Missile Command Trackball Encoder Boards and a SURPRISE!!

Daviea

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Missile Command Trackball Encoder Boards and a SURPRISE!!

Undoubtedly, most of you know what this part is right away:

MCEncoder01.jpg


I'd like to ask for some help on this one. First, I'd like to find out WHAT the empty 14-pin IC spot is for. Yeah, yeah... I know... a 14-pin chip. dUh. No, I'd like to find out what exact part number was originally intended for this location. Next, I'd like to know if anyone has ANY documentation on this board which indicates the empty spots being used by any parts at all. Last, does anyone have spare work/non-working samples of these boards available that I can have? I'm looking for a nice spread of them which will show me examples of every possible radial encoder device (I am aware of at least five different versions) as well as different revisions of the PCB itself (There has to be at least the original NOREV and revs A through H).

Here's the deal. I just got some parts made which brings the encoder board (steering board) reproduction project as well as the 4.5" Maxi-Trackball project alive once again. Yes! Before I start assembling these boards, I want to make sure that there isn't any need for *fully* populated boards... perhaps for some old 70's driving game I am unaware of. So, if there ever was a fully populated version, I'd need to know what parts go in those empty spots.

And here's the surprise:

MCEncoder02.jpg


BRAND NEW radial encoders fresh made and tested. These are the first that passed my testing. The impossible task has been making the special housing that the optical devices are placed in. I have to take into account so many factors, including among other things, the IR-transmissive properties of the plastic being used. I may still go with a different type for the full production run, but these seem to offer the best performance while blocking stray ambient light.

So, there you have it. The first radial encoders made in a LONG time.

Yes, I will be making these available as a separate part so people can repair their own equipment. :)

Enjoy!! (oh, and thank you for any help/support you can provide me with)
 
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I'm actually surprised there hasn't been more response to this thread...yet. I have been getting requests for those little radial optical switches on and off for years. Maybe my timing was off - either the economy or the day of week... time of day? Who knows. :)

Anyhow, after all the development time put into this, I was hoping for some more excitement about the optical switches more than anything. I know it's just one component, but boy what a difficult part to make... and impossible to source from existing stocks.

These are the same radial encoders that Atari used for nearly all of their opto boards, except the 720 dual opto, Roadblasters opto and the early Night Driver opto boards...perhaps a few others?

I was excited about it, at least. :)
 
I have the same suspicion, as well. However, I'm looking for either a pre-built board OR some docs on it. They made the board with these component locations....so, what game(s) used the boards with these locations stuffed? Your guess is as good as mine.

I doubt I'll need to supply these boards with those parts installed, but I'd still like to know what was originally intended just to be fully informed.

Pretty obvious what should be there, but I'd want to see the bottom side of the board to be sure...
 
Very nice. I was about to swap out some of the opto switches in my MC cocktail for separate IR LEDs/receivers, but will hang on for a set of these now. Any idea when the parts might be available on their own?

--
Dave

p.s. still waiting for my mini trakball rollers ..
 
It looks like I have Rev A (it say CX-1A) in my drivers: Night Driver, Sprint2, Trak 10. I couldn't check Subs right now. I also have Rev B in my Football, Rev E in the Basketball and Drag Race has an 1 Rev H with no IC and 1 Rev E. I can send you the Rev A if you like but it's the one that won't fit your part. The rest are running in my machines. I'll be happy to take pictures though.
 

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Nice work.

I'll take some encoder radials as and when they're ready. It's one of the few spare parts I don't have, so sods law says they'll go pop one day. Glad to see there's finally a few more in the world.
 
I've got four NOS ones....all labeled revision "02". No IC chip on mine. They are also imprinted with "steering board".

Edward
 
Very cool.

Three things:

1. Can you get me the values of every resistor on the board?
2. Can you show me a close up pic of the entire bottom of the board?
3. Do you happen to know what game(s) used the board with all the parts populated on the board?

Thanks for the help!!



I have 1 NOS board that has the chip.
 
Hmm... that wasn't going to be my guess...

Me neither. This whole time I was thinking 7414...

Maybe they're using the flip-flop to divide the pulses and slow the input down? So, then, with this opto board paired with the dip switch on MC, you get four different cross-hair speeds!

-Ian
 
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If they did use the flip-flop to divide the pulses and slow the input down, then, as a start, I'm guessing it was probaly used in Football and Basketball. I think the sensitivity is low on those games as I seem to remember people really hammering the trak-ball on those machines back in the day.
 
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