Exploring The TRS-80 Network 3 Controller
In a follow-up to my coverage of the TRS-80 Network 3 controller, I dive into the specifics of how the controller works. In the process, I create a simple version of a configuration that Radio Shack promised and never delievered: a TRS-80 Model II-line host paired with TRS-80 Color Computers as student stations. I'll talk about programming the serial port on the Model II/12, discuss the controller's modes of operation, and demonstrate host-controlled selection of student stations using the Model 12, two CoCos, and my oscilloscope.
Notes:
This video's aspect ratio is a bit strange; this was due to OBS settings I neglected to fix. Oops!
The Network 3 controller is not currently compatible with trs80gp. You must use real hardware.
Music/SFX (in order):
None. Just me jabbering
Links:
SepTANDY 2023 Education Series: • TEC - Tandy Education Connection
trs80gp Emulator - http://48k.ca/trs80gp.html
Model II Archive (CP/M Plus is here) - https://github.com/pski/model2archive
Chapters:
Intro (0:00)
The Planned Config (0:46)
Important Caveats (1:37)
New Nick Nacks For The Room! (3:58)
What IS The Network 3? (6:13)
Scope Probes and Network 3 Modes (8:19)
Z80 CTC & SIO Programming on the Model 12 (13:30)
Station Selection Under Host Control (19:58)
Model 12 and CoCos Talking Through Network 3 (26:18)
Final Points Of Importance (33:15)
What's Next & Outro (35:59)
I do these videos unscripted, so I apologize if the in-the-moment descriptions of things are a bit scattered. If you have any questions/comments about this video, you can find me in any of these fine locations:
The Tandy Discord Server
The CoCo Nation Discord Server
The TRS-80 Color Computer (CoCo) group on Facebook
The CoCo Crew Podcast group on Facebook
On the Vintage Computer Forums (vcfed.org)
The TRS-80 Models I-4/4P Group on Facebook
Tandy / Radio Shack Model II /12 / 16 / 16B / 6000 Owner's Group on Facebook
Twitter (I'm TJBChris there...)
The Level29 BBS (I'm TJBChris there, too.)
Particles BBS (Guess who I am here? Yeah, TJBChris.)
Thanks for watching!