Open68000Relocator: A500 CPU Relocator that does not interfere with Kickstart

Up for sale is my modified version of the 68000 CPU relocator for A500s by AwesomeInferno.

While his version works well, it slightly obstructs the Kickstart ROM socket, making it almost impossible to use any kind of Kickstart switcher or even to replace the ROM without removing the relocator, which is always a pain as pins break easily. So I set to rework it, in order to free up some space and applied my standard PCB design practices while I was at it.

Apart from the slightly different form factor, the main modification was to connect the copper pours on both layers to the GND net and to stitch them here and there. Other minor modifications were the rerouting of some traces and the porting of the project to KiCad 5.

The board is Open Hardware released under the GPLv2, please refer to https://github.com/SukkoPera/Open68000Relocator for more information.

The board has been tested and is working fine with my TF530. Here is a picture so that you can see how the board looks when installed in a rev.6 A500:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/v9rynpjg7x...jpg?dl=0&raw=1

And this is how the original board (green) compares with mine (red):
https://www.dropbox.com/s/jnp8vc3202...jpg?dl=0&raw=1

SEPTEMBER 2019: 10 PCBS AVAILABLE!

Prices:
- PCB only: 4€
- DIY kit (PCB + pinstrips you will need to solder yourself): 7€
- Soldered and tested board: 12€ (These are prepared upon request as my availability allows, so shipping will be slower)

Payment methods accepted: PayPal Family & Friends (or add commissions), Bank Transfer, Satispay (for Italian buyers)

Items will ship worldwide from Italy. All shipments will be trackable and at cost. As a rule of thumb, shipping for a single kit should be 3,50€ to Europe, 4,50€ to the US and 5,50€ to Africa, Asia and Australia. Add 6€ for tracked & signed for. Ask for exact quote.

Item is also on sale elsewhere.

Feel free to ask any questions.

My Sales:

• Amiga
  
  • Open68000Relocator: A500 CPU Relocator that does not interfere with Kickstart
  • OpenAmigaDriveSwitcher: Use first external drive as DF0:
  • OpenAmigaVideoHybrid: Video Hybrid Replacement
  • Kickstart 2.04 ROM
  
  

• Other Commodore Computers
  
  • SukkoPera's C64 Accessories
  • SukkoPera's C16/+4 Accessories
  
  

I have a few questions about this new type of relocator.

- How stable is the new relocator?
- Have you found some bug issues when using TF-530?

Well, as you can see in the second picture, the "new" relocator is not much different from the "old" relocator. It only has a "cut corner" that makes up for a bit more space around the KS ROM.

So it's just as stable as the old one, and also electrically it's the same as the old one (that is a 1:1 pin mapping), so it doesn't cause any new bugs/issues. If it did, I would have said so in the initial description or I just wouldn't have put it up for sale in the first place.

Sweet... Declaring interest in one prebuild board.

intrested depending on shipping to USA for soldered board.

Well, the naked board weights 20g, so I *think* I can confirm 3.50€ to Europe and 4.50€ to the US. I will assemble a couple of boards tomorrow and weight them just to be sure. Then I'll get back to both of you.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by SukkoPera

Well, the naked board weights 20g, so I *think* I can confirm 3.50€ to Europe and 4.50€ to the US. I will assemble a couple of boards tomorrow and weight them just to be sure. Then I'll get back to both of you.

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Thanks. I did send a PM regarding this relocator. Looking forward to a reply.

OK, I confirm 3.50€ to Europe and 4.50€ to the US. It will probably be just below the 50g limit.

@Brostenen: going to reply to your PM now.

@Jim_Oregon: PM me if you are still interested.

Money send. If you do not have any shipping address (should be on the transfer note), then please PM me about it.
Looking forward to get that Cloanto 2-in-1 working alongside the TF-530 that I have. :-)

Payment sent

Both payments received, thanks

One adapter is ready for shipment, I'll try to solder the other one tonight and ship both of them tomorrow.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by SukkoPera

Both payments received, thanks

One adapter is ready for shipment, I'll try to solder the other one tonight and ship both of them tomorrow.

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Sounds great. :thumbsup: I have been working on my upgrade project since Feb. 2018, so I can wait that extra day before you ship. :D

Well, if you can wait, I should be visiting Denmark at the end of April and might deliver the adapter in person :D.

But I'm sure you don't want to wait *that* long ;).

Both packages sent this morning, they weighted 48g, so just under the 50g limit as expected :). Tracking info sent via PM.

I have assembled one extra relocator, so if anybody wants it he/she can have it shipped almost instantly :).

Interested in 1 assembled board. Sending PM.

Noted but I'm currently away for a few days. I will reply on Sunday evening.

Interested in 2 PCBs, sending PM.

Just got home. Gonna have a bath, sip some coffee and then I'll get back to you all. :)

PMs replied to.

Payment sent.

And received!

Payment received from go0se, too.

All shipments should take place tomorrow.

Apologies, no longer needed. Can't delete post?

I have exactly 3 PCBs left, but I'm not sure about the other components. I will check and report later.

Correction: I only have 2 PCBs left.

@Pillock: Ok, noted your withdrawal of interest, no problem.

Packages for @theq1337 and @go0se sent this morning.

Item recieved... Installed in my 500, and is working like a charm. Thanks to this relocator, I now have finished my 500-TF530 machine. Thanks.

- - - Updated - - -

You can see the board in my blog here below...

https://to9xct.blogspot.com/2018/12/...500-turbo.html

Glad you enjoy the relocator, and kudos for the great work on your Amiga and the detailed review!

One thing: Kickstart 1.3 and earlier could only boot from DF0:. That means that when you swap the drives you will only be able to boot from DF1:. Also keep in mind that with most drive swappers the internal drive is not usable (it remains sort of invisible) when the swapping is in place.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by SukkoPera

One thing: Kickstart 1.3 and earlier could only boot from DF0:. That means that when you swap the drives you will only be able to boot from DF1:. Also keep in mind that with most drive swappers the internal drive is not usable (it remains sort of invisible) when the swapping is in place.

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Yup... The idea (and I think I have mentioned it somewere in the blogpost), is that I want to be able to switch to 1.3 and use external Gotek at some point in time. This is to preserve real disk loading internally. So the BootSelector expansion choice, is well thought out. The 3.1 Rom selector is only because I want an internal harddrive, and because I do not want harddrive access when I switch to 1.3 and because of the 3.1 Rom then I can have access to writing ADF off the harddrive or dive into WHD-Loader if I choose to set it up with that. All in all, a well thought expanded 500.

Of course it is... I have a 500+ with the exact same configuration, except for the Indivision :). I use it with an LG 26" TV that displays an amazing signal through RGB!

You have an Indivision in yours? Personally I like my ScanPlusECS better. It only outputs 50hz refresh rate, yet that gives 100% smooth scrolling, so I am lucky that my Sony LCD can do 50hz. No need for IndivisionECS.

No sorry, I meant the ScanPlus, I have no flicker fixer board, I use the plain RGB output from the Miggy.

Ahhh.... I thought that you had an IndivisionECS. Anyway...
Personally I think the IndivisionECS is an inferiour product, if we set them up, side by side on working monitor setups.
Sure the IndiECS have lots and lots of settings, and you need to fiddle a lot to make it work perfectly (especially V2).
The ScanPlusECS is plug and play and there are no software or settings, other than a jumper for OCS/ECS Denise setting.

There are only two scanarios, in were I would recommend an IndivisionECS or IndivisionECS V2.
The first being that you have an Amiga600 and only want internal scandoubling.
The second is that you do not have or can not source an LCD that can sync to 50hz refresh.

If you have an CRT monitor and do not have an LCD, and are only playing games from disk or gotek.
Then the ScanPlusECS is a way better choice. It is just plug and play and gives a better image quality
than an IndivisionECS on stock resolution. Only drawback is 50hz only, yet that is still better than 60 and up.

Item received in great condition, thanks. Leaving feedback.

Great, enjoy :). Feedback returned.

Jim_Oregon has also confirmed reception privately.

2 boards to go!

All boards received quickly and + feedback added. Thanks!

And returned :).

Still available.

1 piece still available.

Declaring interest, sending PM.

I'm sorry but I decided to keep the last piece for myself. I can get more made, but I'd need at least 3-4 people interested, as a new batch would have 10 pieces.

I'm interested if a new batch is made. I'd be interested in the kit.

Noted in first post, 2 more people and I'll order!

Interest withdrawn. I got impatient and ordered some boards myself using the CAD files on GitHub. One thing for buyers to note is that this board still gets in the way of the Kickstart ROM/ROM switcher on an A500 Rev. 5 board, so it didn't actually work as I had hoped. So I now have 5 boards (one assembled) that won't work in my machine. If anyone needs one, PM me and I may be convinced to part with one or more of them, but of course if SukkoPera decides to sell them again go to him first.

No problem, feel free to sell your excess boards as long as you do so at a fair price. Please consider making a donation to a charity of your choice otherwise.

I'm sorry the board doesn't do much on a Rev. 5 board. I tested it on Revs. 6A and 8A.1 and just assumed they would all be the same. I will investigate this (when I'm back from holidays) and add details on the project page.

Interested in a fully assembled board...

Unfortunately I can't help you at the moment, please try to get in touch with grbrady.

I have finally researched a bit and added the following note on the project page:

Quote:

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The Kickstart ROM socket does not get obstructed on A500 mainboard revisions 6A and 8A.1, while on older revisions (3 and 5) it still gets in the way, so it is not recommended for use with them (although it still works perfectly).

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So thanks grbrady for the heads up, and sorry again it didn't work for you :(.

hello
i m interested in a full kit if compatible
i have an a500+ revision 8a and the indivision ecs to put in
thank you for your job

Yes, revs 6A and 8A.1 are fully compatible.

I have pulled the trigger and ordered a new batch. It should be here next week, I will update the thread by then.

10 PCBs are back in stock.