Straying from the Vic - I bought this Black Atom.....

[Vic20-Ian]

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... SA:GB:1123

Anyone know anything about GCHQ computer or Black Acorn Atoms?

Any idea what the non standard switch might be for?

Looking forward to an internal view of this rather nice looking bit of retro.

I always coveted the MTX512 when new, never managed to get one as a retro collector. I also never managed to capture an Atom either and today I saw this and bid via mobile phone. Very chuffed!

More details when it arrives.

[Vic20-Ian]

Arrived today.

No Power supply, anyone know what spec this should be?

8V 1.5 amps but what polarity?

Looks sleak but opened up only has 2k of ram on board.

An eprom labelled PR2B is installed in ic24, this number is scrathed on a lable on the back of the machine.

Pics if anyone is interested by email

[Sdw]

Nice find! I've never heard of these Acorn Atoms before, but at least the design looks rather fresh for a 1980/81? computer!

[Vic20-Ian]

Well it took a few months but I found time to buy a power supply and get it working.

For reference the Acorn Atom uses an 8 volt tip positive power supply drawing about 1500ma

I used a regulated supply at 7.5v and it booted up nicely.

I will play with it for a few days to compare with the Vic20 and then probably retire it to Ebay. It was bought on impulse due to the rare black case and GCHQ connection in in unknown state. Now it is working it should be of interest to someone.

[shem]

Any chance of a pic as i havent seen a black atom before

[Pedro Lambrini]

Indeed, I wouldn't mind a gander too. I used to love my hugely expanded Electron but have never even seen an Atom.