HP67 Black Box (NNNs, etc.)
#1

Any interest in an old black box? Does anybody still tinker with NNNs on the 67/97? I found my old black box and was thinking of putting it up on ebay. But then I realized that most HP users wouldn't even know what it is! Geez, I feel old.

-J

#2

Very interested. How do you work it?

#3

Basically, there are sections of memory in the HP67 that cannot be accessed unless under certain conditions. You may have also noticed the calculator has limited alpha capability (Crd, Error, etc.). These characters can be assembled by the user to make strings of psuedo-alphanumerics. These are called Non-Normalized Numbers (NNNs for short). Much of the work done researching the HP67 NNNs later evolved into Synthetic Programming on the HP41C. It uses the old trick of moving the program pointer to the data area - so then you can "program" new data.

Anyone familiar with the TI-59 remembers how it can repartition program space vs. data registers. Same principle, the TI-59 just made it easier. I recall writing code on the 59 that would literally reprogram itself by storing data in registers, then repartitioning that data to be program lines and then executing them. But that's a tale for another group.

This device has 5 parts:

1. A plug that fits the power connector of the HP67

2. A black Mode Select button

3. A red Crash Recovery button

4. A coarse tuning knob (upper)

5. A fine tuning knob (lower)

To operate, you insert the plug in the HP67, switch the HP67 ON and in W/PRGM mode, and start hitting the Mode Select (black) button while tweaking the knobs. You're looking for a display of (000 84) or (99x 84). depending on which display you get, you can then proceed to entering keystrokes that you have devised to display the proper pseudo-alpha string (sometimes called a Word/Phrase/Graphic).

The box must be tuned to each HP67 and requires quite a bit of finesse and patience.

Although it's meant for use with the HP67 calculator, the NNNs produced can be written to a magnetic card and then displayed on an HP97. However, certain NNNs may burn out the HP97 print head when printed! So care must be taken.

Most of the original work in NNNs was done by Lou Cargile and others of the PPC club back in the 70's.

-John

#4

Interesting. How much for the box?

#5

Same question for me...

Let´s find it out through ebay.

Matthias

#6

Ok, guys, it's up:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270093654884


-John

#7

Only one will get it :)

Are there any schematics on how to make one?

#8

Schematics can be found in 65 Notes, Volume 4 Number 5 (June 1977). Schematics, mechanical plans, a parts list, and operating instructions can be found in PPC Journal, Volume 5 Number 9 (November 1978).

#9

Wow! I just checked, and bidding was at $103!
Maybe I should start building these things with all
the parts I have laying around.
(Getting rid of parts and making money would provide
a nice anniversary present for my wife).


Ren

dona nobis pacem

#10

Yes, but the one for sale is vintage. I'd expect a recently built one to go for about $50. Sorta reminds me of the fellow making new Altairs and selling them for 80% the cost of a genuine one. And he wondered why they didn't sell...

I was thinking of making some more Black Boxes too if my orginal one sells well. I'm looking no so much at the highest bid, but the number of watchers/bidders - (I broke 20 watchers the first day). That tells me people are interested in it. I wouldn't mind seeing a mini-revival in the HP tinkering that I enjoyed so much! Some helpful hints if you're going to make your own:

1) Use knobs/case with markings - it would help a great deal to know the "settings"
2) Use a case small enough that it fits your palm nicely.
3) Swap out the 10 Ohm fine tuning pot for a 20 Ohm with a 20 Ohm fixed in parallel - it's easier to tune.

If you're REALLY technically inclined and don't mind soldering your main logic board; try a phase 1 interrupt switch (V5N1P16). I have a 67 with one of these. It's a tiny glass reed switch just under the case on the right side. Just pass a magnet over the spot, and voila!

And needless to say, you DON'T keep the magnet in your card wallet.

-John

#11

Matthias, you're a bit crazy, aren't you?

I hope you like the box and put it to some useful work. ;)



Possibly Related Threads…
Thread Author Replies Views Last Post
  How to copy files from 9114B to hard drive via PIL-box? Joe Horn 23 10,022 12-14-2013, 11:57 PM
Last Post: Geoff Quickfall
  HP67 eBay auction Cristian Arezzini 3 2,065 12-08-2013, 03:47 PM
Last Post: Raymond Del Tondo
  PIL-box w/o IL cable = paper weight Joe Horn 15 4,855 11-26-2013, 01:05 AM
Last Post: Les Wright
  HP67/97 M.E. Pac cover Ignacio Sánchez 2 1,444 11-22-2013, 04:04 AM
Last Post: Ignacio Sánchez Reig
  HP PRIME - Bode and Black plots - first attempt dg1969 0 1,028 10-20-2013, 01:32 PM
Last Post: dg1969
  Box left at HHC Tim Wessman 1 1,570 09-26-2013, 11:05 PM
Last Post: Wlodek Mier-Jedrzejowicz
  Creeping black pattern on HP-11C screen Larry Gagnon 6 2,016 04-12-2013, 10:09 AM
Last Post: Peter Murphy (Livermore)
  Looking for scans of a HP-19c Box ledudu 5 2,098 01-20-2013, 06:13 AM
Last Post: Lode
  HP 48GX with Black LCD - S/N ID Jeff Kearns 4 1,746 12-15-2012, 03:55 PM
Last Post: aurelio
  Make PIL-Box ILPer program run on OS X Juergen Keller 6 2,139 09-07-2012, 04:38 PM
Last Post: Hans Holzach

Forum Jump: