03-28-2014, 03:01 PM
Hi all WP-34S fans!
After looking out for a low cost RPN calculator from HP, like the 42S, and failing on that, I decided to re-purpose an HP-30B with the alleged excellent WP-34S project.
I know that I'm arriving late, but I still believe in the merits of such a machine.
I must say that I start using RPN calculators since the 70's (at school), but I like all kind of new technological environments, so I have got an HP-Prime as well... we need to keep our minds as open as possible.
To prepare the new calculator, I have ordered:
- One used HP-30B calculator from eBay (Italy, TheKingOfCalculators);
- Two sets of Keyboard Overlays from Eric ( http://commerce.hpcalc.org/overlay.php );
- One 32.768 KHz Quartz Crystal 20ppm DT-26 with two Ceramic Capacitors 12pF from eBay UK;
To make the serial cable (USB version for Windows PC, with internal 3.3Volt regulator to act as power supply to the calculator during the flash ROM programming), I've ordered:
- One USB to RS232 TTL serial cable adapter Model PC-PL2303HX Chipset from eBAy China;
- One DC/DC 4.5V-7V to 3.3V AMS1117-3.3V Power Supply Module from eBay China;
- 18 Crown Spring Loaded Pogo Pin JTAG from eBAy Canada;
- One small plastic box, two Push buttons (Reset and Erase), three LED's (Power, Reset and Erase) and a couple of 1Kohm resistors from a local shop.
Now I have to wait until all components are delivered, specially the China ones that can take more than 30 days to reach South Europe.
My question is:
As the KB Overlay stickers are printed on vinyl, what are your experience so far using the calculator? Does it stay over the keys after a few months of use? Does it wears out?
Thank You all for reading this!
Any feedback is very appreciated.
Cheers,
Jose
After looking out for a low cost RPN calculator from HP, like the 42S, and failing on that, I decided to re-purpose an HP-30B with the alleged excellent WP-34S project.
I know that I'm arriving late, but I still believe in the merits of such a machine.
I must say that I start using RPN calculators since the 70's (at school), but I like all kind of new technological environments, so I have got an HP-Prime as well... we need to keep our minds as open as possible.
To prepare the new calculator, I have ordered:
- One used HP-30B calculator from eBay (Italy, TheKingOfCalculators);
- Two sets of Keyboard Overlays from Eric ( http://commerce.hpcalc.org/overlay.php );
- One 32.768 KHz Quartz Crystal 20ppm DT-26 with two Ceramic Capacitors 12pF from eBay UK;
To make the serial cable (USB version for Windows PC, with internal 3.3Volt regulator to act as power supply to the calculator during the flash ROM programming), I've ordered:
- One USB to RS232 TTL serial cable adapter Model PC-PL2303HX Chipset from eBAy China;
- One DC/DC 4.5V-7V to 3.3V AMS1117-3.3V Power Supply Module from eBay China;
- 18 Crown Spring Loaded Pogo Pin JTAG from eBAy Canada;
- One small plastic box, two Push buttons (Reset and Erase), three LED's (Power, Reset and Erase) and a couple of 1Kohm resistors from a local shop.
Now I have to wait until all components are delivered, specially the China ones that can take more than 30 days to reach South Europe.
My question is:
As the KB Overlay stickers are printed on vinyl, what are your experience so far using the calculator? Does it stay over the keys after a few months of use? Does it wears out?
Thank You all for reading this!
Any feedback is very appreciated.
Cheers,
Jose