Vector Test Jamma Adapters for testing vector pcb's on the bench
So I got my Jamma test rig up and running and I am starting to
buy or get the parts to make jamma adapters for the raster boards I have.
What about all the vectors I have?
How can I work on the boards and test them without building a specific
big test rig on a wooden board for each one? I have a bunch of dead
tempests and an Omega race pcb I want to mess with. I'd like to be able to
swap them in and out easily.
So I came up with the idea of a Vector Test Jamma Adapter...
My current Jamma rig is self contained for raster games.. it has everything
they need but as we know, vectors are unique but they have many of the
same fundemental requirements.
5v Power
a speaker
test switch
service switch
coin1/coin2
P1/P2
And basic controls.. buttons, joysticks, etc.
Take battlezone for example..
If I created a jamma adapter with a built in audio amp that
provided a battlezone board..
+5v, Speaker, joysticks, buttons, coin 1/2, start 1/2, test, service, and test
points to connect an oscillscope to the adapter. I'd mostly be in business
except for the odd voltages most vector boards require for the vector
output. In this case I need +22v/-22v for battlezone.
Probably the easiest solution is to just have points on the Vector test jamma
adapter where you could hookup an external adjustable bench power supply(s)
for the odd voltage supply.. Or maybe an AR2 connector for Atari vectors.
The negative voltage will be a PIA to make without a center tapped
transformer. Gotta research this part more and see what common voltages
are used across vectors and the easiest way to generate them.
This seems like a really clean solution to me. My Jamma test rig, an
Oscillscope, adjustable bench power supply or transformer/Ar2 and the
vector test jamma adapter and I have a vector game running on my bench
ready to work on.
So am I crazy? Am I missing anything? I imagine someone has done this before.
Yes I know Kurz Kasch made something like this but try finding one these
days. Last one I saw sold for $800.
So I got my Jamma test rig up and running and I am starting to
buy or get the parts to make jamma adapters for the raster boards I have.
What about all the vectors I have?
How can I work on the boards and test them without building a specific
big test rig on a wooden board for each one? I have a bunch of dead
tempests and an Omega race pcb I want to mess with. I'd like to be able to
swap them in and out easily.
So I came up with the idea of a Vector Test Jamma Adapter...
My current Jamma rig is self contained for raster games.. it has everything
they need but as we know, vectors are unique but they have many of the
same fundemental requirements.
5v Power
a speaker
test switch
service switch
coin1/coin2
P1/P2
And basic controls.. buttons, joysticks, etc.
Take battlezone for example..
If I created a jamma adapter with a built in audio amp that
provided a battlezone board..
+5v, Speaker, joysticks, buttons, coin 1/2, start 1/2, test, service, and test
points to connect an oscillscope to the adapter. I'd mostly be in business
except for the odd voltages most vector boards require for the vector
output. In this case I need +22v/-22v for battlezone.
Probably the easiest solution is to just have points on the Vector test jamma
adapter where you could hookup an external adjustable bench power supply(s)
for the odd voltage supply.. Or maybe an AR2 connector for Atari vectors.
The negative voltage will be a PIA to make without a center tapped
transformer. Gotta research this part more and see what common voltages
are used across vectors and the easiest way to generate them.
This seems like a really clean solution to me. My Jamma test rig, an
Oscillscope, adjustable bench power supply or transformer/Ar2 and the
vector test jamma adapter and I have a vector game running on my bench
ready to work on.
So am I crazy? Am I missing anything? I imagine someone has done this before.
Yes I know Kurz Kasch made something like this but try finding one these
days. Last one I saw sold for $800.

