I have given my TRS a new purpose in life as the brains behind the resurrection of my college invention: a beer drinking game. You can see it on Google video at http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=1395261366387688580&q=electronic+quarters&hl=en or search for Electronic Quarters. I used the TRS32 emulator to write the program file to an audio CD-R instead of a tape.

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(Submitted December 2, 2006 08:46:57 by Sam Sorrell)

The Model I had a 64x16 display, not 64x24. Also, it was roughly a 2MHz machine (acutally something like 1.77MHz), not a 4 MHz machine. Although I think there was an aftermarket mod that would give you close to 4MHz.

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(Submitted September 29, 2006 21:56:06 by Tony)

I bought my first TRS-80 Model I keyboard in the UK in 1980. It was sold by a third party who imported it without screen or tape player - and an RF modulator to enable it to be plugged into a standard UK TV. Opening it up it said it was a level I 4K machine, but it had been upgraded to Level II 16K. I upgraded it with low power chips to 48K - and found that if I cut out the logo on the left of the keyboard the numeric keyboard sockets were there - I bought some keys and created my own numeric keypad by soldering them to the motherboard. Adding a non-standard (Gnomic) interface enabled me to plug in disk drives and a printer, and when Visicalc was introduced for the machine it was invaluable to me as an accountant.

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(Submitted August 18, 2006 11:27:18 by Dave Lay)

I have a TRS80 Model II with desk, expantion drive and printer that I paid more than $8K for new. It is in great condition and I am interested to know if there is any market for this complete unit.

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(Submitted August 12, 2006 22:39:47 by Jeff)

I have a TRS80 Model II with built-in dual 8 drives, plus the quad 8 external unit, for sale.

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(Submitted August 12, 2006 07:23:03 by joe)

i bought mine with 16k (deluxe version) lol for 950 bucks still had it and fired it up here and there until 2002 man i long for those days again

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(Submitted August 12, 2006 06:06:32 by Caranne)

My father gave me a TSR-80 after he upgraded to a IBM-compat. He was always into technology. i.e.- as soon as he could buy a 20 moniter in the 1990's he did, for $2000. That was when a 15 could be had for $300+/-. Anyway- never could do much with it- I think I still know BASIC, learned it in 8th grade... The thing I remember most about it is when I had my pet Macaw in my bedroom, I took a nap and woke up to find a hole in the dust cover and half the keys pulled off.

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(Submitted March 2, 2006 14:46:40 by Sam Brooks)

I have a Trash 80 Model I w/expansion interface, LII Basic and 48K, monitor and Siemens floppy. Has some kind of I/O problem - won't read or write to floppy, but is functional otherwise. I don't have any use for it - e-mail me if you want it for the cost of shipping it to you.

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(Submitted August 18, 2005 12:10:04 by Thenamir)

I learned BASIC on a TRS-80 Model I in 1979 by visiting the Radio Shack almost daily -- chose my profession (programming) because of it.

I found a Model I in a mover's trash pile, keyboard and monitor, but no power cable for the keyboard -- the one with the 5-pin connector. Anyone know where I can find one? I'd like to see if it works. Monitor seems to power up OK.

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(Submitted July 6, 2005 21:54:26 by Robb Doggie)

Yep, I had a trash 80. Paid $25 bones for it in 95. Which at that time made it rather obsolete. Nice toy though. Used endless loop cassettes, and had a strange compartment in the keyboard. Almost looked like I could stick a few D sized batts there. Never had the gadgets like they had in war games..

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(Submitted April 2, 2005 07:12:49 by Robert)

In addition- my TRS 80 is the one piece model- with monitor & keyboard together. This sold at Radio Shack in Glendale Calif in 1980 for $2,000. + tax. ARRRGH Nice site you have..

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