Audio Cassette Interface
The optional Audio Cassette Interface for the Altair Clone duplicates
the functionality of the original Altair 88-ACR Audio Cassette Interface.
The cassette interface provides the ability to load BASIC and to load and save BASIC
programs using a standard audio cassette recorder. The same
modulation as the original 88-ACR is used (2400Hz/1850Hz) so that tapes are
interchangeable between the Altair Clone's cassette interface and the
original 88-ACR.
The Audio Cassette Interface adds a third serial port to the Altair Clone
so that both of the original serial ports remain available for other uses.
The third serial port is also broken out as an additional DB-25 connector
on the rear panel of the Altair Clone. The additional serial port can be
used as an 88-SIO or 88-2SIO serial port when not needed for cassette I/O.
For example, run three simultaneous users in Timesharing BASIC!
For connection to a tape recorder, the Audio Cassette Interface provides
the same 3.5mm "Tape Record Out" and "Tape Play In" jacks on the rear panel
of the Altair Clone as used with the original 88-ACR.
Background
The original 88-ACR Audio Cassette Interface for the Altair provided an
alternative to paper tape for loading BASIC and for loading and saving
BASIC programs. The cassette interface transferred data at three times the
speed of the Teletype's paper tape reader and punch (300 baud versus 110
baud).
The 88-ACR was a two board set consisting of the 88-SIO serial interface
board and a modem daughterboard that converted the SIO's serial data
to/from an audio signal that was compatible with a portable cassette
recorder. From the Altair hardware and software perspective, data exchanged
with the cassette recorder was nothing more than 300 baud serial data
transferred through an 88-SIO board at I/O address 6 and 7.
Even without using the Audio Cassette Interface for the Clone, one of the
two serial ports on the Altair 8800 Clone can be configured as the same SIO
serial port used with the 88-ACR. By connecting this serial port to a
terminal emulator on a PC, and using the PC to send and receive cassette
data, all cassette I/O functions (loading BASIC, loading and saving BASIC
programs, etc.) work exactly the same as on the original Altair. However,
for a more realistic Altair experience, adding the optional Audio Cassette
Interface to your Altair Clone is a great way to go!
Installation
The Audio Cassette Interface consists of a small circuit board that
mounts to the two audio jack holes in the rear panel of the Altair Clone. A four-wire
harness connects from the cassette interface to the Altair Clone's main board to provide power
and communication. The DB-25 connector mounts in the
Altair Clone rear panel and connects to the cassette interface using a ribbon cable.
If you order the Audio Cassette Interface when purchasing the Altair
Clone, the cassette interface will already be installed. If you already own the Altair Clone
and would like to add the Audio Cassette Interface, you may be able to add the
cassette interface yourself, or your computer may have to come back to us to install the update.
- Altair Clone Serial Numbers before 12724: Your Altair Clone must be sent into us in order to install the Audio Cassette Interface. Please contact us for return instructions before shipping us your computer.
- Altair Clone Serial Numbers 12724 and higher: You can install the Audio Cassette Interface yourself. No soldering is required.
